Convection ovens???

[Lefta Dissenter]

My dad and his wife are in need of new ovens. They currently have two built-in ovens that are ancient, and barely heat. So it's getting to be time to replace them. They cook and bake quite frequently, so they like to have quality appliances to work with.

What are people's experiences with convection ovens? Would you recommend replacing one of the ovens with convection and one with conventional?

Either way, what brands or even particular models would anyone recommend (or stay away from)?

Thanks so much for some expert advice! :hi:

[Stinky The Clown]

1. I like Kitchenaid

I tink you can find better prices in other manufacturers. I also think you can find better features in other manufacturers. But when you judge the whle package, I think Kitchenaid comes out on top.

As for convection, they make a lot of sense, but are not the best for traditional baking. A basic thermal oven is better. The moving air can actually affect the results for some baked items.

We got a new Kitchenaid within the last year. The feature I liked was that the convection feature is optional ... in other words you can elect to use it or not. It works just as well as conventional (thermal) oven. The particular unit we bought is a micro/quartz convection on top and a full featured convection on the bottom. Below that, we elected to go with a warmer drawer (a separate but matching item). Before that, we had a double oven, both thermal.

Get ready for sticker shock, too. Wall ovens are far from cheap!

[Lefta Dissenter]

2. Thank you husb!

I was hoping you'd reply. I had my dad (non-DUer) read your response (along with your countertop post from the other day), and he truly appreciates your input! :yourock:

[Carla in Ca]

3. My two cents...

When we bought our house in 1979, we remodeled the kitchen and got a Dacor convection/conventional oven. We remodeled again last year and my husband (his choice, he loves to cook!) wanted a new stainless steel unit and we stayed with Dacor.
We looked at ALL the options and decided to stay with them because it had been such a great product. They are family-owned in Diamond Bar, California and we saved about $900.00 by buying directly from them instead of through a dealer.
We didn't use the convection mode often at first but we started using it out of curiosity and man, what a difference! Only quiche is baked using the conventional mode, that's it.
The new Dacor has a minimum heat of 135 degrees (great for yeast breads) and when you start bake, it pre-sets to 350 degrees automatically. It also has a fabulous flame broiler.
Please see it before you make a decision.

[Stinky The Clown]

4. What is the max temperature that oven gets to?

My biggest disappointment was the max temp on the Kitchenaid. Mind you, it isn't a deal breaker to me, but my old oven could get to 550 plus. The Kitchenaid only goes to 450.

We like to make pizzas and the high temp is really necessary. We used to be able to get a pzza done in under 3 mins. Now it is closer to 5 and the crust is a bit less "right".

We use a ceramic pizza deck laid on the wire rack and preheat the oven for at least an hour to get the deck hot. (The deck is over an inch thick and weighs more than 20 pounds, so has a lot of mass.) It heated faster in the old oven.

Other than this one shortcoming, I like my Kitchenaid.

Actually Dacor was on our short list too.

[Carla in Ca]

7. I just did a test and it went to 555 degrees

And it really does get to the desired temp quickly.

[Dora]

5. Look at Consumer Reports

My folks remodeled their kitchen and installed double wall ovens, Dacor brand, and one of the ovens could be used in convection mode or in regular bake mode.

That oven has been nothing but a pain in the arse. There was a problem in the manufacturing, and the dealer they bought it from has been less than helpful, and as well, the three different repairmen have been clueless.

I was just there at Thanksgiving, and can vouch for the fact that three+ years after installation, the top oven couldn't even bake a pie correctly.

I don't know how Dacor holds up in Consumer Reports testing, but when we bought appliances for our home a couple of years ago, we found CR's guidance very helpful and we haven't had any problems with any of our appliances.

[Eurobabe]

6. Thermador ROCKS, but they are gettin' up there $$$$

I bought a six burner, all gas 2 yrs. ago, just sold my house and oven along with it. To replace is $2K more than I paid for it!?! :mad:

I'd get another one in a heartbeat, I have been very satisfied with Thermador. FYI, Kitchen Aid is now owned by GE.