It's really just an inbuilt convection oven in miniature. T Taste-Test Results: Sharron, Recipe Editor: "The oven-cooked cauliflower is crisp-tender and tasty, but it lacks the savory roasted quality of the air-fried version, which is much browner. A conventional oven is more suitable to cook food in large portions. If making a full bag, I'd use the convection oven, if making a half bag, I'd use the air fryer. If you're a veggie-lover like me, stick with cooking broccoli in your convection oven so you can roast up a big sheet pan to enjoy a full 1-cup serving of vegetables for dinner and lunch the next day. Small, adaptable, and resourceful, can the air fryer replace other kitchen appliances and gadgets in your home? Instant Vortex Plus Dual Basket Air Fryer, We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices. Easy. Here's the scoop. More Efficient: Lower temperature and shorter cooking times guarantee less use of energy. Jacqueline Weiss is an experienced food writer based in Los Angeles, sharing her tips and knowledge with readers. If you're still not getting the crispy results you want, try increasing the temperature a little but be mindful of burning. In a convection oven, you can cook more food as the surface area of a sheet pan is larger). Here's What a Dietitian Says, 6 Things You Should Never Put in Your Toaster Oven, I Was an Air Fryer Skeptic Until I Tried My Ninja Foodi, 23 Sunday Dinners You Can Make in an Air Fryer, 6 Things No One Tells You About Cooking with YourInstantPot. Whether you opt for a convection oven vs. an air fryer depends on what you most often want to cook. What's the Deal with Ultra-Pasteurized Milk? The main difference between these two appliances is size. To give you an idea, this is the same noise level of a vacuum cleaner. How do they work? 7 Healthy Groceries You Should Buy for Your Air Fryer, According to Dietitians. Small baking pans or tin cans also be placed on racks, if desired. After all, isn't that what a convection oven or fan oven is? However, if you only need to cook a smaller batch, i.e. You can use your convection oven as an air fryer but it might not yield the same results. That said, in the long run I think countertop convection ovens make the most sense financially. It's so easy to turn on and has a shorter preheat than a conventional home oven. The holes and even spacing allow the air to get underneath the food, giving it thorough cooking. Most convection ovens can air-fry, but not all air fryers can do what a convection oven can. Using my go-to Miso Maple-Glazed Salmon recipe, I cooked two 5-ounce salmon fillets in the air fryer and my convection oven. A small countertop oven. Air Fryers Vs. Convection Ovens: The Science Behind Air Frying, Where To Find The New Binging With Babish Cookware, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. Is It Safe to Cook Raw Meat with a Wooden Spoon? Air Fryer vs. Convection Oven: What's the Difference? It's different from a traditional toaster in that it incorporates a fan for cooking. Did You Know There Is an Actual Difference Between PYREX and pyrex? They rarely have any heating elements on the bottom unless they offer more functionality like true toasting or baking. And we can prove it through the medium of French fries. If you're cooking multiple items at once, the convection oven is the way to go! Get daily tips and expert advice to help you take your cooking skills to the next level. An air fryer cooks smaller batches . He then moved to BBC Gardeners World Magazine, assessing gardening tools, machinery, and wildlife products. Even when used according to the instructions, cooking French fries or onion rings in an air fryer requires you to periodically shake the basket to ensure that all the fries or rings cook evenly. An air fryer oven is simply a full-size oven that includes an air fry setting. More consistent heat is a huge factor, but the air circulation of a mesh basket really helps too: if you want to get better fries without using an air fryer you might want to try a mesh fries basket in your convection oven. The main difference between an air fryer and convection oven lies in the size, with a convection oven generally having more space for cooking larger amounts of food at one time (e.g., the difference between cooking eight mini scones or 16 full-size scones). The air fryer is basically a small, countertop convection oven. Convection ovens use an ovens built in heating mechanism to heat and blow air around with a fan thats often located on the back or side of the oven. Although cooking times for recipes should be close in both an air fryer and convection oven, keep in mind that air fryers cook a little faster than convection ovens, so some air-fryer recipes may take a bit longer in a convection oven. However, while the air fryer's fan lives on the top of the appliance, a convection oven lives in the back. Find out more about how we test. Grade AA vs. Grade A Eggs: What's the Difference? For a convection oven, the food will cook evenly through but food won't turn out as crispy as an air fryer (via The Spruce Eats). 