At a Glance
Understanding Convection Ovens
Key Differences and Similarities
If you have ever wondered about the difference between air fryer and convection oven options, you are certainly not alone.
A common question for people looking to upgrade their cooking game, both appliances use the power of hot air to create delicious dinners that will wow you and your guests.
In this article, we examine the difference between the two, explore the pros and cons of each, and get to the bottom of the convection oven vs air fryer debate.
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Shop Wall OvensUnderstanding Convection Ovens
Originally a tool for professional bakers and today, a popular way to elevate home kitchens, many people still wonder, what is convection oven cooking and how does it work?
Convection cooking is an oven that uses an internal fan to circulate the heat produced by the elements. This circulating heat cooks food faster and more evenly than a traditional oven, creating perfect cakes and beautifully crispy roasts.
Adding extra versatility to large capacity ovens, many convection oven options also include hot air frying modes for faster cooking, and some double as microwaves and steamers.
Unveiling the Air Fryer
An air fryer is a newer design. A countertop appliance that makes deliciously crispy fried tasting food, using a tiny amount of oil or butter.
Using rapid air circulation to reach hot temperatures, air fryers can quickly and evenly distribute heat and oil through the air fryer basket. This results in delicious crispy foods that taste as good as their fried counterparts.
Affordable and user friendly, air fryers are becoming a go-to appliance for fast, delicious, and healthy meals.
Key Differences and Similarities
If both appliances can create the hot, crispy, and delicious foods we love, what is the difference between air fryer and convection oven cooking?
On the surface, they both use rapid air circulation to quickly and evenly heat your food, but there are some key differences between them.
As a small countertop appliance, the capacity of an air fryer is very limited. Convection ovens are available in a variety of sizes, with even the smallest models capable of keeping up with family cooking.
Due to its size, an air fryer can cook portions of food more quickly, but a convection oven is much more versatile in its possibilities.
Pros and Cons of Convection Ovens
As both appliances excel in different areas and will suit different customers, we can’t compare convection oven vs air fryer options without looking at the pros and cons of each.
✅ Pros of a Convection Oven
- Large capacity: To cook a full meal or serve a large family, a convection oven can cook a large amount of food evenly, and quickly, and is ready for holidays and feasts.
- Versatility: Roasting, baking, slow cooking, and broiling, a convection oven offers a lot of cooking options in one appliance.
- Multiple dishes: With more than one rack and in the case of double ovens, more than one oven, a convection oven can cook different elements of a meal at the same time.
- Precision baking: Baking is a precise art, and keeping extremely steady temperatures can be the difference between success and failure.
❎ Cons of Convection Ovens
- Cooking time adjustments: Moving from a traditional oven to a powerful convection oven can have a learning curve for cooks. Many recipes require a time and temperature conversion when making the switch.
- Higher investment: As a versatile and high-powered option, the price is usually higher for a convection oven vs a regular oven model.
→ Learn more: Convection Oven Tips
Pros and Cons of an Air Fryer
Offering a different experience to a convection oven, an air fryer has a different set of pros and cons to explore.
✅ Pros of Air Fryer
- Fast preheating: A smaller size allows air fryers to preheat and cook food quickly.
- Ease of cleaning: With small baskets and simple mechanisms, air fryers are simple to clean.
- Low cost: A small countertop appliance, an air fryer is an affordable entry point to cooking with convection.
- Cook a variety of foods: Although they only cook with one method, an air fryer can cook many different foods, from crispy vegetables and frozen snacks to desserts and sweet treats.
❎ Cons of an Air Fryer
- Small capacity: An air fryer basket is often too small to cook enough food for a family meal.
- Counter space: For many homeowners, kitchen counter space is already in short supply. If you have little space or prefer a minimalist kitchen without too many counter top additions, an all-in-one convection oven may be a better choice.
Which One is Right for You
Cooking with convection can revitalize your kitchen and offer you many new recipes to try. To decide which convection oven vs air fryer option might be the best for you, consider some of the following:
- Your capacity needs: If you cook for one and want a quick way to make dinner, an air fryer might be a good option. If you need to make more complex meals or feed a family, the capacity of a convection oven is more likely to serve your needs.
- Budget: Investing in a convection oven can pay delicious dividends throughout the years. If your budget does not stretch to a new oven right now, an air fryer is a good alternative option. Before you conclude your budget, check out your discount appliance store options like Slager to see how affordable a full convection oven might be.
- Space: Some homes are very short on counter space and the idea of adding an extra appliance like an air fryer to what little is left can be stressful. For others, there simply isn’t room for a full-size oven. For those people, an air fryer can make an excellent alternative in a small kitchen.
