What is the Difference Between Convection Oven and Grill Oven

The main difference between convection oven and grill oven is that convection ovens cook food by convection while grill ovens cook food by thermal radiation.

Modern ovens have many different functions. They can not only bake food but can also broil and grill food. A convection oven is an oven that has a fan and an exhaust system. Some ovens also offer the function of grilling, which is quickly cooking the food over direct heat at high temperature.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is a Convection Oven 
     – Definition, Features
2. What is a Grill Oven
     – Definition, Features
3. Difference Between Convection Oven and Grill Oven
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Convection Oven, Grill Oven

What is a Convection Oven

A convection oven is an oven that has a fan and an exhaust system. We also call it a fan oven or a fan-assisted oven. A regular oven does not have these components. The fan and exhaust system in a convection oven help to circulate the hot air all around the food, and then vent it back out. Since the hot air surrounds the food, the food is cooked more quickly and evenly.

There are many benefits to convection ovens. Since convection ovens have hot air blowing directly onto the food and circulating around the food, they cook food faster (about 25% faster than a regular oven) and more evenly. Moreover, convection creates a dry atmosphere that caramelizes sugars faster when roasting. Therefore, foods like meats and vegetables get browner, but their interiors stay moist. In addition, convection ovens save energy as they require less time and cook at a lower temperature.

Many convection settings also have regular oven settings. This is because convection settings are not suitable for certain types of food. You should use the regular settings when you are making food like cakes, quick bread, souffles, custards and flans. But you can make the convection setting when you are roasting meat and vegetables, baking pies and pastries, making cookies, toasting or dehydrating food or when you are cooking something with a cover.

What is a Grill Oven

Grilling is a method of quickly cooking your food over direct heat at high temperature. It is hot and fast and gives food a quick sear. We usually grill food using grills, which are appliances that cooks food by applying heat from below. Grills can be basically categorized into two: charcoal grill and gas-fueled grill. However, we can also grill food using a regular oven. The broiler section in the oven, which is typically near the top, provides high, direct heat, just like a grill. Using this function, you can cook your brown, char, or caramelize your food.

When you are grilling in an oven, you should pay attention to several factors. The first factor is temperature. If you are cooking thick food like chicken breast, you need a higher temperature. But if you are cooking vegetables like eggplants or zucchini, make sure to use a lower temperature. Another important factor is the rack position. If you place it too close to the heat source, the food will easily burn.

Difference Between Convection Oven and Grill Oven

Definition

A convection oven is an oven that has a fan and an exhaust system while a grill oven is an oven that quickly cooks the food over direct heat at high temperature.

Cooking

Convection ovens cook food by convection while grill ovens cook food by thermal radiation.

Heat

In convection ovens, the fan and exhaust system in a convection oven helps to circulate the hot air all around the food, while in grill ovens, the food is placed directly over the heat source.

Conclusion

A convection oven is an oven that has a fan and an exhaust system while a grill oven is an oven that quickly cooks the food over direct heat at high temperature. The main difference between convection oven and grill oven is that convection ovens cook food by convection while grill ovens cook food by thermal radiation.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Hot air oven” By Yatherm – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “47750” (CC0) via Pxhere

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