What is convection in a microwave oven

The development of technology has led to the fact that nowadays many devices have appeared in the kitchen that make the life of modern housewives much easier.

One of these is a convection microwave oven. These models allow you to use the stove not only for heating food or defrosting meat. Working in this mode allows you to prepare porridge, other dishes, as well as various desserts.

Let's figure out what convection is, why a microwave needs it, and how such microwaves differ from other devices.

What is convection

This is the name given to the process of transferring thermal energy in the form of jets and clouds.

There is a natural process and a forced one. Natural occurs in natural conditions, and forced is implemented in various devices and units. Essentially, it is the movement of air or water in a circle.

The use of forced movement of a hot medium has led to an expansion of the functionality of the microwave oven.

And if in microwave ovens of the previous generation it was possible to cook grilled chicken quite quickly, then about ovens of the next generation, with convection, we can say that this is a full-fledged oven with all the inherent properties, but smaller in size.

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.

Why does a microwave need convection?

The presence of such a unit in the microwave significantly expands the functionality.

In products with forced movement of a hot medium, you can bake, cook chicken, vegetables, etc.

Some people sometimes wonder whether it is necessary to install an air mixer, sincerely considering it an unnecessary component. In their opinion, cooking pies in such a unit is simply indecent. But to be completely frank, dishes after cooking in an oven are not much different from their counterparts obtained in traditional ovens.

Reference. A meat pie in a convection microwave will cook in 20 minutes instead of an hour in a traditional oven.

All this is achieved through forced circulation of a hot medium.

Possibilities of microwave ovens with convection

• Operation of a microwave generator and air heater allows you to fry potatoes, bake chicken, fish, and meat.
• Stirring the hot environment inside the chamber is ideal for those who constantly bake cakes, muffins and cookies and other desserts.
• In addition, this device is enjoyed by those who prepare food with a delicate crust.
• The use of microwave products with a convector, of course, when used correctly, significantly reduces the time spent preparing a multi-course dinner.
• Another distinctive feature of convector microwaves is their relatively small size. They are significantly smaller than the dimensions of the heating cabinet. Therefore, they are often used in small apartments where old 2-burner gas stoves are installed.

How to properly use the convection mode in the microwave

Now that it has become clear that forced movement of the environment is a very positive function, we need to understand how to use it correctly.

• Not all utensils are suitable for using a microwave. It is strictly not recommended to use metal utensils. It is permissible to use only dishes made of special glass or ceramics.
• To ensure the quality of your food, it makes sense to cook it in small portions. Do not forget about the use of a special stand, which is included in the delivery package of any such equipment.
• To obtain a crust, turn on the microwave generator and grill at the same time. This combination allows you to reduce the cooking time.
• Some models are equipped with a preheating option. It should be turned on 10-15 minutes before cooking starts.

Criteria for choosing a convection microwave

How necessary such equipment is in a household depends on what the housewife prefers to cook. If she bakes a lot, then this purchase will be perfect.

There is a wide selection of equipment on the kitchen appliances market that have a built-in system for blowing heated air over products.

When choosing the appropriate device, you need to decide on its installation. This way you will understand whether a built-in or free-standing oven is more suitable. If it fits into the kitchen interior, then you need to purchase a built-in model. Otherwise, you can buy separate equipment. In this case, it is immediately necessary to take into account the dimensions.

What factors to consider when purchasing

Power

This is probably the main characteristic of a household appliance. The power supplied to the convector affects the quality of the food.

Important! Some manufacturers indicate on the label only the power of the microwave itself.

As a result, when the microwave generator and thermal unit are turned on simultaneously, the maximum power will be lower than declared. Therefore, the efficiency of using such equipment will decrease.

Functionality and operating methods

The chambers of high-quality products are covered from the inside with a layer of ceramics or bioceramics.

These surfaces are resistant to temperature changes. And they calmly accept the ingress of drops of fat, soot, etc. The coating is easy to clean and withstands mechanical damage.

Recipe selection

Modern ovens are equipped with built-in recipes, as well as automatic cooking.

You can select the required recipe and put it into use from the control panel. By the way, some manufacturers also include a book of culinary recipes in the delivery package of the finished product, specially designed for microwave ovens with a similar unit.

Remote Control

It can be push-button, touch-sensitive or ordinary mechanical. Installing a mechanical remote control results in some reduction in the cost of the finished product.