Both air fryers and convection ovens have their advantages and disadvantages when it comes to cooking food quickly and efficiently. In this article, we’ll compare the features of each appliance to help you decide which is better for your needs.
What is an Air Fryer?
An air fryer is a small countertop convection oven that uses hot air to cook food. The heating elements and powerful fan circulate hot air around food at high speed, cooking it fast and evenly on all sides. Food is placed in a basket that sits atop a drip tray. Air fryers use little to no oil, resulting in food that is crispy on the outside but tender on the inside.
Advantages of Air Fryers
- Cook food quickly with crisp textures – Air fryers can cook food up to 40% faster than a conventional oven.
- Use up to 85% less oil than deep frying – The rapid air circulation mimics deep frying results but without all the oil.
- Compact size takes up minimal counter space.
- Easy to operate with minimal preheating time.
- Dishwasher-safe parts make cleanup simple.
- Versatile for cooking a variety of foods from frozen foods to veggies and meats.
Disadvantages of Air Fryers
- Small capacity – Most air fryers can only cook 1-3 servings of food at a time.
- Results can be inconsistent – Food may cook unevenly if not frequently shaken.
- Not suitable for larger roasts or whole chickens.
- Specialty accessories may be required for some cooking tasks.
- Bulkier foods like french fries can get overcrowded.
What is a Convection Oven?
A convection oven uses fans to circulate hot air around food, allowing it to cook faster and more evenly. The fan and exhaust system maintain consistent air circulation. Food cooked in a convection oven is crispy on the outside, tender and moist on the inside. Convection ovens are built into standard ovens or available as countertop models.
Advantages of Convection Ovens
- Large capacity can cook for multiple people or large batches.
- Consistent results with even browning.
- Can accommodate larger items like whole chickens or roasts.
- Higher maximum temperature (up to 500°F) allows for better searing.
- Many include additional features like broilers and self-cleaning options.
- Countertop models available for those without built-in ovens.
Disadvantages of Convection Ovens
- Uses more energy and preheats slower than an air fryer.
- Built-in models are more expensive than air fryers.
- Countertop models take up more space than air fryers.
- Not specifically designed to reduce oil like air fryers.
- Fan and open door can cool oven and slow cooking.
- Cleaning around heating elements can be difficult.
Air Fryer vs. Convection Oven Comparison
Here is a head-to-head comparison of some key differences between air fryers and convection ovens:
| Critera | Air Fryer | Convection Oven |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 1-3 servings | 4-12 servings |
| Size | Compact, countertop | Large, built-in or countertop |
| Temperature Range | Up to 400°F | Up to 500°F |
| Preheat Time | 3-5 minutes | 15+ minutes |
| Oil Used | Minimal | Some |
| Food Types | French fries, nuggets, veggies | Pizza, roasts, baked goods |
| Energy Use | Less | More |
| Price | $80 – $200 | $400+ (built-in) |
Conclusion
When determining if an air fryer or convection oven is better for you, consider your cooking needs. Air fryers excel at quickly cooking small batches of frozen or fresh foods using little oil. Their small footprint also makes them perfect for dorms or apartments. However, convection ovens are superior for baking as well as cooking larger roasts, whole chickens or meal prep. Their spacious interiors can feed families while still delivering fast, crispy results. Weigh factors like capacity needs, counter space, energy efficiency and budget when deciding which appliance best fits your lifestyle.
Advantages of Air Fryers
Here are some of the top advantages of using an air fryer:
Use Less Oil
Air fryers require little to no oil to cook foods crispy. A fine mist of oil is used to coat the food before air frying but traditiona deep frying soaks food in gallons of oil. The rapid air circulation mimics the crispiness of deep frying with up to 85% less oil, resulting in healthier meals.
Quick Cooking Times
The powerful heating elements and fans in air fryers can cook foods up to 40% faster than a traditional oven. Preheating rarely takes more than 3-5 minutes. The constant high-velocity air flow leads to fast, even cooking with meals ready in under 30 minutes.
Compact Size
Air fryers are designed to have small footprints perfect for apartments, dorms, offices or other spaces with limited counter space. Models are available from 2-5 quarts in size but take up much less room than traditional convection ovens.
Easy to Clean
With most air fryers, all removable parts are dishwasher safe for easy cleanup. The fryer basket, drip tray and exterior can be wiped down easily. With minimal oil, there is less smoke and grease than traditional frying methods.
Adds Variety to Meals
Air frying isn’t just for fried foods. An air fryer lets you quickly cook proteins like chicken, burgers or sausage as well as veggies, baked goods, and more. The crispy textures add variety from roasted veggies to air fried donuts.
Disadvantages of Air Fryers
While air fryers have many benefits, there are some downsides to consider:
Small Capacity
With most models accommodating just 2-5 quarts of food, air fryers can only cook 1-3 servings at a time. Their compact nature inhibits larger batch cooking. For bigger families, you may need to cook in shifts.
Uneven Cooking
Air flow is limited in the closed basket and denser foods can sometimes cook unevenly. To prevent this, food must be frequently shaken or flipped during the cooking process.
