How Big Is A Convection Oven?

Whether you’re the household cook or just a very particular foodie, choosing the correct oven for your kitchen is probably foremost on your mind as you think of the meals you will share with your family and friends. You may be wondering what size of a convection oven is right for your needs and space, and we have done the research to help you determine just that!

When asking how big a convection oven is, you may first have to determine the type of convection oven that is needed. Convection ovens are available for purchase as simple countertop appliances, wall ovens, or full-size ovens with stovetop ranges.

• The smaller of the countertop convection ovens are 15 inches wide, while the largest is 19 inches wide.
• Full-size wall convection ovens are 24 to 36 inches wide and come with a standard baking depth of 16 inches deep.
• Full-size stand-alone convection ovens are 30 to 36 inches wide and come with a standard baking depth of 16 inches deep.

Your personal cooking needs determine the type and size of your convection oven. Fortunately, there are many variances out there for you to choose from! From here, we will list the types and sizes of convection ovens to help you decide which is best for your kitchen.

Convection Oven Sizes

Countertop Convection Ovens

Countertop convection ovens are small appliances that can fit on your kitchen counter. The smallest countertop convection ovens can accommodate a 9" by 13" baking pan, while the largest can accommodate two 16” pizza dishes. If you think you won’t be using your convection oven as your primary baking appliance and you won’t mind it taking up counter space, the countertop convection oven may be the choice for you.

See this countertop convection oven by Cuisinart on Amazon.

Full-Size Wall Convection Ovens

There are also full-size wall convection ovens. These fit snuggly between cabinets on your kitchen wall. These models range from 24" to 30” wide and can accommodate two to three oven racks. This could be a replacement for your conventional oven or could even allow you to have a wall convection oven while also keeping your stand-alone conventional oven. This may be the option for you if you cook or bake large quantities at a time and have space in your kitchen for two ovens.

See this built-in convection oven by Frigidaire on Amazon.

Full-Size Stand-Alone Convection Ovens

Full-size stand-alone convection ovens (also called floor models) range from 30" to 36” wide and can accommodate two to three oven racks. These models are built with a stovetop range. This may be the choice for you if you would like to replace your conventional oven with a convection oven.

See this freestanding convection oven by Thor Kitchen on Amazon.

Can You Use A Convection Oven As A Regular Oven?

If you’re thinking of replacing your conventional oven with a convection oven, you may be wondering if your convection oven can be used as your regular oven. The short answer is yes! Convection ovens may be used for most of your roasting and baking needs, but you will have to make some heating and time adjustments to your recipes. A few products cannot be prepared in convection ovens, too, such as cakes and souffles. In this case, you can turn off the convection settings and use the oven with simple, radiant heat.

What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of A Convection Oven?

These heating and time setting adjustments may take a little while to get exactly right, but there are also many great advantages to using a convection oven too! Some advantages include:

Evenly Cooked Dishes

This is perhaps the greatest benefit of using a convection oven. Conventional ovens use a radiant heating system to warm dishes, and you may spend quite a bit of time turning your dish or moving it up and down between cooking racks to acquire the best taste and texture. This is not necessary for convection ovens, as they are equipped with one or more fans and an exhaust system to circulate heat. The result is an evenly heated appliance, and of course, this means evenly heated dishes!

Cook Multiple Dishes at Once

Are you an avid baker, or perhaps the cook for a large family? A wonderful thing about convection ovens is that you can bake several dishes at once, and each will come out thoroughly and deliciously cooked.

Do you have the right bakeware for your next recipe? Check out "Can Pyrex Go In The Oven?"

Reduced Baking Time & Food Retains Moisture

Dishes baked using a convection oven are typically ready for the table in 25%to 35% less time than in a conventional oven. Convection ovens will not pull the moisture out of your food, and gas type convection ovens may even add moisture resulting in tender, savory dishes.

There are also a few disadvantages to a convection oven, which include:

Extra Components to Maintain

There is the question of what this appliance could cost an owner in repairs. The convection oven has extra parts in the fan and its motor. So, there is more opportunity for the oven to fail.

Keep your appliances looking like new! Check out "How to Clean Oven Door Glass [5 EASY ways]."

You Must Adjust Your Recipes

Most recipes are written for conventional ovens, and so the need to constantly adjust recipes may become a bit of an annoyance.

Can Be Noisy

Because of the fan and exhaust system, convection ovens can be noisy to operate.

What Should You Look For In A Convection Oven?

The convection oven may be exactly what you need in your kitchen. But what should you look for in a convection oven? Let's take a closer look at typical considerations.

Countertop Vs. Full-Size

Firstly, you need to determine if a countertop or full-size convection oven is right for your space and needs. If you have no desire to replace your conventional oven and use it less frequently, a countertop appliance may be the choice for you. However, if you would like to replace your conventional oven altogether, you may choose to go with a full-size convection oven.

Gas Vs.Electric

You will also need to decide between a gas or electric appliance. Again, this depends on your needs. Gas convection ovens create moisture and thus are a great choice for those who bake frequently. Electric convection ovens, on the other hand, create a more even heated interior. For those who often need to cook several dishes at once, this may be the better option.

Overall Quality

Especially important is researching the quality of the oven and, particularly, the oven’s fan motor. Reading consumers’ reviews on each convection oven you consider can be extremely helpful in determining which of the ovens are the most reliable.

Summary

As the non-standard oven style, convection ovens can be difficult to research and determine whether they are right for your kitchen. By pinpointing your specific cooking needs and how much space you have to spare, you can choose a convection oven that will prepare many delicious meals and be a worthwhile household asset.