what is a convection stove top

by Mrs. Elisabeth Hermiston PhD Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

A convection cooktop is a gas or electric cooktop that has a fan to circulate the heat more effectively. The result is faster cooking times and more even heating. Convection cooktops also tend to have more knobs and options than standard electric or gas cooktops.

Full Answer

How does a convection stove top work?

An electric current is passed through a coiled copper wire underneath the cooking surface, which creates a magnetic current throughout the cooking pan to produce heat.

Do you need special pans for a convection stove top?

Magnetic materials like stainless steel over aluminum, cast iron, and enamel on metal are all safe to use on an induction cooktop. However, avoid glass, ceramic, aluminum on its own, and copper. Of the materials used for induction-ready cookware, stainless steel over aluminum is the most common.

What is the difference between induction and convection stoves?

While normal conduction stovetops use heated electric coils or gas flame as a source of heat, induction stovetops do not actually put out any heat at all. There are no heated coils and no fire. Instead, they use an electric field to generate heat. This electric field does not affect just any material.

Which is better convection or induction?

An induction stove is 5 to 10 percent more efficient than conventional electric stoves and about three times more efficient than gas stoves.

What pots dont work on induction?

There are many types of cookware that cannot be used on the induction: Aluminum or aluminum clad, copper or copper clad, aluminum foil, glass/ceramic and some stainless steel products (because these will not attract and hold a magnet).

Do non-stick pans work on induction stove?

Unlike gas or electric, induction cooktops only work if the cookware has a magnetic base. Since non-stick pans are typically made with a non-magnetic aluminum base, most are not compatible with induction cooktops.

Why is induction cooking not popular?

Americans tend to be hesitant to adopt new cooking tech. Induction is different enough to feel unfamiliar, and it makes some potential owners hesitant to switch. The LG rep compared it to the situation with convection ovens, which help cook food faster and more evenly.

Do chefs prefer gas or induction?

Well, if you peek into the kitchens of most restaurants, you will still see the majority of chefs busy producing their cuisine over a gas flame. The reason is simple: gas range burners respond instantly, produce a visible flame, and deliver precise heat at the turn of a dial.

Can I use cast iron on induction?

Induction uses magnetic fields to heat cookware, so your pan must contain conductive, ferrous metals to transfer heat. This makes cast iron a great option for induction cooking.

Can you burn yourself on an induction cooktop?

Cooking with induction is not just quick, safe and clean. But also tasty. Cooking with induction is safer than all other alternatives. As only the base of the pan is heated and not the entire hob, you can't burn your hand on the hob as it stays almost completely cold.

Can you touch an induction cooktop?

Induction Cooktop Safety Because the surface of an induction stove or cooktop doesn't get hot, you—or your curious youngster—can touch it with your fingers without getting burned. This also means that if you splatter sauce onto the cooking surface, it won't burn, making cleanup easier.

Does stainless steel work on induction stove?

Stainless Steel – Durable and easy to clean, stainless steel pots and pans are a great choice for induction cooking, however cooking results can sometimes be uneven. Not all stainless steel is magnetic so you will want to perform the magnet test to be sure.

What kind of cookware do you use in a convection oven?

Teflon-coated pans can be used in convection ovens. Lightweight pans made of aluminum or metal work best in convection ovens. Materials that are not good heat conductors, like glass and cast iron, are not able to cook the food as rapidly and may leave cold spots.

Can you use a metal pan in a convection oven?

Metal baking pans that are light-colored or made of aluminum work well with convection ovens. Sure, anodized pans are also useful, but if you don't keep a close eye on your food, you might end up with an over-browned finished product. Flat, thin aluminum pans are perfect for baking pizzas and biscuits via convection.

Can glass bowl be used in convection mode?

Convection Mode: Utensils made of Glass, Silicon and Metal can be used. Utensils made of plastic, paper or wood should not used.

What foods should not be cooked in a convection oven?

Convection Oven Cons In fact, you should probably steer clear of it when you're making delicate foods like cakes, souffles, breads, and custard. The air circulation can inhibit the setting process, causing batter not to rise properly.

Convection ovens vs. conventional ovens

In a conventional oven, heat rises to the top. This makes items on the top rack cook faster than the items on the bottom rack. If, for example, you're cooking dozens of muffins for a bake sale and want to use every rack available, then you'll run into some problems.

What not to bake in a convection oven

Not everything is compatible with a convection oven's fan. Delicate baked goods, like souffles, custards, angel food cake and even many quick breads aren't suitable for convection. The air flow can cause cakes to rise unevenly, the tops of cupcakes to lean towards one side and dry out the top of custard, creating a crust that you don't want.

