More than 90% of kitchens in the United States have microwave ovens. Microwaves are very convenient for heating up meals quickly, making popcorn, or cooking an entire meal in a fraction of the time it takes a conventional oven. However, many families are looking for a better option for faster cooking times, lower energy use, and a healthier way of cooking. For me, I decided to use a convection oven for the nutritional benefit and energy savings.

What is a convection oven?

A convection oven is designed with a fan that continuously circulates hot air around the food as it cooks. This helps food cook evenly on all sides and thoroughly inside and out.

The benefits of convection cooking:

o Bake, broil, fry, toast, boil, broil and steam your favorite foods just the way you love them.

o Cook food in 25 percent less time without using a microwave.

o Save energy bills with reduced cooking time and lower temperatures compared to conventional ovens.

o Keep nutrients, vitamins and minerals in your food.

o Go low-fat naturally because the oil drips away from your food.

o Foods have more flavors, are tender, juicy and cooked to perfection with little effort on your part.

o Cleaning is very easy compared to the task of cleaning the oven regularly. Some models have only one cooking container, so this is all you wash.

There are many new styles of convection ovens. Newer homes may have these built in or have a microwave combo that you can alternate with. The countertop style is one of the most popular models due to its small size. They come in all sizes. You don’t need to get the biggest or most powerful unless it’s what you’ll be cooking with all the time and you need the extra large capacity. A smaller turbo type is ideal for all cooking needs and will fit any size kitchen, even limited counter space.

No matter what your reason is for cooking with a convection oven, know that you’re giving your family a big health benefit and finding a little way to go green in your home.