2023 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Unlike conventional ovens, which heat up from the bottom by using gas or electricity, convection ovens have two heating elements at the top and bottom and a fan. After graduating from Cambridge University, Alex got his start in reviewing at the iconic Good Housekeeping Institute, testing a wide range of household products and appliances. Just use the pause button on your machine to occasionally check the doneness and flip for balanced crispness on all sides. "It is square and with a slightly larger capacity than a typical air fryer, and it operates much like a commercial convection oven and as an air fryer. With that said, modern smart ovens are starting to become very ahem smart. Choose an countertop oven if you're a family in the suburbs needing lots of different meals quickly. The air fryer combats heat alongside a fan and a well-ventilated basket. What's the Difference Between Sambal Oelek and Other Chili Pastes. However, their cooking method, energy efficiency, and size differ. This is crucial, since stacking or layering food impedes the flow of hot air. The bucket slides into the device, you turn it on, and it starts to cook. It can get a little confusing! A convection oven. With only slight differences, which appliance is better JR-50/Shutterstock Air fryers and convection ovens are excellent kitchen appliances that can upgrade any dish. The fan is situated overhead, above a heating element. While the popularity of air fryers has soared, it raised questions about the need for an air fryer and a convection oven. A convection oven is sometimes referred to as a toaster oven and is small enough to live on your countertop. Convection ovens house a small rack big enough for a small sheet pan and allow you to control both the temperature and the time. However, large-capacity models, or those with advanced features such as a rotisserie function will . Those that are on a budget, and plan on cooking large quantities should consider a convection oven. To demonstrate the difference, here's our favorite air fryer and our favorite convection oven side-by-side, with their key specifications. Whats the Difference Between a Bundt Pan and a Tube Pan? To help distinguish the differences between the classic versus hip kitchen appliance, we dived into the core and fundamental differences between an air fryer and a convection oven. "In convection ovens, the air is heated by a heating element and the convection style of heating cooks food evenly because of how the air moves (hot air rising and cold air sinking). This whirlwind of heat allows for foods to cook more evenly and efficiently. Shes an experienced product tester and recipe creator, trained in classic culinary arts and culinary nutrition. Here are the similarities and differences between convection ovens and air fryers. So not only does it take longer to cook (because of having to cook in batches), you also have to physically do more work. Ultimately, that likely means fewer calories and lower cholesterol, but that's a long way downriver from 'air fryers are healthy. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing the latest products, helping you choose the best for you. Their perforated racks also allow fat to drip onto the drip pan so your food doesn't absorb excess oil, which minimizes calories and becomes crispier since it is more dry. If so, can you use them in the same way? Convection ovens were popular in commercial kitchens before they were adapted for home use, and now there are multiple home convection options ranging from conventional ovens with a convection feature to countertop convection ovens. We know you've got questions. But which product do you get, what's the difference? 29 Foods You Should Never Store In The Fridge, Don't Eat These Foods From Your Airbnb Kitchen. Air fryers are just small-capacity convection ovens that don't toast and are hard to clean. While it does work more powerfully than a plain bake settings, air frying is designed to be the most powerful. The main difference between these two appliances is size. Most homes will have a full-size oven built-in. Regular ovens rely on a process called "natural convection," which occurs when hot air rises and cooler air sinks, creating a flow of hot air that cooks the food. They are also sometimes known as toaster ovens. Yes, air fryers are kind of similar to conventional ovens but there are some differences. "The results for foods cooked in an air fryer are comparable to a convection oven," says Dawn Sieber, chef instructor at Purdue University's Hospitality and Tourism Management at Marriott Hall, and that's because an air fryer is basically just a miniature convection oven. Essentially, an air fryer is a smaller, more portable convection oven. .css-13cdu9y{display:block;font-family:GTHaptikBold,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-13cdu9y:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-13cdu9y{font-size:1.18581rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.625rem;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-13cdu9y{line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-13cdu9y{font-size:1.23488rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0rem;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-13cdu9y{font-size:1.23488rem;line-height:1.1;margin-bottom:-0.5rem;}}Where To Find The New Binging With Babish Cookware. The confusion comes with the fact that 'convection oven' applies to a wide range of appliances. Similarly, the two use. You can cook food in batches in the air fryer, but then you must keep the first batch warm while cooking the second batch, which often defeats the purpose of the air fryer (not having to turn on your regular oven). A perforated tray or even a large air-frying basket for a convection oven will help crisp foods in a convection