The microwave oven has already become quite firmly established in the homes of almost all families. We are used to using it to heat and defrost food. Now advertising and all the stores present us with: a microwave oven with convection, grill and many more new functions. So what is convection in a microwave oven and is it really necessary, or is it just another marketing ploy? Below we will try to understand this issue.
What is this function and how does it work?
Convection is a function that promotes uniform heating of air and its distribution throughout the chamber of the device. Heating elements installed in the chamber produce heat. Using a fan (convection), the heated air is evenly distributed over the entire area of the chamber. This way the food is cooked evenly both inside and outside.
A microwave with convection is currently, if not a full-fledged replacement, then at least a worthy alternative to ovens.
Previous models of microwave ovens were equipped with a maximum grill, thanks to which it was possible to cook, for example, golden brown chicken in it. A microwave with convection significantly expands the list of microwave recipes. You can bake pies and pastries in it, cook soups and bake the main course, and so on.
Most often, a microwave with grill and convection is of interest to housewives who do not have the opportunity to install an oven in the kitchen (small space or rented housing), but want to cook complete and tasty food.
Naturally, models with convection and grill are larger in size and, accordingly, more expensive than their non-convection counterparts, but cheaper and more compact than ovens, so they are just right for a small kitchen.
How does a microwave convector work?
A convector is a heating component that has a round shape. In the design of the device, its place is on the rear wall.
The unit must include a fan. It is designed to move warm air. It is thanks to this that the heat in the chamber is distributed evenly and the products are baked well.
The holes made in the rear wall allow only the atmospheric environment to pass through. If you use a combined cooking method, that is, microwave and heated air movement, the waves will not be able to reach the back wall.
When air moves, it heats up to 200 C. Temperature sensors are installed in the electrical circuit of the household appliance. They will cut off the power supply as soon as the temperature reaches a predetermined level. When the air in the chamber cools, the sensor will give a command to turn on the power to the heating element.
Thus, the device is constantly maintained at the desired temperature. In some products, several fan units are installed, this allows you to increase the quality of cooking of various dishes.
Microwave oven with convection - how to “make friends” with it?
So, we figured out what convection is and why it is needed. Now let's look at how to handle it.
- Not all containers can be used for convection cooking. Usually the instructions for the device indicate which dishes are suitable for this.
- It is best to cook in small portions. Then the dishes turn out very tasty.
- Be sure to use a special stand with legs, it is usually included in the kit. The need to use a stand is to ensure access of heated air from all sides of the dishes, including from below.
- If you like golden brown crusts, you need to use the combined grill + convection mode. Only in this case will the baked goods be golden.
- Also, its use significantly reduces cooking time, and therefore saves electricity.
- You should also use preheating of the chamber - most modern models are equipped with this function. Just 7-10 minutes is enough, and you can safely add the dish. It is advisable to set the heating temperature to 150 degrees.
If you follow these recommendations, you will quickly “make friends” with your new assistant, and cooking even complex dishes will become a joy.
How to use the option?
Detailed instructions for using the oven are included with each electric stove, but there are several rules that experts in household kitchen appliances recommend taking into account:
- The option does not require preheating the oven. Advance heating to a certain temperature may be required when preparing dishes that require this, for example, meringues, bread, soufflé.
- Using a convector means that baking and baking occurs at higher temperatures. Therefore, when setting the mode, you should make an adjustment of 20-25 degrees downward.
- When dishes occupy the entire usable area of the oven, the cooking time increases when the convector is turned on. This is due to the fact that there is no space for free air circulation.
- Different foods take different times to cook. Be sure to monitor this and remove the baking sheets before the dish burns.
- The convector allows you to cook frozen foods without defrosting. The main thing is to initially preheat the oven for 20-40 minutes.
If you follow these simple rules, using the option will be a pleasure.
How the convection mode is used in practice
In practice, the convector allows you to achieve amazing results. Thick pieces of meat and fish are baked with high quality and get an even crispy crust on all sides. The dish turns out moderately juicy. This mode significantly simplifies the process of preparing complex dishes, while saving energy consumption (gas or electricity).
Application examples.
- Activating the function without heating or with slight heating allows you to quickly defrost food. In this mode, berries, fruits cut into pieces, herbs and zest are dried. You can also place the dough on a baking sheet before baking.
- In convection mode with a bottom heater, pies, pizza and other baked goods are baked.
- The function in combination with the top heater is suitable for preparing casseroles, meat dishes and vegetable and fruit soufflés.
- Multifunctional heating mode with forced circulation is suitable for simultaneous baking of pies on several levels at a temperature of 170-190° or confectionery products (from 180°). You can bake large pieces of meat or fish on several levels (from 200°).
- The turbo grill mode is used for roasting whole poultry, pig, and leg of lamb.
- A steam convector is used when preparing steamed vegetable, meat and fish dishes, and baking buns from butter dough. Can be used to sterilize dishes.
So we figured out what convection is. When using this function in an electric oven, it becomes possible to expand the list of prepared dishes and improve the quality of baking. Nothing will burn and everything will bake evenly!
Choosing a convection microwave - what to look for
We have already figured out what convection in a microwave is, why it is needed and how to work with it. If you understand that you need such a useful device, it’s time to understand how to choose it correctly.
In addition to the fact that when choosing, we always focus on user reviews, we also need to take into account our own capabilities and needs.
