Advantages of gas ovens, explained by the experts

March 21st, 2012

Appliance News Ovens

Switching from an electric oven to gas is a bold move, but one that you won’t regret, says David Gilmore from Emilia Glem, the biggest selling cooker brand in Italy.

Gilmore deals here in Australia with both electric and gas ovens and he breaks the differences between them into costs, the environment and cooking results.

The cost of gas ovens

Perhaps one of the most convincing arguments for buying a gas oven are ongoing costs. Running appliances on natural gas is typically a lot less expensive than electricity.

“Particularly now with the way electricity prices are going,” says Gilmore.

“Gas is also going up, but not anywhere near the rate of electricity.”

The cooking quality and convenience of gas ovens

Beef Wellington: crispy pastry on the outside, moist meat in the middle

Convenient because they are snappy to heat up and cool down. Pre-heating may only take 10 minutes, though many recipes don’t call for a gas oven to be pre-heated at all.

Adjusting cooking temperatures is also managed quickly and accurately. It’s this instant heat which makes gas appliances popular in commercial kitchens the world over.

The way in which a gas oven cooks is unique. Slots on either side of the oven’s base allow heat to “roll up and over the food,” for an even heat distribution.

But it’s gas, will it make my food soggy?

Gilmore says that gas ovens have come a long way. While some of the moisture will ensure baked goods stay moister for longer, fans and flues ensure a constant removal of moisture for flaky, crisp results if they are required.

“The fans will also work to distribute the heat evenly in the oven, preventing cold spots.”

The environmental benefits of gas ovens

“Gas is an enormously green fuel compared with electricity.”

Not only is gas cheaper to run, it is markedly less harmful to our atmosphere than using electricity. In Australia we generate power by burning coal, a higher polluting and more carbon intensive fossil fuel.

But gas is cleaner running as it emits less carbon dioxide and is therefore better for the environment.

Gas cooking uses half the energy and has the added advantage of the lowest carbon dioxide emissions of any fossil fuel, with only a third of the greenhouse gas emissions of electricity, according to Glem.