oven to get the same air-fried results, especially with these air-fryer egg rolls and these air-fryer jalapeo poppers. However, if your current conventional oven has broken down, I'd consider a convection oven instead. You can also roast vegetables and cook meats like bacon and sausages successfully in an air fryer too. The quick answer is, an air fryer is a simply a smaller convection oven with a catchy name. So, not exactly quiet. Bring the water to a boil and then add the macaroni and cook according to the package directions. The fan at the back circulates heat. With actual deep-frying, your food is directly immersed in hot oil. Companies such as Fotile have created appliances like the ChefCubii 4-in1 Steam-Combi Oven to help knock two birds with one stone by serving as a convection oven and an air fryer. Best Upgrade Air Fryer Toaster Oven: Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro. We cooked the fries for the recommended time in both oven and convection oven (14-16 minutes) and for slightly less in the air fryer (11 minutes), turning the fries halfway through cooking again, as per manufacturer's recommendations. A convection oven can cook larger amounts of food at one time than an air fryer, which can only handle smaller portions and often requires cooking in batches when it comes to larger amounts of food. Why Pizza Tastes Better at Restaurants, According to Chefs, Air-Fryer Anxiety Keeps Me from Using Mine, Pressure Cooker Anxiety Kept Me From Buying OneNow I Can't Stop Using It. Carrie-Ann Skinner was formerly Homes Editor at TechRadar, and has more than two decades of experience in both online and print journalism, with 13 years of that spent covering all-things tech. Air fryers are considerably louder than a convection oven, reaching 65 decibels or so, according to Philips. Trained at the Good Housekeeping Institute, he has lots of experience with small appliances, baking, roasting, dehydrating and toasting his way through the best air fryers and convection ovens you can buy. The air fryer comes in various shapes and colors; however, one fundamental feature unifies each air fryer's model and design circulation. By Carrie-Ann Skinner last updated 8 August 2022 Find out how an air fryer and convection. As the appliance heats up, the hot air circulates through the ventilated basket evenly giving any dish an overall, thoroughly cooked, and crispy result (via The Food Network). Air fryers and convection ovens both circulate air around your food, so the difference is less about the machines and more about what you put in them. Airfryer and convection ovens are essential to prepare your meals deliciously. That, plus the significantly bigger fan-to-food ratio and the use of a little oil, makes the air fryer the king or queen of fries or at least, it does if you're not cooking anything else. Now, you don't have to choose one over the other. Air fryers and convection ovens have a few things in common, but not everything. USE: Both the air fryer and convection oven (depending on the amount you want to make). which has holes or slits similar to a deep fryer. Adapt one (or many) of your favorite recipes to your air fryer with this helpful conversion chart! First, there's the air fryer's aforementioned cooking basket. A top air fryer might run $250, but a $150 convection oven will cook more food and more varieties of food (including toast.). Carrie is now a copy editor at PWC. Straight away we saw one of the air fryer advantages: because it's got a smaller area to pre-heat and doesn't need to get so hot it was good to go after two minutes. Standard gas or electric ovens use a single heat source, typically located in the bottom of the oven, which can often cause things to cook unevenly. Another element that nutritionists and foodies like about their air fryers is the need for minimal oil if any at all while cooking. A convection oven is the better option if you're cooking large family meals: you simply won't fit enough food into an air fryer. If you already whether you want an air fryer or a convection oven, check out these best prices for some of our top choices. "You should always use an air fryer for things like fries and wings because they are small enough to fit, and they always taste better with the added crispiness of the air fryer.". Sign up to receive daily breaking news, reviews, opinion, analysis, deals and more from the world of tech. Basket air fryers have, unsurprisingly, a removable basket with a handle built into the front. May 10, 2023December 28, 2021 by Samantha Flipboard Forget scouring the internet for the best oven to air fryer conversion chart. In a convection oven, it's located in the back of the oven, either in the center or on the side. 2023 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The better the circulation, the more even and faster the cooking. Cleaning air fryers takes some effort. Check to see if the food is ready around the time stated in the recipe, then follow up every two to three minutes if it needs a bit more time to brown. A dedicated air fryer looks very different to a countertop convection oven or toaster oven. We lay it all out so you can learn the difference. I'd lean toward the convection oven so I could make one full batch but the crispy texture of the tofu in the air fryer was perfect. It has a removable bucket with a handle, and inside that bucket fits a removable basket. Convection or fan ovens also have a fan at. These countertop appliances