Comparison of Convection and Microwave Ovens

Convection and microwave ovens both have advantages and disadvantages when compared to each other, and which you choose depends on what you are cooking and how much time you have.

Both convection and microwave ovens have the advantage of cooking faster than a conventional oven. For exact preparation results, a convection oven will work better, but for fast cooking or when defrosting food, microwaves have the advantage.

Identification

A convection oven usually has an electric heating element, the same as a conventional home oven. However, convection ovens have a built-in fan which circulates hot air through the cooking area. Microwave ovens use high-frequency radio waves that make molecules in the food move and heat up. Microwaves contact a piece of food from the outside, cooking and heating as they penetrate further.

Convection Advantages

Convection ovens cook more quickly and therefore use less energy than a conventional oven--though they are not as quick as a microwave oven. Convection ovens maintain an even temperature, so food cooks evenly no matter where it is placed in the oven. Convection ovens are also excellent for browning and roasting foods because they cook evenly across surfaces.

Microwave Advantages

Microwaves heat up instantly and, like convection ovens, save energy when compared to conventional ovens. A microwave oven has a safety advantage because the sides and door of the oven itself do not get hot. Microwave ovens are very convenient and have an advantage when it comes to reheating, precooking or thawing frozen foods.

Significance

The most significant advantage a convection oven has over a microwave oven is the ability to roast or brown food. Microwave ovens will not brown the surface of food unless special utensils are used. For many foods, this will result in an unappealing, rubbery texture.

When roasting meat or vegetables, very few recipes will call for the cooking to be done in a microwave oven. For roasting and baking from scratch, the convection oven will deliver superior results.

Considerations

When the uses of convection ovens and microwaves are considered, many home cooks realize that they want to have both.

In order to follow recipes, a convection oven that creates and distributes heat is necessary. However, for quick reheats, the convenience of a microwave is hard to beat. Also, there are prepared foods available that are meant to be prepared only in a microwave oven.