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Ever wondered which is best – baking in gas or electric ovens? and what the fuss is all about when it comes to baking in a gas or electric oven? Let’s break this oven debate down a little.
The main difference when it comes to baking in a gas oven or an electric oven is, of course, the heat. That is to say, the type of heat. Of course, both heat sources are different and therefore create a few different results.
First of all, gas ovens provide heat that is moister than in electric ovens. Whilst some people prefer this to bake bread, cakes, or anything that you don’t really want to be too dry, others find it irritable as they would prefer a drier heat for their cookies, biscuits, etc, which they could easily get from an electric oven.
Indeed, the electric oven’s dry heat also has the added bonus of being evenly distributed, making for an even bake! Gas ovens are a little more unpredictable when it comes to heat distribution, making you far more likely to have one end of your cake burnt and the other end completely fine!
Anyone who enjoys baking also knows that precise temperatures are essential and for the most controllable heat, an electric oven would be the preferred choice.
Many people who use gas ovens to bake also find the need to use a thermometer in order to properly set the temperature. This is not a tool that you would need in an electric oven as they are very precise when it comes to setting the temperature.
Do Gas Ovens Bake Faster Than Electric?
No, gas ovens do not bake faster than electric ovens.
Although gas ovens do heat up faster than electric ovens, they do not necessarily bake faster. In fact, due to the heat being quite moist in a gas oven, it can take longer to brown things off or to make them crisp.
A good way of making sure that things cook evenly in a gas oven without having to leave them in too long is to rotate your food. This is something that you would not have to do with an electric oven.
It is usually a wise move to make sure to pre-heat your oven to the right temperature, perhaps during the preparation of your food, so that you can be sure that you don’t have to wait too long in order for it to be hot enough.
What Do Professional Chefs Prefer?
A chef’s preference depends on the chef. Simple as that!
We all have our different tastes and preferences and that applies to professional chefs, too. When I was training to be a chef our college ovens were all gas. In later years when I operated my pub kitchen, again my hob and oven were gas, however, my preference in a professional chef capacity would be to have a gas hob and electric fan oven, yet at home, I prefer an induction hob and fan oven – mainly because of the cleaning operation!
Many restaurants are known to have different types of ovens, both gas and electric. This is because each oven has its qualities and is better suited to different jobs.
Generally speaking, gas ovens are great for cooking meals such as lasagne, pizza, anything that would do well in a moister heat, whereas for things that need to be a bit crisper and/or browner, electric ovens are the favoured option.
Of course, both ovens can complete any task that you set it. Its performance may differ but you will be able to cook all kinds of foods in either. Any wise chef will learn about their tool and learn how to adapt to its various settings in order to accomplish perfection in their food!
Common Problems Baking with Gas Oven Systems
Common Problems Baking with Electric Oven Systems
Even the most modern electric ovens have their issues. First of all, unlike gas ovens, the temperature on an electric oven is not so easily changed.
Although the temperature gauge is quite precise, it does take a long time for the temperature in an electric oven to change. Therefore, should a meal or baking good need a vast temperature change before the end of cooking, an electric oven will do the job, but slowly.
You will need to adapt the extra cooking time as it slowly cools down or heats up. Electric ovens also provide a much drier heat, so if you are planning on attaining a moist cake, bread or other, you will need to learn how to adapt the heat in order to accomplish the right texture for your food. This could mean cooking at a lower temperature for longer.
It’s all a bit of a balancing act – even expert bakers know this! Exclusive Repairs South London have produced a handy video looking at Gas Ovens Vs Electric Ovens The Pros and Cons.
Conclusion
Both gas and electric ovens have their advantages and disadvantages when it comes to baking.
Baking can be a very fun way to pass an afternoon and/or morning, alone or with family, and when completed successfully, can leave us with a real sense of accomplishment. It also makes the house smell great for a bit!
Many of us love baking and naturally want the best tool for the job. When it comes to deciding between a gas or an electric oven though, the decision completely rests upon your personal preferences.
Another thing to take into account is also the budget. Gas ovens tend to be quite a bit more expensive to buy than electric ovens – however, if your house is already equipped with a gas line, it could be cheaper to run a gas oven than to run an electric one!
As always, there are pros and cons all around. Take a look at what’s out there and get baking!
If you would like to find out more about the different types of oven we have written several reviews to help, check out our ovens page where we list and review the various oven types on the market today.