Time To Upgrade Your Oven?

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I look to cook and bake, trying out delicious new recipes. Therefore, my stove is the most important item in my kitchen. You might think that all cookers are the same and that as long as it can heat up your food, it is doing its job. The major differences between ovens are whether you choose an electric one, or a gas one. Both have their own benefits, but here are the answers to the main questions people have when choosing a new oven.

Which heats up more evenly?

Electric! With gas ovens you will notice that the temperature is hotter at the top than it is at the bottom – this is not the case with electric ovens. Many electric ovens come with fans inside them. The fan will evenly distribute the heat creating a more even temperature within the oven. Because of this they help to cut down on cooking times and mean you can reduce the temperature to heat your food. This, in turn, means that the amount of energy used will be lower, which will help to save you money too. (See below for more on this.) If you like baking like me, this is really handy in ensuring the top of your cake doesn’t burn!

Which is Safer?

You need to be careful with both! You are sure to have heard about toxic gas leaking from gas cookers. Often people can’t smell the gas, so it goes unnoticed and can be very dangerous if left. With electric ovens you don’t have to worry about this problem as there is no gas to leak. However, electric ovens can be just as dangerous if used incorrectly, so be sure to switch them off after you use them.

Which is easier to install?

Both! Unless you are a qualified engineer you will probably need someone to help you fit either style of cooker. However, fitting an electric oven is less fiddly than fitting a gas one, and less expensive usually.

Which is cheaper?

Electric! Gas ovens tend to be a lot more expensive than electric ones, so you can save a bundle by opting for electric. Plus, as I have already mentioned, electric ovens are slightly easier to install, so you will save any costs incurred from installing tricky gas ovens.

Which one preheats more quickly?

Electric! Gone are the days of having to wait ages to heat up your oven before you could cook your food. Electric ovens will warm up quickly, meaning you can get your meal on the go much sooner.

Which is more energy efficient?

Electric! As with all electrical items these days you can invest in appliances with good energy ratings. The better your appliance’s energy efficiency, the more money you will be able to save on your electricity bills. Look out for items with a good energy efficiency rating, or that have the Energy Star logo – these are sure to help you cut back on energy waste.

So it seems like electric ovens have a slight advantage. That’s not to say that gas ovens don’t have their own merits either, though. Whatever you use, why not test it out with this delicious apple and cinnamon loaf recipe.