How Does a Profile Convection Oven Work?

Conventional Oven Operation

• Most conventional ovens use two heating elements to heat the oven from the top as well as from the bottom. If both heating elements are working, this should bake food evenly as long as it is placed in the middle of the oven. If you are baking two trays of food on two racks, you’ll have to move them halfway through the bake time to ensure they cook evenly.

Convection Oven Operation

• Instead of using heating elements, a convection oven uses a fan to circulate hot air around the inside of the oven. This ensures that the entire oven is heated to the same temperature and that it doesn’t have any hot spots.

Convection Advantages

• Convection ovens will produce slightly different results than a conventional oven. Because hot air is blowing directly on the food, it tends to cook 20 percent faster than a conventional oven. Food also tends to cook at a lower temperature, and it resists burning. Because the oven doesn’t have hot spots, you can pack the oven full of food. Food within 1 inch of the oven walls will not burn as it would in a conventional oven.

Cooking With a Convection Oven

• You’ll have to adjust your baking and heating process when using a convection oven. Adjust the temperature so it is 25 degrees lower than the recipe calls for. The food will cook 25 percent faster, even with the temperature reduction, which is a particular advantage when slow-roasting meats. Choose baking sheets that have low or no sides so you don’t block the hot air.