What is the difference between microwave and convection oven

The microwave oven is a staple in the home kitchen thanks to its convenience for quick cooking and reheating of foods. GE has created an array of microwave options for the modern American. One of their newest options is a convection microwave oven, combining the convenience of microwaves with the power of convection cooking. To help you better consider and utilize these awesome new features, let’s take a deeper look into how these machines work.

Microwaves heat food by using non-ionizing radiation to cause internal friction within the food and cook it without the machine itself producing its own heat source. They are useful for rapid heating of otherwise slowly prepared foods such as butters and fats, as well as quickly reheating previously cooked foods. GE standard microwaves offer 10+ power levels to accurately cook a variety of foods, a glass turntable for even heating of food, time/weight defrost for frozen foods, and one touch cooking options, for foods commonly cooked in a microwave oven. They also include electronic touch controls, and countertop or wall mount installation options. You can conveniently house your microwave right in the middle of your kitchen for easy access, or store it away in a walk-in pantry if you prefer a minimalist design.

A convection oven uses the same principles of a conventional oven with upper and lower heating elements and features strong fans that circulate the heat. This causes the heat to transfer more evenly and quickly than food baking in a conventional oven. GE’s convection microwave oven takes the efficient features of a microwave and adds the browning, caramelizing effect of a convection oven. It combines the microwave radiation rapid heating with the circulating hot air of a convection oven to both heat and brown the prepared food, creating a perfectly baked pizza complete with crispy edges and melted cheese, ready in half the time of a standard conventional oven. The convection microwave ovens offer 1.7+ cubic feet of space, including 2 racks to conveniently cook multiple items. The racks are removable in order to fit family casseroles and other large dishes and the turntable has a flexible on/off switch. It offers 10+ cooking modes, including boiling and sensor cooking feature that automatically sets the optimal time and power level for the specific food. GE has even gone so far as to innovate a 3-speed, 300 CFM venting system that removes steam, smoke and odors from your cooktop thus enhancing the kitchen air quality. This bad boy is essentially the 2017 version of a toaster oven on steroids that truly delivers quality cooked foods in record time.

Similar to their standard microwave options, GE convection microwaves come in countertop or over-the-range options. They also offer the convection microwave in a built-in combination convection microwave/wall oven option. One our favorite implications of the convection microwave is that it functions as a second oven for holiday and big meal cooking without taking up extra kitchen real estate. Whether you’re looking for the simplicity and ease of fast microwave reheating or the deluxe results of rapidly baked foods, Bray & Scarff carry a variety of GE microwave and convection microwaves to fit your customized kitchen.

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Can a convection oven be used as a microwave?
Is convection microwave as good as convection oven?
Is convection the same as microwave?
Can you use a convection microwave as a normal microwave?

Microwaves have come a long way since their debut in the 1970s. If you’re shopping for a new appliance, you may have noticed that some microwaves offer a convection option that allows you to bake, roast and more. But what sets a convection microwave apart from a traditional microwave? Is it worth the extra cost? Does a convection microwave speed up cooking, and is it the right fit for your kitchen? If you’re confused, don’t worry – we’re here to help.

A convection microwave combines some of the features of two kitchen appliances – a microwave and a convection oven, allowing you to bake and roast foods in addition to heating them. Thanks to their versatility and small size, convection microwaves can be a good choice for small kitchens, apartments and RVs.

A convection microwave has at least two modes – the first is a standard mode that uses microwaves to heat or cook food. The second is a convection mode that transforms your microwave into a convection oven, which uses a heating element and a fan to evenly distribute heat throughout the appliance. Because of this, a convection microwave lets you use cooking techniques that aren’t available with traditional microwaves – think baking, roasting, broiling and the like. Convection microwaves let you alternate between both modes to cook foods faster.

Thanks to their versatility, convection microwave ovens can bring a number of advantages to your kitchen and cooking style. This includes:

Faster cooking times due to a combination of convection and microwave cooking.
More even cooking with convection setting.
Racks that allow you to microwave multiple dishes at once.

In addition to these benefits, convection microwave ovens reduce your kitchen’s appliance footprint by combining your microwave and oven into one appliance. This makes convection microwaves especially appealing if space is at a premium.

Successful convection microwave cooking is contingent on the type of item you’re cooking. In general, it’s best to follow these basic guidelines:

Use the microwave setting for reheating or for short cook times. This includes leftovers, popcorn, steaming or reheating vegetables, prepackaged meals and so on.
Use your convection microwave setting when cooking items for a longer period of time. Examples include roasted meats and vegetables, baked goods, bacon, pizza and other items that should be browned or crisped.
If your convection microwave has a combination setting, use it to cook items more quickly and achieve a crispy outer layer. Be sure to monitor your food to avoid overcooking or burning.
Use your convection microwave’s round convection rack and bakeware with lower sides to allow for proper air circulation.
Metal items should be used with the convection setting only. Never use metal items on microwave or combination settings.

While these guidelines should work for most convection microwaves, keep in mind that every appliance is different. To achieve the best results with your convection microwave oven, refer to the product manual for additional cooking tips for your specific model.

So, should you upgrade to a convection microwave oven? The answer depends on multiple factors. However, people with small kitchens may enjoy the versatility and space-saving aspects of a convection microwave. In addition, their convenience and speed are great assets if you’re frequently strapped for time.

Still not sure which microwave is right for you? Don’t worry – our microwave guide walks you through multiple options to help you find the right fit for your kitchen.

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With features like Dual Crisp on select Maytag® microwaves, you can enjoy quick, crispy results on your busiest days. Explore additional options like sensor cooking or timed settings on select microwaves by Maytag brand to find the appliance that's right for your kitchen.

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Can a convection oven be used as a microwave?

A convection oven can be used to reheat food as a microwave does, and will have better results. However, a convection oven will take longer to fully cook or reheat. In fact, the food you reheat will even come out better than it would in the microwave. Regular microwaves cook food from the inside out.

Is convection microwave as good as convection oven?

Not as good as a conventional oven for some foods The most notable disadvantage of convection microwaves is their inability to bake some items as well as standard ovens. For example, biscuits baked in a traditional oven have a better texture than those baked in convection microwaves.

Is convection the same as microwave?

Faster Cooking Microwave cooking enables speedy internal cooking, while convection cooking allows speedy, even external cooking.

Can you use a convection microwave as a normal microwave?

"A convection microwave has an element and a fan as well as a top element for grilling. Because of this, it can be used as a microwave, as an oven, as a grill and in combination mode, which is combining the microwave with either the bake or grill functions to reduce the cooking time," she says.