For years, chefs have relied on the professional results of convection ovens to deliver tasty goods to their customers. Convection ovens use a built-in fan to create a uniform temperature within the oven cavity. The fan circulates heat throughout the oven so that all foods cook uniformly. This means no burnt bottoms and raw tops. The heated air also transfers so efficiently that it speeds up the cooking process. This can be a real time saver for a busy chef. Another benefit of convection cooking is that you can lower oven temperatures and food cooks in the same time frame as in conventional ovens. This helps the food to retain its nutritional value.

Although people have used convection ovens in commercial cooking facilities and in the restaurant industry, these ovens are now gaining popularity in the residential oven market. Convection oven prices may supersede those of conventional ovens, but convection ovens are a worthwhile investment. Consider the following:

1. Convection ovens save time and energy.

2. They eliminate "hot spots," so foods bake more evenly.

3. A convection oven produces foods that are nutritious and flavorful.

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Get information on convection ovens to determine which type will best suit your business needs

There are two basic types of convection ovens: regular and 'true' or 'European.' Within these two basic types are several models. A full size convection oven utilizes standard full size sheet pans, while a half size unit uses standard half size sheet pans.

I recommend: Large facilities should investigate commercial convection ovens, but a restaurant should really consider a restaurant convection oven. There is also a countertop convection oven and portable convection ovens for cooking on the go and, for those who want the latest high-tech unit, a digital convection oven that uses programmable digital controls. The Webstaurant Store's Convection Oven Buying Guide details the difference between regular convection ovens and "true" or "European" models. Read up on the different convection oven models and get a free oven demo DVD through Cadco.

Educate yourself on convection oven usage through books and Web sites

Some individuals and businesses have recognized the advantage of owning an air convection oven and have gone as far as making the purchase. To be a successful convection user, however, takes knowledge and skill, which means going a little further than reading the user's manual that comes with your unit. Take up the challenge of educating yourself on convection oven usage so that you can take full advantage of owning this versatile appliance.

I recommend: Dacor's buying tips and FAQ's answer a multitude of questions concerning the operation of convection ovens. Massachusetts Department of Education offers safety precaution for handling and operation. Gourmet Sleuth offers guidelines and recipe conversions.

Enroll in a formal class or seminar covering convection ovens education and training

For a more in-depth learning experience, enroll in a class or seminar covering the basics of thermal oven heating or convection oven usage.

I recommend: Meridian Technology Center offers professional training on convection oven usage with their culinary arts program. Expand your understanding of the infrared heating process by attending a 2-day seminar hosted by CCI Thermal Technologies.

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Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Convection ovens can be expensive. Be on the lookout for used convection ovens for sale in commercial warehouses, flea markets or garage sales.

Most successful restaurant owners could not imagine equipping their kitchens without commercial convection ovens. By allowing you to cook larger amounts of food all at once, convection ovens not only save time, but also let you make more efficient use of your electricity. Whether you depend upon a dual microwave convection oven or a forced air convection oven, you'll be able to increase your kitchen's productivity by cooking your food up to one-third times faster than in standard ovens.

A restaurant convection oven works by circulating hot air throughout the oven's entire cavity rather than allowing the heat to remain stagnant near the heating element, as in standard ovens. With convection cooking, you can seal in the juices of meats and poultry faster and promote more even browning of breads and other baked goods. Consider these options when choosing between convection ovens for sale:

1. Choose the right model for your needs.

2. Compare the special features of convection ovens.

3. Consider your menu in choosing which convection oven accessories to buy.

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Save money by purchasing a countertop convection oven to handle smaller cooking jobs

If you run a breakfast-lunch operation or smaller scale food establishment, chances are that a countertop convection oven suits your needs.

I recommend: Jarco Industries and Central Restaurant Products sell a full service convection oven that sits on a counter and fits four full size sheet pans at once. These ovens circulate air around a five- to six-cubic foot cooking chamber using two high-speed fans. Both companies also sell half-size models containing only three shelves with roughly two cubic feet of cooking space.

Judge whether you need a full size convection oven with single or double decks

There's no doubt that a convection oven presents a considerable investment for any restaurant with significant price differences between the single and double deck varieties.

I recommend: Restaurant-Services.Com and AAA Commercial Products sell both, in either electric or gas varieties, with the single deck ovens standing on the floor, some with canisters for easy positioning. They contain between 10 and 12 different rack positions, allowing five racks to be used at a given time. Each rack holds up to 50 lbs of food. If you run a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week operation or serve thousands of meals each week, you'll need the double deck ovens which provide at least 24 rack positions and double the performance of the best single deck ovens. Both single and double deck ovens boast heavy duty stainless steel construction.

Weigh the advantages of special features available on commercial convection ovens

Get either a digital convection oven or a combi convection oven, which pairs a commercial quality broiler with a single or double deck convection range.

I recommend: Food Prep Innovations offers a combi oven that pairs a commercial quality broiler with a single or double deck convection range. Zesco Products Inc., offers convection ovens with 60 minute bake timers and automatic water injection steam.

Accessorize any restaurant convection oven to suit your particular needs

Let your menu guide which special convection oven accessories you'll need.

I recommend: Instawares Restaurant Supply Superstore lets you turn your oven into a rotisserie convection oven with a poultry rack so you can cook up to eight whole chickens at one shot. Or, get an oven proofer from For Your Convenience to proof your bakery's yeast-risen doughs.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Convection ovens run on more BTUs than standard ranges. Check specific requirements for use with your local health department.

Convection ovens are the latest innovation in cooking faster and more efficiently, but there may be some things about them that you are not familiar with. In order to become knowledgeable about convection ovens and how they work, you should learn everything you can about them in order to utilize them in your restaurant. Here are a few key elements on convection ovens.

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Convection

Convection is a term that explains how items become hot. Heated liquids have a lower density so a heated liquid will rise, fall and repeat the process, heating the entire liquid. Convection oven cooking was discovered by Gardner Spring Blodgett in the 1960's but has most recently become a staple of restaurants.

I recommend: Solar Views offers an excellent tutorial on how convection works.

Single deck and double deck

Single deck and double deck are words used to describe the shelving capabilities on a convection oven. The baking compartments have either one shelf for a single deck or two shelves for a double deck. Depending on your needs, you can choose a space-saving, single-deck convection oven or a double-deck convection oven for more cooking capabilities.

I recommend: Zesco has detailed information on the differences between the single-deck and double-deck options.

Digital convection

Digital convection is another way of saying convection oven. Both are essentially the same thing, an oven that uses convection to cook foods by using circulated air to heat evenly.

I recommend: Directory M Articles defines what a digital convection oven is.

BTU

BTU stands for British Thermal Unit. It is the amount of energy or heat required to raise the temperature of 1 pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit. A convection oven's BTU will tell you its output of energy capabilities. A higher BTU count means more energy and more output. Fewer BTUs may cost you less but will not perform as well in a restaurant that is extremely busy.

I recommend: Maxwell offers more information about BTUs.

Heating element

A heating element is found in all ovens, including convection ovens. The electric current within the element meets resistance, resulting in heating of the element.

I recommend: Wise Geek discusses convection ovens and how the heating element is implemented in cooking.

Proofer oven

A proofer oven provides single-unit cooking. It's perfect for commercial restaurants where multiple items are cooked, such as bread, cakes and pastries. It's especially helpful in cooking items faster by not having to turn pans since everything cooks evenly through convection air.

I recommend: RMIT University discusses a proofer oven and how it works.