What Pans Can You Use in Convection Microwave – Ultimate Guide

 

The type of cookware you choose to use in your convection microwave oven can make a big difference in how well your food cooks, and whether it cooks evenly.

Different pieces of cookware will cook at different rates, depending on how much surface area is exposed to the heat. To ensure even cooking in a convection microwave or oven, look for pots and pans with low rims or no rim at all. This allows the hot airflow to reach every part of your food.

Cookware made from glass and ceramic are ideally suited for use in microwave-convection ovens. Cookware like roasting pans, baking sheets, and casserole pans can all be used successfully in your microwave-convection oven, as long as they’re crafted from glass or ceramic materials. You should avoid dark-colored or metal cookware, as this type of material will reflect the microwave energy back into the oven’s cavity, which can lead to damage.

What Kind of Pans to Use in Convection Oven

Many convection microwave ovens include vents and air inlets that will only work properly with flat-bottomed cookware. If you’re concerned about precise temperature control, glass lids are typically more accurate than metal lids.

That’s why a shallow, rimless pan is ideal for baking in a convection microwave or oven. The typical baking dish, with its high edge and rim, does not work well because it interrupts the flow of hot air. A cake that’s partially cooked on the top can leave the center uncooked and cause the entire dessert to dry out instead of remaining moist. Baking pans with lower edges are much more effective for cooking in a convection oven.

How Does a Convection Microwave Work?      

The convection microwave uses a fan to create a current of hot air that moves through the oven, which is ideal for cooking food that cooks quickly, like meat, fish, and poultry. The fan circulates the hot air around your food, cooking it evenly and quickly.

This type of cooking is especially beneficial when cooking a variety of foods, such as chicken pot pie or casserole. When using a convection microwave, you don’t have to monitor your food or wait for it to cook. Instead, you can walk away from the oven, knowing your food is done cooking.

What Can You Cook in a Convection Microwave

If you’re a beginner, you’ll be surprised by how many foods you can cook in a convection microwave oven. It’s a versatile cooking tool that can be used for just about anything you’d cook in a regular microwave oven.

You can cook a wide variety of foods in a convection microwave oven, from fish to pizza to steaks. To get the most out of your convection microwave, make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions when cooking in the oven.

A convection microwave can also be used to cook dough, bread, and other baked goods. You can use your convection microwave oven to cook oatmeal, macaroni and cheese, and other foods that can’t be cooked in a conventional microwave oven.

Read more: What are the Convection microwave oven uses 

Types of Pans to Use in Convection Microwave Oven

There are baking pans made especially for convection cooking. They can be either foil or metal and are typically shallow with low rims. These pans allow the oven to circulate heat more easily, which leads to an even bake.

Round cake pans are also a popular piece of bakeware for convection ovens. If you’re looking to make a sheet cake, however, glass or metal baking sheets with low edges work best because they accommodate the airflow. Loaf pans and ramekins that come in different shapes and sizes are also highly versatile.

Baking sheets and pots and pans with high edges are better suited for regular microwave ovens, which rely mainly on direct heat. If you plan to prepare a variety of foods using different types of cookware, be sure your convection microwave has the capacity to handle all these options.

Cookware with a flat bottom is also crucial for even heating. Round or oval shapes are the best because they allow the fan to circulate the heat into every corner of the pan without stirring the food. Other than that, any material that absorbs and conducts heat well will do.

Important Considerations While Choosing the Pans for Convection Microwave Oven

It is important for you to make sure the dish or pan you use in the microwave is appropriate. There are some materials that work well, such as glass and porcelain, and stainless steel. These materials are not likely to retain heat or cause splattering. The pans used for microwaving are generally lightweight so the microwaves can pass through the food evenly to cook it. You should avoid using kitchen utensils made of plastic, rubber or coated with plastic.

Choosing the best pots and pans for a convection microwave brings several considerations to mind.

