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

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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.

Sep 20, 2023

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.

Sep 20, 2023

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.

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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.

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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

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Food Movement

Usually static

Often flipped

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Ideal Foods

Baked goods, roasts

Meats, vegetables

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Health Considerations

Less fat, even cooking

Can be fatty, charred exterior

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Compare with Definitions

Convection

The transfer of heat through a fluid or air.

Convection currents are responsible for wind patterns.

Sep 20, 2023

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Grill

A cooking device featuring a grate for grilling.

The grill is heated by charcoal.

Sep 20, 2023

Convection

The process of heat moving in a circular motion.

The Earth's mantle experiences convection.

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Grill

To question or interrogate intensely.

The detective will grill the suspect.

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Convection

A cooking method that circulates hot air for even cooking.

Convection ovens make baking more efficient.

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Grill

To broil on a gridiron.

Sep 19, 2021

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.

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Grill

To torture or afflict as if by broiling.

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Convection

The act or process of conveying; transmission.

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Grill

(Informal) To question relentlessly; cross-examine.

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Convection

Heat transfer in a gas or liquid by the circulation of currents from one region to another.

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Grill

To mark or emboss with a gridiron.

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Convection

Fluid motion caused by an external force such as gravity.

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Grill

A cooking surface of parallel metal bars; a gridiron.

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Convection

(Meteorology)The transfer of heat or other atmospheric properties by massive motion within the atmosphere, especially by such motion directed upward.

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Grill

Food cooked by broiling or grilling.

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Convection

(obsolete) The process of conveying something.

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Grill

An informal restaurant or a room in a restaurant where grilled foods are served. Also called grillroom.

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Convection

(physics) The transmission of heat in a fluid by the circulation of currents.

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Grill

A series of marks grilled or embossed on a surface.

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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.

Sep 19, 2021

Grill

Variant of grille.

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Convection

The act or process of conveying or transmitting.

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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.

Sep 19, 2021

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.

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Grill

The criss-cross pieces that separate panes of glass in a window.

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Convection

The transfer of heat through a fluid (liquid or gas) caused by molecular motion

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Grill

On a vehicle, a slotted cover as above, to protect and hide the radiator, while admitting air to cool it.

Sep 19, 2021

Convection

(meteorology) the vertical movement of heat or other properties by massive motion within the atmosphere

Sep 19, 2021

Grill

(UK) A cooking device comprising a source of radiative heat and a means of holding food under it; a broiler in US English

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Convection

A fan-assisted oven that speeds up cooking.

With Convection, my turkey was done in half the time.

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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.

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Convection

Movement within fluids caused by temperature difference.

Convection is a common heat transfer method in engineering.

Sep 20, 2023

Grill

Food (designed to be) cooked on a grill.

A packet of frozen cauliflower cheese grills

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Grill

A grillroom; a restaurant serving grilled food.

These coupons will get you a discount at Johnny's Bar and Grill.

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Grill

(colloquial) A type of jewelry worn on the front teeth.

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Grill

The front teeth regarded collectively.

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Grill

(obsolete) Harm.

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Grill

(transitive) To cook (food) on a grill; to barbecue.

Why don't we get together Saturday and grill some burgers?

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Grill

To cook food under the element of a stove or only under the top element of an oven – (US) broil, (cooking) salamander.

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Grill

To interrogate; to question aggressively or harshly.

The police grilled him about his movements at the time of the crime.

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Grill

To feel very hot; to swelter.

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Grill

(transitive) To stamp or mark with a grill.

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Grill

To make angry; provoke; offend, incite.

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Grill

To terrify; make tremble.

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Grill

To tremble; shiver.

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Grill

To snarl; snap.

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Grill

(obsolete) Harsh, rough, severe; cruel.

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Grill

A gridiron.

[They] make grills of [wood] to broil their meat.

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Grill

That which is broiled on a gridiron, as meat, fish, etc.

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Grill

A figure of crossed bars with interstices, such as those sometimes impressed upon postage stamps.

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Grill

A grillroom.

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Grill

To broil on a grill or gridiron.

Boiling of men in caldrons, grilling them on gridirons.

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Grill

To torment, as if by broiling.

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Grill

To stamp or mark with a grill.

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Grill

To undergo the process of being grilled, or broiled; to broil.

He had grilled in the heat, sweated in the rains.

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Grill

A restaurant where food is cooked on a grill

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Grill

A framework of metal bars used as a partition or a grate;

He cooked hamburgers on the grill

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Grill

Cook over a grill;

Grill the sausages

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Grill

To cook food on a grill over an open flame.

We grill burgers every summer.

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Grill

The process of searing food over high heat.

Grill the steaks to perfection.

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Grill

An appliance with a heating element used for indoor grilling.

The electric grill is perfect for apartments.

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Common Curiosities

Can Grill cooking be done indoors?

Yes, using electric or stovetop grills.

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Is Convection used for baking?

Yes, it's often used for baking and roasting.

Sep 20, 2023

What is Convection?

Convection is a cooking method that circulates hot air around food.

Sep 20, 2023

What is Grill?

Grill refers to cooking food over an open flame or heat source.

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Is Convection a faster method of cooking?

Generally, yes, Convection can speed up cooking times.

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Do all ovens have a Convection feature?

No, only those labeled as Convection ovens.

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Is Convection used in weather systems?

Yes, in the form of Convection currents in the atmosphere.

Sep 20, 2023

Is Convection cooking healthier?

It can be, as it often requires less added fat.

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Is Grill good for meat?

Yes, grilling is ideal for cooking various meats.

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Do you need charcoal for Grill cooking?

Not always; electric and gas grills are also common.

Sep 20, 2023

Does Grill impart a smoky flavor?

Usually, especially when using charcoal or wood.

Sep 20, 2023

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Written by

Tayyaba 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.