Tired of burning the bottom tray of cookies? Want to cook a turkey more evenly and in less time?

 

Instead of looking at a traditional oven, consider convection instead. This type of oven, which uses a fan to draw air in and circulate the air throughout the oven, produces a more efficient type of heat.

 

Why Convection?

Many renovators are opting for convection as a way to hone their cooking skills or showcase an upscale appliance in their kitchen design. Often these ovens are recessed into the wall and incorporated into the cabinetry design.

 

Convection ovens remain somewhat of a mystery to many, however. "Europeans have been using convection for years and years," said Art Valentine, corporate training manager for BSH Home Appliances Corporation in Huntington Beach, CA, which manufacturers Bosch, Thermador and Gaggenau brand appliances. "In America, most people are very uncomfortable starting with convection -- not because it's difficult, but because it's new."

 

A few benefits:

 

• The food cooks more evenly
• The food costs faster

 

Where to Put One?

 

• On the wall
• Under a cooktop

 

Separating Food Odors

Another selling point for convection cooking is the ability to cook different types of foods at the same time. Instead of waiting for a garlic laced appetizer to finish cooking, you can add the main dish to the oven. As part of the convection process, moisture is removed from the air, limiting the amount of odor that is transferred from one item to another.

 

A Quicker Meal

Also, a convection oven allows the heat to penetrate into small areas more quickly and produces a more evenly cooked turkey. "When you think about a turkey and all the nooks and crannies," Valentine said. "With a normal oven you have a hard time penetrating all the parts of the turkey."

 

Adjusting Your Recipes

To adjust to convection cooking, take a recipe that was designed for a standard oven and lower the cooking temperature by 25 degrees.

 

Foods that should be cooked in less than an hour will take about the same amount of time. For food that should be cooked for longer than an hour, reduce the time by about 20 to 25 percent.

 

How to Choose

There are many brands of convection ovens on the market and some variations within each. When considering a convection oven, think about:

 

• How you cook
• What you cook -- Do you like to bake or prepare meals with meat or fish?
• How often you cook.
• Your budget -- convection ovens are more costly than traditional baking ovens, which are priced from $500

 

American versus European

Also ask whether the oven is made with the American or European convection process. While both allow for more even cooking, the European method cooks food more precisely because it has an added heating element around the fan. Most wall models sold are made with European convection.

 

Here's a sampling of prices: A wall mounted, double convection oven is priced from:

 

• $1,700 to $2,100 for Bosch
• $2,700 to $3,200 for Thermador
• $3,800 to $4,000 for Gaggenau.

 

All three brands are made with European convection. The price difference is in the features and styling of each brand. "The Bosch oven has mechanical knobs on it, while the Thermador has sensor touch controls. Once you get up to the Gaggeneau level, it has a beautiful, bright blue enamel finish inside and a rotisserie in it so you can rotisserie chicken," Valentine said.

 

The Settings

There also are several settings and features to consider. Among the typical settings are:

 

• Convection and bake, which combines the convection cooking with the baking element at the bottom of the oven. Use this setting when cooking pizza and looking for a crisp crust.
• Convection and roast. Use this for a turkey.
• Convection and broil. Use this for a thick steak.

 

Consider Two Ovens

The layout of the oven is another consideration. Home owners who do a lot of entertaining should consider a 27-inch wide double oven. One or both of the ovens can be a convection oven, depending upon the budget and how serious they are about cooking.

 

The benefit of having two ovens is that it allows more flexibility and space when cooking large meals. Many home owners have the ovens installed in the wall, which makes them more accessible and reduces strain on the back.

 

When selecting the color of a convection oven, many home owners go with stainless steel to replicate the commercial look in the kitchen. There also are white and black models, however.