Convection vs.Conventional Ovens: What’s the Difference?
Some people swear by convection ovens. Others wouldn’t trade their conventional oven for anything. And honestly? Both camps are right. At the end of the day, they’re just two different ways to get dinner on the table (and cookies in your belly). One uses a fan to move heat around, the other relies on good old-fashioned rising heat. Neither is “better” all the time — but knowing the difference can save you from underdone casseroles or burnt pie crusts.
What Is a Convection Oven?
So, how does a convection oven work? It uses a built-in fan to move hot air around the food as it bakes. Instead of just heating from the top or bottom, the fan circulates heat evenly throughout the oven cavity. That means fewer hot spots, more consistent results, and in many cases, faster cooking.
Benefits of Using Convection
What Is a Conventional Oven?
Traditionally, this is the oven most of us grew up with: an oven with dual heating coils on the top and bottom of the oven cavity. Heat rises naturally, so dishes placed higher up tend to brown faster, while lower racks cook the bottom of your dish more thoroughly. It’s a tried-and-true method, though it’s not always easy to gauge your results due to its uneven internal heating.
Ideal Use Cases
Convection vs. Conventional: Side-by-Side Comparison
| | Convection | Conventional |
Cooking Time | Up to 25% faster. | Slower with less even heating. |
Heat Distribution | Fan circulates air for consistent results. | Hot spots can occur; pan placement matters. |
Energy Efficiency | Uses less energy thanks to shorter cooking times and lower temps. | Uses more energy and time due to less even heating. |
| When Should You Use Each Oven Type? | Cookies and pies: Even heat = no more mid-bake pan shuffling. Roasting meats and veggies: Crispy edges, tender centers. | Delicate cakes: Sometimes, a gentle, still heat is better for the rise when it comes to cakes. Broiling: The direct top heat works just as intended. |
Tips for Switching Between Convection and Conventional Modes
When in doubt, trust your nose and peek in. Ovens may be smart, but they don’t know when your lasagna looks perfect.
Convection Oven Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Are Convection Ovens Worth It?
For many home cooks, yes convection ovens make baking easier. If you want faster cooking, more reliable results, and golden roasts without guesswork, a convection oven is an impressive tool to have. That said, conventional ovens are no slouch — they’ve been the backbone of family kitchens for generations. If you love simple, durable, and familiar, conventional ovens still deliver excellent results. At the end of the day, both styles get dinner on the table (and that’s what really matters).
FAQs About Oven Types
Can I turn off convection mode?
Yes. Most convection ovens let you switch back to conventional mode at the push of a button.
Is convection better for baking?
It depends on what you’re baking. Cookies and breads are great baked in convection ovens. More delicate cakes and custards may turn out better in conventional mode.
GE Appliances
Convection Ovens
GE Appliances convection ranges and convection wall ovens offer many exciting features including No Preheat Air Fry mode to make crispy baked favorites with little-to-no oil. Many also come with built-in WiFi and either Steam Clean or our handy removable EasyWash™ oven tray to make cleaning your oven a breeze.
GE Appliances
Conventional Ovens
Our conventional ovens and ranges offer more traditional features such as dual elements, oven storage drawers, and large oven capacity. Some also include Crisp Mode which uses both bake and broil elements to deliver air-fry-like results, and Steam Clean, which helps make oven cleaning easier.
Use the Right Oven Type for Your Recipe
Once you’ve chosen the perfect oven for your cooking needs, you’ll want to try out recipes that highlight the true benefits of that oven. Here are a few recipes that deliver delicious results for each type of oven.
Convection Oven Recipes
Try these recipes in your convection oven to achieve perfect pie crust, tender cookies, and juicy roasted meats.
Conventional Oven Recipes
Use your traditional oven to make a not-so-basic cheesecake, broiled pork chops, and a deliciously moist chocolate cake.
The Bottom Line
Whether you’re team convection or team conventional, the truth is both ovens can turn out a delicious meal — as long as you use them well (and remember to set the timer). Convection might save you some time and give you crispier edges, while conventional is steady, familiar, and forgiving. At the end of the day, it’s less about the actual kitchen range or oven and more about the memories you’re cooking up — crispy cookie edges and all.
Highly Rated Convection Ovens
GE® ENERGY STAR® 30" Slide-In Electric Convection Range with No Preheat Air Fry and EasyWash™ Oven Tray
GE® ENERGY STAR® 30" Free-Standing Electric Convection Range with No Preheat Air Fry and EasyWash™ Oven Tray
GE 30" Free-Standing Gas Double Oven Convection Range
Highly Rated Conventional Ovens
GE® ENERGY STAR® 30" Free-Standing Electric Range with Crisp Mode
GE® 30" Free-Standing Gas Range
GE® 30" Free-Standing Gas Range