If there is one thing I believe every kitchen should have, it has to be the oven. A countertop oven works best, primarily when it uses convection to cook food. But what is the best convection oven to invest in today? To help you decide on what to get for your kitchen, read on as I show you the best convection oven for baking reviews so you can bake and cook food the right way.
5 Best Convection Oven for Baking Reviews
Based on my research, tests, and overall customer reviews, here are the top 5 best convection oven for baking reviews to check out now:
1. Breville BOV845BSS Smart Oven Pro Convection Toaster Oven
What I appreciate about the Breville BOV845BSS is that it has all the advanced features I need in one. There are ten pre-set cooking functions, so I can use it for just about anything, from toasting down to baking and broiling. It does the job quickly and without any issues, with the inbuilt fan that circulates hot air evenly. It has the optimum design as well, as there are a clear window and an interior oven light to view the progress of what you are cooking.
The walls and pans in the oven are very easy to clean as well. It has a non-stick cavity coating that makes it easy to wipe clean. It can cook almost anything, and with its dial and LCD screen for easy setting adjustment, I can say that this oven is one of the best regarding power and design.
Pros:
- Non-stick cavity coating for easy cleaning
- LCD screen and dial for easy adjustment
- Ten pre-set cooking methods
- Can fit a lot inside
- Well built and durable
Cons:
- Door is squeaky
- Expensive price
2. Breville BOV800XL Smart Oven Convection Toaster Oven
Another excellent convection oven from Breville, the Smart Oven has the LCD screen and dials that make it easy to adjust its temperature. I appreciate its LCD screen as well, as it changes color according to its status. The changes from blue to orange so you know it's cooking.
What makes this different from the other convection ovens is that it comes with an Element IQ, which makes the oven deliver power and a particular time to adjust its taste. With its nine pre-set functions and efficient cooking with all types of foods, it's worth the investment and will last for a long time. It stays strong despite constant usage and I feel like it will last for years to come.
Pros:
- Toasts evenly
- Element IQ for better cooking
- Strong and durable body
- Many pre-set functions to choose from
Cons:
- Expensive price
- Buzzer is very loud
3. Hamilton Beach 31103A Countertop Oven with Convection and Rotisserie
Hamilton Beach is a more affordable alternative to Breville, and though it has no LCD screen to display the settings, it comes with the timers and dials you can set without hassle. It has the maximum versatility to cook and reheat anything, including a rotisserie. It also has the extra-large capacity, as it comes with two racks and can fit two 12-inch pizzas, two casseroles, and two cake pans. It can even fit a five-pound chicken and be used as a rotisserie!
The convection oven can bake faster and comes with a two-hour timer. It's also effortless to clean, as it has a slide-out drip tray and walls you can wipe off. For its excellent design, simple settings, and the extra-large capacity without being too much of a space-waster, I would recommend it for large households and families.
Pros:
- Extra-large capacity
- Can use for baking, broiling, or even rotisserie
- Has easy-to-use dials and settings
- Easy to clean
- Saves on space
Cons:
- Top gets very hot
- The pans aren't very strong
4. Black+Decker TO3250XSB 8-Slice Extra Wide Convection Countertop Toaster Oven
Black+Decker is another reputable brand to take note of when it comes to kitchen appliances, and the 8-Slice Extra Wide Convection Countertop Toaster Oven is no exception. This is one of the best convection ovens for baking to use for those with large households, as it can fit 9x13" pans with handles or eight slices of bread. It can also fit a whole 12" pizza! It has the powerful convection fan, which can work for toasting baking, broiling, and warming your food.
When in use, you can enjoy its 60-minute timer, which also has a toast timer with a predictable shade selection. It's consistent and dings loud enough for one to hear. And with its complete package and affordable price, it's a wise investment for those on a budget!
Pros:
- Generous cooking space
- Affordable price
- Has a toast timer for even toasting
- Easy to insert and slide out pans
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Doesn't heat up as quickly
- Buzzer is very loud
5. Black+Decker CTO6335S Countertop Convection Toaster Oven
For those who want something that saves on space but with adequate capacity inside the oven, then Black+Decker CTO6335S is another excellent choice. You can choose between a dual or triple rack position that will still be able to toast and cook your food evenly. It can fit in casserole dishes, pizza, and has a drip tray to catch crumbs, making it easier to clean.
I like the fact that it has an LCD screen to display the settings, as well as one-touch cooking functions. It makes baking or broiling hassle-free. At an affordable price and with all the features I want, it's a must-have if you're on a budget and wants to save on space.
Pros:
- LCD screen for easy setting adjustment
- Affordable price
- Generous cooking capacity
- Cooks and toasts evenly
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Wordings on control panel rubs off quickly
- Not as long-lasting as other convection ovens
Convection Countertop Oven vs. Regular Toaster Ovens
So you're probably thinking: What makes a convection countertop oven different from my regular toaster oven?
