Hey there! Are you that person who recently visited a shop to buy an oven and got stuck between OTG (oven, toaster, griller) and a conventional oven, and now you are not able to discuss which one is the right option for your kitchen? Then don’t worry; this article is for you.
In this deep-dive article on OTG vs oven, you will clear all your confusion about choosing the right one. We will cover the key features, benefits, limitations, and key comparisons from price to the ideal food.
We will also talk about the baking uses of each and how you can use Otg for roasting and some tips for both appliances
What is an OTG?
The OTG (Oven, Toaster, and Griller) is a three-in-one countertop appliance that cooks by using heated coils at the top and bottom, which can usually be seen.
Because it has independent coils, different cooking methods like baking, grilling, toasting, and reheating can be done in an OTG oven.
It is the common choice in small households because of its compact size, which also allows it to heat up rapidly and makes it more energy-efficient for small-scale cooking
Key features
Heating mechanism: For even heat distribution, OTGs use top and bottom heating coils.
Size: They are ideal for small kitchens because they are often light and compact in size.
Temperature control: Accurate control of cooking is possible in it with the help of movable temperature knobs.
Accessories: Basic accessories like baking trays, wire racks, and skewers usually come with OTGs.
Advantages
Cost-effective: Compared to larger ovens, OTGs are cheaper.and suitable for budget-friendly buyers
Energy efficiency: It consumes fewer units of electricity.
Portability: Its light material construction makes it easy to move and store.
Baking-friendly: It is excellent for baking small batches of bread, cakes, and cookies.
Limitations
Limited capacity: It cannot support larger families; best used for small quantities.
Slow-cooking: Compared to modern convection ovens, it takes longer to cook food.
Manual Operation: It requires constant monitoring and adjustment.
What is an Oven?
An oven, also called a built-in oven, is a bigger appliance that is fixed in your kitchen cabinets. It makes use of the heating elements, usually hidden behind panels, and uses convection fans to ensure the even distribution of heat.
These ovens are used to bake, roast, and cook large amounts of food at one time.
It is equipped with more accurate temperature control, allowing for improved heat retention for reliable cooking results.
Key features
Convection technology: The oven uses fans to circulate hot air in order to cook evenly.
Capacity and Size: It is higher than OTGs and suitable for big families and business use.
Advanced Controls: It usually comes with conveniently preprogrammed settings along with digital displays.
Safety Features: It has kid lock and auto shut-off devices.
Advantages
Faster Cooking: Convection technology cuts the cooking time dramatically.
Large Capacity: Suits perfectly for cooking big gatherings.
Precision: Digital controls promise reliable results each time.
Limitations
Expensive: It requires more investment than OTGs.
Power Consumption: It tends to increase the electricity used, thus increasing the bills.
Bulky Design: It requires a lot of cabinate space.
Key Differences: OTG vs Oven
Cost
- OTG: Usually affordable, starting at about ₹10,000 for bigger models of 42 litres
- Oven: Generally costly, starts at about ₹16,000 for smaller convection units, 30 litres.
Capacity
- OTG: Generally has a limited capacity, between 20 and 60 litres, which makes it suitable for small to medium-sized dinners.
- Oven: As it comes in bigger capacities, which usually can go up to 60 litres, it’s ideal for larger dinners or cooking multiple dishes at the same time.
Weight
- OTG: Lightweight and easy to carry along with storing it in small-size kitchens.
- Oven: Heavy due to its large size and the additional pieces, and it could require some special space in your kitchen.
Energy consumption
- OTG: It consumes between 1200-2000 watts per hour, depending upon the size and usage
- Oven: Mostly consumes more electricity due to the fan, which blows out hot air inside and facilitates faster cooking time.
Maintenance
- OTG: Because of its small parts, it is easy to maintain; cleaning involves only washing down surfaces.
- Oven: Because of extra features like fans and motors, it requires more care; cleaning can take longer.
Ideal food
- OTG: Grilling, toasting, and baking are its ideal purposes. It gives crispy finishes to grilled and baked food.
- Oven: Much more versatile; can grill, roast, and bake. Also, its convection features make it suitable for various cooking methods, such as steaming and defrosting, which cannot be done in an OTG oven.
Which is better for baking, OTG or oven?
The choice between OTG and an oven depends on the specific baking needs, taste preferences, and kitchen space of an individual
For home bakers who love traditional baking, such as cakes and cookies, an OTG is a great option because it consumes less power and gives a crispy crust. However, it could require more monitoring and work for perfect results.
While a convection oven is ideal for baking multiple items at once due to its fan-assisted heat circulation, which ensures uniform baking. Even though it consumes more energy and requires more maintenance, it is more versatile, faster, and suitable for bigger meals.
How to use an OTG oven for roasting?
To utilise an OTG oven for roasting, you need to put food in the middle rack and work with the top and bottom heating elements of an OTG oven, which provide direct radiant heat to the food.
As OTG ovens don’t have fans for air circulation, you have to rotate your food while it cooks to ensure even cooking and browning of your food.
Also, you have to pay more attention when roasting food in OTG ovens, as the heating is not uniform as it would be in a convection oven.
Even if the roasting process may take longer than in a convection oven, believe me, with careful observation, you can get good results.
Which one should you choose?
The choice between a convection oven and an OTG depends on your cooking preferences and needs.
An OTG is a great choice if you prefer a more economical option and you mostly bake, broil, or toast smaller amounts of food.
However, if you require versatility for larger dinners, consistency in cooking results, and the ability to roast well with even heat distribution, then a convection oven is more suitable.
Pro tips for an OTG oven
- Preheat your OTG always for ten to fifteen minutes before cooking so that it maintains a constant temperature.
- Use the correct rack position—for uniform heat distribution while roasting, use the middle rack. There is a lower rack for baking and an upper rack for grilling available in an OTG.
- Because the heat distribution of OTGs is not consistent, turn your items halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.
- Use foil to line the bottom tray to catch drips and minimise cleaning efforts
- Keep enough space between objects to allow for proper heat transfer.
- Because OTGs can heat up faster than conventional ovens, be more attentive to the cooking process.
Pro tips for an oven
- Let your oven preheat completely; most ovens take 10 to 20 minutes to reach the correct temperature.
- Built-in thermostats are not always accurate, so use an oven thermometer instead.
- Use the right bakeware, as dark-coloured pans retain heat better than light-coloured ones.
- Be aware that opening the door too often can cause temperature fluctuations of up to 25°F.
- Lower the cooking time by 25% and the recipe temperature by 25°F for convection settings.
- Clean up spills as soon as the oven cools to avoid burnt-on messes.
Put the racks in the middle before preheating for even cooking and the top rack for broiling. - Make use of steel or baking stone for better heat distribution, especially when you are making breads and pizzas.
Conclusion
Both OTG and oven can be used in a modern kitchen, but when choosing between an OTG and an oven, consider your budget, space limitations, and particular cooking requirements.
OTG is an ideal option for small families, beginners, or people with modest space requirements and simple cooking requirements.
An oven is better suited for skilled cooks, big families, or those who entertain a lot and need more space and accurate temperature control.
Remember, the ideal option would fit your taste in food, your lifestyle, the size of your kitchen, and your budget.