Which Type of Oven Is Best?
When it comes to picking out the best oven for your kitchen, there are so many choices! From gas to electric, convection to microwave, and even fancy steam ovens, figuring out which one will work best for your cooking needs can be tricky. The right oven can make your food taste better, save you time, and even cut down on your power bills. In this blog post, we’ll look at the different types of ovens out there, how they work, what they’re good at cooking, and which might be the best fit for your kitchen and cooking style.
Types of Ovens
Let’s explore the main types of ovens available today and what makes each one special.
Gas Ovens
Gas ovens use natural gas or propane to create heat. Many home cooks and chefs love these ovens because they heat up quickly and give you great control over the temperature. When you turn a gas oven on or off, the heat changes right away, unlike some other types of ovens that take time to warm up or cool down.
Gas ovens often create a more humid baking environment, which can be great for certain foods. Bread tends to rise better and develop a nicer crust in gas ovens. Meats might stay juicier too, since the moisture in the air helps keep them from drying out.
One thing to keep in mind with gas ovens is that they sometimes heat a bit unevenly. The bottom might get hotter than the top, so you might need to rotate your food or use different rack positions to get things cooked just right.
Electric Ovens
Electric ovens use heating elements to warm up the oven. They usually have elements on both the top and bottom of the oven. Electric ovens are known for heating very evenly, which makes them great for baking cookies, cakes, and other treats that need consistent heat.
Unlike gas ovens, electric ovens create a drier heat environment. This can be perfect for getting crispy roasted vegetables or helping the outside of baked goods get nice and golden. Many bakers prefer electric ovens because they’re so reliable and consistent.
Electric ovens can take longer to heat up than gas, and they also take longer to cool down when you adjust the temperature. But the steady, even heat makes up for this small drawback for many cooks.
Convection Ovens
Convection ovens have a fan and exhaust system that regular ovens don’t have. This fan moves hot air around inside the oven, which helps food cook more evenly and about 25% faster than in regular ovens.
With a convection oven, you can cook food at lower temperatures and still get great results. The moving air helps the outside of your food get brown and crispy while keeping the inside moist and tender. This makes convection ovens perfect for roasting meats and vegetables.
Many modern ovens now come with a convection setting, so you can choose to use it when it makes sense for what you’re cooking. You can turn it off when baking delicate items like soufflés that might be affected by the moving air.
Microwave Ovens
Microwave ovens cook food using electromagnetic waves that make the water molecules in food vibrate, creating heat. They’re super fast and great for reheating leftovers, defrosting frozen foods, or cooking simple items.
The biggest benefit of microwave ovens is speed – they can heat up food in just minutes or even seconds. They also use less energy than regular ovens for quick cooking tasks, and they don’t heat up your kitchen.
The downside is that microwaves can’t brown or crisp food the way other ovens can. Foods like pizza, fried chicken, or anything breaded will get soggy instead of crispy in a microwave. They’re also not great for baking or cooking meat evenly.
Combination Ovens
Combination ovens bring together different cooking methods in one appliance. The most common type combines a convection oven with a microwave. These clever ovens let you cook food quickly like a microwave, but still get the browning and crisping that only traditional ovens can provide.
Some high-end combination ovens also include steam cooking functions. Steam helps keep food moist and can be especially good for cooking vegetables, fish, and reheating food without drying it out.
Combination ovens save space in smaller kitchens since they do the job of multiple appliances. However, they tend to be more expensive than single-function ovens, and they might have a learning curve as you figure out which settings work best for different foods.
Steam Ovens
Steam ovens use hot water vapor to cook food. A water reservoir creates steam that circulates around the food. This gentle cooking method helps food stay moist and tender and preserves more nutrients than dry-heat cooking.
Steam ovens are perfect for cooking vegetables, fish, and reheating leftovers without drying them out. They’re also great for baking bread because the steam helps create a beautiful crust while keeping the inside soft and chewy.
The downside of steam ovens is that they can’t brown food the way conventional ovens can. That’s why many steam ovens also include convection or conventional heating elements, making them combination ovens that can switch between steam and dry heat.