A convection oven would heat up much faster as it uses a fan and exhaust system, which regular ovens and toasters don't. Through this system, it blows hot air over and around the food, venting it back out. That way, the hot air would surround the food for an even and quick toast. The circulating heat would allow you to bake, brown, or even crisp food for a juicier result.
As for a toaster oven, they can toast and heat your food quickly but are better for simply rewarming leftovers or doing little jobs, such as toasting bread. There are heating elements on the top and bottom of the toaster, so the food cooks on both sides, but not as consistent and even as the convection oven. It's a quick fix, and for warming up food, whereas a convection oven has more benefits, I'll be getting into in the next section.
Why Do You Need a Convection Oven?
If you're wondering about the importance of a convection oven in your kitchen, here are the helpful benefits the kitchen appliance has to offer:
Fast and Even Cooking
What's great about a convection oven is that there is hot air that blows directly on your food rather than simply surrounds it (like toaster ovens). As a result, it would cook 25% faster in a convection oven, saving you time.
Another advantage is that the exhaust fan in the convection oven would circulate air to even out temperature variances, preventing any hot spots from happening. You are assured even and consistent cooking without the worry of cold areas or burnt parts of your food.
Energy Efficient
Like what I mentioned, food would cook faster in a convection oven and at a lower temperature. Because of this, it would be energy efficient as compared to a regular toaster oven, but with the better results.
Used For Many Cooking Methods
A convection oven isn't only for toasting your bread! It can be used for roasting meats, baking, or even browning vegetables to make it crisper. It does this because of the dry atmosphere the convection oven sets, which browns your food while keeping the insides moist.
How To Choose the Best Convection Oven
Now that you're familiar with the remarkable advantages you can get out of using a convection oven, how can you choose the best one suitable for you? Here are some tips and factors to consider:
Size
There are two types of sizes to consider: The one that takes up space on your countertop, as well as the yield. How big is your household and how much food do you expect to heat or cook in the convection oven? You may want something bigger or smaller, according to the amount of food you'll be putting in.
Also, consider your counter space and the design. You'll want to make sure that it fits to make it usable and accessible. It should also be easy to clean, with parts that are either dishwasher-safe or removable for cleaning.
Power
Of course, this is one of the crucial factors to consider, because you want an oven that cooks your food quickly and evenly. Look out for extra settings, and I recommend one that comes with cycles, power levels, and a cool down mode to keep your food from burning.
Extra Features
Many convection ovens have features that make it quicker and easier to use. Do you need one that has a digital timer, various power levels, or other automatic power features? Consider the things you prefer when it comes to cooking, as this will affect the way your convection oven works and the way your food browns.
Quick Tips On Using a Convection Oven
For those who are new to using a convection oven, here are some quick tips to utilize it when whipping up delicious goodies:
- When cooking in a convection oven, lower the temperature from the traditional recipe. For baking recipes, lower the temperature of around 20 degrees. Reduce the cooking time as well, since convection ovens would cook a bit quicker. Reduce it by 1/3 of the recipe, or you can opt to use a convection calculator for a better estimate.
- Use correct pans for convection ovens, using cookie sheets without any sides, or pans that have low sides. Through this, the airflow will reach the food. I recommend rimless and non-insulated pans lined with parchment paper.
- Do NOT cover food when putting it in a convection oven or the cover will block the flow and prevent it from heating up consistently.
- You don't need to continually check your food by opening the door in the convection oven, though keep an eye on it 3/4 of the way through or ten minutes before the food should be cooked.
- If you're wondering what type of food to cook in the convection oven, I recommend you to roast meats to produce the perfect skin with moist inners. You can also bake pies and cookies, which end up browning perfectly. Cakes and bread aren't for a convection oven.
In Conclusion
If you're looking for an all-around kitchen appliance to help you bake, broil, roast, or even toast the simplest food items, then you can never go wrong with a convection countertop oven. They save up on space, have the clear view on what you're cooking, and you have consistent cooking that produces delicious dishes that the stove won't be able to achieve (ever heard of toasting bread in the frying pan?).
Out of all the convection ovens I have tried and tested, the winner goes to the Breville BOV845BSS Smart Oven Pro Convection Toaster Oven. I like the ace that it has enough space to fit up to six slices of bread but without taking up too much area on your kitchen counters. It also comes with a light to quickly view what you're cooking and a non-stick cavity coating to prevent food sticking to the oven. That way, it's easy to cook and clean any food. The adjustable and easy-to-understand settings are a huge plus as well, making it a convection oven anyone can use without confusion.
I hope that this article on the best convection oven for baking reviews helped you become more knowledgeable on the countertop ovens to invest in for an easier time baking and toasting. So don't wait any longer and select any of these ovens to whip up delicious baked goodies today.
If you have any questions or would like to share your tips and experiences on any of these convection ovens, then comment down below. I would love to hear what you have to think.