Buying a convection oven

There are many types of convection ovens on the market. The most common is a conventional oven with a built-in fan, allowing you to turn the convection setting on and off.

Surprising things your toaster oven can cook

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How Does a Convection Oven Work?

A convection oven works by circulating hot air around the cavity of the oven, helping food to cook faster and more evenly. It does this with the help of a fan and exhaust system that blows hot air around the food.

Convection Oven vs. Conventional Oven

Here's your quick reminder on how a conventional oven works: A conventional oven has two heating elements that heat up the air inside the oven to cook food. One can be found on the bottom, and is used for most cooking and baking. The other is on the top, which is mostly used for broiling.

Convection Oven vs. Air Fryer

Here's a hot take for you — an air fryer is just a small, countertop convection oven. That's right, air fryers don't actually fry foods at all. They work the same way as convection ovens do — by circulating hot air around the food until it is cooked through on the inside and crispy on the outside.

When to Use a Convection Oven

Okay, so if the convection oven heats food faster and more evenly, then why don't we always use it over a conventional oven? Believe it or not there are times when you don't want hot air circulating around your food.

How to Use a Convection Oven

Convection cooking is not as simple as turning on the convection setting. This is because most recipes are written for conventional ovens, which means you'll need to adjust your temperature and cooking time to accommodate.

Advantages of Convection Ovens

The hot air being circulated around the cooking food in a convection oven allows for more efficient cooking so that most foods will cook more rapidly. As well, a lower temperature can be used. A cake that usually takes 30 to 35 minutes at 35O F in a regular gas or electric oven may take only around 2O minutes at 325 F in a convection oven.

Disadvantages of Convection Ovens

Despite the advantages to convection ovens, the differences in cooking times and temperatures can make familiar baking or roasting jobs more tricky. It is also possible for the air currents to cause problems in delicate baked goods, such as by forming ripples on the top of a cake.

Advantages of Induction Cooking

One of the chief advantages of induction cooking is efficiency. Induction cooktops are 85 to 90% efficient compared to gas and electric stoves, which are about 50% efficient. The heat created is only in the cooking pan itself, so much less is lost to the environment.

Disadvantages of Induction Cooking

The chief disadvantages of induction cooking are the initial cost and the need for induction-ready cookware made of ferrous materials.

What is a convection oven?

A convection oven has a fan and exhaust system that circulate hot air around the cavity of the oven, reducing hot and cool spots and helping dishes on every rack cook more evenly. Convection ovens can also have a third heating element, called true convection, to help foods cook faster. 1

What are the benefits of a convection oven vs. a conventional oven?

Both convection and conventional ovens have their distinct advantages. Learn more about their unique benefits.

When to use the convection setting

Use the convection setting on your convection oven for most cooking, roasting and baking needs, including meats, vegetables, casseroles, cookies and pies.

How to use a convection oven

Follow these simple steps for cooking, roasting and baking with your convection oven.

Tips for cooking with a convection oven

Looking to take your convection cooking skills to the next level? Check out our list of convection cooking do’s and don’ts.

See the difference between conventional and convection ovens

Learn more about conventional and convection ovens to help choose which style is right for your family.

What is the difference between gas vs. induction cooktops?

Gas cooktops use propane or natural gas to produce an open flame that comes into direct contact with cookware. Induction cooktops do not radiate heat on their own, but create an electromagnetic charge that interacts with compatible cookware. This interaction causes the cookware itself to heat up.

What is the difference between an induction stovetop vs. electric?

There are three basic types of electric stovetops and induction is one of them. Induction cooktops use an electromagnetic charge to create heat directly within compatible cookware. The other two—coil and radiant—feature metal coils that heat up and then transfer their heat to cookware placed on top.

What are some induction cooktop benefits?

Induction technology transfers energy directly into compatible magnetic cookware, for fast, effective cooking. For example, this Whirlpool ® 30-inch Electric Induction Cooktop boils 12 cups of water on average 25% faster 1 with a Booster option.

Should I get an induction cooktop?

An induction cooktop is a great responsive option that will help you get dinner on the table fast. If it sounds like the right option for you, here are some other things to consider:

Shop induction cooktops from Whirlpool brand

Whirlpool ® Induction Cooktops can help you get dinner to the table in less time. Select models feature optional assisted cooking functions for boiling and pan frying—this feature notifies you with a helpful tone and flashing light when water or oil reaches the right temperature to add food.

The key to making sure your food is cooked perfectly

Erica Puisis writes about home products for The Spruce and specializes in interior design and plant care. She's contributed to Forbes and smart home blogs like Smart Home Solver and TechDigg.

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