
The convection ovens are smart machines, better than the previously used conventional ones. The phenomenon of air-current flow make them highly efficient. To know more about these ovens, read on…
The process of convection involves transfer of heat from one point to another by means of electric current flowing through media like liquid or gas. Useful information pertaining to the working of convection ovens is presented in this convection oven cooking guide.
What is a Convection Oven?
These ovens are slightly different from the regular ovens. Hot circulated air is used to cook food in them. Air circulation in convection ovens takes places by means of a fan. As the heated air is in continuous circulation, there is no scope for an air-insulation to develop around the food material.
The oven saves heat as well as time taken for cooking. Reduction in cooking temperature is around 30 °C, and also time needed for cooking is lesser by 25%.
The food kept in convection ovens gets evenly cooked. It is an advantage over conventional ovens – in which food placed near the heating element is overcooked.
The ‘wind chill’ example may help us gain a better understanding of how the oven works. When we face a wind chill, our body temperature dips quickly. This happens because, the continuous flow of cold air doesn’t allow enough time for our body temperature to stabilize. Thus, wind chill absorbs heat at a faster rate.
Another modified version of convection ovens is the Convection Microwave Oven. This oven gives the users a double advantage over other ovens; this oven matches the microwave and convection ovens in terms of speed and browning respectively. Here, browning means the bread should attain a perfect brown color. It should neither be overbaked nor baked partly.
Cooking Tips
Here are few tips for cooking food in the convection oven. Take care that the pan used for cooking doesn’t have sides taller than the regular pan. This is because, taller sides block the ‘air flow’, and which is the biggest advantage of using these ovens. Initially, ovens should be heated to a temperature that is 50 °F above the desired temperature. At the time of placing food in the oven, bring down the temperature to the desired level. Check the ideal temperature that would be best for the food to be cooked; in case of uneven cooking, reduce the temperature by 25 °F. Keep the oven clean and maintain at least 2 inch. gap between every shelf.
Temperatures and Timings for Recipes
The details for temperature and timings for different recipes are provided through the following list.
- Pie: Things that may influence your ‘pie cooking’ are sugar, butter and size of the pie. Preheat the oven to 325 °F and bake the pie for 45 minutes.
- Cheesecake: Baking at 200 °F for about 4 hours.
- Cookies: The cookies need to be baked for 15-20 minutes at 300 °F.
- Biscuits: Ten minutes of baking at 350 °F is essential in preparing biscuits.
- Bread: It takes about 35 minutes to bake biscuits at 325 °F.
- Pizza: The recommended time for baking pizza is 25 minutes, while the temperature needs to be 425 °F.
Advantages of Convection Oven
The time factor is discussed earlier in this article. Here are a few more advantages of the convection ovens.
- Convection ovens help increase the speed of chemical activities which take place at the time of cooking.
- Food prepared in convection ovens shrinks lesser as compared to that in other ovens.
The convection ovens, till recent times were used only for commercial purposes. Nowadays, their prices have lowered and can be used in home kitchens. So it’s time for you to get one!