Ovens can be found in various forms, sizes, and styles. Conventional, convection, microwave, electric, heat, and steam are just a few varieties. Depending on the type of oven, cooking efficiency can vary greatly: certain ovens can cook food faster. In contrast, others take longer but do a better job of preserving flavor and aroma. In this post, we’ll give you a thorough rundown of the several types of ovens to assist you in selecting the best one for your home.
Let us explore different types of ovens!
Conventional
The orientation of the heat source distinguishes convection ovens from conventional ovens. Conventional ovens employ a heat source mainly concentrated at the bottom of the oven and radiate upward to heat the entire oven chamber.
Benefits
Even cooking: Conventional ovens frequently offer steady heating, guaranteeing the food is cooked through.
Versatility: They are adaptable and capable of handling various culinary processes, such as broiling, roasting, and baking.
User-friendly: Conventional ovens, with their reputation for simplicity, are easy to operate and frequently have few settings and controls.
Drawbacks
Hot spots: They may have some hot spots because of their radiant heat, which causes some regions to cook more quickly than others.
Restricted advanced functions: Conventional ovens generally lack more contemporary ovens’ technologically advanced settings and features.
Convection
Convection ovens are the most common kinds of ovens; they use fans to circulate hot air over food to cook it. These fans even out the temperature and speed up cooking. However, they take longer to heat up than other ovens, and you have to ensure there’s enough room for food to cook through.
Benefits
Even cooking: The air that circulates ensures no hot spots, resulting in food that is cooked more consistently and evenly.
Faster cooking: The fan-assisted circulation allows for shorter cooking times, ultimately saving energy.
Drawbacks
Adjustment time: People used to conventional ovens may experience a learning curve as they adjust to the shorter cooking periods and temperature adjustments.
Cost: Convection ovens are typically more costly than conventional equivalents because of their advanced design.
Microwave
Using electromagnetic radiation, food can be cooked in a microwave with good consistency and without external heat. Rapid heating made possible by the power of vacuum tubes is what makes microwaves so popular. There are many different types of microwave ovens.
Benefits
Speed: Microwaves are ideal for people constantly on the go because of their quick cooking periods.
Efficiency: Uses less energy than conventional ovens, especially when cooking for shorter periods of time.
Drawbacks
Uneven Cooking: Microwaves can occasionally unevenly heat food, generating areas of high temperature.
Texture: They might have a crispy exterior different from convection or regular ovens, making them less ideal for some foods like pies or roasts.
Steam
Steam is an additional choice when cooking in an oven. Meals will be healthier and tastier because you won’t need to toss your food in as much butter or oil to prevent it from drying out.
Food from a steam oven tastes so tasty and fresh. It cooks faster and more effectively. Steam ovens use a boiler and a water container to produce steam, which cooks food. Compared to other ovens, food cooked in these ovens is healthier. Because it keeps moisture in the fish, it works well for cooking.
Benefits
Retention of nutrients: Steam cooking keeps more vitamins and minerals intact than conventional cooking techniques.
Maintaining moisture: Foods stay wet, lowering the chance of drying out and is perfect for delicate foods.
Drawbacks
Absence of browning: Unlike regular ovens, steam ovens do not crisp up or brown food surfaces.Value: Steam ovens are typically more expensive than regular ovens.
Other different types of ovens
Combination Oven
In contemporary kitchens, combination ovens are a common option. They can save you time in the kitchen and carry out various cooking tasks. A combo oven is a single device that combines the capabilities of a microwave and an oven.
Gas Oven
Unlike electric dry heat, gas ovens provide moisture heat. Gas ovens are a wonderful option for cooking juicy meals because they are said to produce quick heat that is typically more humid than electric ovens. Several ovens are also LPG-operated.
The oven safety valve, igniter, and controller comprise its three main parts. The igniter receives volts of alternating current from the control, allowing gas to enter the oven. This kind of oven is used mainly for cooking and grilling.
Related read:: How to Clean a Gas Oven
Wood-burning Oven
They function similarly to masonry ovens, but unlike modern masonry, they only use coal and wood as fuel.
It consists of a dome that effectively retains and releases heat from the oven. It also features a chimney to vent smoke. Refractory concrete or bricks are used to construct these ovens.
Because they operate using an active fire, they are sometimes known as black ovens.
They got their nickname “black ovens” because of the sooty layer that the smoke from this fire would leave on the dome. Additionally, their primary use is pizza baking.
Masonry oven
A masonry oven, or a brick or stone oven, is constructed using a baking chamber made of stone, clay, concrete, or bricks resistant to fire.
It’s a conventional oven that produces heat by burning coal or wood. Modern brick ovens allow you to use electricity or natural gas.
They are typically used to bake pizza and bread because of the flavor that they impart to food. Bakeries and eateries that serve baked goods and pizza are big fans of these ovens.
A masonry oven functions by trapping and distributing heat from an internal fire or one made in a firebox that opens into the oven. The oven front serves as a vent for smoke, which is then expelled outdoors via the chimney.
FAQ
What types of ovens are most common?
Electric convection ovens are the most often used type of oven. They circulate hot air over food items and come with both conventional and induction heating elements. They also come in a wide range of sizes and forms. Your cooking style, budget, and the features you want in an oven will all determine which option is ideal for your house.
Do all ovens run on electricity?
Ovens are only sometimes electric. While some versions use an electric engine to power the oven, others use gas or propane. This is dependent upon the kind and model of oven you are using.
What kind of oven is ideal for use at home?
You can select between gas ovens, electric convection ovens, and induction cooktops for the kitchen’s necessities. While each has advantages and disadvantages, they are all safe to use. All you have to do is ensure that your smoke detector is in working order and that the space around your stove and kitchen is well-ventilated before cooking.