Considerations when changing from electric to gas ovens?
June 19, 2017 7:42 PM Subscribe
We have a dual fuel stove (gas cooktop, electric ovens) with double ovens. It broke and needs replacing. It turns out dual fuel double oven stoves aren't cheap, so we're considering other options.
The gas cooktop is not negotiable, but I have concerns about switching to gas oven(s).
1. Do gas ovens require much more ventilation than electric? How much more? And what difference would having 1 oven vs. 2 ovens make? Currently the ventilation is served, barely, by the fan in an over-the-range microwave. We frequently end up opening the windows to create extra ventilation for steam, etc.
2. Can you make toast in a gas oven? We don't have much counter space, and the current top oven, which is fairly small, serves as our toaster. We don't make that much toast, but I'm pretty picky about it!
Obviously one of these concerns is more important than the other (it's the toast of course).
Anything else to strongly consider? We use the ovens frequently, but some gas ovens seem to rate well on baking, etc.
The gas cooktop is not negotiable, but I have concerns about switching to gas oven(s).
1. Do gas ovens require much more ventilation than electric? How much more? And what difference would having 1 oven vs. 2 ovens make? Currently the ventilation is served, barely, by the fan in an over-the-range microwave. We frequently end up opening the windows to create extra ventilation for steam, etc.
2. Can you make toast in a gas oven? We don't have much counter space, and the current top oven, which is fairly small, serves as our toaster. We don't make that much toast, but I'm pretty picky about it!
Obviously one of these concerns is more important than the other (it's the toast of course).
Anything else to strongly consider? We use the ovens frequently, but some gas ovens seem to rate well on baking, etc.
I toast bread in a dry skillet on a gas stove. Works better than my toaster oven, which is fine as a little oven, but takes forever to toast bread. (I prefer lightly toasted bread, but I'm not all that picky about it.)
posted by she's not there at 9:41 PM on June 19, 2017
posted by she's not there at 9:41 PM on June 19, 2017
Best answer: You'd probably regret getting a gas oven. Especially coming from dual electric oven. I'd forgotten how nice electric ovens are until I got a chance to use one a friend's house. Perfect, evenly baked pizza.
I've not managed decent toast in my gas oven. Ever. In the 15 years we've lived here. Everything takes longer to bake, but not always the same each time. Entertaining, in a way. Not fun.
I mean, if I absolutely had to choose full gas or full electric, I'd go gas because gas burners are amazing. But if my range dies tomorrow, I'd cut all the corners I could to get a gas top with electric oven.
posted by monopas at 10:13 PM on June 19, 2017 [1 favorite]
I've not managed decent toast in my gas oven. Ever. In the 15 years we've lived here. Everything takes longer to bake, but not always the same each time. Entertaining, in a way. Not fun.
I mean, if I absolutely had to choose full gas or full electric, I'd go gas because gas burners are amazing. But if my range dies tomorrow, I'd cut all the corners I could to get a gas top with electric oven.
posted by monopas at 10:13 PM on June 19, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I used to make toast under my (gas) broiler, but at some point recently started doing the skillet thing and it's much better.
posted by O9scar at 12:12 AM on June 20, 2017
posted by O9scar at 12:12 AM on June 20, 2017
Best answer: The broiler in an electric oven covers much more territory than that in a gas oven. Enough of a difference that I considered getting a dual fuel range this last time, but instead settled for the one gas oven that spread out the broiler flames.
posted by DrGail at 6:04 AM on June 20, 2017
posted by DrGail at 6:04 AM on June 20, 2017
Best answer: If I had it to do over again, I would go with an electric oven. Our gas oven heats up the kitchen so much that we avoid using it in the summertime.
posted by Fleebnork at 6:56 AM on June 20, 2017
posted by Fleebnork at 6:56 AM on June 20, 2017
Agree with Fleebnork, I didn't even think about the heat issue. But we also generally avoid oven use in the summer because of the heat dissipation.
posted by monopas at 11:42 AM on June 20, 2017
posted by monopas at 11:42 AM on June 20, 2017
It broke and needs replacing.
Are you sure about this? Given the high cost of a dual-fuel, dual-oven replacement, perhaps you could give a second thought to repairing your existing one.
posted by JackFlash at 4:36 PM on June 20, 2017
Are you sure about this? Given the high cost of a dual-fuel, dual-oven replacement, perhaps you could give a second thought to repairing your existing one.
posted by JackFlash at 4:36 PM on June 20, 2017
Response by poster: It's $700 toward fixing an already refurbished stove with expensive design flaws, or $700 toward a new stove with a much better cooktop and a warranty. The best thing the old stove has going for it is good toast.
posted by zennie at 6:14 PM on June 20, 2017
posted by zennie at 6:14 PM on June 20, 2017
This thread is closed to new comments.
1. Require airflow for combustion, so constantly blowing hot air out into the kitchen
2. (At least my oven:) Fifteen minutes to heat up
3. Far worse mercaptan smell than the burners when starting combustion
Contrasted to my old electric oven I miss:
1. Sealed so well, I once accidentally left it on for a couple days and didn't notice until I went to turn it on again
2. Pre-heated in under five minutes
3. No stink
The longer pre-heat time (at least with my model) would make toast far more annoying. You could need more ventilation for code compliance?
I've been threatening to toss this gas oven/cooktop and get separate pieces: dirt cheap electric oven and a separate gas cooktop because of the price differential you pointed out and how much I dislike the oven.
posted by flimflam at 7:58 PM on June 19, 2017