Recommended Convection Ovens
With the power to perfectly bake cakes, precisely roast turkeys, and create the crispy finish an air fryer provides, a convection oven is the most versatile appliance in the kitchen.
Below, we highlight three top rated convection oven options that have customers no longer considering the convection oven vs air fryer question.
GE 30” Stainless Steel Electric Built In Double Oven
Shop GE 30" Electric Built In Double Oven
A double, true convection oven from GE. This model featuring hidden third elements is a cooking enthusiast's best friend.
Wall mounted for a sleek kitchen style; this GE model provides a versatile cooking experience with a capacity for great feasts.
Smart enabled for precision temperature control from the comfort of your couch, this convection oven also features:
- Fast and even results from true European convection
- Self cleaning with optional steam cleaning mode
- Scrub free, easy glide oven racks for fast cleaning and safe unloading
- Illuminated LCD control panel
★ Featured GE JTD5000SNSS Review:
“We've only had this oven a few days but so far it's great!! Quick heating, quiet, even cooking and love the rack that rolls out very easily!”
Café 30” Stainless Steel Oven/Microwave Combo Electric Wall Oven
Shop Café 30" Oven/Microwave Combo Electric Wall Oven
Elevate your kitchen with the ultimate in flexible oven options. A double oven with true convection option that also acts as a microwave and toaster oven.
This high-end combo wall oven by Café is a beautiful addition to your appliances. A fit guarantee and customizable handle finishes to match your decor and style ensure this wall oven will become a stunning focal point.
With precision heating, this oven quickly displays the power of the convection bake vs bake from a traditional model. Including pro-style handles for a sleek kitchen look, this convection oven also features:
- An easy slide, heavy duty roller rack for safe removal of large dishes
- Steam cook option for healthy dinners
- Easy to use LCD control panel
★ Featured Café CTC912P2NS1 Review:
“We absolutely love our wall oven. The variety, the features, the user-friendly applications and intuitive features enable easy learning and quick application. Thank you Café for putting together such an outstanding product.”
→ Learn more: Are Double Oven Electric Ranges Worth It?
Monogram Statement Collection 30” Stainless Steel Electric Built In Single Oven
Shop Monogram 30" Electric Built In Single Oven
A powerhouse appliance from a luxury brand, this Monogram wall oven has a built in air frying mode to eliminate the need for any convection oven vs air fryer debate.
Boasting precise baking temperatures, true convection cooking, and a large 5.0 Cu Ft capacity, this impressive oven also includes:
- A scan to cook feature: Simply scan the barcode of prepacked foods for the perfect bake
- Crispy air frying mode
- Wi-Fi connectivity with Alexa and Google compatibility
- Professional style edge to edge handles
- Heavy duty and easy glide oven racks
★ Featured Monogram ZTS90DPSNSS Review:
“I just love my wall oven. There are so many features, cooks evenly, and cleans easily. You can make right out of a magazine dishes that are crispy and perfectly cooked LOVE LOVE LOVE !”
→ Learn more: Convection Roast vs Convection Bake: What's The Difference?
In Conclusion
For many people, the convection oven vs air fryer debate comes down to a few important factors, including:
- Whether your current oven could be doing better
- Your budget
- Love baking, or cooking versatile meals
- Need for a larger capacity
- Space for a new oven or countertop appliance
For elevating your whole cooking experience, the return on investment of a built in convection oven is remarkable.
Precise baking, roasting to perfection, and space to cook for the whole family are just some of the reasons why customers wish they had made the switch much sooner.
At Slager Appliances, we have over 70 years of experience helping our loyal customers to find the perfect appliances to suit their needs, home style, and budget. Whether you want to boost your kitchen with convection cooking or plan to remodel your whole kitchen, at Slager, your needs are our priority.
Why Trust Slager Appliances?
Founded over 70 years ago, Slager Appliances is a family-owned, independent appliance retailer based out of Iowa City, IA. Slager has competitive prices and industry knowledge in delivering and installing all major appliance brands. Large enough to offer competitive pricing yet small enough to continue offering the “white glove” service we pride ourselves on, our focus is always on the customer experience — from the first step into a showroom to the purchase transaction to well after your new appliance has been installed.
Whether you need to replace an old appliance, or if you’re remodeling and need an entire kitchen full of new brand-name products we are with you all the way. We will work with you to find a product that fits your needs, budget, and lifestyle.
Shop Convection Ovens at Slager Appliances
Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today, and shop for ovens online at Slager Appliances. Our friendly experts are always happy to help you find the best wall oven for your kitchen — whether you call us at 319-337-3833, email us, or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by any of our Slager Appliances in Iowa City, IA. Visit us today!