It’s no secret that most people prefer baking with gas ovens. They are cheaper to operate and maintain, heat up quicker than electric ovens, and generally provide more moisture.
That’s not to say they are perfect though! There are a few problems that you might encounter while baking with a gas oven and we list some of them and their solutions in this blog post.
5 Problems baking with gas ovens
Here are 5 issues you might face while baking with a gas oven:
1. Uneven heating
This is probably the most common issue with gas ovens. Because they heat up quickly, the temperature can fluctuate and cause hot and cold spots in the oven. This can be a problem when baking something like cookies which need to be cooked evenly.
The solution is to get an oven thermometer to help regulate the temperature and to rotate your baking sheets halfway through cooking.
2. No brown or crunchy tops
In most cases, gas ovens don’t always produce the same brown, crispy tops that electric ovens do. This can be a problem if you’re looking for that perfect golden crust on your pies or bread.
The solution is to broil your food for a few minutes at the end of cooking to help achieve the desired browning or crispiness.
3. Burned Bottoms
Another common issue with gas ovens is that they can tend to burn the bottoms of baked goods. This is because the heat rises from the bottom of the oven and can be more intense than in electric ovens.
The solution is to either bake on the middle rack or use lighter-colored baking racks which won’t absorb as much heat.
4. Overheating Oven
An overheating oven could most likely be caused by a faulty or blocked thermostat. Ensure that the thermostat is not blocked by any racks or pans and that there is sufficient space around it.
You want your thermostat to be able to accurately sense the temperature inside the oven. If it is blocked, then it might cause your oven to overcompensate and overheat
5. Oven takes too long to cook
This usually happens when the oven temperatures keep fluctuating. You think you’ve set a certain temperature but after a few minutes, it drops to a lower temperature. This not only lengthens the cooking time but can also result in unevenly cooked food.
The solution is to get an oven thermometer to help regulate the temperature. You might also want to make the preheat time a bit longer and also increase the temperature by about 25 degrees.
Tips for baking with gas ovens
1. Preheat your oven for at least 15 minutes
Preheating your oven is important for any type of baking, but it is especially crucial when using a gas oven. This will help ensure that your oven is at the correct temperature before you start cooking.
Now the preheating time will largely depend on what you’re going to bake, however, 15 minutes should be a good enough time in most cases.
2. Watch your food closely
Because gas ovens can heat up quickly and unevenly, it’s important to keep a close eye on your food while it’s baking so you can make adjustments as needed. This means checking on your food more often and opening the oven door less to prevent heat from escaping.
3. Use an oven thermometer to monitor the temperature.
If you find that your gas oven is constantly fluctuating in temperature, it might be a good idea to invest in an oven thermometer. This will help you monitor the temperature of your oven and make adjustments as necessary.
4. Rotate your baking sheets halfway through cooking.
This is a good tip for any type of baking, but it’s especially important when using a gas oven. Because gas ovens tend to heat unevenly, rotating your baking sheets will help undercooked areas to get exposed to more heat and prevent overcooked areas from getting too brown.
5. Broil your food for a few minutes at the end of cooking
If you’re looking for that perfect golden crust on your pies or bread, try broiling your food for a few minutes at the end of cooking. This will help to achieve the desired browning or crispiness. Not many gas ovens come with an upper burner though, so this might not be an option for some.
6. Avoid using overly large trays
It’s important to make sure that your bakeware is the appropriate size for your oven. If it’s too large, it can block the heat from circulating properly and cause uneven cooking.
You want a fairly sized tray that’ll leave space on the sides for heat to circulate. If you can, try to use a smaller tray and move it around while baking to evenly distribute the heat.
7. Bake on the middle rack
If you find that your food is constantly getting burned on the bottom, try baking on the middle rack. In our opinion, we find the middle rack to be the sweet spot. It’ll help prevent your bottoms from burning and will ensure proper circulation of heat to the tops.
8. Avoid dark-colored pans
If you’re using dark-colored bakeware, it’s going to absorb more heat and is more likely to cause burned bottoms. Try using light-colored pans instead which won’t absorb as much heat.
9. Use a Pizza stone for even baking
If you’re looking for an even bake, try using a pizza stone. It’ll help to absorb the heat and distribute it evenly to your food. Just make sure that you preheat the stone in the oven before use.
10. Follow recipe instructions closely
It goes without saying that it’s important to follow the recipe instructions closely. Constantly monitor your oven temperature to make sure that it matches your recipe. If it doesn’t, make the necessary adjustments.
11. Make sure your thermostat isn’t blocked
If your oven thermostat is blocked, it can cause the oven to overheat. Make sure that there’s nothing blocking the thermostat so it can properly regulate the oven temperature. You’ll need to know where it is though, so be sure to check your oven’s manual.
Are Gas Ovens Bad for Baking?
The question of whether gas ovens are bad for baking is quite an interesting one. Usually, the best option for bakers largely depends on what they intend to bake and how much they will spend.
While gas ovens are the more recommended option, they may not suit the needs of some bakers.
For pies and bread, a gas oven would be the best choice because it releases moisture while baking. It is perfect for dishes that taste better when their surface is soft and moist.
For cakes, and crispy brown foods, use an electric oven or bake a little longer and keep turning the trays.
In general though, Gas ovens are not bad for baking. They have shorter preheat times, are cheaper to maintain and have more moisture. You just have to learn how to use and configure them and you’ll never have a badly baked caked.
Conclusion
Baking with a gas oven can be tricky, but if you follow these tips, you’ll be able to avoid the most common problems.
To get the best results from your baking, we recommend:
- Preheating your oven for the correct amount of time. Watching your food closely
- Using an oven thermometer
- Rotating your baking sheets halfway through cooking
- Broiling your food at the end
- Using a pizza stone to tackle uneven heating
Here’s to hoping your baking adventures are more successful from now on!