There are many types of ovens available today including convection ovens, toaster ovens, microwave ovens, and more. One of the less commonly known is the infrared oven.
In this article, we’ll review what an infrared oven is, how it works, and how it compares to a convection oven.
What is an Infrared Oven?
An infrared oven is a kitchen appliance that can be used for cooking and baking, similar to a convection oven or toaster oven. It uses a different method of heating the food, called infrared radiation. Instead of heating the air inside the oven, infrared ovens heat the food itself.
How Does an Infrared Oven Work?
With an infrared oven, heat is created by energy waves. These waves of energy are directed to the food inside the oven. Instead of heating the air around the food, the infrared oven uses reflectors to direct the energy to the food itself.
Some infrared ovens have zones, each with its own infrared light. By controlling different zones inside the oven, you can cook multiple foods at once and have them all ready at the same time.
Is an Infrared Oven Safe & Healthy?
Infrared ovens make food that is healthy and safe to eat. The infrared radiation used by these ovens can create very high temperatures, so it is important to use caution when operating the oven, especially when removing food from the inside.
There are shields and reflectors inside the oven that direct the infrared light to the food and also protect the consumer. Due to the intensity, it is recommended that people do not spend a lot of time looking at the light or standing directly in front of the oven.
Convection Oven vs Infrared Oven
The main difference between a convection oven and an infrared oven is how the food is heated. Convection ovens heat the air around the food, circulating it with a fan–this air then heats the food. With an infrared oven, the energy goes directly to the food instead of the air around it.
Infrared ovens tend to be more energy-efficient than convection ovens. They are designed to heat up very quickly and cook food fast, reducing the amount of time that the oven is using energy.
Since infrared ovens tend to be smaller in size than convection ovens, this also helps with their energy efficiency. Their small size makes them ideal for kitchens that are lacking in space. Infrared ovens are also quieter than convection ovens since they do not use a fan.
When it comes to price, convection ovens and infrared ovens can be within the same range. Although infrared ovens are smaller, they are quite powerful and not yet as common as the convection oven. This means their price tag is generally similar to a larger convection oven.
It’s High-Tech Cooking Time!
If you’re interested in trying a new way of cooking, an infrared oven could be a good choice. These multipurpose appliances can be great for preparing entire meals in a short period of time.
