You might think that a regular oven is everything you will need for preparing meals.
Unless you are baking 15 pizzas for your kids and some bake Mac ‘n Cheese to fulfill your cravings. Or maybe some unexpected guest drop by and you need to cook that whole chicken somewhere in your fridge and still need to prepare some side dishes or maybe a bunch of pastries while they wait.
Think you can do that while maintaining your sanity?
I think you don’t!
Fortunately, there is an easier way out in such tormenting situations— the best countertop convection oven.
Understanding a Countertop Convection Oven
As a type of oven, a countertop convection oven can do the basic— broil, roast, bake, etc. Because it is a countertop model, it is definitely smaller than the traditional oven so it is easier to manage and fit almost every kitchen countertop.
Its convection feature only makes the unit more versatile since foods are cooked more evenly and much faster because of the very special design of its heating element.
The heating element will warm up the air within it to heat the food. The air will stay stagnant and the areas that are closer to the heating elements are typically hotter than the area at the center of the oven.
The heating elements are typically placed at the bottom, top and back of the unit. The fan circulates the air around the food and allows every area to reach a consistent temperature.
Furthermore, it eliminates the narrow layer of cool air which can surround the food and insulate it from the heat. The bottom and top of the food will cook just as well as the center, so it does not matter where you place the food item within the oven since food in all racks will cook at the same temperature.
The Benefits of a Countertop Convection Oven
1. It Saves Space
This is the most obvious benefit of a countertop convection oven. This type of oven is the best choice if you want a compact size for your kitchen. Countertop convection ovens are way smaller than conventional and traditional ovens and you can put it anywhere on the counter since you do not need to connect them to a gas line.
2. It Offers Convenience
A countertop convection oven also offers convenience. If you are cooking small meals, then it is best to get a countertop convection oven. If you are cooking large meals for the whole family, a countertop convection oven can also help you there and you do not need to buy an extra full-size oven.
3. It Saves Energy
Thanks to its smaller size, there will be less space to heat when cooking. That, in addition to the shorter cooking times when compared to traditional ovens, it only means that you can use less electricity than cooking the same meal in a traditional oven.
4. It Saves Time
It only takes around 20 minutes in order to cook a pound of meat in a traditional oven. However, a convection oven has the ability to cook the same pound of meat in just around 10 minutes.
There are types of convection oven which features a hot plate electric cooker on top. This gives you an extra option to reheat dish on top and save you much time while you cook some food inside the oven.
5 Factors to Consider When Purchasing a Countertop Convection Oven
Not all countertop convection ovens are made the same. Before you make a purchase, it is crucial that you take into account particular considerations in order to get only the best out there.
1. Energy Efficiency
Choose a countertop convection oven that is energy efficient. Check the unit’s energy and heat efficiency units. A good countertop convection oven only has small wattages while still providing temperatures which are relatively high.
2. Functions and Features
Another thing that comes to mind should be the specific features of the oven. These should heavily depend on the kinds of food that you usually cook.
Does it have multiple racks? Are they adjustable? Does it have a rotisserie setting? There are some countertop convection ovens that provide other functions like toasting, broiling, and baking.
So make sure that the one you’re “eyeing” has more features and functions to offer.
3. Size and Countertop Space
When buying a countertop oven, you need to consider its size and whether it will fit your countertop space. Therefore it is important that you measure the dimensions of your countertop space and the oven that you are planning to buy.
It is important that you are mindful of the precise dimensions of the free space you have in the kitchen in order to make sure that the unit will fit well.
When choosing a countertop convection oven, you need to make sure that its size should be able to accommodate the kinds of food that you usually heat, bake or cook in it. There are some ovens which are specifically designed to be small for small portions of foods. Then there are some which can be large that can fit a whole chicken and still able to accommodate any side dish.
4. Style and Appearance
When you buy a countertop convection oven, it is not just about the function. You also need to consider it design and style. Will it look good and blend well with your kitchen aesthetic? It is always a plus if you have a countertop convection oven with style and appearance that harmoniously blend with your kitchen.
5. Cleaning
Another thing you need to consider for the best countertop convection oven is how easy it is to clean. Ovens with removable racks and other parts which are dishwasher-safe make it quite easy to clean and maintain.
The Top 5 Best Countertop Convection Oven 2018
*Below, you'll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
#1: BLACK + DECKER Extra Wide Convection Countertop Oven
Via Amazon.com
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If you constantly need to cook, roast or bake large batch of food, then this extra wide countertop convection oven from BLACK + DECKER is the perfect choice for you! It has an extra wide interior that is specifically designed in order to fit 12” pizza, 8 slices of bread or 9x13” pans with handles meaning you can offer cooked meals straight from the oven to the table.
It has powerful convection heating which allows basic cooking method such as toasting, broiling, baking, and keeping food warm. Featuring a 60-minute timer, it has stayed on functionality for longer baking or cooking tasks. It also has a Dedicated Toast Timer function which allows predictable shade selection with every use, providing the perfect toast every time.
Its temperature dial settings have been calibrated in order to provide the expected results for most home recipes with its advanced heating elements. The manufacturer is also generous enough to provide broiling or baking pans well as a toasting rack which fits perfectly to make inserting and removing food easier.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
#2: Oster Digital Countertop Convection Oven
Via Amazon.com
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If you are looking for a reasonably priced countertop convection oven with no functions or features compromised for its price, then this Oster Digital Countertop Convection Oven is the best oven for you.
