Buying a Convection Oven for Your Restaurant

Radiant Heat and Convection Ovens- What’s the Difference?

While standard radiant ovens are most commonly used in homes, it is important for restaurants to invest in convection ovens to increase yield, and decrease cooking times.

Here’s a quick explanation of the difference.

Radiant oven refers to the fact that food is heated by radiation -- from walls and heating elements inside of the oven.

Radiant heating alone is usually less consistent and less efficient than convection ovens. Without fans creating an even and consistent temperature, ovens may burn certain parts of food while undercooking others, creating additional, unnecessary quality control issues in restaurant settings.

Convection ovens also heat by radiation and heating elements with the addition of fans to help circulate hot air, decreasing cook times. Convection ovens are available in gas and electric models. No matter if you choose gas or electric, there must be an electrical outlet close to power the fans.

The circulation of hot air not only decreases cook times, but also creates an even temperature inside of the oven cooking all surfaces with equal heat. Other benefits of using a convection oven include:

• Can cook all of the same things as a radiant oven, more efficiently
• Higher yield from certain dishes
• Retains moisture when needed

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Where Will Your Oven Be Used?

While various sizes of convection ovens affect yield, a smaller convection oven still packs power, while saving space. Convection ovens are available in multiple sizes:

• Countertop oven
• Full-size oven
• Half-size oven

Countertop convection ovens come in a variety of sizes and models. Countertop versions are best used for limited spaces such as:

• Concession operations
• Off-site catering
• Convenience stores
• Quick-serve stations

Floor models are also available in full-size and half-size in order to easily accommodate large, or small spaces.

Floor convection ovens come with variety of accommodations, including:

• Bakery or deep depth (more space for baking sheets at different orientations)
• Roasting capabilities, or “cook and hold” options
• Floor and countertop options are capable of cooking, roasting, re-heating, and baking capabilities

What are the benefits to stacking convection ovens? If your floor plan allows, stacking convection ovens may be the best option for your business, and multiple ovens will obviously increase your yield.

When you’re working with a small area and still want the convenience and power of a convection oven, you’ll find half-size stacked ovens with castors could be everything you’re looking for and more.