Air Fryer Vs. Convection Oven Vs. Toaster Oven: The Core Differences

Ovens or air fryers are all devices that assist users in making food easier and faster. However, between these products, users still do not know whether to buy an oven or a better air fryer. 

Bake and roast foods such as chicken, duck, ribs, vegetables, etc., will need an oven. However, with the development of air fryer technology appeared and functioned similarly to an oven. So what are the similarities and differences between the above devices?

We will help you find Air Fryer Vs. Convection Oven Vs. Toaster Oven: The Core Differences and the right product through the article below.

Air Fryer 

The oil-free fryer is one of the most versatile and divine kitchen tools. 

The device is “worshiped” by housewives because it can make many delicious dishes simply and easily, satisfying the pleasure of eating with little harm to health by limiting the amount of fat used when frying.

When choosing an oil-free fryer, many people only refer to the design features without paying attention to the size of the pot, leading to buying a pot that is too big or too small for the needs of their family. 

Therefore, if the family is large, it is recommended to buy 4-5 liters; the remaining 3.5 liters or less is only for families of 3 members.

More importantly, although fried foods are delicious and suitable for the palate, they often use a lot of oil that is not good for health. The oil-free fryer solves this problem, meeting customers’ tastes, so it is very popular.

Pros and Cons

Convection Oven 

A convection oven is an oven equipped with a directional fan (convection fan) and a heat bar. Convection fans will help circulate heat and regulate the temperature in the oven more stably. Dispels the cold air that surrounds the food and heats it up, helping the food to cook faster and more evenly.

Regarding the configuration and operating principle of convection ovens other than conventional ovens, the energy will heat the heat bar and heat everything in the oven cavity thereby cooking the food.

Pros and Cons

Toaster Oven 

Although the toaster oven is cheap, it does not have the characteristics suitable for baking. Meanwhile, toaster ovens, although more expensive, are completely ideal for baking.

Large capacity toasters, wide oven space, and high heat bars are usually not close to the food, so the baking is usually more uniform and beautiful, and there is a less yellow spot where it is not burnt. So if you need to make a lot of cakes, choose a toaster with 50 liters or more capacity.

However, the large capacity of the toaster oven comes with a large degree, often consuming more electricity.

If your baking needs are small and medium, you want to try small batches of cakes, or you have a small family; you should only choose a toaster oven with a capacity of about 25-35 liters.

Pros and Cons

Nowadays, Many manufacturers have combined air fryer vs toaster oven in one and call them air fryer toaster oven. So you can own a kitchen application with more features.

Related articles:

• Top 7 Cuisinart air fryer toaster oven

Air Fryer Vs. Convection Oven Vs. Toaster Oven Comparison 

Cooking Space

Small-sized air fryers usually have a capacity of less than 2L and can cook up to 2 chicken breasts simultaneously. For personal use, an air fryer of this size can cook a full meal with chicken breast on one side and fries on the other.

A toaster oven is slightly larger than the first. It has a small capacity and is designed for little use, processing small dishes such as bread, meat, and fish in a small volume—oven capacity from 8L – 10L. If you have a baking hobby, this oven is not for you.

Compared to the above two types, the convection oven has the largest size. They have many different capacities; depending on your family’s needs, you choose the device oven accordingly.

Heat Source

The air fryer uses electricity to heat the heat bar and combines with a convection cooling fan to circulate heat throughout the surface of the food. Thereby, the food is cooked evenly and crispy from the inside out.

For the cake to be cooked evenly, it should simultaneously receive heat from the top and bottom of the oven. The toaster ovens have integrated both upper and lower baking modes, which are extremely convenient.

Temperature

The air fryer uses the principle of vacuum frying with a heating mechanism to heat the bar. The heat source from electricity, combined with the convection cooling fan, circulates quickly throughout the surface of the food to help the food cook in a uniform hot air environment.

Convection ovens usually have 2 heat sources, top and bottom. You can adjust the temperature and time and select the heat source. Besides, the heat source of the toaster oven’s top and bottom fire can help the cakes cook evenly.

