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When operating household appliances, as a rule, not all of its functional capabilities are involved. Therefore, not all potential is used. We will tell you how to use convection microwave ovens, which have replaced conventional ones. What is convection in a microwave and why is it needed – we will consider below.
How convection works
Convection is a heat exchange that occurs as a result of the transfer of energy by streams and jets of air. Many people may ask: what does this mean? And what does convection have to do with microwaves? 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 one heats the air, the second one distributes it evenly.
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 heating. When the temperature starts to drop, it turns on again.
Why convection is needed
The principle of convection has significantly increased the functionality of the microwave oven. In addition to heating food and defrosting food, you can cook, bake, stew, bake in it. 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 the time for its preparation – in comparison with other household appliances – will take much less. Circular circulation of heat allows food to be evenly baked – both inside and out. So you can not be afraid that the cake will burn around the edges, and the middle will remain raw.
Many people like convection microwave ovens. They can easily replace a couple of kitchen appliances. Why buy a slow cooker, a new hob or oven when you can get 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, educational experience.
How to use the mode
If you have a modern convection oven, it will be useful to know how to use this function. The following are the basic rules and tips:
- For cooking, use only dishes specially designed for this purpose. Information about this is in the instruction manual. Also take a look at the page “What dishes can not be heated in the microwave.”
- Prepare meals in small batches. This will ensure that the food heats up evenly.
- Use a special stand with legs so that hot air enters under the bottom of the dish.
- Preheat oven before cooking. Ten minutes of preheating at a temperature of 150 degrees will be enough.
- For a golden crust, additionally use the “Grill” function.
Advantages and disadvantages
Before buying a hot air stove, decide if 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, does not bake to the end, then a microwave oven is a suitable replacement option. 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;
- Cooking programs;
- Convenient management;
- Save time.
However, there are also disadvantages:
- Small chamber volume compared to the oven;
- Requires special utensils
- Great energy consumption;
- High price.
How to choose an oven
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 oven. Not only the speed of preparation depends on it, but also the quality.
- Internal coating. The best options are ceramics or bioceramics. These coatings are easier to clean and more resistant to scratches.
- Chamber volume. The large chamber allows you to cook meals 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, the Panasonic NN-CS596S microwave has 6 cooking methods. In addition to convection, grill, microwaves, there is also the option of cooking microwaves with steam. Two more methods 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 use of inverter technology, which ensures continuous, uniform heating of the product.
At the same time, the ingredients retain a maximum of nutrients, and the cooked dish looks appetizing.
Other manufacturers of household appliances – such as LG, Samsung – also have something to brag about. In addition to the basic functions in the most modern microwave ovens, a number of additional ones can be provided.
Consider, for example, the Samsung MC28H5013AW Smart Oven microwave oven.
The model has the following additional modes:
- ECO Mode – economy mode. It reduces standby power consumption.
- Deodorization is a function to eliminate foreign odors in the chamber.
- Turntable adjustment function. Allows you to place containers of various shapes, as well as make the most of the space of the chamber.
- fermentation technology. Allows you to prepare homemade yoghurts. Cooking mode and cycle time are selected automatically.
In other Samsung models, you can find another useful feature – steam cleaning. It is applied after the furnace has completely cooled down. Water vapor helps to cope with food splashes, stains, which facilitates the further cleaning procedure.
Owner feedback
The opinion of the owners of convection microwave ovens should also be taken into account. The reviews below will serve as additional useful information before choosing a microwave.
Reviews about Samsung MC28H5013AK
Elena, Moscow
Functional, energy-saving model, with a good design. Works silently. Has a large chamber. Heats up food quickly and evenly. Pleased with the presence of the elimination of odors. Quality build. 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’ve been using the microwave for a couple of months. The stove is quite quiet, multifunctional, with simple controls. But after a month of use, the pallet began to rotate jerkily. In the service center, they said that it should be so. However, this is the only drawback that I found.
Reviews about the model Panasonic NN-CS596S
Olga, Minsk
I’ve been using the microwave for a couple of years. The purchase is satisfied. It bakes great, even better than 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’ve been using it for about a year, no problems. Specifications correspond to the declared. The main advantage is the inverter. The price is too high in my opinion.
Based on the foregoing, we can confidently say that a convection microwave oven is a useful device that can replace some others that seem to be indispensable. But whether it is useful for your kitchen is up to you.