Person selecting the air fry button on a range

6 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN AIR FRYERS AND CONVECTION OVENS

Understanding the differences between air fryers and convection ovens can help you choose the right appliance for your favorite meals. Use this guide to discover the key differences when considering an air fryer vs convection oven and determine the right option for you.

WHAT IS AN AIR FRY OVEN?

An air fry oven is a convection oven with an air fry feature that helps give your food a crispy texture as if it was fried. The convection fans circulate hot air around the food to achieve golden brown results.

Select Maytag® ranges are equipped with an Air Fry feature that circulates hot air around food to crisp it up for delicious results at the touch of a button.

AIR FRYERS VS. CONVECTION OVENS

Choosing the right appliance can make all the difference when you want to prepare a quick and easy meal. Read on below to discover the six key differences between convection ovens and air fryers and how these appliances work.

Maytag® range set in cabinetry

1. SIZE

Although convection ovens work similar to air fryers, they are typically larger in size and capacity, offering more space to cook multiple meals at once. The standard size for most convection ovens is about 30 inches wide, 36 inches tall and 25–27 inches deep. Air fryers are more suited for making meals in smaller portions since they are much smaller countertop appliances.

Person removing food from an oven

2. VERSATILITY AND SETTINGS

Convection ovens have the capability to cook different types of meals and will typically have more settings than a countertop air fryer. The different cook settings on a convection oven often include baking, broiling, roasting and more. 


Air fryers are best suited for smaller portions, but you can still make a wide variety of foods. Air fryers are great for making your fried favorites, including fried chicken, french fries, crispy vegetables and baked potatoes. Refer to your user manual to learn more about the features of your air fryer.

Person selecting a button on a range

3. PREHEAT TIME

The preheat time for air fryers is usually shorter than a convection oven, likely due to their smaller size. 

Oven timer and clock

4. COOK AND BAKE TIME

Though the cook and bake time of air fryers and convection ovens don’t differ too greatly, convection ovens may have slightly longer bake times due to their larger size.

Food cooking in an oven in an air fry basket

5. TEMPERATURE

Convection ovens and air fryers cook at around the same temperature. Both appliances bake with temperatures that are about 20–25 degrees lower than a traditional oven. 

Person cleaning an oven

6. MAINTENANCE

Both convection ovens and air fryers require consistent maintenance, but air fryers may require more regular cleaning. A convection oven should be cleaned every three months depending on how often it’s used, while an air fryer should be cleaned after every use to avoid buildup from food residue. Refer to your user manual for model-specific instructions for cleaning your appliances. 

The Maytag® Air Fry feature on select ranges makes air frying food a piece of cake. The feature circulates hot air around the food, giving it a crispy exterior and tender interior.

SHOP MAYTAG® AIR FRY RANGES

IS A CONVECTION OVEN THE SAME AS AN AIR FRYER?

Although they have many similarities, a convection oven is not the same as an air fryer. The main differences between an air fryer and a convection oven are the size, capacity and cooking results.

AIR FRYER COMPARED TO CONVECTION OVEN: WHICH IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

Choosing between an air fryer and a convection oven depends on what you need. A convection oven with air fry capabilities can be the best of both worlds, offering you the ability to bake, roast or air fry your favorite foods. In addition, if you are cooking multiple dishes for a larger group of people, a convection oven may be the better choice, as it can cook more food at one time than a countertop air fryer.

EXPLORE MAYTAG® RANGES

Maytag® ranges are engineered to deliver consistent cooking results to help save you time. Select Maytag® ranges come with features like Power Preheat, which minimizes time spent prepping your food, and a Power™ Burner that produces extra high heat, allowing for a shorter cook time.

Learn more about ranges and ovens with Maytag BRAND

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