are friendly for small kitchens, and they preheat fast. Easy. Convection ovens do not normally come with any special accessories, although some manufacturers sell crisper trays to mimic air frying. Is there a difference between an air fryer and a convection oven? In the standard, non-convection oven, many of our fries were overcooked and many others undercooked; there wasn't much consistency. That means the heating elements have to heat less air, consuming less electricity. And there was no doubt that the air fryer fries tasted best with that just-out-of-the-basket flavor you get from the best deep-fried food. Of course, it depends on what you need to cook, but here's some general advice. The main advantage over a regular convection oven is its small size. Conventional ovens work by producing heat from an element (either gas or electric). In the .css-1me6ynq{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:#125C68;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#125C68;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-1me6ynq:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:#595959;}Good Housekeeping Institute, we get asked this question all the time: Isnt air frying the same as convection baking? As a team that has been testing air fryers for almost a decade, developed numerous recipes for them and uses them almost daily, we can assure you that air frying is similar to convection baking but ultimately different. Air fryers are relatively easy to clean most are dishwasher safe, but their parts can be bulky and they require cleaning every time you use them. With a convection oven, youll need to coat your food with oil to achieve even distribution, but with an air fryer, you are working with a much smaller space, and youll only ever need about 2 tablespoons (or less) of oil in the basket. A top-of-the-range convection oven can set you back up to $150 / 150 /AU$299, while you can pay up to $399 / 299 / AU$499 for an air fryer. Helping people find true quality and genuine value is a real passion. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing the latest products, helping you choose the best for you. Ready to get one for your home kitchen? We're big fans of simple roasted broccoli with olive oil, salt, and pepper, so I tried this method in the air fryer and the convection oven. The first step was to preheat the appliance to 425F for the standard oven and 400F for the convection oven, as per the manufacturer's instructions. Food Processor Vs. Cleanup can be a pain with the bucket and basket having to be washed, while the convection oven has a tray that just needs cleaning. The convection oven's fan works to circulate food to evenly cook and crisp the food, similarly to the air fryer. But then again, lots of kitchen appliances (blenders, for example) are loud, too. They also feature a paddle, which moves food around during cooking. "Convection ovens use a powerful fan to circulate hot air inside the oven, allowing chefs to decrease cooking times, control consistent quality of food, and increase and decrease browning with a more uniform appearance," Sieber explains. They include air fryer baskets, trays, racks, spits for rotisseries and skewers for kebabs. "Last year I purchased a Gourmia toaster oven air fryer that was under $150 to replace my toaster," Sieber says. Still, full size ovens can take up to twice as long, if not longer, to reach 400F (a standard air-fry temp) than a countertop air fryer oven and many basket-style air fryers don't require any . The air fryer cooked the tofu in half the time with slightly crispier results, but I could only make a quarter of the amount as when I used my convection oven. And you're right, but there's more to it than that: the best air fryersare actually quite different from countertop convection ovens or built-in fan ovens. Its heating elements are typically located on the top of the unit and paired with a large fan. The bottom line. Since convection cooking is faster than conventional cooking, make sure to properly adjust your temperatures. The fan and heat are coming from above while the basket chamber sits below. The heat comes from the top in an air fryer, while it comes from the top and bottom in a convection oven. Air fryers are louder than a convection oven. As Head of eCommerce, Alex makes sure our readers find the right information to help them make the best purchase. Preheat the convection oven to 375 degrees. Just make sure your air fryer or convection oven is fully preheated before putting your food in, and keep an eye on it to ensure nothing is over- or undercooked. Air fryers have become popular because they are small but mighty, and don't take up too much space in your kitchen. The main difference comes down to size. While there is no hard and fast rule of when you should use an air fryer versus a regular convection oven, there are a few things to consider. So what explains the difference? Sometimes the air fryer can seem like a thing of magic. This basket is where the food goes. your air fryer needs more regular cleaning, our guide to the best air fryers on the market. Let's talk about what those differences are. However, the oven can cook large quantities of food at one time, which is more economical. The distinguishing feature of a convection oven is the presence of a fan that circulates the oven's hot air. Convection ovens are great for roasting meats, cooking pizza, baking casseroles, roasting vegetables, and baking