The Microwave Oven vs. the Convection Oven With Electricity

Microwave

• From a purist point of view, a microwave oven is not actually an "oven." It is an electromagnetic process for delivering heat. Microwaves are directed at the food from all sides to heat the molecules inside the food (hence, the common reference to "zapping").

Convection Oven

• Fundamentally speaking, convection ovens are actually a lot of hot air. Convection ovens utilize a fan to circulate hot air at a high speed throughout the oven compartment. As a result, foods cook significantly faster in a microwave oven, in comparison to a traditional oven. Foods can cook up to 30 percent faster in a convection oven than they do in a traditional oven -- whether it's gas or electric, and convection ovens cut total energy use by as much as 20 percent. You can also reduce the temperature by 10 to 15 degrees from what you would use in a conventional oven. The combination of reduced cooking time and lower required cooking temperatures reduces your overall use of electricity.

Similarities

• Microwave and convection ovens rely on electricity to operate various heating elements and components. This makes both a good choice for those who have an all-electric kitchen. You can even get a combination microwave-convection oven and have the best of both worlds. Most important of all, both are huge energy savers compared to conventional electric ovens. For example, according to the California Energy Commission, an electric convection oven run at 325 degrees F for 45 minutes only uses 1.39 kilowatt-hours (kwh) of electricity, costing you about 11 cents. If you run a microwave oven on high for 15 minutes, the microwave only uses .36 kwh and costs you only about 3 cents. A conventional electric oven running at 350 degrees for one hour uses 2 kwh, or 16 cents' worth. This demonstrates how these types of appliances not only satisfy a need for speed, but also make a difference in the amount of power you use and what you pay for it.

Differences

• Microwaves are totally reliant on electricity and cannot be operated with any other type of energy such as gas. Electricity powers the microwave-heating element that produces the electromagnetic currents that are required to generate heat. Convection ovens, on the other hand, only require electricity to power the fans, and do not utilize electromagnetic currents to cook food. And, unlike microwave units, a convection oven can be powered by electricity or gas. You can have an all-electric convection oven, or one that only uses electricity to power the fan and uses gas to supply the heat.