At first look, you may not get the differences between an electric oven and a convection oven. You have to use it to find out the exact main point. But it’s not possible to use without purchasing.
The main difference between convection and an electric oven is its heat distribution technique. This heat distribution mainly gives one advantage and makes it better than the other. Also, this advantage of heat distribution sometimes gives one disadvantage and makes the other one better.
This article will show you every perspective to know the difference between an electric and a convection oven. Also, let you know which one is better and what you can cook in a convection and electric oven.
What Is the Difference Between Electric and Convection Ovens?

An electric oven runs on electricity and releases heat from the heating coil. It releases heat consistently. On the other hand, A convection oven preheats quickly and holds heat better, which helps cook fast and saves time.
Using both the convection and electric oven, I found these differences that can easily help you compare and understand which one is better.
Electric Ovens Give Static Heat
Electric ovens provide static heat; simply, the heat moves and heats the oven in one direction. On the other hand, convection ovens have a built-in fan in the back which circulates the hot air everywhere and heat the oven better.
The heating temperature is the Same in Both
The heating temperature on both electric and convection ovens is excellent. But the temperature rises fast in the convection oven because the fan circulates the hot air everywhere. The convection oven provides you with the same result even in a low-temperature setting.
Convection Ovens Heat Fast Thus is Energy Efficient
The convection ovens heat fast, and the temperature rises quicker than the electric ovens, which ultimately use less electricity and saves energy.
Cooking and Baking Take nearly the Same time
Both electric and convection ovens can cook or bake well, but the quick heating capability of the convection oven gives it some disadvantages; you can’t cook or bake all the recipes the same as the electric oven. In the convection oven, you can’t bake or cook large cakes, custards, and bread well.
Also, in an electric oven, you must rotate the food during the cooking to cook perfectly on every side. On the other hand, nothing is needed in the convection oven as it circulates hot air on every side.
Convection Oven Take less Cooking Time
Compared to the electric oven, you need less cooking time in the convection oven because the convection oven is heating fast, and circulate the hot air everywhere, which ultimately cooks fast and saves time.
Convection Oven Cook More Food
Convection ovens have more capacity than an electric ovens. You can cook more food in the convection oven. Even you can cook multiple items at a time in a countertop oven which you can’t do in an electric oven.
Electric Oven is inexpensive
Electric ovens are slightly less expensive than convection ovens because convection ovens have more functions and are more feature-full than an electric oven.
What are the Advantages of a Convection Oven?
Structurally and functionally, a convection oven has huge advantages.
A convection oven has a built-in fan that circulates the air in every corner of the oven. The advantage of this fan is it heats the compartment fast and cooks in a short time. As it heats fast and cooks fast that’s why a convection oven uses less electricity, and at low temperatures, it performs the same; also, a convection oven cooks 30% faster.
While cooking or baking, a convection oven makes the exterior crispy and makes the interior fluffy and juicy. Thicker foods will be benefited here most, and it improves the browning and crisping of your food. Also, you don’t need to preheat the oven.
In a convection oven, you get multiple sections of racks; on any rack, you can place your food. They circulate hot air, will heat the food from every side, and cook your food delicately. Also, you can easily cook multiple dishes at once for multiple sections of racks.
What are the Disadvantages of a Convection Oven?
Though a convection oven has huge advantages, there are disadvantages.
In most recipes, a convection oven can’t perform well if you don’t know the instructions well. It can overcook or undercook your dishes if you don’t provide the instructions well. As it heats and cooks fast for that, large cakes, custards, bread, and soufflés get tough to bake or cook.
What are the Advantages of an Electric Oven?
An electric oven produces consistent heat that helps cook food at a great temperature, ensuring your food does not get cold or hot spots. Also, it is great for baking and roasting.
As an electric oven creates heat from the heating coil, it releases dry heat that helps keep out moisture from the food and helps cook large cakes, custards, bread, and soufflés perfectly.
There are no installation troubles you face while installing an electric oven. Also, an electric oven is less expensive.
What are the Disadvantages of an Electric Oven?
Preheating an electric oven can take time, and cook food slowly. Also, for that, it uses more energy which costs more electricity. If the power goes off, you cannot cook in an electric oven.
Which is Better Electric oven or Convection Oven?
Convection ovens have more advantages than electric ovens. A convection oven heats better, heats quickly, cooks fast, is energy-efficient, have more capacity than an electric oven.
But in terms of price and cooking capability, such as dry heat and even cooking, the electric oven is slightly ahead of the convection oven; if you keep these advantages aside, a convection oven is better than an electric oven in every perspective.
When Should You Not Use a Convection Oven?
While cooking large cakes, custards, bread, and soufflés, you should not use a convection oven. A convection oven heats quickly, circulating the hot air in every corner while baking or cooking; for that, it makes the exterior crispy and makes the interior fluffy and juicy. As the recipes or foods have a wider and deep surface, the upper surface will bake perfectly, but the deep interior will remain uncooked.
But except these recipes such as the resting ham, beef cuts, steak, cookies, chips, muffins, pies, toasting bread cooks or bakes great in a convection oven.
Note: In the convection setting, if you use shallow pans, you will be benefited while cooking foods.
Should I Get a Conventional or Convection oven?
You can get both a conventional and a convection oven to cook your desired food. A conventional oven is better insulated and can bake better than a convection oven.
But you need to rotate the food or dish during or halfway through the cooking to cook perfectly on every side. On the other hand, a convection oven heats better, cooks fast, uses less electricity, and does not need any extra care; just does the setting for different cooking and enjoys crispy and juicy food.
From my perspective, both have the capability to perform best. Now you have to think and choose which one will be preferable for you.
Should I Cook Pizza on Bake or Convection?
Cooking pizza in a convection setting will provide you with better results. Convection settings help make the exterior side crispier and keep the inner side soft. Also, not just the pizza, other food such as resting ham, beef cuts, steak, cookies, chips, muffins, pies, and toasting bread cook or bakes great in a convection setting.
Related Article: How to make vegan pizza dough?
Can You Cook Frozen Food in a Convection Oven?
Yes, you can cook frozen food in a convection oven, and the taste won’t get dull. In a convection oven, you will get almost all types of foods with proper time and temperature instructions. You can cook as instructed, or even you can estimate and set your own.
Conclusion
In this article, I tried to provide you with all the possible differences to give you a clear view of convection and electric ovens. Which mainly defines that heat distribution, cooking time, and energy efficiency are great in a convection oven. On the other hand, baking and heat-insulated is great in an electric oven.
I hope you understand all the points; now it’s up to you to choose which one is preferable to your need. Thank you.
Read Related: How long to bake chicken breast in a convection oven?

As a home cook, I am working in the kitchen niche since 2001.
Writing a blog is one of my hobbies. Cooking is my passion and I love to experiment with spices. I hope you will get benefitted after reading my article.