GUIDE TO COOKING & BAKING IN A CONVECTION OVEN
Convection ovens have earned a strong reputation in high-end kitchens thanks to their innovative settings, advanced features and stellar results.
This guide covers everything you need to know about convection cooking and baking to unlock your full culinary potential.
Table of Contents
DEFINITION
What is a convection oven?
USES
What is a convection oven used for?
HOW TO
How to use a convection oven
WHAT IS A CONVECTION OVEN?
Convection ovens use an integrated fan to circulate hot air and decrease moisture levels by drying the surface of food.
True convection ovens incorporate an additional heating element to caramelize vegetables and brown meats and help ensure that baked goods are flaky.
CONVECTION BAKE VS. TRADITIONAL BAKE: HOW DO THEY DIFFER?
Convection ovens use a fan to generate a uniform level of heat throughout the oven cavity. True convection ovens are equipped with a third heating element at the rear.
Traditional baking, however, is designed with heating elements at the top and bottom of an oven. This can produce an uneven internal temperature in food.
Traditional ovens use radiant heat. This means that items closer to the heating element cook faster whereas those farther away take more time. This arrangement can produce inconsistent results, like burnt edges or underdone centres when cooking multiple dishes on various racks.
A convection oven’s fan is critical in producing consistent results as it circulates heat evenly around your dishes as they cook or bake in the cavity.
HOW TO TELL IF YOU HAVE A CONVENTIONAL OR CONVECTION OVEN
To confirm if your oven is a convection oven, check if the control panel has convection cooking features.
Another way is to inspect the oven’s interior when it is turned off and completely cooled. Convection ovens have a fan on the inner back wall.
WHAT TO USE A CONVECTION OVEN FOR
Convection ovens offer many uses including:
- Roasting vegetables and fruits
Slow roasting
Convection broiling
Dehydrating
Toasting
- Sheet pan dinners
Multi-level baking
Flaky, light pastries
Pasta bakes or casseroles
Air frying
WHEN TO NOT USE CONVECTION COOKING
Some baked goods should be prepared using traditional oven settings. Certain recipes will recommend regular bake or convection.
That said, as a rule, you should not use the convection setting to bake delicate desserts and pastries like souffles, custards, and angel food cakes, among others.
STEPS TO USING A CONVECTION OVEN
Using your oven’s convection setting may allow for more even heating. Keep in mind that it’s a bit different than using a conventional oven or a regular bake setting.
Learn how to cook in a convection oven by following these steps:
TOOLS
Cookware
STEP 1: PREHEAT THE CONVECTION OVEN
Start by selecting your oven’s convection feature and then set the desired temperature for what you’re making. You may have to adjust the temperature in your recipe to be suitable for convection.
JennAir® brand offers an auto convection conversion feature on select models. This feature converts a standard thermal bake temperature and cook time into the correct cook time and temperature for convection cooking. If you’re adjusting the temperature manually, you will typically want to lower it by 25°F for convection baking.
STEP 2: CHOOSE APPROPRIATE COOKWARE
Select oven-safe cookware or bakeware appropriate for what you’re intending to make. Choose cookware, like pans and baking sheets, that allow for effective air circulation and consider buying or using shallow, low-sided or perforated cookware. To minimize cleanup, line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Lastly, let the oven fully preheat before placing the cookware inside to start cooking or baking.
STEP 3: POSITION DISHES EFFECTIVELY
You should leave some space between your dishes and make sure to place them in the centre of the rack as this will allow for optimal air circulation.
Don’t put dishes too close to a heating element, and remember that some recipes benefit from convection’s ability for enhanced browning. Certain foods, often those with long bake times, may need tenting or covering to produce the best results.
STEP 4: CHECK DISHES REGULARLY
When cooking or baking with the convection feature on your oven or range, monitor your dishes regularly as the food may cook faster than it would with a regular bake feature. One tip is to leave the oven light on so you can check your meal without opening the oven door and letting heat escape.
Select JennAir® Wall Ovens come with advanced features like the Connected Temperature Probe, which lets you know when your food is done. Readings of your food’s internal temperature appear on the LCD screen or directly on the app.1
1. Appliance must be set to remote enable. WiFi & App required. Features subject to change. For details and privacy info, visit jennair.ca/connect.
EXPLORE JENNAIR® PROFESSIONAL-STYLE RANGES
JennAir® Professional-Style Ranges help expand your culinary horizons and ambitions and elevate your kitchen. Browse the various range configurations featuring specialized cooking surfaces such as grills and griddles.
CAN I USE MY CONVECTION OVEN AS A REGULAR OVEN?
Yes, you can use your convection oven as a regular oven. All you have to do is not select the convection feature. Remember, recipes that don’t recommend convection baking can still be cooked with convection and may even produce better results.
EXPLORE JENNAIR® WALL OVENS
Available in two distinct design expressions, rise™ and noir™, jennAir® double, single or microwave combination ovens provide versatility and luxury. Experience the dual counter-rotating vertical fans of V2™ Vertical Convection, working in tandem, helping you express and wield your cooking prowess with everything from delicious filets to succulent roasts.
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