Comparison of Oven Types
| Oven Type | Pros | Cons | Best For | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gas | Heats quickly, great temperature control, moist heat | Sometimes uneven heating | Bread baking, general cooking, people who like instant heat control | $500-$2,500 |
| Electric | Very even heating, consistent results, dry heat | Slower to heat up and adjust temperature | Baking cookies, cakes, pastries, anything needing consistent temperature | $500-$3,000 |
| Convection | Faster cooking times, even browning, energy efficient | Can be too harsh for delicate foods | Roasting meats, vegetables, cooking multiple dishes at once | $700-$3,500 |
| Microwave | Extremely fast, energy efficient, doesn’t heat kitchen | No browning/crisping, uneven cooking | Reheating leftovers, defrosting, simple cooking tasks | $100-$500 |
| Combination | Versatile, space-saving, multiple cooking methods | More complicated to use, expensive | Small kitchens, people who want flexibility | $800-$4,000+ |
| Steam | Preserves nutrients, keeps food moist, healthy cooking | Limited browning ability, needs water refills | Vegetables, fish, reheating without drying out, bread | $1,500-$4,000+ |
Choosing the Right Oven for You
When picking out the best oven for your needs, think about these important factors:
- Your cooking style: Do you bake a lot? Roast meats often? Just need something for basic heating and cooking? Your cooking habits should guide your choice.
- Kitchen space: Measure your available space carefully. Standard ovens are usually 30 inches wide, but compact models are available for smaller kitchens.
- Energy source: Check what’s available in your home. If you don’t have a gas line and want a gas oven, you’ll need to factor in the cost of installing one.
- Budget: Oven prices vary widely. Set a budget before shopping and stick to it. Remember that the most expensive isn’t always the best for your needs.
- Features: Modern ovens come with lots of extra features like self-cleaning, temperature probes, and smart controls. Decide which features matter most to you.
- Reliability: Read reviews and check consumer reports to find brands with good track records for durability and customer service.
For most home cooks, a good quality electric or gas oven with convection capability offers the best mix of features and value. If you cook a wide variety of foods and have the budget, a combination oven might be worth the investment.
Taking Care of Your Oven
No matter which type of oven you choose, taking good care of it will help it last longer and work better. Here are some simple tips:
- Clean spills right away (once the oven cools down) to prevent burning and smoking next time you use it.
- For ovens with self-cleaning features, follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
- Check door seals regularly to make sure heat isn’t escaping.
- Keep the oven level so cakes and other baked goods cook evenly.
- Use oven thermometers to check that the temperature setting is accurate.
With proper care, a good quality oven should last 10-15 years or even longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to run different types of ovens?
Electric ovens typically cost about $0.16-$0.22 per hour to run, while gas ovens cost around $0.07-$0.15 per hour. Convection ovens can save about 20% on energy costs because they cook food faster. Microwave ovens are the most energy-efficient, costing only about $0.03 per hour to run.
Do professional chefs prefer gas or electric ovens?
Many professional chefs prefer gas ovens for stovetop cooking because of the instant heat control, but electric ovens for baking because of their even, consistent heat. In professional kitchens, you’ll often see combinations of both types.
Can I bake bread in a convection oven?
Yes, but you’ll need to adjust. The moving air in convection ovens can dry out the surface of bread dough too quickly. Try reducing the temperature by 25°F, placing a small pan of water in the oven to add moisture, or starting with convection and switching to conventional for the last part of baking.
Are steam ovens worth the higher price?
It depends on your cooking style. If you cook a lot of vegetables, fish, or bread, a steam oven might be worth the investment. Many people who have steam ovens say they use them daily and love the results. However, if you mainly cook foods that need browning, a conventional or convection oven might be a better choice.
How long should an oven last?
With proper care and maintenance, most quality ovens should last 10-15 years. High-end models might last 20 years or more. The electronic components typically wear out before the heating elements.
In the end, the “best” oven is the one that fits your cooking style, kitchen space, and budget. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each type, you can make a smart choice that will serve you well for many years of delicious meals!