scones and crunchy cookies. "The results for foods cooked in an air fryer are comparable to a convection oven," says Dawn Sieber, chef instructor at Purdue University's Hospitality and Tourism Management at Marriott Hall, and that's because an air fryer is basically just a miniature convection oven. Does it really warrant buying another kitchen appliance that will take up precious counter space? Air fryer fans are large and operate faster than convection fans. As it turns out, so do. First, how much food are you cooking? With only so many square feet of counter space in your home, what appliance should you invest in for your kitchen? (Win-win-win.). So, if you're feeding a group, you'll need to cook in batches. The confusion comes with the fact that 'convection oven' applies to a wide range of appliances. But that doesn't mean the two are exactly the same. (Here's our guide to air-fryer cooking times .) Convection baking introduces a fan to the interior of an oven, allowing hot air to be blown around and onto the food. In this feature we'll explain why, what the benefits are and whether it's worth getting an air fryer if you already have a convection oven. Battered foods usually don't work well in either a convection oven or an air fryer. The main difference is the amount of food you can cook at the same time. The fan is located on the top of an air fryer, directly below the heating element. As air fryers have grown more popular, accessories and add-ons have become available, like liners, racks, doughnut pans and more. What's the difference between an air fryer and an air fryer oven? It's a little less efficient, as countertop convection ovens are bigger, but it works well. Convection ovens had been around for decades by the time the air fryer came on the scene in 2010. The 8 Best Countertop Ovens of 2023, Tested and Reviewed, The 9 Best Air Fryers of 2023, Tested and Reviewed, The 5 Best Air Fryer Recipes for Beginners. The countertop size allows air fryers and convection toaster ovens to heat quickly. Air fryers typically cook from the top down and are paired with a large fan thats located on the top of the appliance. An air fryer can both bake and roast your food with top-located heating elements and a fan. You don't have to preheat; it's great for small portions (I hate to turn on the oven for a single slice of pizza or whatever); and because it's such a small space (smaller . Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, The two types of mini convection oven seem equally matched, but they aren't. Air fryers take little to no preheat time, while convection ovens take longer to preheat the oven. Similarly, the two use circulated, hot air distributed by a fan to cook food evenly. He has worked in professional kitchens across New York, but his favorite role will always be as matzoh ball sous chef to his grandma. If you're thinking about buying an air fryer, you might be wondering what the difference is between air fryers and convection ovens. But there's a whole lot of science behind this small but mighty appliance. Air Fryer. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Decreasing the recipe temperature by 25 degrees is recommended when cooking in a convection oven versus a traditional oven or bake setting. If you aren't prepping for a large crowd and are only making small batches of food at a time, the air fryer is the way to go. How it differs from an ordinary toaster oven is that a convection oven is equipped with a fan, which blows hot air around. Learn more about the differences between air fryers and convection ovens. My 2-year-old twins aren't the biggest fans of meat but they adore baked tofu. Air fryers are essentially mini convection ovens, but with some key differences. They sit on a countertop, and consist of one heating coil at the bottom and one at the top, and a fan which blows heat around. Kristy is a freelance travel and food writer with bylines in Food & Wine, Cosmopolitan, and more. Conclusion. Let's settle the convection oven vs. air fryer debate once and for all so you can get started on those sweet potato fries ASAP. Size matters here! Here's what "air frying" your food actually means. It also positions the food closer to the heating elements, which encourages food to cook quicker. In local supermarkets like Trader Joe's, air frying instructions can be seen as the preferred heating option for some of their best sellers. This means that if you are trying to feed more than one or two people, you'll have to cook in batches, so that ultimately it may take longer to serve a meal than it would using a convection oven. Is an air fryer a healthier cooking method than a convection oven? Foods, The 6 Best Microwaves of 2023 According to Testing, Whether Youre Cooking Dinner or Reheating Leftovers, 3 Ways to Make Your Own French Fries Without a Deep Fryer, The 8 Best Gas Ranges of 2023 for Every Home Cook, Purdue University's Hospitality and Tourism Management. To make sure that you get perfectly crispy results, investing in an air fryer basket or tray can be beneficial. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Heres how it works. Alex is our Head of eCommerce, testing and and reviewing products and finding deals. On the whole countertop convection ovens are also more affordable than air fryers. Air fryers also use a fan to circulate hot air around food in the same way a convection oven does, only air fryers are typically smaller and the fan circulates air faster in an air fryer. