Comparing Oven Types: Choosing the Best One for Your Needs

June 13, 2023

Did you know that there are various types of ovens? Yes, you can find gas and electric ovens that differ based on their fuel sources. Moreover, within these categories, there are different oven types available, depending on the specific model you choose, with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

So, what are the different types of ovens? There are four main types: Convection, Conventional, Steam, and Combi-Steam ovens. Each type has its unique advantages and can yield different results depending on what you're cooking. To determine the best oven for you and your family, it's essential to understand the distinctions between them.

Oven Types

What’s a Convection Oven?

A convection oven is designed with two heating elements and a built-in fan to circulate hot air throughout its interior. This setup includes a heating element positioned above the oven and another one below, along with the fan that facilitates the even distribution of hot air. The presence of the fan in convection ovens eliminates the need to manually rotate dishes, as it helps achieve more consistent and uniform cooking results compared to standard conventional ovens.

Pros

Cooks Evenly & Quicker – Because Convection ovens have a third heating element, hot air can circulate and evenly cook your meals including large chickens and turkeys. So, you won’t ever need to rotate a dish mid-cook ever again!
Cook More than One Dish – Because of the third heating element, you may be able to add a second dish to cook in tandem with your main dish! There should be even cooking regardless of where they are located.
Place Dishes on Any Rack – As mentioned, with a third heating element, it makes it easier to place your meal on any rack and still get perfect results!

Cons

Recipe adjustments – Since most recipes are made for Conventional Ovens, you may need to adjust your convection oven accordingly so that you don’t burn or undercook your meals!
DoughNot Rising – Another issue that’s been reported is dough not rising for bread, cakes, and pastries. Typically reported due to circulation of air in the convection oven.
Can be More Costly is Damaged – Since there is now a third heating element, a fan, any damage done to the inside can be much more costly than a normal repair on a conventional oven.
Overcrowding Hinders Performance – While you can cook multiple dishes in a convection oven, adding way too much can block the fan from circulating air leading to longer cooking times.

What’s a Conventional Oven?

A conventional oven is a standard oven equipped with two heating elements positioned above and below, which heat the air inside the oven. The heating element located below the oven is particularly useful for roasting sizable cuts of meat, such as whole chickens and turkeys. On the other hand, the top heating element is commonly used for broiling or browning dishes, including casseroles and oven-baked pan meals.

Pros

Nearly Fool-Proof – Nearly most recipes out there are written specifically for conventionalovens so there is not much room for error. If the recipe calls for 30 minutes of baking at 350, then it will take exactly that time frame with no error. Simple!
Cost Efficient – Being a traditional appliance, these types are generally more affordable when compared to convection or steam ovens.
Familiarity – Cooking times, functionality, temperature settings, and nearly everything about a conventional oven are familiar from the start as it’s the go-to type and leads to greater ease of use.

Cons

Uneven Cooking – Though there are two main heating elements in an oven, more often you are going to have to open the oven to flip your dish so it can evenly cook. So, it’s a simple hassle but something that may ruin a dish if you’re not on top of it!

What’s a Steam Oven?

In essence, a steam oven seamlessly combines baking and steaming functionalities into a single appliance, allowing you to introduce moisture to your cooking without the risk of boiling or saturating your food. This cooking method helps retain the natural textures, flavors, and nutrients of your food while reducing the reliance on oils for cooking. Steam ovens are versatile and work great for various cooking purposes such as baking, roasting, and slow cooking!

Pros

Healthier Cooking Method – In contrast to conventional ovens, steam ovens rely exclusively on steam for cooking, without the need for butter or oils. This enables food to retain its natural moisture and essential nutrients effectively.
Improved Flavor & Textures – Chicken, fish, vegetables, and various other dishes maintain their textures, and vibrant colors, and gain enhanced flavors when prepared through steaming, ensuring they never become dried out.
Better Reheating – As mentioned previously, steaming food helps it retain its textures and colors. Likewise, when reheating leftover pizza, old takeout, or other dishes, steaming can revitalize and reheat them, making them taste as fresh as if they were just prepared or ordered.

Cons

Cost – Regrettably, steam ovens come at a higher cost compared to traditional ovens. On average, a steam oven can range from $2,000 to $5,000, and in some cases, even more depending on the specific model and brand.
Limited Browning Capabilities – While steam ovens can reach temperatures as high as 212°F, they are unable to fully cook foods that require a higher temperature and may lack the ability to brown food effectively.
Constant Refilling & Cleaning – As steam cooking is involved, it will be necessary to regularly refill the reservoir before almost every meal. Occasionally, there might be a need to refill thereservoir while cooking, especially for dishes that require longer cooking times.

What’s a Combi-Steam Oven?

A combi-steam oven, sometimes referred to as a steam-combi oven, is a versatile appliance that integrates multiple cooking methods, including steam, baking, dehydrating, and air frying. These innovative countertop ovens are designed to streamline and expedite the cooking process, offering precise temperature and moisture controls. By combining various cooking techniques in a single appliance, they eliminate the need for multiple devices in the kitchen while providing a wider range of cooking options.

Pros

Versatile – Whether you're cooking meat, vegetables, bread, pastries, desserts, fish, seafood, pasta, rice, grains, eggs, or anything else, combi-steam ovens are the perfect tool for the job.
Humidity Control – Convectional and Convection ovens do not allow for humidity control. Making a combi oven ideal for cooking juicy and flavorful dishes.
Perfect Crispiness – While steam perfectly cooks the inside of a chicken, for example, the convection air will perfectly crisp the outer layer for that perfect bite!

Cons

Cost – A huge factor for any Combi-Steam oven is its cost, ranging from a few hundred and quickly rising to several thousand. Some even go as high as $6,000.
Cleaning – Regular cleaning and maintenance is needed more than the average oven due to condensation or fat droplets that build up.
Learning Curve – Because they cook faster, it may be a learning curve to get familiar with the features and to get the timing right.

Which Oven is Best?

Ultimately, the decision should be based on your family's specific requirements. When shopping for an oven, there are some key points to consider: price, functionality, and necessity. It's essential to determine if you can realistically afford the oven you're considering. Additionally, assess whether the oven has the necessary functions to meet your cooking needs. With a lot to consider, it's crucial to have a clear understanding of the pros and cons associated with different types of ovens before making a purchase.

When you are ready to purchase a new oven, whether it's a convection, conventional, steam, or combi steam oven, or if you simply want to upgrade your current one, visit the experts who have been in business for well over 40 years! We at Airport Home Appliance have the product and people you can trust in. With unbeatable prices, selection, and the top appliance experts around, you can rest assured that you will leave with your dream appliances.