Convection vs. Grill — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 20, 2023
Convection is a method of cooking that circulates hot air around food to cook it evenly. Grill refers to cooking food on a grill, usually over an open flame, to achieve a charred texture.
Difference Between Convection and Grill
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Convection and Grill are both cooking methods but achieve different results. Convection involves the circulation of hot air around the food, often with the use of a fan in ovens. This method provides an even and efficient cooking process. Grill, on the other hand, refers to cooking food on a grill grate, often over an open flame, which produces a different texture, usually a sear or char on the surface.
In terms of cooking equipment, Convection ovens are specially designed to circulate air, while grills are open structures often fueled by charcoal, gas, or electricity. When using Convection, the food typically doesn't have to be flipped, thanks to the even distribution of heat. Grilling, however, usually requires the food to be flipped for even cooking and to achieve grill marks.
When discussing Convection and Grill, it's important to mention the type of foods that are best suited for each method. Convection is great for baked goods, roasts, and dishes that benefit from even cooking. Grill is often the go-to for meats, vegetables, and foods that are enhanced by a smoky flavor and crisp exterior.
From a health perspective, Convection cooking usually involves less fat since it doesn't require additional oils to conduct heat. Grill cooking can be healthier if the fats from the food can drip away, but the charred portions might contain harmful compounds. Both methods have their merits and drawbacks, depending on what you are aiming to cook.
Comparison Chart
Cooking Mechanism
Circulates hot air
Uses open flame or heat source
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Equipment
Convection Oven
Grill grate and heat source
Food Movement
Usually static
Often flipped
Ideal Foods
Baked goods, roasts
Meats, vegetables
Health Considerations
Less fat, even cooking
Can be fatty, charred exterior
Compare with Definitions
Convection
The transfer of heat through a fluid or air.
Convection currents are responsible for wind patterns.
Grill
A cooking device featuring a grate for grilling.
The grill is heated by charcoal.
Convection
The process of heat moving in a circular motion.
The Earth's mantle experiences convection.
Grill
To question or interrogate intensely.
The detective will grill the suspect.
Convection
A cooking method that circulates hot air for even cooking.
Convection ovens make baking more efficient.
Grill
To broil on a gridiron.
Convection
Convection is single or multiphase fluid flow that occurs spontaneously due to the combined effects of material property heterogeneity and body forces on a fluid, most commonly density and gravity (see buoyancy). When the cause of the convection is unspecified, convection due to the effects of thermal expansion and buoyancy can be assumed.
Grill
To torture or afflict as if by broiling.
Convection
The act or process of conveying; transmission.
Grill
(Informal) To question relentlessly; cross-examine.
Convection
Heat transfer in a gas or liquid by the circulation of currents from one region to another.
Grill
To mark or emboss with a gridiron.
Convection
Fluid motion caused by an external force such as gravity.
Grill
A cooking surface of parallel metal bars; a gridiron.
Convection
(Meteorology)The transfer of heat or other atmospheric properties by massive motion within the atmosphere, especially by such motion directed upward.
Grill
Food cooked by broiling or grilling.
Convection
(obsolete) The process of conveying something.
Grill
An informal restaurant or a room in a restaurant where grilled foods are served. Also called grillroom.
Convection
(physics) The transmission of heat in a fluid by the circulation of currents.
Grill
A series of marks grilled or embossed on a surface.
Convection
(meteorology) The vertical movement of heat and moisture, especially by updrafts and downdrafts in an unstable air mass. The terms convection and thunderstorm are often used interchangeably, although thunderstorms are only one form of convection. Towering cumulus clouds are visible forms of convection.
Grill
Variant of grille.
Convection
The act or process of conveying or transmitting.
Grill
A grating; a grid of wire or a sheet of material with a pattern of holes or slots, usually used to protect something while allowing the passage of air and liquids. Typical uses: to allow air through a fan while preventing fingers or objects from passing; to allow people to talk to somebody, while preventing attack.
