Difference Between Microwave Ovens and Wall Ovens

October 21, 2022

If you’re in the market for a new oven or range, the number of options available can be overwhelming. We have listed below each of the major types of ovens available on today’s market, how they heat your food, and the benefits of each.

Read on to learn more and get guidance on making the best decision for your cooking style.

How Different Types of Ovens Heat

Microwave Ovens

Microwave ovens heat food much more quickly than conventional ovens do. Microwaves work by utilizing an electron tube that creates microwaves. These microwaves are then reflected from the microwave’s metal interior and onto the food. Microwaves heat food by vibrating the water molecules inside of it to the point of creating heat. (FDA.gov)

The microwaves in a microwave oven have a tough time reaching the interior of food. Thus, you will notice that the outside of your food often gets warm more quickly than the inside. Generally, the inside of food is only warmed by the warmth that comes from the exterior of the food itself in a microwave.

Conventional Ovens

Conventional ovens have two heating elements that can be warmed using either electricity or gas. The most commonly used feature is the element at the bottom that delivers heat throughout the entire oven. The top of the oven contains a heating element that provides intense, top-down heat that is primarily used for broiling.

Convection Ovens

Convection ovens are set up much like conventional ovens, but they have the addition of fans to circulate air more evenly throughout the oven’s interior.

Convection ovens have a fan on the top and bottom of the oven. Some convection ovens have a third fan located on the back oven wall as well.

Steam Ovens

Steam ovens work by warming water to the point of creating steam and then releasing that steam into the oven. The hot steam then warms and cooks the food.

Steam ovens are known to preserve more nutrients and vitamins in food because of the longer cooking temperatures and provide a better-tasting, moist meal.

Air Fry Ovens

Air Fry ovens heat similarly to convection ovens but circulate the air much more rapidly. Generally, ovens with Air Fry settings also double as convection ovens and provide you with the option to choose which feature you want to use.

Air fryer settings are ideal to use for foods that are often deep-fried, such as fries, chicken wings, or egg rolls.

Air Sous Vide

Traditionally, sous vide cooking entailed sealing food in a vacuum-sealed bag and placing it in a water bath at a constant temperature while cooking (ScienceDirect.com). This cooking style has now been emulated and is provided in some ovens

Air Sous Vide cooking in the oven allows you to cook vacuum-sealed foods at low temperatures, helping to preserve nutrients and moisture. Generally, this is an added feature to some oven models rather than a solo method of cooking on oven models.

Shop for Your New Oven or Range at Howard’s

When you are ready to shop for your new oven or range, stop into a Howard’s appliance location near you. Browse online, give us a call, or visit any of our appliance stores throughout California to get more information.

We are ready to help you choose the right oven features to match your cooking needs. We carry various combinations, including double-wall ovens, single-wall ovens, ovens with steam features, air fryers, microwaves, oven combos, and more.