Do chefs like convection ovens?

Author: Jerrell Funk  |  Last update: Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Professional chefs swear by the advantages of convection ovens. That's because it cooks food slightly differently. But what is a fan oven and when can you use it? Let's take a look.

What is the downside of a convection oven?

When you are using a convection oven, you would need to adjust the recipes. If you don't adjust the recipe correctly, you can end up with burnt or overcooked food. Baked foods such as bread, cookies, and cakes are most susceptible to this.

When should you not use a convection oven?

As others have said, some dishes/baked goods can come out wrong in a convection oven, due to the air current and the drying effect it can also have. Most notably are things like Souffles or Macarons, where they need a slow, steady, even heat for them to slowly, and steadily rise.

What type of oven do professional chefs use?

Professional chefs are often known to use gas ranges at home. Having the luxury of high heat burners, extra large ovens and customizable options give them the flexibility to create large meals and entertain. Many professional chefs also opt for convection ovens that help them cook evenly across multiple racks.

What foods should not be cooked in a convection oven?

The blown air of convection ovens may help cause lopsided results in foods like cake, souffles, custards and flans, while conventional ovens are often better at helping baked goods retain the moisture necessary in many recipes.

Differences Between Convection Ovens and Normal Ovens

What cooks better in a convection oven?

Convection is good for:

Roasting ham, turkey, roast-ready beef cuts, and similar meats. Roasting vegetables and potatoes for an extra crisp. Cookies and muffins—especially when you have a big batch to bake at once. Pies and pastry.

Why can't you use foil in a convection oven?

A convection oven cooks by blowing hot air all around the food with a fan with a vent allowing the air to escape. If the foil blocks or gets too close to the fan or vent, the foil could get so hot that it ends up catching fire.

What kind of oven does Bobby Flay use?

Chef Bobby Flay recently shared some great tips using his BlueStar oven including: Secrets to Searing Meat at Home; Cooking with the Right Oil; The Importance of Resting Meat, Creating the Perfect Pork Rub, and Finishing Meats in the Oven.

Do chefs use convection ovens?

Professional chefs swear by the advantages of convection ovens. That's because it cooks food slightly differently. But what is a fan oven and when can you use it? Let's take a look.

What kind of oven does California Pizza kitchen use?

California Pizza Kitchen Pizza Ovens - Wood Stone.

Do I need an air fryer if I have a convection oven?

A convection oven can help crisp up foods, but you'll need a dedicated air fry function for the best results.

What are the best things to bake in a convection oven?

A convection is good for:
  • A quick roast chicken with nice, crispy skin.
  • Roasted root vegetables.
  • Artisan breads.
  • Pizza.
  • Drying meringues if it will hold a low temperature (below 200°F)
  • Drying fruits and vegetables.
  • Making a gazillion cookies at once; but don't expect them to cook evenly.
  • Biscuits and scones.

What happens if you leave a convection oven on overnight?

Leaving your oven on all night puts you at risk for an oven fire. Not only will you be risking fire hazards, but the gas that comes from your oven can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless. So if you were exposed to carbon monoxide, you might not even know it.

Do I really need a convection oven?

A convection oven cooks faster than a conventional oven. You can cook multiple dishes at the same time. It's ideal for cooking anything that requires a crispy exterior. Bakers prefer convection ovens because the dry, circulating heat is ideal for breads, cakes and other baked goods.

Why do bakers not like using convection ovens for everything?

Not Ideal for Convection

Delicate bakes like custards, flans, and soufflés may get disrupted by the circulating air. The debate over bread baking in convection ovens is still unresolved. While some advocate for its even browning, others argue it dries out the bread's interior.

Does food cook faster in a convection oven?

Because hot air is blowing directly onto food instead of just surrounding it, food cooks about 25% faster in a convection oven.

What are the disadvantages of a convection oven?

Additionally, convection ovens tend to be more expensive than traditional ovens, which may not be feasible for some budgets. The fan motor may also require more energy, leading to higher electricity bills. The cons of convection cooking may include a learning curve, recipe adjustment, and higher cost.

Can you put parchment paper in a convection oven?

In the past, I have read sources and tried recipes that involved using parchment paper at oven temperatures up to 450 F. But according to Reynolds, which also makes parchment paper, it can be used in a conventional oven, convection oven or toaster oven at temperatures up to only 420 F.

Do restaurants use convection ovens?

Traditional ovens might still have a place in the home, but most restaurants need something better - such as commercial convection ovens. A better oven is one of the best pieces of commercial kitchen equipment you could purchase.

What kind of oven does Joanna Gaines use?

La Cornue in Contemporary American Culture: Joanna Gaines has built the kitchen for her upcoming cooking show around her stainless steel and brass La Cornue Chateau 150 range. Celine Dion, LeBron James, Blake Lively, and Ellen Pompeo all enjoy making magic and memories in their La Cornue kitchens.

What brand oven does Ina Garten use?

The centerpiece of Garten's kitchen remodel is the beautiful stove and oven by Lacanche. Lacanche is a French brand, which handcrafts its products in Burgundy, France.

What oven do they use in Masterchef?

You Too Can Now Create Food Like That Seen On Masterchef In Your Food Business... Get the CONVOTHERM C4EST-1010C easyTouch 11 Tray Combi Oven as seen and used in the latest Masterchef series it's readily available and very affordable.

What Cannot be cooked in a convection oven?

Some recipes will suggest regular bake or convection, but as a general rule, don't use the convection setting for delicate desserts and pastries such as custards, souffle, chiffon and angel food cakes, to name a few.

Can I put metal in a convection oven?

Can you put metal in a convection microwave oven? Yes, you can place metals like aluminum foil or small baking sheets in convection microwaves, but only when the appliance is in convection mode. Never use metal inside a convection microwave while it is using traditional microwave heating.

Can you put a pan in a convection oven?

What Baking Pans Are Best? The good news is you can use the same baking pans in both convection and conventional ovens.

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