1. First, make sure the cookware material is microwave-safe. If you’re looking for bakeware, look for pans with low or no rims to allow the hot air to flow through and heat evenly on all sides of your food.

2. Ease of cleaning is another important factor. The cookware for a convection microwave should be easy to clean, or at the very least easy to clean by hand with soap and water. There’s no need to buy a high-end nonstick pan if you don’t plan on using it often; simple stainless steel will do the trick just as well.

3. The size of pan you need depends on the food that will be cooked in it. A casserole dish is best for making roasts, while a larger stockpot works better with soups, stews, and boiling liquids. If you’re baking a cake or other dessert in the convection microwave oven, look for a low-rimmed pan with a flat bottom.

4. A good nonstick surface is valuable in the kitchen, where food tends to stick and remain stubbornly stuck. In a convection microwave or oven, however, nonstick spray can leave an unpleasant smell behind in your baked goods, so even cooking surfaces are preferable. A smooth surface also allows heat to spread evenly and gives you a firm grip on the pot or pan.

5. Also, despite the name, nonstick pans are not always actually non-stick; some amount of food will still stick to them. While food won’t necessarily burn as easily on a well-seasoned cast iron skillet or other cookware with a dark surface, the seasoning should be kept up if you want to get the most use out of your pans.

6. Some consumers prefer stainless steel cookware because it’s durable and doesn’t have any coatings or paints that can wear off, but they are more difficult to clean. As long as food scraps don’t get trapped under a non-stick coating, it can be a great choice if you want cookware that will last for decades.

7. Many new products have come onto the market since these points were published, and consumers should check reviews online before making a large purchase of cookware. Because convection microwave ovens are more prevalent with gas ranges, many new pans are designed to work well in both types of ovens.

8. Antique and retro designs are also becoming increasingly popular, so it’s important to keep an eye on your personal style preferences when shopping for new convection oven cookware.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you put metal in a convection microwave oven?

You can use metal in microwave convection ovens but it will be very hot. Before touching the metal, you should allow it to cool down for a few minutes.

Related: Can You Put Aluminum Foil in a Convection Microwave 

Can I use metal pans in my microwave convection oven?

Yes, you can use a metal pan in a microwave to heat food. However, extreme care should be taken with any cooking equipment as careless handling could lead to injuries or damage caused by hot objects coming into contact with flammable items. You should never try to warm an empty dish or metal pan in the microwave as this could cause it to overheat and catch fire.

Can you use cast iron in a convection microwave oven?

You can heat up food that is stored in cast iron containers in a convection microwave, but the extreme heat generated by these appliances could lead to damage being caused to your cookware if not handled with care.

You should make sure that the cast iron in convection microwave does not come into direct contact with food that is being heated in the microwave, as hot steam could cause it to rust.

Can you put a glass bowl in the microwave?

You can heat food stored in glass bowls or dishes with a microwave. However, you should avoid placing glassware directly on a microwave plate as it could crack and cause injuries. You should also never try to warm an empty dish or metal pan in the microwave as this could cause it to overheat and catch fire.

Can I use stainless steel metal in a hot oven?

You can use any type of metal, including stainless steel cookware, in a convection microwave. However, you should never try to warm an empty dish or metal pan in the microwave as this could cause it to overheat and catch fire.

Related: Can We Use Steel Utensils in Microwave Convection

Final Words

A convection oven also adds an extra cooking feature that allows you to bake, broil and roast food. You’ll need the right cookware for this purpose. The best cookware you can use is completely heatproof. It should also have a high-quality nonstick surface that can perform well not only in a regular oven but also when used under extreme convection temperatures.

Stainless steel is one of the most commonly used materials for cookware in general. It’s very durable and sturdy so it withstands rough use in the kitchen. With all metal pans, you should remember to check if they’re compatible with the cooker you have.

Read More:

How to choose the best cookware for convection microwave oven 

Can You Put Aluminum Foil in a Convection Microwave

Can You Bake In a Convection Microwave?