Knowing how your oven operates can make all the difference when it comes to cooking for the first time in a new, or new to you, oven. While people who have purchased their oven themselves know the difference, others who have inherited their oven often wonder how to determine whether their oven is gas or electric.
The best way to tell if your oven is gas or electric is to look inside when it is turned to the “on” position. This is because a gas oven produces an open flame and an electric oven is heated using coils that turn red when hot.
Becoming familiar with the type of oven you have can save you a lot of time when you are attempting to prepare a meal. Keep reading to discover the difference between gas and electric ovens and some pros and cons of each.
What is the Difference Between a Gas Oven and an Electric Oven?
The most common difference that people mention between a gas and an electric oven is the way heat is distributed and the type of heat produced by each. The heat in a gas oven can be unpredictable and can produce moisture since it uses an open flame, whereas, in an electric oven, the heat stays more even and dry since it is equipped with heating coils.
Those who cook or bake using an oven more frequently often prefer a gas oven due to the ability to adjust the temperature quickly for various stages of the cooking process. This, however, requires you to monitor your meals more closely so that you do not burn the food.
Since the gas oven uses an open flame to heat the oven, this could result in an unevenly cooked meal. This is because the open flame, while set at the same temperature, can be unpredictable and depending on the airflow can cause the heat to fluctuate at times.
In addition, a gas oven tends to produce water vapors that are released during the cooking process and are released back into the air and settle on the food. For some types of baking, such as with loaves of bread, this is perfectly fine, however, with other foods, this can mean disaster.
With an electric oven, because the heat is created by electric current heating coils inside the oven, this often results in a more evenly distributed heating flow. This benefit allows the meals to cook more efficiently and more evenly throughout the cooking process.
While a gas oven produces water vapors that can cause unwanted moisture, an electric oven tends to cook using dry heat. The dry heat can be an advantage to many meals that can ruin if moisture is acquired.
Many people who have used both gas and electric ovens, often say that one important difference between the two is the time it takes to preheat the oven. A gas oven, since it uses an open flame, requires less time to heat than an electric oven does.
Another feature to keep in mind concerning the difference between a gas and an electric oven is the initial and ongoing costs of each. Although a gas oven can be more expensive upfront than an electric oven, over the long term, natural gas tends to run much cheaper than electricity.
At the end of the day, it boils down to personal preference when it comes to the differences between a gas and electric oven. While some people prefer using a gas oven, many other people say that an electric oven is best.
Can an Oven Be Both Gas and Electric?
With today’s technology, you can now purchase a range that is fueled by both gas and electricity which requires your home to be equipped with both. The result is what is called a dual-fuel range which is offered by many appliance manufacturers.
The dual fuel range provides the ability to use a cooktop that is fueled by natural gas so you can have better control over the temperature and the ability to adjust it at any time. The dual-fuel range also comes with the electric oven so you get a more even cooking experience.
The common misconception with this dual-fuel type of oven is that many people think you have the ability to switch back and forth between the two fuel types. This, however, is not the case with this type of oven. What many people do like about this oven is the ability to have the best of both worlds.
So, can an oven be both gas and electric? The answer to this question is simply, not really. The closest you can get to having this is purchasing a dual fuel oven, or having your gas oven and purchasing a countertop electric type convection oven.
With the advancement of technology, more appliances than ever are on the market to accommodate the various needs and/or wants that people who enjoy cooking desire. It is typically a matter of taking a look at the appliances that exist and finding a combination of features that you would like.
Of course, buying separate appliances for different purposes requires more room than many have available. But if you have the counter and/or kitchen space, then you can create the cooking scenario you have always wanted.
Gas Oven vs. Electric Oven Pros and Cons
While the choice of either a gas or electric oven is a personal preference, there are many pros and cons of each. Between heat distribution and type of heat to the convenience of heat adjustment to cost-effectiveness, buying an oven can be a challenging choice.
Many people who love to cook prefer to do so on a gas oven for many reasons. At the same time, other people say the same thing about an electric oven. While it comes down to personal preference, seeing the pros and cons of both can make a huge difference when it comes to deciding on buying a new appliance.
Below are some pros and cons of using a gas or electric oven in your home:
Gas Oven
Pros:
- Open flame means instant heat
- Better control of heat adjustment
- Water vapor produces a moist environment for baking
- More inexpensive on a day-to-day basis
Cons:
- Open flame means a greater chance of burning food
- Heats less evenly
- Water vapor produces a moist environment which can be bad for some foods
- More expensive initially
- Possibility of gas leaks or explosions
Electric Oven
Pros:
- Heating coils fueled by electricity means food cooks more evenly
- Dry heat produced by the electric flow of heat produces better products in many cases
- Less expensive upfront
- Most have self-cleaning capabilities
Cons:
- Takes a longer time to heat up
- Cannot adjust the temperature quickly
- Heating elements take a while to cool down, so there is more of a chance of burn accidents
- Slightly more expensive to operate day-to-day
As you can see, there are many advantages and disadvantages of having both a gas oven and an electric oven. Since the biggest difference depends solely on what a person prefers, the choice for many can be challenging.
For most people who own their own homes, this is a decision that is often debated since the control is in their hands. However, if you rent, you may not have a choice, since it depends on what the owner has had installed in the place where you live.
Overall, the final decision comes down to whether or not you have had experience with both kinds of ovens. Oftentimes, people tend to stick with what they are more familiar with. However, if you enjoy trying something new, and can afford to make the necessary changes, then you may consider switching to another type of oven.