Toaster Oven vs Convection Oven

My search for the greatest convection oven forced me to fight the toaster oven vs convection oven to ensure that the one I brought to my family would best match our meal demands and interests.

And if you’ve been searching online trying to figure out the difference, this article will help you out.

But, before we get into the body of the article and look at the basic between both ovens, let me first define them with their pros and cons so that we’re all on the same page.

What Is Toaster Oven?

A toaster oven is a more sophisticated version of the best ordinary toasters. It comes with other features like broiling and roasting, making it a more versatile alternative in the kitchen.

Unlike a typical toaster, a toaster oven has high-quality, fast-warming heating elements that are usually located on the bottom or top of the appliance. These elements will warm the air in the oven, which will subsequently be utilized to bake, broil, or toast the food.

Compared to a traditional toaster, the best toaster oven is also incredibly quick to use and practical, allowing you to create a wide variety of dishes ranging from sandwiches and veggies to small chicken thighs and cakes.

What is a Convection Oven?

A convection oven and a toaster oven have a similar appearance. The main difference is that the convection oven features a fan to vary the way it works. This means that, apart from a toaster oven, the best convection oven will heat the airflow first, then move the hot air about the oven to evenly cook your dish using the inbuilt fan.

If you dislike improperly cooked meals, this way of cooking is perfect. This is the device for you if you enjoy a dish that has been broiled, grilled, or toasted until it is golden on the outside.

Now that you’ve understood the main differences between toaster oven and convection oven.

Toaster Oven vs Convection Oven

Let’s go on to the main body of the article and look at the main differences.

Size and Cost

This is one of the characteristics where I couldn’t tell the difference between toaster oven vs convection oven. This is because the market is currently overwhelmed with tens of billions of new convection and toaster oven models in various sizes, styles, and prices.

That means your personal preferences, as well as the oven’s functionality, will affect the size and price of the oven you purchase.

In terms of size, make sure you get an oven that will fit precisely on the counter area you’ve set aside. Additionally, ensure that the one you select is highly portable so that you may move it around your home as needed.

Energy Consumption

Because the two appliances make food in quite different ways, their energy consumption is also additional. A toaster oven will take a little longer to preheat than a convection oven because it lacks the fan that circulates heated air. A toaster oven will use a lot more energy as a result of this.

Furthermore, the lack of a fan means you’ll have to cook your food for a little longer than if you used a convection oven to obtain the same results. It’s simple to see why your energy cost will be higher when you consider the time it takes for the toaster oven to heat up.

I have to admit that the convection oven came out on top this time.

Safety and Maintenance

First and foremost, make sure that both appliances are kept out of reach of children if you have any.

Most convection ovens and toaster ovens’ outer surfaces get extremely hot during the performance, resulting in burn injuries if someone comes into touch with the device.

However, a convection or toaster oven with a cold to the touch external surface is still available, ensuring that the appliance’s surface remains cool to the touch no matter how long you’ve been using it. After you’ve finished cooking your dinner, let the device stay cool before cleaning it.

Because most of these appliances are made of non-stick materials, avoid using hard sponges/brushes or cleaners that could damage the coating’s surface.

Also, if your appliance comes with a tray, make sure to clean it regularly. This will ensure that the oven remains durable and may continue to serve your family for many years.

I discovered that the safety and maintenance instructions for both appliances were identical.

Read more: How to clean toaster oven

Cooking Temperature

The cooking temperature choice you pick when utilizing the two products may be slightly different.

If you’re used to using regular large ovens, you won’t need to change the temperature setting when using a toaster oven because the two appliances heat food in the same way.

To avoid overcooking your food while switching from a toaster oven to a convection oven, make some modifications to the settings. As a general rule, decrease the cooking time and temperature setting when using a convection oven.

If you toast your food at 80 degrees Fahrenheit in a toaster oven, you’ll need to lower the temperature by 15 to 28 degrees Fahrenheit in a convection oven to obtain the same amount of crispiness. Also, keep in mind that the cooking time should be reduced by roughly five minutes.

Conclusion

I had to buy both ovens to write this comprehensive comparative review on toaster oven vs convection oven, and I’ve been using both for a long time. If you only have the option of choosing one, I strongly recommend a convection oven.

This device can perform all of the operations of a toaster oven, plus it has a built-in fan. It will also save you a lot of money on your energy bills in the long run.

If you have any suggestions or advice, feel free to say in the comment section.