It comes in a brushed stainless steel style with a transparent door. On its right side, it includes 3 handy dials. There are also digital controls which allow you to choose the precise temperature and cooking time.
Moreover, it is the right size— 18x14x10”— that could easily fit any kitchen countertop without a problem. However, it also large enough to fit a whole chicken or a 12-inch pizza. This oven includes 2 rack positions for convenient multi-level cooking and 2 baking racks. It also has a 60-minute timer which automatically shuts off for saving energy.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
#3: Oyama Turbo Convection Oven
Via Amazon.com
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The Oyama Turbo Convection Oven is unlike regular turbo broilers. It grabbed a position in our list since it has fighting cards its functionality and features. As an oven, it can do the basic methods of cooking and more such as broiling, baking, roasting as well as grilling and even steaming.
It has a large capacity and comes with a 12-liter glass bowl. It also has easy to understand control dials which allow you to set the temperature and cooking time. Furthermore, it is quite easy to clean and maintain by just using water and mild soap. This countertop convection oven includes a lid stand, a pair of tongs, 2 wire cooking racks and recipe book.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
#4: Hamilton Beach Countertop Oven with Rotisserie and Convection
Via Amazon.com
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The countertop oven from Hamilton Beach is a compact and energy-efficient convection oven which offers the same performance you will get with a full-size oven. This oven is small enough to fit any kitchen countertop, but it is also large enough to provide you with enough space for any type of meal.
This countertop convection oven is designed with both kitchen style and practicality in mind. In addition, it is filled with adaptable cooking potentials which range from broiling salmon and roasting a whole chicken or 5-pound pork to baking cookies and crisping cookies.
With this oven, you do not need to spend more time cooking separate meals. Moreover. It features adjustable and wide interior cooking racks that offer double the space for cooking multiple foods at once. It comes with 2 oven racks, a huge baking pan which is coated with enamel, a small baking pan, and a broil rack. Lastly, it features 4 pre-programmed settings: Convection, Bake, Broil, and Rotisserie.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
#5: BLACK + DECKER Countertop Convection Oven
Via Amazon.com
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Another unit from BLACK + DECKER, this particular countertop convection oven is a multifunctional oven which you can use to prepare and cook different kinds of foods in one go, thanks to its large capacity.
Featuring a curve interior, it allows you to cook a 12” pizza and a full-size casserole dish in one go. It has easy to understand buttons which allows you to select the precise heating temperature you need. It also displays the temperature with its easy to read digital panel.
This countertop convection oven features a 120-minute timer and also includes 2 racks for multi-level cooking. It also has one-touch functions which are designed for a no-fuss cooking. It is quite easy to clean, thanks to its non-stick interior and removable crumb tray which keeps your countertop tidy.
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Extra Tips: How to Properly Use a Countertop Convection Oven?
Once you have understood how a convection oven works, using it and cooking different kinds of foods is as easy as 1, 2, 3…
Here is a list of tips on how you can maximize the efficiency and flexibility that a countertop convection oven brings:
1. Reduce Temperature
With a convection oven, hot air circulates around the food. Therefore high temperatures can spread more easily. So, you should lower the temperature by about 20 to 25 degrees from the original recipe in order to prevent burning or overcooking.
2. Use the Correct Pans
The oven pans that you should use needs to be at least6 1 to 2 inches clear on all sides. Choose the ones with low or no sides as much as possible. This will allow better circulation of air, otherwise, the main function of convection will be forfeited. Choosing the right pan is crucial in order to further maximize the benefits of a countertop convection oven.
3. Reduce the Cooking Time
In general, convection ovens cook faster than traditional ovens. Therefore it is important that you reduce the cooking time. You can start by reducing about a third of the original recipe and just continue on cooking when the food item is not yet at its desired state. It is much better than getting burnt food.
4. Do Not Cover the Food
Airflow is a big part of a convection ovens cooking process. So, if a food is covered during the cooking process, then airflow will be blocked resulting to an uneven or slower cooking.
Extra Tips: Proper Cleaning and Maintenance of Countertop Convection Oven
A countertop convection oven is a true kitchen hero in baking, cooking, roasting and reheating foods at home. However, in terms of cleaning, it might demand so much effort and time in order to battle crumbs and greases.
Here are some tips which can help you keep your countertop convection oven shining and clean for optimal efficiency and longevity.
The Countertop Convection Oven You Should Take Home
Among the 5 products I presented above, I highly recommend that you take home the… Hamilton Beach Countertop Oven with Rotisserie and Convection
Not only it is a convection oven, but it also has the option for a rotisserie function, a feature which is not present with the other models. Not only that, but it also has a compact design to fit any kitchen countertop, but it has a really large interior space which can accommodate multiple or large foods for faster and easier cooking.
Final Thoughts
In today’s busy world, cooking a lot of food can be time-consuming and no one wants that. Fortunately, kitchen appliances are becoming more and more advanced with every passing day. A countertop convection oven is quite useful these days since it makes cooking more efficient, more comfortable and quick. If you want to purchase one for your kitchen needs, then the products I have mentioned above will surely satisfy all your cooking needs.
I hope you find this article useful and informational! If you think I missed anything, feel free to voice your mind and fire up the comment section below. I would very much love to hear from you!
Until then, happy cooking!
The post Best Countertop Convection Oven Reviews 2018: Top 5+ Recommended appeared first on Cooky Mom.
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