Limited Functionality
Air fryers are designed to heat and circulate air. They lack some flexibility outside crisping applications. Most don’t have convection, dehydration or broiling functions of full ovens.
Specialty Accessories Needed
While air fryer baskets work for many items, accessories like grill pans, baking pans or silicone molds may be required to properly cook some foods. These add to the cost.
Cleaning Difficult Corners
While all parts are dishwasher safe, the heating element and fan covers can be difficult to clean by hand. Food debris and oil may gather in hard to reach corners.
Bulky Foods Overcrowded
Heaping loads of bulky foods like fries can overcrowd the basket, leading to uneven cooking. Loading the basket over 2/3 full can inhibit air flow.
Advantages of Convection Ovens
Here are some of the top advantages of using a convection oven:
Large Capacity
Convection ovens have spacious interiors, with capacities ranging from 1 to 6 cubic feet for full size models. This allows for cooking large batches of foods at once, perfect for meal prepping or feeding a crowd.
Consistent Results
The convection fan circulates heated air evenly around food. Meats and veggies bake uniformly with crispy exteriors. Multiple racks further take advantage of consistent air flow for even cooking.
High Heat Searing
Convection ovens can reach temperatures between 400°F and 500°F. This high heat allows for perfect searing of meats to seal in juices. The fans prevent burning at high temps.
Multi-Function Options
Many convection ovens offer additional settings like broilers, dehydrators and proofing modes. Some also include microwaves or air frying functions for ultimate versatility.
Suits Large Items
With spacious interiors and Shelving, convection ovens can accommodate large cuts of meat, whole chickens, casseroles and more. Multiple pans can cook at once.
Great for Baking
The dry, circulating heat creates the perfect environment for baking breads, cookies and more. Convection baking produces exceptional results in less time.
Disadvantages of Convection Ovens
However, convection ovens also come with some downsides:
Takes Time to Preheat
It can take 15 or more minutes for a full-size convection oven to preheat to the desired cooking temperature. This is slower than the 3-5 minute preheat of most air fryers.
Uses More Energy
The larger size, higher wattages (2,400+ watts) and longer preheating/cooking times cause convection ovens to consume more electricity than air fryers.
Built-in Models Costly
While countertop models are available, most quality convection ovens are built into full size ranges, which are large investments. Prices start around $1,000.
Takes Up Space
Full size convection ovens are some of the largest appliances in the kitchen. Even countertop models have substantial footprints compared to compact air fryers.
Advanced Settings Intimidating
With so many features like convection modes, broilers and varying rack positions, newer users may find it tricky to master convection oven cooking.
Cooling from Open Door
The necessary periodic opening of the oven door allows cool air in and hot air to escape. This can interrupt cooking and lead to unevenness.
Cleaning Difficult
Cleaning around heating elements, grease spills on the bottom of the oven, and residues inside the fan cover can be challenging in convection ovens.
Key Differences Between Air Fryers and Convection Ovens
Understanding the differences between air fryers and convection ovens can further help decide which is best for your needs.
Size and Capacity
Air fryers have small, compact footprints of only a few quarts suited for 1-3 servings. Convection ovens are much larger, with capacities ranging from 4-6+ quarts for convection toaster ovens up to 6 cubic feet for built-in models that can feed the whole family.
Preheat Time
Air fryers can preheat in just 3-5 minutes while full size convection ovens take 10-15+ minutes to fully preheat. The swift air fryer preheat makes it better for quick weeknight meals.
Temperature Range
Convection ovens reach higher maximum temperatures between 400°F and 500°F. Air fryers top out around 400°F. The higher oven temps allow for better searing and browning.
Settings and Programs
Air fryers feature simple buttons for temperature and timer adjustments. Convection ovens include pre-set cooking modes, auto shut-off and timers, defrosting and more programmable options.
Food Variety
Air fryers excel at crisping smaller, uniform foods like fries, nuggets and tofu but can’t fit larger roasts. Convection ovens have space for a wide variety of foods from muffins to turkeys.
Price and Costs
Air fryers cost between $80-$200 depending on size and features. Convection ovens start around $200 but built-in models cost $1,000+. Operating costs are lower for air fryers as well.
Ease of Use
Air fryers tend to have an easier learning curve than convection ovens with tons of modes. But air fryers require frequent shaking or flipping for even cooking.
Should You Get an Air Fryer or Convection Oven?
When choosing between an air fryer or convection oven, consider factors like:
- How much and what you cook – Air fryers suit smaller meals and snacks, while ovens accommodate large dinners.
- How many you cook for – Air fryers work for 1-3 people and ovens for 4+.
- Features needed – Air fryers have basic settings while ovens offer lots of modes.
- Counter space available – Air fryers have small footprints great for cramped kitchens.
- Budget – Air fryers are more budget friendly at under $200.
Air fryers provide oil-free crispness and quick cooking in a compact appliance. But they can’t replace the size, versatility and baking capabilities of convection ovens. Ultimately, your cooking habits, kitchen space and budget will help determine which is a better fit for your home.