When operating household appliances, as a rule, not all of its functionalities are involved. Therefore, not all potential is used. We will tell you how to use convection microwave ovens that have replaced conventional ones. What is convection in the microwave and why is it needed - we will consider below.
The principle of convection
Convection is the heat transfer that occurs as a result of the transfer of energy by streams and jets of air. Many may ask: what does this mean? And what does convection have to do with microwave? In microwave ovens, air flows in a circle, evenly distributed throughout the chamber. For this, two elements are built into the device: a convector and a fan. The first carries out heating of the air, the second - its uniform distribution.
Most often they are placed on the back wall or on top. The temperature inside can reach 200 degrees, sometimes more. As soon as the set temperature is reached, the convector stops the heating. When the temperature starts to drop, it turns on again.
Why convection is needed
The convection principle has significantly increased the functionality of the microwave. In addition to heating food and defrosting foods in it, you can cook, bake, stew, bake. If it is also equipped with a grill, then baked dishes will have a delicious 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 time for its preparation - in comparison with other household appliances - will require much less. The circular circulation of heat allows food to bake evenly - both inside and out. So you can not be afraid that the cake will burn on the edges, and the middle will remain raw.
Convection microwave ovens will appeal to many. They will easily replace a couple of kitchen appliances. Why buy a slow cooker, a new hob or oven, if you can buy a modern microwave oven? Thus, 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, informative activity.
How to use the mode
If you have a modern convection oven, it will be useful to learn how to use this function. The following are the basic rules and tips:
- For cooking, use only specially designed utensils. Information on this is in the instruction manual. Also look at the page “What utensils should not be heated in the microwave”.
- Cook in small portions. Thanks to this, the food warms up evenly.
- Use a special stand with legs so that hot air enters under the bottom of the dishes.
- Preheat oven before cooking. Ten minutes of preheating at a temperature of 150 degrees will be enough.
- For a golden crust, use the Grill function in addition.
Pros and cons
Before buying a hot-air oven, decide whether you need it and how often you intend to use it. If you have an old oven in which everything burns or, on the contrary, is not baked to the end, then the microwave oven is a suitable option for replacement. Nevertheless, the advantages and disadvantages of the device should be studied.
Advantages of convection microwaves:
- Multifunctionality;
- The presence of several modes with the ability to combine them;
- Programs for cooking;
- Convenient management;
- Time saving.
However, there are also disadvantages:
- Small chamber volume compared to the oven;
- Need special dishes;
- Greater power consumption
- High price.
How to choose a stove
If you still decide to purchase a convection oven, then the following information will help you choose the right model. Pay attention to the following points:
- What is the design of the device - built-in or freestanding.
- What is the power of the stove. Not only the speed of cooking, but also the quality depends on it.
- Inner coating. The best options are ceramics or bioceramics. Such coatings are easier to clean, they are more resistant to scratches.
- Chamber volume. A large chamber allows you to cook in large portions. This is an important criterion for a large family.
In addition to microwave ovens with convection and grill, there are more modern appliances. For example, in the Panasonic NN-CS596S microwave oven, there are 6 cooking methods. In addition to convection, grilling, microwaves, there is also the option of cooking with microwaves with steam. Two more ways are a combination of a grill with microwaves, a grill with convection.
A feature of the model is the principle of its operation. It consists in the application of inverter technology, which provides continuous, uniform heating of the product.
At the same time, the ingredients retain a maximum of nutrients, and the cooked dish has an appetizing look.
Other home appliance manufacturers such as LG and Samsung also have something to boast about. In addition to the main functions in the most modern microwave ovens, a number of additional ones can be provided.
For example, consider the Samsung MC28H5013AW Smart Oven microwave.
The model has such additional modes:
- ECO Mode - saving mode. It reduces standby power consumption.
- Deodorization - the function of eliminating extraneous odors in the chamber.
- Swivel pan adjustment function. Allows you to place containers of various shapes, as well as maximize the use of camera space.
- Fermentation technology. Allows you to cook homemade yogurt. The cooking mode and cycle time are automatically selected.
In other Samsung models you can find another useful feature - steam cleaning. It is used after the furnace has completely cooled. Water vapor helps to cope with splashes from food, stains, making the further cleaning procedure easier.
Owner reviews
The opinion of the owners of convection microwave ovens should also be taken into account. The reviews below will provide additional useful information before choosing a microwave.
Samsung MC28H5013AK reviews
Elena, Moscow
Functional, energy-saving model, with a good design. It runs silently. Has a large camera volume. Heats food quickly, evenly. Pleased with the presence of odor elimination mode. High-quality assembly. The price is quite adequate. The downside for me was the lack of a steam cleaning mode, as well as a quick start button.
Irina, Tomsk
I have been using the microwave for a couple of months. The stove is quite quiet, multi-functional, with simple controls. But after a month of use, the pan began to spin jerkily. In the service center, they said that it should be so. However, this is the only drawback that I discovered.
Panasonic NN-CS596S reviews
Olga, Minsk
I have been using microwave for a couple of years. Satisfied with the purchase. Bakes wonderful, better than even the oven. You can cook almost anything. But, over time, the buttons began to wipe. And so, the device is very good.
Alexander, Yekaterinburg
I have been operating for about a year, there are no problems. Specifications meet the stated. The main advantage is the inverter. The price, in my opinion, is overpriced.
Based on the foregoing, we can confidently say that a convection microwave is a useful device that can replace some others that seem to be irreplaceable. But whether it is useful to your kitchen is up to you.