I think convection microwaves are an excellent addition to any kitchen. These appliances blend the best features of microwaves and convection ovens, which means food can be cooked quickly and still come out crispy or brown. I decided to invest in one to help me with meal preparation, and I haven’t regretted my decision.
However, I understand that not everyone might feel the same way. Convection microwaves can be expensive, so it’s important to consider whether the investment is worth it for your cooking needs.
But in my experience, the convenience and efficiency of a convection microwave are unmatched. It saves me so much time in the kitchen, especially on busy days. Plus, the ability to cook food evenly and with a crispy texture is a game-changer.
Pros And Cons Of Convection Microwave: As a convection microwave, I offer a great balance of convenience and versatility, but it’s important to consider your specific needs before deciding if I’m the right appliance for you.
Quick Navigation
What is a Convection Microwave?
A convection microwave is a type of kitchen appliance that combines the features of a microwave oven with the capabilities of a convection oven. Like a standard microwave, it uses electromagnetic radiation to quickly heat and cook food.
However, unlike a regular microwave, a convection microwave also has a fan and heating element that circulates hot air around the food, similar to a traditional oven. This makes it possible to bake, roast, and grill food in addition to just heating it up.
A convection microwave can be a great option for those who want the convenience of a microwave but also want the ability to cook a wider range of foods. It’s especially useful for those with limited counter space, as it can serve as a multi-functional appliance that saves space by combining two types of cooking methods in one unit.
Working Mechanism of a Convection Microwave Oven
The convection microwave is special because it has an extra way to create and transfer heat. It works like a regular microwave by using electromagnetic radiation to heat food quickly. But it also has a heating element and a fan that work together to produce extra heat.
The heating element makes the heat, and the fan helps spread it around evenly. This process is similar to how an oven works. The convection microwave heats up the air inside quickly and spreads it around so the food cooks evenly. This is different from a regular microwave that only uses the energy from the food molecules to create heat.
Pros And Cons Of Convection Microwave
Here, we have provided a brief discussion of the pros and cons of convection microwave:
Pros of Convection Microwave
The convection microwave oven offers several Pros, such as:
Strategies for Saving Space and Time:
A convection microwave is a kitchen appliance that can help homeowners save space in their kitchen because it’s smaller than a regular oven and can be placed in a cabinet to take up even less space. It can also save people time because it can perform different tasks at the same time, which makes cooking faster.
Evenly Cooked Food:
A convection microwave oven is different from a traditional microwave because it has an extra heating element and a fan. This allows it to heat up food quickly and evenly, without needing to stop and turn or mix the food like you would with a traditional microwave.
The convection microwave can also perform two functions: it can work as a microwave and an oven, so you don’t need to buy separate appliances.
You can use the microwave function to heat up meals, and the convection function to bake cookies or other dishes. You can even use both functions at the same time, depending on what you’re cooking.
Cost-Effective Solutions:
Convection microwaves are cheaper to buy than standard ovens. They are also energy-efficient, which means they don’t use as much electricity and are cheaper to run. This makes them a cost-effective solution for cooking, and a good choice for people who want to save money on their energy bills.
Multiple Cooking Methods:
With a convection microwave oven, you can cook meals in many different ways, like grilling, roasting, and baking. This is not always possible with a traditional microwave, and you may not get the same good results. The convection microwave oven is especially good at making baked foods crispy and browned, just the way you like them.
Microwaves Enhance Taste:
A convection microwave oven cooks food evenly by circulating air and turning off automatically. This helps to preserve the flavour of the food. As a result, the food comes out tasting really good.
Can Bake and Roast:
Convection microwaves can also bake and roast, which is a great feature for those who want to cook a wider variety of dishes. They are particularly useful for baking cakes, cookies, and bread, as well as for roasting meats and vegetables.
Crispy and Browned Food:
The convection feature in a convection microwave enables you to cook food to a crispy, browned finish. This is particularly useful for dishes like pizzas and pies, which require a crispy crust.
Energy Efficient:
Convection microwaves are more energy efficient than traditional ovens because they use less energy to cook food. This not only saves you money on your energy bill, but it also makes them an eco-friendly option.
Cons of Convection Microwave
The Cons of using a convection microwave oven are:
Limited Capacity:
Another disadvantage of having a convection microwave is that it has less space inside compared to regular ovens. This can make it difficult to bake cakes or other large dishes.
Size Limitations:
A convection microwave oven is smaller compared to a regular oven, so it cannot hold a lot of food at once. This may not be the best choice if you like to cook or bake large quantities of food all at once.
Limited Performance for Certain Foods:
One of the major drawbacks of convection microwaves is that they may not bake some foods as well as regular ovens. This means that items like biscuits may not have the same texture as they would in a standard oven.
Additionally, convection microwaves that lack a bottom element are not suitable for dishes that need to be cooked from the base, such as pies and pizzas.
Learning Curve for New Users:
Using a convection microwave can be a learning curve for new users, as it requires some knowledge of both microwave and oven cooking. This may take some time to master, especially for those who are not familiar with convection cooking.
May not Replace the Need for a Traditional Oven:
Although convection microwaves can be a versatile addition to any kitchen, they may not replace the need for a traditional oven entirely. Some dishes may require the use of a conventional oven, which means that you may still need to invest in a separate appliance for your cooking needs.
Related Article: Advantages and disadvantages of microwave oven
FAQ’s:
Q:1 Is it worth investing in a convection microwave?
Convection microwaves are perfect for situations where a standard oven is not feasible. For example, if you have a small kitchen but love to cook, a convection microwave is an ideal solution.
Similarly, if you frequently cook large meals with many sides, a convection microwave can provide additional cooking space.
Q:2 What are the drawbacks of using a convection microwave oven?
Convection microwaves have smaller cavities than traditional ovens, so you can only cook one type of food at a time. Additionally, the oven cavity should be cleaned after each use because any grease or residue will be baked on with the next use and become difficult to remove. Most models have stainless steel interiors, making them difficult to clean.
Q:3 When it comes to microwaves, is a convection microwave better?
You can expect faster cooking times for specific items with convection microwaves because the convection element and microwave cook simultaneously. Convection microwaves also come with racks that allow you to microwave multiple dishes at once. Roasting, baking, cooking, and crisping are all possible when you upgrade to a convection microwave.
Q:4 What are the cons of convection technology?
Although you can cook multiple dishes simultaneously in a convection oven, overcrowding the oven or blocking the fan can decrease efficiency, resulting in longer cooking times. This can be a problem if you need a dish to be ready at a specific time.
Q:5 What are the advantages of having a convection microwave?
A convection microwave combines the capabilities of a microwave and a convection oven, enabling you to bake and roast food in addition to heating it. Due to their versatility and small size, convection microwaves are a good choice for small kitchens, apartments, and RVs.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, convection microwaves offer a range of benefits such as faster cooking times, the ability to cook and roast foods in addition to heating them, and extra cooking space in small kitchens or RVs.
However, they also come with some drawbacks such as smaller cooking cavities, limited cooking space, a learning curve for new users, and higher costs compared to traditional microwaves. Ultimately, the decision to invest in a convection microwave depends on your specific needs and preferences.
We hope you will be well aware about the pros and cons of convection microwave, after reading this comprehensive article. If you have any questions, feel free to comment below!