Considering A Convection Stove? Here's What You Need To Know

Even if you don't consider yourself a master chef, a stove is arguably the single most important appliance in a kitchen. Not only is it the primary source for cooking food, but many stoves also help dictate a kitchen's overall aesthetic — from colorful stoves to retro stoves to sleek, modern stoves, the options are seemingly endless. And good looks aside, ovens come in an overwhelming variety of options — gas, electric, induction, convection — that might have you scratching your head.

If you're in the market for a new stove, it's a good idea to educate yourself about what's available so you can make an informed purchase. Maybe you're familiar with the term convection (not to be confused with induction), but aren't quite sure what it means in terms of a stove. A convection oven has a fan that circulates air around the food and disperses heat evenly. The increased air circulation causes food to cook up to 25% faster and use about 20% less energy than a traditional oven because you can decrease the temperature. Convection cooking delivers better results when browning meat, roasting vegetables, and making pizza. Many electric conventional ovens have a convection setting, and some gas stoves can switch over to electric in order to enable convection cooking.

Alternatively, induction cooking takes place on a stovetop that's outfitted with an electromagnetic field below the surface. It transfers heat to special "induction-compatible" magnetic cookware, thereby causing it to heat up quickly — about two to four minutes faster than a regular stove.

While convection stoves have a lot going for them, there are a few cons to keep in mind: Recipes are written for standard ovens so you'll need to adjust the temperature and cooking time. A traditional oven has a heating element that does all of the work, but a convection oven has both a heating element and a fan, adding an extra part that might need repair at some point. Last but not least, convection stoves can be pricier and their fans can be a bit noisy.

If you're still interested, scroll on for six options worth considering.

1. Ilve Nostalgie Series 30-inch Freestanding Dual Fuel Range, $2,999

Appliances Connection

At just 30 inches wide, this compact dual fuel convection stove by Ilve features a surprising amount of amenities including a rotisserie, a pizza function (it ​is​ made in Italy), a storage drawer, and five burners. It's available in a range of hues — red, blue, and green — and trim finishes — brass, chrome, and bronze.

2. GE Profile 30-inch Freestanding Electric Double Oven Convection Range, $1,909

GE Appliances

Enjoy the convenience of a double oven and a convection range with this space-saving GE combo. In addition to superior cooking features, it flaunts an edge-to-edge cooktop and steam clean option that make tidying up a breeze. Plus, its minimal size makes it a no-brainer for use in smaller cook spaces.

3. LG 6.3 cu. ft. Electric Single Oven Slide-In Range With ProBake Convection and EasyClean, $1,999.99

LG Electric

This handsome convection oven from LG has an extra-large interior capacity and features a heating element on the back wall, in lieu of the traditional placement at the bottom, for optimal heat distribution. Its clean lines and pared-down exterior are ideal complements for kitchens with a minimalist bent.

4. Thor Kitchen 48-inch Freestanding Professional Gas Range Oven, $3,999

AJ Madison

Calling all cooks: This Thor Kitchen convection stove has it all — six burners, two ovens, 6.8 cu. ft. of capacity, continuous grates, a griddle, interior halogen lights, and a convection fan. Black knobs help balance the large proportions.

5. Viking 3-Series 30-inch Freestanding All Gas Range, $4,749

Viking

Viking has been producing commercial-grade kitchen appliances for the home since the 1980s. This freestanding all-gas convection stove has superior baking capabilities, comes in more than a dozen colors, and has precision control burners.

6. Breville Smart Oven Pro Convection Countertop Oven, $279.95

Amazon

If you already have a range installed and are looking to add the functionality of a convection stove, there are many countertop versions, like this one by Breville. Just note that when it comes to convection cooking, bigger really is better — it allows air to circulate more freely and efficiently, so these pint-size versions won't be as effective as the full-scale variety.