Time of cooking

Depending on the kind of dish, the cooking time will vary for the first type, ranging from 5 to 15 minutes. The total cooking time is only half that of conventional frying methods.

The toasters will have the highest baking time of the three types, up to 40 minutes for large foods like chicken. However, baking in an oven usually takes quite a bit of time.

The convection oven is not much different from conventional ovens, but there is an additional fan to help circulate hot air in the oven. At that time, the heat in the oven will be more even, and the baking time will also be shorter, at about 20 – 30 minutes.

Cooking methods 

Oil-free cookers often have Rapid Air built-in to use hot air for cooking food.

The heat from the heating element is transferred in two directions, and one direction goes directly to the top of the food. The fan pushes the other direction along the sides to the bottom of the pot and then reflects, so cooking time is fast.

Cakes cooked by toaster ovens usually cook quickly because this type of oven usually has a high operating capacity, large oven temperature, and built-in upper and lower convection fans.

The convection oven is a very popular type on the market with a capacity of 20L to 40L, usually with two heat sources at the top and bottom. Convection ovens use the same food processing techniques as air fryers, and in many dishes, convection ovens produce better quality finished products.

Types Of Food

Air fryers often fry small foods such as chicken wings, potatoes, or ribs, dry them, and make cakes. Meanwhile, a convection oven can make large foods like whole chicken and duck and make cakes. 

A toaster oven is a great line of ovens for small and medium bakeries but sells a variety of bread and cakes.

Maintenance 

For the air fryer, the equipment warranty period is 12 months from the date of purchase and invoice.

Normally, before buying each device, the supplier will write a clause in the contract or note in the warranty paper that it will be responsible for repairing and renewing the product if there is a defect due to the supplier being in the warranty period. 

These errors for the toaster oven are usually: heater bar not hot enough, lights not lit, or alarm timer incorrect.

Lastly, convection ovens will have a longer warranty, up to 24 months.

Price

With simple features, ease to use, and small capacity, the oil-free fryer has the lowest price, ranging from 100 – 300 USD.

The convection oven, the largest capacity and can cook most foods, will also have the highest price, from 300 to 500 USD, while the cost of the toaster oven is usually quite low, from 80 – 120 USD.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is An Air Fryer A Convection Oven?

The answer is no. For air fryers, heat is supplied from the top. Meanwhile, for a convection oven, heat is provided both from the top and from the bottom. 

Cooking with top-down heat helps food to thicken and cook faster. However, the food will be cooked more evenly if the heat is distributed both top and bottom. Air fryers will cook faster than a convection oven without requiring you to heat a large appliance the size of your oven.

Can an Air fryer replace a Toaster oven?

The answer is YES because the functions of an air fryer and a toaster oven are not too different. You are even easier to cook with the air fryer than the toaster oven. Furthermore, cleaning does not take much your time.

Which Is Better: An Air Fryer Or A Convection Oven?

Depending on the needs of each person, the device will be appreciated more.

You should choose convection ovens if you need to bake a large amount of food, such as whole chicken or duck, serving food for many people, restaurants, and large families. 

Also, that’s when you want to bake food with a large capacity and heat quickly. In addition, convection ovens are better if you want to bake a variety of foods in different ways to suit your recipes and have many convenient features.

If you often eat low-fat foods, an oil-free fryer will be better for limiting obesity and excess fat when using food. More importantly, the air fryer can be moved in more places and carry the pot more flexibly than the oven.

The Bottom Line 

Above is a bit of Air Fryer Vs. Convection Oven Vs. Toaster Oven: The Core Differences. They are devices that support users in processing various dishes such as grilled chicken – roast duck, grilled ribs, and vegetables to meet daily eating needs. 

To ensure quality, you should choose products from reputable and genuine brands. In addition to quality products, the customer care policies of these brands are also very good so that you can get quick support during use.

We hope users can easily visualize and choose the right product for their family needs.