Why do bakers not like using convection ovens for everything?

Author: Misty Torphy  |  Last update: Friday, January 16, 2026

The convection can also dry out the inside of these recipes, such as bread, cake, souffl, flan, or other baked goods so you want to steer clear of that setting if you want your final product to be nice and moist.

Do professional bakers use convection ovens?

For a majority of bakeries or pastry shops, having a convection oven that allows for versatility and uniform baking is paramount to their success.

Why not use convection oven all the time?

The convection fan dries out the surface of the food, which isn't always desireable. It can lead to things browning too fast on the outside while still being raw in the middle.

Is there a downside to 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.

Is it better to bake with a convection or regular oven?

Convection baking is often faster and provides a more consistent bake across multiple racks. Regular bake is preferred for cakes, breads and other delicate desserts due to the slower baking process. If you're looking for crispy and browned results, you may want to choose convection baking.

Convection vs. conventional ovens explained

What should not 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.

Do chefs prefer 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.

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.

Do things take longer to cook in a convection oven?

Convection ovens cook food faster than conventional ovens. To cook in a convection oven, follow this easy formula: reduce the temperature by 25 degrees or reduce the cooking time by 25%. Some ovens today even offer convection conversion, eliminating any guesswork!

What are the disadvantages of convection heat transfer?

One of the biggest disadvantages is that they tend to be slower to heat a space. Because they rely on air movement, it takes time for the room to reach a comfortable temperature, particularly if the room is large or has high ceilings. Additionally, convection heating can cause drafts as the warm air circulates.

Why do I burn everything in my convection oven?

An oven set too high will scorch food quickly. Troubleshooting: Use an oven thermometer to check if the temperature inside matches what you've set it to. Fixing the Issue: If the temperatures don't align, recalibrate your oven. Calibration methods vary by model, so consult your oven's manual or a professional.

What kind of oven is best for baking?

There is no best type of oven for baking—it will depend on the type of dish you're creating. For instance, electric ovens tend to have drier heat than gas ovens so will be better at browning foods like biscuits, while a slightly more humid gas oven will help keep breads and cakes moist.

Do you need to preheat for convection bake?

PREHEAT oven until thermostat signal light goes out indicating that the oven has reached the desired temperature. The oven should preheat to 350° F. within 10 to 15 minutes. (Note: To conserve energy, DO NOT turn on the oven until absolutely necessary - about 15 minutes before actual cooking is to start.)

What ovens do professional bakers use?

Convection ovens are one of the most common pieces of commercial bakery equipment.

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.

What are the disadvantages of a deck oven?

Cons of a Deck Oven

Commercial deck ovens are typically larger and more expensive compared to other types of ovens. They require ample space in the bakery, which may be a limitation for smaller establishments with limited square footage.

How do you adjust baking time for a convection oven?

While every oven is going to be a little different, you're basically looking at three ways to turn a conventional-oven recipe into a convection-oven recipe: Reduce cooking temperature by 25 degrees F (about 15 degrees C). Reduce cooking time by 25 percent. Reduce both temperature and time by less than 25 percent.

What are the pros and cons of a convection oven?

Pros: Affordability is a major plus point. They're straightforward, with no fans or special settings—just heat. Some dishes, especially those requiring more moisture, may fare better in a conventional setting. Cons: Oven heating issues like uneven cooking can sometimes be an issue due to hot spots.

Is 350 degrees the same in a convection oven?

If you set the oven to convection bake at 350 degrees F it will run at 350. If your recipe calls for 350 degrees F for say, a roast, you'll need to lower the temp to 325 degrees F to compensate for the air racing around in the oven.

Will parchment paper burn in a convection oven?

'Yes, parchment paper most definitely can burn in the oven and can even catch fire if you are not careful,' warns Kristen Wood, a cookbook author, recipe developer, and creator of MOON and spoon and yum.

Why not to use convection bake?

The convection can also dry out the inside of these recipes, such as bread, cake, souffl, flan, or other baked goods so you want to steer clear of that setting if you want your final product to be nice and moist.

Why can't you use easy off on convection ovens?

Although it won't impact the performance of your convection oven, harsh cleaners such as Easy-Off can harm the surface of your convection oven. It is advised to not use Easy-Off to clean a convection oven.

Is an air fryer a convection oven?

The quick answer is, an air fryer is a simply a smaller convection oven with a catchy name. There is no actual frying going on inside an air fryer—that's because an air fryer cooks food via convection baking. So air fryers are, in essence, convection ovens.

Do you need to rotate pans in a convection oven?

And when the hot air is circulating, it creates a more consistent temperature throughout the oven. This can reduce — and in some instances eliminate — the need to rotate items from left to right and shuffle pans from higher racks to lower ones to promote even cooking.

Do convection ovens run hotter?

Conventional ovens typically are 25 to 30 degrees cooler than a convection oven set to the same temperature. Since most recipes are intended for conventional ovens, you'll need to adjust the temperature to around 25 degrees F (about 15 degrees C) lower to accommodate the difference.

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