What happens to the air in a convection oven?

In a convection oven, the air is forced to circulate due to the presence of a fan and an exhaust system. This circulation is essential as it allows for even heat distribution throughout the oven, which leads to more consistent cooking results. The moving air helps eliminate hot and cold spots, enabling food to cook more uniformly compared to traditional ovens, where heat relies mainly on still air rising and falling around the food. The forced circulation not only improves cooking efficiency but can also reduce cooking times and help achieve a more desirable texture, such as crisping on the outside of various dishes.