What Is an Air Fryer
Despite being called fryers, air fryers use convection baking to cook food instead of frying. An air fryer utilizes the oven cavity and advanced fan technology to circulate hot air quickly and evenly. This process replicates the crispiness achieved with deep frying with little to no oil, making it ideal for making food like fries, chicken wings and roasted vegetables.
High-speed fans circulate hot air rapidly around the food, dehydrating the surface and creating a crispy texture. They can cook family staples and party favorites for a variety of crowds.
What Is a Convection Oven
Convection ovens allow you to cook food evenly and quickly compared to a traditional oven. It essentially cooks food by transferring higher temperatures to the surface of the food, ensuring an even outcome. Equipped with fans to circulate air within the oven and exhausts to remove air from the oven, this appliance is ideal for cooking multiple items at once.
It has an interior rack to accommodate a sheet pan, which allows for the food to be spread out instead of stacking. This helps the food to cook thoroughly from all sides since layering can block the flow of hot air.
How They Work
Understanding how each of these two appliances works can help you decide which best suits your needs. Consider their features as well when making your decision to cook your food efficiently based on your preferences.
Air Fryer
An air fryer consists of a heating element at the top of the cooking chamber that generates heat which is distributed throughout the chamber. A powerful fan circulates hot air around the food placed on a perforated basket, allowing the hot air to circulate freely around the food.
The rapid circulation of air creates a convection effect, with the hot air transferring heat to the food. This effectively removes moisture from the food, creating a crispy texture on the outside of the food.
Key Features:
- Creates a crispy texture for your food.
- Requires little to no oil for healthier meals.
- Easy-to-use digital controls for precision.
- Efficiently reheats leftovers, creating a fresh texture.
- Makes cleaning quick and easy.
- Perfect for making dried fruits, vegetables and jerky.
- Adjustable settings for customized cooking.
The new range of air fryers comes with two independent baskets that let you cook two foods in two ways at the same time, eliminating back-to-back cooking like a traditional single-basket air fryer.
Convection Oven
A convection oven is a larger appliance that also uses a fan to circulate hot air. However, the main difference is that convection ovens are typically larger and can cook huge quantities of food at one time. These ovens can have heating elements at the top and bottom. It provides more even cooking for various types of dishes.
Key Features:
- Versatile cooking with different cooking zones and smooth surfaces for various cooking needs.
- Includes enhanced safety features to prevent accidents.
- It has electronic controls and a digital display for easy monitoring and adjustments.
- It also features a self-cleaning mode, simplifying cleaning up after cooking.
- Features like temperature sensor baking, a keep-warm setting, a hidden bake element and smart compatibility add functionality and convenience for diverse users.
Benefits of Air Fryer Vs Convection Oven
Air Fryer:
- Healthier Cooking: It requires little to no oil compared to traditional frying.
- Speed: Air fryers cook food quickly due to the rapid circulation of air.
- Size: The newly available XL Dual 2-Basket fryers are a great choice for two ways of cooking for bigger crowds.
Convection Oven:
- Versatility: Convection ovens can bake, roast and even broil, making them versatile.
- Capacity: They can handle larger quantities of food, making them suitable for extended families that love to cook large meals.
- Even Cooking: The even distribution of heat makes them excellent for baking and roasting.
Difference Between Air Fryer and Convection Oven
Maintenance
- Air Fryer: It usually has a removable basket and tray, making it easy to clean. Most air fryer parts are dishwasher safe.
- Convection Oven: This oven usually has more components, so it takes more effort to clean than an air fryer.
Energy Consumption
Air fryers tend to use less energy because they are smaller and cook food faster. Convection ovens, while efficient, may use more energy because of their larger size and longer cooking times.
Cost
Air fryers are generally more affordable and are a good choice for those on a budget. Convection ovens may have a higher upfront cost.
When choosing between air fryers vs convection ovens, the choice ultimately comes down to your cooking habits and needs. If you’re looking for a quick, easy and healthier way to cook small batches of food, an air fryer might be the perfect fit.
On the other hand, if you need a versatile appliance that can handle larger meals and multiple cooking functions, a convection oven is likely the better choice for you. Understanding the difference between an air fryer and a convection oven can help you make an informed decision that suits your lifestyle and kitchen space.