Countertop Oven vs Regular Ovens: A Good Replacement?

Are you trying to figure out whether it’s time to replace your old oven with a countertop model?

You’re not alone! This seems to be a growing trend among thousands of people all over the world. But what exactly makes countertop units so desirable?

While both appliances will ultimately do the same thing – cook your food to your liking, the process through which they achieve this will differ.

In the article below, you’ll learn the main differences between both oven types and the advantages and disadvantages that each one has. Hopefully, by the end of it, you’ll have a clearer perspective of which one suits your needs better.

Read on to bake some answers!

Comparing Countertop vs Regular Ovens

The best way to compare two similar devices is by taking into account the different aspects of owning them. These include how much you’ll be paying for them, how much you’ll be paying to run them, and how feature-packed each one is, as well as many other concepts.

Once we’ve gone through all of them, I’m sure you’ll know for sure whether you actually need to replace your old oven, or should keep it for the years to come.

If you’re short on time and got the answers you wanted from the table above, great! But if you want to go into more depth within each concept and learn all there is to know regarding the differences between regular and countertop ovens, please read on!

Price

Buying a new oven is never cheap. The only inexpensive options for new ovens are those mini cupcake ovens for kids. And let’s face it, even they’re overpriced. Yes, that’s right purchasing a new oven may force you to put this year’s vacation plans on the back burner (again). But, just how much are we talking?

Take a look below.

If your choice is based on budget alone, then you should choose a countertop oven. They are the most inexpensive option, with a starting price of about $50. The features and the design of regular ovens make them more expensive. 

Power Consumption

No one likes to be socked with a hefty electric bill at the end of the month. Are you looking for an energy-efficient oven? Then you may think twice when deciding between a countertop or a regular oven. What is the difference in power consumption between a countertop oven and a regular oven?

Take a look below.

If your choice is based on power consumption alone, then you should choose a countertop oven. Countertop ovens use the least power because they run using convection settings. 

But what is a convection setting? Convection is the way that the oven heats up. A convection oven blows hot air around the oven helping it to cook up to 30% faster. Why does it work? You could compare it to standing outside on a cold day. If it’s 50 degrees out, and it’s a calm day you may go outside with just a sweater on.

But now imagine there’s a strong northern wind blowing. The wind chill will make those 50 degrees feel like they’re heading for the 30s.

The same thing happens in a convection oven. The hot air blows around the food helping it to cook faster at the same temperature as a traditional oven. The hot air blowing around makes the oven feel hotter than it actually is, and it retains its heat better.

All this leads to a reduction in the power usage of a countertop oven as it cooks food faster.

Convenience

Now I’m sure you’ll agree with me when I say that some kitchen appliances are an eyesore.

They’re big and bulky and take up far too much room on your kitchen countertop. So what can be said about a countertop oven and a regular oven? Take a look below.

If you have limited countertop space, then you should choose a regular oven. Regular ovens have been made to fit into the interior design of your kitchen. Although they are bigger, every kitchen is designed with an oven slot. So your oven will not be without a home. 

Most countertop ovens are pretty much the same size. The difference between most of them is in the height of the unit. Are you planning to fit your countertop oven in the space between your work surface and kitchen cupboards? Then make sure you measure that space before buying your countertop oven so that you know it will fit.

Features

What do you want to cook in your oven? What you plan to use it for will help you decide whether you should go for a countertop oven or a traditional oven. Take a look at the difference between the two below. 

If you are looking for an oven with many cooking features, then you should choose a countertop oven. Countertop ovens come with a larger range of features than traditional ovens. These features help you to cook a wide range of meals with just one appliance. Some countertop ovens even come with a meat probe which is great for cooking large cuts of meat.

Specialty

Some ovens are made with certain dishes in mind. They simply excel when doing specific jobs. So, what can be said about countertop and regular ovens? Take a look below. 

If you are looking for an oven that will be mainly used for baking, you should choose a regular oven. Why? Convection ovens are great at browning and cooking things faster. But, if you want to cook a cake that needs to rise slowly, a convection oven will not be effective. It may brown the outside of the cake quickly while leaving the inside uncooked.

Can a Countertop Oven Replace a Regular Oven?

If you are looking to kit out a new kitchen then you might decide to ditch the built-in oven and opt for a countertop oven. But, is a countertop oven a good replacement for a regular oven? Yes, it is, and for so many reasons! Take a look at just some of them below:

• Countertop ovens cook quickly. Thanks to their convection oven setting, they could cook your meal faster than a regular oven!
• Countertop ovens come with plenty of features. These include: 
  • Baking settings
  • Broiling settings
  • Keep warm settings
• Countertop ovens come with lots of classy extras. These include:
  • Meat temperature probes
  • Grill racks
  • Baking dishes
  • Cooking utensils

Conclusion

Choosing between a countertop oven and a regular oven can be a tricky decision. Between pricing, space-saving, and features, there’s so much to consider. I’m sure this article has helped you to decide which oven will be the best fit for you and your family

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Have a great day!

-Craig