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. These small ovens have a much smaller internal volume than inbuilt convection ovens and countertop convection ovens. Air fryers can also be loud, although many manufacturers consider this in development. This is an oven built into your kitchen, either as a wall oven or combined with a range. It's much smaller, for starters, and it's more likely to look like Darth Vader's helmet than any traditional appliance. Carrie specializes in smart home devices such as smart plugs and smart lights, as well as large and small appliances including vacuum cleaners, air fryers, stand mixers, and coffee machines. It also depends on what you cook in it. Less Cooking Time: Convection ovens cook food about 25-30% faster than regular ovens. Both air fryers and convection ovens cook recipes about 20 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit lower than a recipe for a conventional oven, so in terms of temperature, many air-fryer recipes work in a convection oven. Convection Oven VS Air Fryer. It's in the back in a convection oven, either in the . And while you're nodding along as they describe their perfectly crispy tofu or how fast it can cook a sweet potato, you may find yourself wondering what exactly is an air fryer and how is it different from the oven you already have in your house? Since then, the air fryer has become a must-have item for home cooks. There are two models of an air fryer which include an air fryer oven and an air fryer basket. You probably have that one friend who won't stop raving about their air fryer and how it has revolutionized their cooking. If you're cooking for a group of people, there may not be enough space for all the food in the air fryer, in which case using a full-sized convection oven will make life much easier. Arranging the food in a single layer allows for even cooking all around. As mentioned above, an air fryer works by circulating really hot air, really fast. "I prefer cooking in my countertop Gourmia multi-function oven because cooking in hot fat on a stove top can be dangerous and includes too many calories nutritionally.". When she isnt covering food news or writing features about delicious trends in the culinary world, shes searching for her next perfect bite. Air fryers are all the ragebut are they as good as your regular old convection oven? Toaster Oven. Most ovens have two heating elements one at the top and bottom that heat up the internal air, which in turn cooks the food. Air fryers were originally used to reheat food on airplanes, but we soon learned you can do so much more at home with an air fryer than fry chicken wings or donut holes without loads of added oil. 25+ Healthy Air-Fryer Recipes for Beginners, The Differences Between Ovens and Air Fryers, When to Use the Air Fryer Instead of the Oven, When to Use the Oven Instead of the Air Fryer, How to Convert Oven Temperatures for Convection Cooking, How to Bake Chocolate Chip Cookies in an Air Fryer, I Think Air Fryers Are OverratedExcept When It Comes to Cooking This One Thing, Is Air Frying Healthy? Unlike inbuilt convection ovens and countertop convection ovens, they aren't heating what's effectively surplus air that isn't in contact with your food. A convection oven can cook larger amounts of food at one time than an air fryer, which can only handle smaller portions and often requires cooking in batches when it comes to larger amounts of food. To be fair, those are all things you can do in any full-size convection oven, but as I haven't seen it in person, I won't judge. They're faster and in the long run will cut down on energy bills as they're more efficient. Since air fryers are smaller and faster than regular ovens, they give off less heat and thus won't impact the temperature in your kitchen nearly as much. Is a convection oven the same as an air fryer? Air fryers don't need to run so hot so we preheated ours to 375F. While the name may paint a different story, the air fryer doesn't fry your food (via Taste of Home). In North America, they tend to be conventional ovens. In the case of convection ovens, that time is sped up by the use of a fansimilar to the one in an air fryer. A staple appliance in many households (not to be confused with a traditional oven, which is a larger cooking appliance), a convection oven houses a fan similar to an air fryer and an exhaust system unlike a conventional oven (via The Kitchn). Air fryers are the winner here. Instead of the familiar hinged glass door on the front they have a removable basket or bucket that you take out to check your cooking progress or when the food is ready. Air fryers are countertop appliances while convection settings are built into full-sized ovens and toaster ovens, hence the introduction of air fryer toaster ovens. Kitchen Appliances & Innovation Lab Director. Emily Estep is a plant biologist and journalist who has worked for a variety of online news and media outlets, writing about and editing topics that range from film and beauty to science and the automobile industry. Convection ovens don't need to be cleaned every time you use them, but the accessories you use do. Both Use A Fan To Crisp Up Your Food, The Real Difference is in Size and Speed. Air fryers are super simple to use and can make golden french fries, crunchy fried pickles, or even crispy kale chips with a tablespoon or less of oil. