Microwave vs. convection oven: what’s the difference?

Every household relies on microwaves and ovens to get meals on the table. These cooking appliances perform a range of culinary functions and while they have similar uses and settings, their differences can affect how a meal looks and tastes.

This guide compares microwaves vs. convection ovens, exploring the advantages of each to decide which appliance is right for your cooking needs.

Microwave vs. convection oven: what’s the difference?

Microwaves employ electromagnetic waves to quickly heat or reheat food. They are generally more energy-efficient for cooking small portions.

Ovens differ as they cook food with radiant heat via gas or electric heating elements in the oven cavity. A true convection oven features a third heating element, which combines with a fan for faster cooking times, crisping and browning compared to a conventional oven. 

Ovens have greater capacities and offer more versatility than microwaves, allowing you to cook a more diverse range of dishes. The downside is that they are more expensive than microwaves and take longer to cook food even without factoring in preheating.

The choice between a microwave and an oven should be based on your budget and cooking needs and techniques.

What is a microwave?

A microwave is a cooking appliance that was a true innovation upon its release. It achieves quick cooking, defrosting or heating by using electromagnetic waves at a high frequency. 

These electromagnetic waves, known as microwaves, penetrate the food, vibrating the water molecules to generate heat. 

Microwaves rose in popularity due to their convenience, efficiency and practicality for everyday use. They can quickly defrost frozen items, cook food in minutes and reheat leftovers with a push of a button. They’re ideal for making a bucket of popcorn for movie night or cooking simple meals when you’re in a rush.

From countertop models to built-in options, microwaves are available in a range of sizes and styles. Certain models come with additional features such as steam or grill functions. Ultimately, microwaves are versatile and can heat and cook food fast and with little preparation.

What food can you cook with a microwave?

A microwave is adept at cooking various foods, from reheating leftovers like meatloaf to steaming vegetables like broccoli or making popcorn. 

Certain microwaves have advanced features, like a convection cooking setting. Convection microwaves can cook simple meals like scrambled eggs and baked potatoes but are up to the task of more advanced recipes such as pastries and crispy chicken breasts. Whether you’re too busy to prepare multi-course meals or are a home cook looking for more kitchen efficiency, a convection microwave can be your saviour and is a must-add to your culinary tool repertoire.

What are the benefits of microwave cooking?

There are several benefits that microwaves have over other cooking methods.

• They're convenient

• They typically offer an array of functions (pre-heating, defrosting, boiling, steaming and simmering) 

• They're easy to use

• They can cook food faster than a convection oven

• They are often the more affordable option

• They take up less space in the kitchen than traditional ovens

• They are more energy efficient than convection ovens, using electromagnetic waves to directly heat food instead of heating an entire compartment.

What is a convection oven?

A true convection oven can cook many items faster than a conventional oven by utilizing a third heating element and a fan that circulates hot air throughout the oven cavity. 

Blowing hot air around the food helps seal in moisture, which results in a crispy exterior. Convection ovens are great for broiling, roasting and baking and you can choose between electric and gas models.

What food can you cook with a convection oven?

A convection oven lets you cook meat, vegetables, baked goods, casseroles and more. Heat is evenly distributed, allowing for faster cooking times and making it ideal for roasting meats or vegetables, baking quick bread and browning cheese on pizza and pasta dishes. Do not use convection settings for liquid mixtures, recipes with yeast and delicate items.

What food can you cook with a convection oven?

Convection ovens offer a slew of benefits.

• Faster and more even cooking across racks 

• They are versatile

• They can typically be used for more cooking methods than traditional ovens.

• They can produce crispy food.

Convection ovens are often bigger than their microwave counterparts and able to accommodate larger cookware and baking trays and cook multiple dishes at once.

Can a microwave be used as an oven?

Conventional microwaves can provide many of the same functions as an oven, such as cooking, thawing and heating. Still, it is not a suitable replacement for a traditional oven. 

Traditional microwaves use electromagnetic waves whereas ovens generate heat from elements and offer more capacity to cook multiple dishes at once. 

Ultimately, the drawback of microwaves is that they can’t crisp or brown food like an oven. Certain microwaves, like these Whirlpool brand models, offer convection cooking, which cooks similar to a convection oven. Convection microwaves allow you to roast, broil and bake on top of their traditional functions like defrosting and reheating.

Discover Whirlpool^® microwaves and convection ovens

Whirlpool brand offers a suite of high-quality microwaves and ovens that help make cooking more efficient and effective. Select Whirlpool brand microwaves come with advanced features like convection cooking and steam cooking, while others have advanced temperature control and even baking to elevate meal time.