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Convection Oven vs Conventional Oven: Which Oven Fits Your Kitchen?

Planning a new oven for your commercial kitchen? Feeling stuck choosing the right one? The sales rep keeps talking about forced air technology and even heat distribution. Your chef keeps asking for a convection oven microwave setup. And you? You just want to know what actually works. 

Should you go convection? Stick to conventional? Or try that microwave hybrid everyone talks about? Let’s break it down. 

What Is a Conventional Oven?

A conventional oven is the classic oven found in most homes. It heats food from the top and bottom using metal elements. There is no fan to move the heat around, so the air inside stays still.

Pros

Very easy to use

Most recipes are written for this style

Usually cheaper to buy

Cons

Heat can be uneven

Food often takes longer to cook

Baking on more than one rack can be tricky

Best for

Cakes, cookies, custards, and breads that need gentle, steady heat.

What Is a Convection Oven?

A convection oven has something extra: a fan (and sometimes an extra heating element). The fan blows hot air around the oven. This spreads heat evenly and cooks food faster.

Pros

Faster cooking

Better browning and crisping

Great for using multiple trays

Cons

Often costs more

Can dry out delicate desserts

Recipes may need time or temperature changes

Best for

Roasting vegetables, meat, pies, and baking several trays at once.

For small kitchens, convection microwave ovens and microwave convection ovens do the same trick but save space. 

How They Work (In Simple Terms)

The difference is air movement.

A conventional oven heats the air, but the air stays still. This creates hot spots and cool spots.

A convection oven heats the air and moves it with a fan. The heat spreads evenly and cooks food faster.

This affects how food browns, how crispy it gets, and how much moisture it keeps.

Heat & Cooking Results

A convection oven gives even heat. This means: better browning, crispy edges, and more consistent results.

A conventional oven may heat unevenly. But this slower style is kinder to delicate foods like soufflés or custards that can collapse if air moves too much.

Cooking Time & Temperature

Switching from conventional to convection? Use this easy rule:

Reduce the temperature by 25°F, or

Reduce the cooking time by 25%

Because air is moving, food cooks faster. Conventional ovens follow normal recipe times, since most cookbooks are written for them.

When to Use Each Oven

  • Cost: Convection ovens (including commercial convection ovens) cost more. The fan adds parts. Price gap is smaller now. 
  • Energy: Fan or not, convection usually uses less energy. Faster cooking at lower temps = savings. 
  • Cleaning: Both ovens clean the same. Fan rarely needs special care unless debris gets stuck. 

Convection vs Conventional: Quick Snapshot 

Convection ovens are best when you want:

  • fast cooking
  • crispy and browned results
  • several trays to bake evenly

Conventional ovens are best when you need:

  • gentle heat
  • soft breads
  • cakes and custards

Quick summary:
Convection = speed + crispness
Conventional = control + softness

Energy Use

A convection oven can save energy. It cooks faster, so it needs less time. Many models also heat up faster.

A conventional oven uses more time, but it’s simpler and costs less upfront.

Extra Features & Price

Modern convection ovens may include air-fry settings, special baking modes, and roasting programs. These help performance but increase cost.

Conventional ovens are simple: fewer parts, classic heating, and the price is usually lower.

Making the Equipment Decision 

Think about your cooking habits. Choose best convection oven if:

  • cooking happens often
  • crispy results matter
  • multi-tray baking is common
  • you want faster cooking

Choose a conventional oven if:

  • most recipes are cakes or breads
  • you want something simple
  • budget is important

The easiest way to decide is to look at what you cook the most. The right oven is the one that suits everyday meals, not just special occasions. Once the choice is clear, the next step is finding a reliable source.


 

The Horecastore offers both commercial convection ovens and conventional ovens at competitive prices, with options for home kitchens, cafés, bakeries, and full commercial setups. Explore trusted brands, compare features, and pick the model that fits your style of cooking.

 

Looking for the best value? Check The Horecastore for the latest offers on professional kitchen ovens.

The author, a specialist in commercial refrigeration, shares practical insights to help businesses choose the right systems for efficiency and cost savings. Currently exploring the latest trends in sustainable cooling solutions as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the main difference between a convection oven and a conventional oven? +

A: A convection oven uses a fan to circulate hot air for faster, more even cooking, while a conventional oven uses static heat that can lead to uneven baking and longer cook times.

Q: Does a convection oven cook food faster than a conventional oven? +

A: Yes, a convection oven can cook food about 25–30% faster than a conventional oven.

Q: Should I change the temperature or time when using convection instead of conventional? +

A: Yes, most recipes for conventional ovens need to be adjusted: reduce temperature by ~25 °F (≈ 15 °C) or check food earlier for doneness.

Q: Is a convection oven better for baking or roasting? +

A: Convection ovens are excellent for roasting meats, veggies, and baking cookies or casseroles, but conventional ovens may be better for delicate baked goods like cakes and soufflés.

Q: Can I cook multiple dishes at once in a convection oven without issues? +

A: Yes, because a convection oven circulates air evenly, you can cook multiple dishes on different racks at the same time without uneven cooking.

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