Convection or No Convection

I don't think gas ovens come in convection.

We had a single oven that was original to the house and a stand alone microwave. The oven went out, so I was hoping to convert to a gas oven since there was a gas line in the place. Apparently, gas wall ovens are hard to find, too, because we ended up with an electric double oven (oven and microwave) instead.

We went to a dent and scratch place and got a terrific deal. We did consider a convection oven, but that would have meant having a double oven that was a regular oven and a convection with no microwave. Our space was also a 24" wide space, which limits the choices.

The salesperson spoke highly of the convection oven, but we didn't need two ovens at this time and the price for a convection oven was significantly more especially when you considered the cost of installation on top of that.

As it turned out, we learned that our original-to-the-house oven was wired to a 110 circuit for the last 40+ years, which the electrician told us was never up to code. We had to have a new 220 circuit run through the wall and a new circuit added to the breaker box. To install the line,he had to cut out a swath of drywall and drill through each stud to the breakerbox. We have a vaulted ceiling and he could find no easy access through the ceiling space to run the wire safely. So we ended up with an additional $600 in expenses for the electrician and for the drywall repair.

It has been my experience in 25 years of homeownership that any home repair or upgrade will cost you at least half again as much as you think it will originally, so make sure you build that into your budget if you are working on a budget.

I've used my convection / microwave combination for years and love it. Especially at times like Thanksgiving when the extra oven space is critical. I use it on a regular basis for smaller side dishes, like potatoes. I can microwave the dish to quickly heat it or defrost it and then switch to convection to let it cook more evenly and brown. I use it instead of the big oven when I'm not cooking more than one dish and don't need to heat the whole oven for one item. I got it instead of the double oven set and eliminated the need and cabinet space for another appliance. It's great.

Yes for convection ovens. The difference between convection and conventional is simply a fan that swirls the heated air around for even coverage. If the recipe calls for 350F degrees, I cook at 325F, and check the food 5 minutes before the regular time called for. I have cooked with my convection for 7 years. A chef told me the only time he would not use convection is with a souffle (they are too delicate for the air movement).
B-T-W, get a 'flame-tammer' with your gas range, it is a piece of metal that sits on top of the burner to absorb and distribute the flames direct heat (mine is cast-iron and I use it for simmering sauces. My stoves btu's are 14000, 12500 and 8500; even the lowest setting of the 8500btu's brings sauces to a low boil in my stainless steel w/aluminum core pots. You will need heavy-bottomed pans for the gas range. Good Luck.

I have a double oven and the top has conv. and regular and the bottom only regular. I use convection about75% of the time. It is great for food where there is a lot of exposed surface like roasts or cookies where the swirling air can really do its thing. I really notice the difference on cookies. They cook very uniformly and just turn out better, I think. But it is not "the best thing ever" so if there is a huge price difference I wouldn't necessarily bother. But I have enjoyed it a lot. Just remember, if you do it, you have to reduce the temperature setting about 10 to 15 degrees from what the recipe calls for and it cooks a lot faster, so pay attention until you get the hang of it.

I have a convection oven and I've never used it. I'm afraid too. I think if I knew how to use it and adjust the temp and cook time for food, I would use it. My sister got a convection microwave at least 10 years ago and used it a lot in the beginning, but once the novelty wore off she only used it and continues to use it as a regular microwave.

I have a double oven. One can be used as convection. My husband loves it. He says it cooks quicker. I have not gotten use to using it. I still just use the microwave and the oven. I have had this for 6 years and maybe used it twice. If there is not a big price difference, I say go for it. It it priced much higher, then I would opt to save my money.

Love, love, love my convection/microwave oven! We've had it for about 8 months and it is awesome. Our regular microwave went out so we replaced it with the Advantium GE Profile Convection/Microwave Oven (over the stove, not counter). We use the speedcook function and microwave fuction more than the oven function, but love having the option. Also noticed a drop in the electric bill because the convection/microwave runs off regular 120v and not the electricity guzzler of the regular oven.