Microwave oven with radiant energy heating element

A method of cooking, comprising:

• providing a cooking cavity defined by one or more cavity walls and configured to receive food to be heated;
• operating, in a first phase, a first heating element positioned in the cooking cavity to emit infrared radiation and visible light;
• operating, in the first phase, a second heating element to emit infrared radiation and no visible light while the first heating element is emitting infrared radiation and visible light;
• and
• operating, in a second phase, the first heating element to stop emitting visible light and the second heating element to emit infrared radiation and visible light such that the second heating element begins emitting visible light when the first heating element stops emitting visible light.

An oven, comprising:

• a cooking cavity defined by one or more cavity walls configured to receive food to be heated;
• a radiant energy heating element positioned in the cooking cavity, the heating element including a resistance element extending between first and second ends, the resistance element including a circuit configured to emit infrared radiation in response to an electrical current in the resistance element;
• and
• a convection element including a fan and duct to move air into the cooking cavity, the duct having one or more ports positioned adjacent the heating element and configured to output moving air that is directed at and impacts the heating element.