Convection
A process of transfer or transmission, as of heat or electricity, by means of currents in liquids or gases, resulting from changes of temperature and other causes.
Liquids are generally heated by convection - when heat is applied from below.
Grill
The criss-cross pieces that separate panes of glass in a window.
Convection
The transfer of heat through a fluid (liquid or gas) caused by molecular motion
Grill
On a vehicle, a slotted cover as above, to protect and hide the radiator, while admitting air to cool it.
Convection
(meteorology) the vertical movement of heat or other properties by massive motion within the atmosphere
Grill
(UK) A cooking device comprising a source of radiative heat and a means of holding food under it; a broiler in US English
Convection
A fan-assisted oven that speeds up cooking.
With Convection, my turkey was done in half the time.
Grill
(US) A cooking device comprising a source of radiative and convective heat and a means of holding food above it; a barbecue.
I put some peppers and mushrooms on the grill to go with dinner.
Convection
Movement within fluids caused by temperature difference.
Convection is a common heat transfer method in engineering.
Grill
Food (designed to be) cooked on a grill.
A packet of frozen cauliflower cheese grills
Grill
A grillroom; a restaurant serving grilled food.
These coupons will get you a discount at Johnny's Bar and Grill.
Grill
(colloquial) A type of jewelry worn on the front teeth.
Grill
The front teeth regarded collectively.
Grill
(obsolete) Harm.
Grill
(transitive) To cook (food) on a grill; to barbecue.
Why don't we get together Saturday and grill some burgers?
Grill
To cook food under the element of a stove or only under the top element of an oven – (US) broil, (cooking) salamander.
Grill
To interrogate; to question aggressively or harshly.
The police grilled him about his movements at the time of the crime.
Grill
To feel very hot; to swelter.
Grill
(transitive) To stamp or mark with a grill.
Grill
To make angry; provoke; offend, incite.
Grill
To terrify; make tremble.
Grill
To tremble; shiver.
Grill
To snarl; snap.
Grill
(obsolete) Harsh, rough, severe; cruel.
Grill
A gridiron.
[They] make grills of [wood] to broil their meat.
Grill
That which is broiled on a gridiron, as meat, fish, etc.
Grill
A figure of crossed bars with interstices, such as those sometimes impressed upon postage stamps.
Grill
A grillroom.
Grill
To broil on a grill or gridiron.
Boiling of men in caldrons, grilling them on gridirons.
Grill
To torment, as if by broiling.
Grill
To stamp or mark with a grill.
Grill
To undergo the process of being grilled, or broiled; to broil.
He had grilled in the heat, sweated in the rains.
Grill
A restaurant where food is cooked on a grill
Grill
A framework of metal bars used as a partition or a grate;
He cooked hamburgers on the grill
Grill
Cook over a grill;
Grill the sausages
Grill
To cook food on a grill over an open flame.
We grill burgers every summer.
Grill
The process of searing food over high heat.
Grill the steaks to perfection.
Grill
An appliance with a heating element used for indoor grilling.
The electric grill is perfect for apartments.
Common Curiosities
Can Grill cooking be done indoors?
Yes, using electric or stovetop grills.
Is Convection used for baking?
Yes, it's often used for baking and roasting.
What is Convection?
Convection is a cooking method that circulates hot air around food.
What is Grill?
Grill refers to cooking food over an open flame or heat source.
Is Convection a faster method of cooking?
Generally, yes, Convection can speed up cooking times.
Do all ovens have a Convection feature?
No, only those labeled as Convection ovens.
Is Convection used in weather systems?
Yes, in the form of Convection currents in the atmosphere.
Is Convection cooking healthier?
It can be, as it often requires less added fat.
Is Grill good for meat?
Yes, grilling is ideal for cooking various meats.
Do you need charcoal for Grill cooking?
Not always; electric and gas grills are also common.
Does Grill impart a smoky flavor?
Usually, especially when using charcoal or wood.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
