A convection oven is a great way to save counter space and prepare delicious meals without heating up the whole kitchen. Convection ovens usually range from 12″ to 30″, making it difficult to know where to put them, especially if you have a small kitchen. Before buying a convection oven, it’s essential to know where you’re going to put it and how much space it needs.
How Much Space Does A Convection Oven Need?
For safety purposes, ensure the convection oven has at least 12-24″ inches clearance, from cabinets and any other items around it on all sides. Not having enough clearance will be a fire hazard and can cause severe damage.
In this article, we’ll take a look at how much clearance you need, where to put it, even if you have a small kitchen, and how to get the right size model.
Convection ovens are great appliances, but there are many factors to consider before deciding which countertop convection oven to buy. This article will help you understand before you run out and buy a convection oven for your home.
But first, let’s take a look at how the ventilation fan works in a convection oven works.
How Does A Convection Oven Work?
A convection oven circulates air via a fan (similar to an air fryer) inside the oven while it is cooking. The fan pulls air from the rear while distributing it back through the main cooking area in the oven, resulting in more evenly cooked foods.
Hot circulating air is what helps food cook more quickly than a conventional oven. If the unit doesn’t have enough clearance on both sizes, it won’t be able to ventilate properly.
In a traditional oven, the heating elements at the base heat the air and cause it to rise. A convection oven has a fan on the back that runs throughout the cooking process, causing the appliance to become extremely hot during use.
Convection ovens like an oven can cook foods as high as 500°F, meaning they will get extremely hot to the touch.
This is why it’s important to make sure you have enough clearance on all sides during use. In addition, you never want to place anything on top of the convection oven during use.
Why Buy A Countertop Convection Toaster Oven?
Convection ovens have increased in popularity over the years, not just people with small kitchens or who reside in apartments. In fact, these appliances are becoming the norm for households, no matter the size.
The reason being is a convection oven is a versatile electrical appliance that allows you to cook, bake, roast, broil, etc while doing it faster and more energy-efficient than a regular oven.
People who buy one end up using it more often than their regular oven. We rarely use our regular oven in my household because it makes the house too hot, and it’s just easier to use the countertop convection oven.
How Will You Use It?
Before deciding where to put it, you’ll want to determine how often you use it. For example, if you grill, sear, and broil meats on the grill in the summer and only plan on using it in the winter, opt for putting it in a rarely used corner on the countertop.
It keeps your counter space free and organized when not in use. And it provides a specific place for the appliance when you’re ready to use it safely.
Ensure the area has a tiled backsplash to help protect the walls from the oven’s heat over time. If there’s no backsplash, then pull the appliance far enough away from the wall when in use.
You can push it back up against the wall to keep it out of the way when done using it.
That said if you plan on baking bread once a week, then you’ll want to keep it in an area you can use it as is. Otherwise, you’ll get tired of having to pull it out or move every time you use it.
This will likely cause you not to use it all, or use it in an unsafe place, increasing the chances of causing a fire.
Therefore, it’s important to determine how often you’ll be using it and what types of foods you plan on cooking. Some foods can be cooked quickly while cooking a 20-pound turkey can take 2-3 hours too cook.
Where Do You Put A Convection Oven In The Kitchen?
The best places to put your convection toaster oven in the kitchen are; under cabinets, freestanding shelf, counter, or a wall-mounted shelf. Opt for an open area near an electrical outlet that doesn’t have any flammable material behind it.
The table below shows how much clearance is required on all sides for using a convection oven
| Position | Clearance |
| Top | 15 – 40cm |
| Sides | 10cm |
| Rear | 15cm |
Let’s take a closer look at how to place a convection oven in your kitchen and ensure you have enough clearance. Below are some of the most common places people put both their microwaves and convection ovens.
Of course, where you place the appliance will depend on how much counter space you have.
Under Cabinets
Convection ovens range in size, from the smallest being 15 inches wide and the full-size convection ovens being 24-36 inches wide. So if you’re looking for a space-saving convection oven, you may want to consider looking at the model’s size.
Some models are compatible to install or mount under any induction hob, gas cooktop, or beneath your cabinetry. They even come with a mounting hood and all the hardware required for under cabinet installation.
Mounting it under the cabinet looks aesthetically pleasing and is perfect for people looking to save counter space.
Freestanding Island
If you’re lucky enough to have a kitchen with a freestanding island, it’s the perfect place to put the appliance. A freestanding island doesn’t have any cabinets above it, meaning you won’t have to worry about it getting too hot on top.
Placing it on a freestanding shelf or island is not only aesthetically pleasing, but it frees up your countertop leaving you more room to prep your food.
Counter Tops
The countertop is an ideal location for a convection oven, especially if you plan to use it regularly. Choose a location away from the sink, to avoid water damage or accidental electrocution.
Instead, opt for a clean spot on the counter close enough to an electrical outlet, so you won’t need an extension cord. Ensure no other appliances sit too closely, and put it directly on the countertop, not on a mat or towel.
I’ve found that setting it next to the stove is perfect, especially if you have children. After all, they’ve been taught not to play with the stove because it’s dangerous. The convection oven is another dangerous item that they should learn to respect as well.
In addition, if you’ve used the oven without any issues, it likely means the convection oven will not cause any damage. As long as you don’t set it up directly against sheetrock, or wallpaper, you shouldn’t have to worry about damaging the walls.
Wall Mounted Shelf
If you live in a duplex, apartment, or just have a small kitchen consider hanging a wall-mounted shelf above your countertop for the appliance is perfect. It not only frees up your countertop, but it gives you an uncluttered area to put the device.
Ensure you mount the shelves properly because you don’t want them to fall due to the appliance’s weight.
Can You Put A Convection Oven On A Wooden Table?
Your dining room table is a terrible place to put a convection oven. Although, as mentioned above, a convection oven gets really hot when cooking, it’s best to use it on a ceramic, granite, or tile countertop, as wood is flammable.
Although there’s very little chance of a convection oven setting fire to a wooden surface, it’s best to be safe. Your dining room table should only be used for eating, not using appliances.
If you don’t have the proper counter space and use the appliance more than you thought you would, then consider buying or building a kitchen island.
You can even use a folding kitchen counter that can be set up whenever you use the appliance. This can be a hassle but works for people who don’t use it daily.
Can You Put A Convection Oven In A Cabinet?
Putting the convection on a cabinet while you’re not using it is perfectly fine. In fact, many people do this with their microwaves or other bulky items to help keep their kitchen organized and clean.
If you don’t use your convection oven but once a week, you can tuck it inside a cupboard, or pantry. When you’re ready to use it, pull it out of the cabinet and use it on the countertop away from anything flammable.
You never want to use it in a cabinet with the doors closed. It won’t be able to get enough ventilation and can lead to serious injuries or damage.
If you’re remodeling your home or know an electrician, you can ask them to help you mount it in the wall so they can put a plug where it needs to go and ensure it is mounted into the wall and passes all the safety accommodations by code.
Having it mounted by a professional will also ensure you’ll be able to remove the removable tray to clean the crumbs. Plus, it will have enough clearance so the steam and heat won’t cause damage to the wood cabinetry after several uses.
Final Word
Whether you’re looking for a convection oven to replace your traditional microwave or you want one that can fit in tight spaces, it’s possible to put one in any kitchen.
The most important thing is to ensure it has proper ventilation. Where you put it in the kitchen will depend on how much counter space you have and how often you plan on using the appliance.
If you’re still unsure, consult the owner’s manual, as it likely has the manufacturer’s clearance recommendations.