So, modern microwave ovens with convection can combine three main functions:
- microwaves (defrosting, heating food);
- grill;
- convection.
Devices with the maximum range of functions are, accordingly, more expensive and more efficient. In addition, all modern microwave ovens can be divided according to the type of heating element. There are two of them:
- heating element - a spiral with an internal heating element. Widely used in grill ovens, in some models it is movable;
- quartz is a more compact and convenient heater to use and maintain. It is fixedly mounted on the top of the chamber.
Otherwise, the choice of displacement, set of functions, as well as the brand of the device is yours.
More modern and expensive models have a number of cooking programs. Here you just need to select a product or dish, and the device will select the cooking time on its own. Even an inexperienced housewife can cope with such a task.
Concept of convection in a microwave oven
Convection in a microwave oven is a method of heat transfer due to jets and currents. It can be natural and forced. Natural convection occurs under normal conditions without the use of additional equipment. For the forced method, auxiliary devices are used. In fact, convection involves the movement of air or water in the microwave chamber.
The use of forced heat exchange has significantly expanded the functionality of microwave ovens. If a conventional oven can be used to heat and cook only simple dishes, for example, grilled chicken, then units with convection can even replace a full-fledged oven, being significantly smaller in size.
Pros and cons of convection devices
Each piece of household appliance has its own pros and cons. The same is true for grill and convection microwave ovens. To understand whether you really need these features, let's look at the pros and cons of this technique.
The positive aspects include the following:
- such a stove can easily replace an oven, taking up less space in the kitchen;
- the ability to combine different cooking modes;
- built-in programs for some products and dishes;
- saving time, and with it energy (compared to an electric oven);
- preparing healthy food;
- convenient control;
- multifunctionality.
Negative traits include:
- small (compared to an oven) volume;
- Not all dishes can be used;
- high quality models are expensive.
Here you need to look at what exactly in your case will outweigh the pros or cons.
The most modern microwave ovens are equipped with six functions - microwaves, grill, convection, microwaves with steam, also known as grill, and convection with grill. Well, they will cost, accordingly, a lot.
Myths and concerns
Everything new is often scary, especially for those users who are distrustful of electronics. Let us describe the most popular concerns of buyers regarding profit centers:
- Microwave radiation changes the structure of food. In fact, this is impossible, since the waves only heat the products and have nothing to do with radiation.
- Microwave food is harmful to the body. It’s a strange misconception, since after processing in the microwave, products, on the contrary, retain maximum benefits. Processing in a microwave oven is more reminiscent of the principle of a double boiler than a frying pan.
- Harmful radiation escapes from the oven into the surrounding area. And this is not so, because all the waves emitted by the magnetron circulate in a confined space (a sealed chamber, darkened glass, a tightly fitted case is proof of this), so harm to the human body is impossible.
Popular models
So, let's see what the microwave oven market offers us.
The most budget model at the moment is Erisson MWG-20MSG .
The characteristics are:
- volume 20 liters;
- enamel inside;
- grill;
- convection;
- power 700 W;
- timer for 30 minutes;
- mechanical control;
- The only modes available are defrosting.
The model is new, there are no reviews about it yet. Such a unit costs an average of 4,000 rubles.
We will not describe the most expensive model Kuppersbusch EMWK 6550.0 W1 This is a built-in microwave oven that costs about 112,000 rubles.
But let’s consider the models and brands that are popular.
So, model 23MWC-881T/BM from BBK .
Characteristics:
- volume 23 liters;
- enamel inside;
- grill;
- convection;
- power 800 W;
- 5 power levels;
- timer for 99 minutes;
- electronic control;
- three main cooking modes.
The case is stylish, black. The cost is around 7,000 rubles.
Next is the MC28H5013AW model from Samsung .
General characteristics:
- volume 28 liters;
- enamel inside;
- grill;
- convection;
- power 900 W;
- 6 power levels;
- timer for 99 minutes;
- electronic control;
- 3 normal and 3 combined modes.
The cost of this device is on average 10,000 rubles.
Why is convection needed?
The principle of convection has significantly increased the functionality of a microwave oven. In addition to heating food and defrosting food, you can cook, bake, stew, and bake in it. If it is also equipped with a grill, then baked dishes will have an appetizing crust.
Such multifunctional stoves are an excellent alternative to ovens and stoves.
Food cooked in a convection oven does not lose its beneficial properties. And it will take much less time to prepare it compared to other household appliances. Circular circulation of heat allows food to cook evenly - both inside and outside. So you don’t have to worry that the pie will burn around the edges and the middle will remain raw.
Convection microwave ovens will appeal to many people. They can easily replace a couple of kitchen appliances. Why buy a multicooker, a new hob or oven when you can buy a modern microwave oven? This way, the space will not be cluttered, and cooking will not take much time. At the same time, the process of preparing new dishes will become a pleasant, educational experience.
Choosing a new microwave
If you are thinking about upgrading an old model, then it is important to understand what parameters of modern microwave ovens you should pay attention to. Before you go to the store for a new stove, you should know:
- How much do you need a sophisticated model, and will you use all its modern functions?
- If you have an old oven, then you can bake your favorite dishes in the microwave thanks to the convection mode.
- A heating element or quartz heater will be in the new model. Microwaves with heating element heaters are cheaper, and with quartz heaters they are more expensive, but they consume less electricity.