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. As weve already mentioned, consider how much space you have in your kitchen - as convection ovens can be bulky, but they do let you keep an eye on your food - something only bowl air fryers offer. However, because it is smaller, it will only accommodate a fraction of the amount of food that a convection oven will fit. Or, you could use them in tandem. What's the Difference Between Searing, Sauting, and Pan-Frying? 5 minutes with interior designer Veere Grenney, How to prepare your house for hurricane season 9 steps to safeguard your home, CLEVER WAYS TO DECORATE LARGE LIVING ROOM WALLS, Everything you need to turn your dream home into a reality. Air Fryer Vs. Convection Oven: What's The Difference. According to one manufacturer, the fan on their air fryer setting is 30 percent faster than the fan on their convection setting. Best Value Air Fryer Toaster Oven: Hamilton Beach Air Fryer Toaster Oven. Some people think the same thing, and I've seen others say that they're completely different appliances. When I last tested a convection ovens a couple weeks ago, I made toast, pizza, fries, crispy bacon, roast vegetables, and cookies. The food is placed in the basket, which is then inserted into the air fryer to be cooked. Food is placed on a perforated tray, usually inside of an an air fryer basket, which promotes more air circulation for the crispiest results. Breana Lai Killeen, MPH, RD is a Chinese and Jewish chef and dietitian that has worked in all facets of the food world. They also in my opinion cook far more evenly, as they aren't radiating heat from the bottom of the oven but evenly spreading it around your food. Here, we make plain the differences between air fryers and convection ovens. Is There Mold Living in Your Rubber Spatula? Convection ovens also use exhaust systems to remove air and fans to help air circulate within the oven," according to Home Appliance Hero. at 375F. Cooking goes faster in a convection oven than in a conventional oven, so unless you're using a recipe specifically designed for a convection oven, you'll need to convert recipes with this convection oven conversion guide. The Bottom Line: Air Fryer vs Convection Oven. The air fryer has a fan at the top of the appliance, with the food in the tray below it. The air fryer, on the other hand, focuses on speed and fuss free cooking, syncing two different meals to finish at the same time, the toaster oven excels at cooking a wide variety of dishes. Are you comparing an air fryer vs. convection oven and wondering which is right for you? Both air fryers and convection ovens circulate hot air around your food, but the air inside an air fryer circulates faster because it is a smaller appliance with a smaller cooking area in which to circulate the air. Using this recipe for baked tofu, I tested it in both the air fryer and convection oven. With this guide, you can learn the exact difference, and which appliance best suits your needs. Ive used an air fryer for a year - here are five things I learned. Instead of being shaped like a toaster oven, many air fryers are tall, sort of resembling a coffeemaker. This efficiency means in turn that air fryers are fastest. No. It also preheats 50% faster than most . Secondly, the air fryer's small size allows for air to move around more rapidly, which means it preheats quicker, cooks foods faster, and does a better job at crisping up food. Our fryer had room for our French fries and nothing else, whereas both ovens also had room for other pans with other foods to cook a complete dinner. Choose an air fryer if you're a couple in a small space. But because of those holes we talked about, the air fryer should get your food to have a fry-like texture. A mini convection oven. The air fryer is essentially a countertop convection ovenbut what does that really mean?! These porous surfaces help increase the surface area directly exposed to the hot air circulated by the fryers fan(s). Is there really a difference between an air fryer and a convection oven? Which means that an item of food in that cooking area will cook more quickly than it would in a convection oven. Because of their ability to cook food more evenly and quickly compared to traditional ovens (no rotating required), convection ovens have been staples for chefs, bakers and even serious home cooks for years. Which has better energy consumption/usage? Since I usually buy it instead of making it, this seemed like a budget-friendly way to see if it tasted as good as store-bought. But if you're cooking for a crowd, it's easier and more convenient to use a convection oven. 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What's the Difference Between Fermenting and Pickling? With complete versatility, air fryers can bake a flakey piece of salmon, or a sizzling steak, and heat up your favorite frozen fries. The convection oven was a close second, a little less crispy and a little less tasty, and the standard oven came in a far third: some of its fries were like sticks and others were soggy. Our countertop convection oven took about six minutes to reach its target temperature and our conventional oven fifteen. Nicole (she/her) is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she has overseen content and testing related to kitchen and cooking appliances, tools and gear since 2019. With air fry and convection settings, you can evenly bake multiple sheets of chocolate chip cookies or air fry chicken wings and zucchini . If you're choosing between the two, air fryers appear a little