A roasted turkey and vegetables in a baking dish

WHAT IS A CONVECTION OVEN, AND HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM A CONVENTIONAL OVEN?

The main difference between a convection and conventional oven has to do with how the heat is dispersed in each to cook your food. Whether you’re looking to purchase a new oven or learning how to use the features of your current oven, understanding the difference between convection vs. conventional ovens can help you choose the right oven for your favorite recipes. Discover how a convection oven can help you cook faster, crispier and juicier meals with this guide.

A stainless steel Maytag® oven in a contemporary kitchen A stainless steel Maytag® oven in a contemporary kitchen

WHAT IS A CONVECTION OVEN?

A convection oven has a fan and exhaust system that circulate hot air around the inside of the oven, making it ideal for multi-rack cooking. Like conventional ovens, convection ovens can be gas or electric and come in different models with various features.

Learn more about the parts of a convection oven with this guide to oven parts.

One type of convection oven is a True convection oven. True convection, also called European convection or third-element convection, adds a third heating element in addition to the fan. With True convection, your dishes not only cook more evenly when using multiple racks, but may even cook faster.1 Since True convection ovens have the potential to cook faster, they may require both time and temperature adjustments if you’re using a recipe written for a conventional oven. Select Maytag® single wall ovens come with a Precision Cooking™ system, EvenAir™ True Convection and Power Preheat—options that will help give you the flexibility and power you need to get through mealtimes quickly.

A profile view of a stainless steel Maytag® oven in a contemporary kitchen A profile view of a stainless steel Maytag® oven in a contemporary kitchen

WHAT IS A CONVENTIONAL OVEN?

Conventional ovens, also called traditional, regular, thermal or radiant ovens, have heating elements that are typically located at the bottom and top of the oven. In a conventional oven, the dish closest to an active heating element may cook the fastest. In contrast, a convection fan circulates hot air throughout the cavity, reducing the need to rotate dishes from rack to rack.

A conventional oven is what you might be most familiar with. Since most recipes are written for conventional ovens, people often feel more comfortable cooking with them. There’s no need to adjust time or temperature to account for hot air circulation and faster cooking times1 like fan convection ovens sometimes require.  

If you can’t decide between convection and conventional, many ovens today are hybrid with both options built in. Many convection ovens have a convection setting that you can select as needed. Another option is a Maytag® double oven range with one thermal oven and one convection oven, so you can use one or both at the same time depending on what you’re cooking or baking. Plus, compare convection ovens and microwaves to find the right fit for your kitchen.

CONVECTION OVENS VS. CONVENTIONAL OVENS

Both convection and conventional ovens have benefits. See what each offers so you know what you want to bring home.

A black convection oven with an open door

BENEFITS OF CONVECTION OVENS

  • Circulating air helps dishes cook evenly on multiple racks

  • Less rotating dishes between racks

  • Promotes browning and crisping

  • Fast moving hot air can accelerate baking and roasting

  • Quick preheating

  • Recommended for cooking a variety of dishes, including meats, vegetables, casseroles and cookies

With convection ovens, circulating air inside the appliance helps food cook more evenly across oven racks, making for recipes that are as easily prepared as they are delicious.

SHOP MAYTAG® CONVECTION OVENS

Looking for a delicious way to save time for your busy lifestyle? Maytag brand convection ovens can help cook multi-dish meals quickly and evenly, making them the ideal choice for powering through meals and keeping your day moving. Streamline your meals with the Maytag® convection oven range that’s right for you.

A black conventional oven with an open door

BENEFITS OF CONVENTIONAL OVENS

  • No need to adjust recipe temperatures or timing

  • Most recipes are written for conventional ovens

  • A more familiar cooking method

  • Recommended for certain baked goods like delicate cakes and quick breads
  • Typically offer a lower entry price point

 

SHOP MAYTAG® CONVENTIONAL OVENS

Looking for a way to simplify your cooking routine? Enjoy the taste and feel of home-cooked meals with a familiar design that helps you get food on the table with ease. Conventional ovens by Maytag brand offer features to help simplify mealtimes. Browse Maytag brand’s collection of ranges to find your ideal conventional oven.

Whatever your cooking needs, Maytag brand offers both convection and conventional ovens that help you make the task of cooking all the more manageable, regardless of the layout of your kitchen. Browse Maytag® ranges and wall ovens to find the best fit for your unique home.

Meat with roasted vegetables cooking in a red baking dish Meat with roasted vegetables cooking in a red baking dish

HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE A CONVECTION OVEN?

A quick way to determine whether you have a convection vs. conventional oven is to look at the controls for convection cooking functions. If your oven is a convection model, you’ll likely find controls for convect baking options.

If you’re still unsure, make sure the oven is turned off before checking its interior. If you have an oven with a fan on the inside back wall, you’re likely using a convection model.

WHAT IS A CONVECTION OVEN BEST FOR?

Convection ovens are the ideal option for cooking multiple dishes evenly throughout the oven. With a convection oven, you can achieve a browned, caramelized or crispy exterior on foods like roasted meats and vegetables without having to spend time and attention on rotating dishes. Whether you’re baking, broiling or roasting, your convection oven will help you cook tasty and manageable recipes each time.

Use convection heating options when cooking or baking recipes involving the following foods and ingredients: 

  • Sheet pan dinners with roasted meats, vegetables or fruits

  • Baked recipes with flaky or toasted textures

  • Cooking multiple dishes

Meat with roasted vegetables cooking under a baking sheet with rolls Meat with roasted vegetables cooking under a baking sheet with rolls

DO YOU NEED TO USE SPECIAL PANS FOR A CONVECTION OVEN?

While any pan suitable for conventional baking can be used in a convection oven, you can achieve maximum convection cooking benefits by using low-sided or perforated dishes and pans. If you’re unsure about whether to use a particular pan, however, simply deselect convection cooking settings to use your appliance as a traditional conventional model. 

You can usually deselect convection settings to use your appliance as a conventional oven. However, even with the convection settings on, you can achieve excellent results for nearly any dish in a convection oven.

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Ready to take your cooking and baking to the next level? Let Maytag brand help you find the ideal wall oven or range for you and your home.

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1. Compared to traditional thermal-bake ovens.