redundant. Cooks food by circulating hot air. Roast trays of your favorite vegetables, bake casseroles, pizzas and, of course, sweets like cakes and cookies. The fan makes the oven more efficient. Although convection ovens and air fryers operate via the same convection principle, air fryers tend . Since the air fryer is smaller, you have to make sure your food isn't too crowded in the basket, so air can flow freely and cook your food properly, evenly and quickly. They usually have a front door with a glass panel so you can see inside, and it's usually hinged on the bottom just like the top oven of a range cooker. Because many air-fryer recipes are intended for small batches, you can often double the recipe for a convection oven; just remember to space food out on the trayespecially for air-fried Brussels sprouts, air-fried buffalo cauliflower, and air-fried chicken tendersto make sure the air can easily touch all sides of the food. Both air fryers and convection ovens are great options for achieving crispy and healthy fried foods. Even with the new XL air fryer models, the cooking basket size is still limited, and you don't want to overload the machine. Food gets crispier in the air fryer. Air fryers also require food to be shaken or turned halfway through cooking so the hot air can reach every inch of the food, but this isnt the case with convection ovens. Fortunately, the evolution of cooking and cooking appliances means multi-use machines. She has worked in test kitchens for small kitchen appliance brands and national magazines, including Family Circle and Ladies Home Journal. A convection oven is larger, so it's great for feeding groups, or for . The short answer? Like a conventional oven, convection ovens work with a hinged, frontal door where the food is placed on a pan and slid in. But they are smaller in size so they take up less counter space. The temperature and time can be adjusted to suit the specific recipe, and most air fryers come with preset cooking modes for different types of food. Convection uses a fan to circulate hot air throughout the oven. They can't cook nearly as much food in a single go and you can't disable the fans, a feature most convection ovens have for baking. And that's where dedicated air fryers have the edge. If the basket is lined or overcrowded, the air fryer won't work as intended. Circulating air increases the cooking speed and provides more even browning than conventional ovens. Air fryers have surged in popularity thanks to their speedy cook times and crisp results. A countertop oven will provide all sorts of meals very quickly. So air fryers are, in essence, convection ovens. Heres how it works. Subscribe now from just 6 and receive issues full of inspiring real homes, expert project advice and on-trend shopping, Issues delivered direct to your door or device, Match your finish time when cooking whole meals, 9 cooking modes: Dehydrate, Proof, Bagel, Toast, Air Fry, Bake, Broil, Air Fry, and Keep Warm, Sleek interface with not too many buttons. There are the air fryer enthusiasts who want to air fry absolutely everything, and there are the air fryer skeptics who don't see what all the fuss is about. The perforated tray or basket where your food goes can easily pull out with no oven mitt required, and even helps circulate the air faster, decreasing the cooking time. This creates a sort of catch-22, since the small size of the basket prevents you from spreading out an even layer of food, so you have to stack your food instead. First, there's the air fryer's aforementioned cooking basket. Let's find out! The reason air fryers are marketed as 'healthier' as other types of oven is that they need less oil. First, let's start with ovens 101 and talk about the different types of household ovens. By turning this feature on, a fan and exhaust system get to work circulating the heat in the oven around your food. An air fryer is more expensive than a comparable convection oven. While they have become a popular way to bake and roast when you're short on timeall without turning on your ovenmany people have stuck to their tried-and-true convection ovens for the same purposes without switching over to the smaller kitchen appliance. An air fryer is large enough to cook for one or two people. That's right, contrary to what people say, size does matter (or at least it matters here!) The fan also allows for more precise temperature control and better heat distribution, which can be especially beneficial for baking. Air fryers and convection ovens are very similar appliances. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Air fryers and convection ovens are excellent kitchen appliances that can upgrade any dish. And those someones tend to fall into two different camps. Choosing between an air fryer and a convection oven is entirely about personal preference. Because air fryers are smaller, they heat up to a more intense heat more quickly. He loves diners and being from New Jersey, and when hes not in the Delish Test Kitchen, Justin travels the globe as the worlds foremost chicken finger critic. The most important question, though, was how they tasted. Side by side, you can see that of the two small appliances that the convection oven has a bigger capacity and more functions on offer. It also makes them a good choice for. To understand how the air fryer works, you have to head back to 1914, when the convection oven was invented. 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