Everyone wants to place ‘Restaurant or chef-like food on the table for their loved ones. It may sound impossible at first but trust me, you can also prepare mouth-watering food at home. Just get the same cookware as your favorite chef, and that’s it! So, what ovens do Professional Chefs use? Do chefs prefer gas or electric ovens? Why?
According to the survey of the Propane Education & Research Council, around 96% of chefs like gas ovens more as they are super responsive, speedy, versatile, and offer precise heat control along with easy maintenance. Due to the accurate cooking control & energy efficiency, gas ovens are indeed the best option for stir-frying different meats & veggies.
In our detailed content below, we have highlighted six major factors for which every professional prefers gas ovens over electric ones. We have also included essential tips & FAQs to use the gas ovens with ease. So, hang on with our experienced team till the end and get ready to delight your loved ones with your outstanding culinary skills!
Gas Oven Vs. Electric Oven: Pros & Cons
In Spite of versatile inventions & advancements, the Oven is a constant & true mainstay in the field of kitchen appliances indeed. However, you will always come across queries like – Gas Oven Vs. Electric Oven: Which is better?
A gas Oven is basically a heating appliance for the kitchen which runs specifically on natural gases like Propane. In the interior of the Oven, there is a burner that radiates heat & releases a bit of moisture to keep your cakes & pies soft and moist. Due to speedy Preheat technology & leveled heat distribution, a gas Oven is indeed the best tool to cook different foods on different shelves at the same time.
Pros:
- The gas oven is super responsive and preheats quickly.
- It offers a better heat control system.
Cons:
- Installing a gas oven requires specialist skill or professional assistance. Obviously, this procedure is pricey too.
- The heat circulation is poor as there is no conductive fan.
On the contrary, electric ovens specifically work on electricity. They feature special heating elements which radiate heat & warm up the food. As electric ovens are generally compact & lightweight, they are easy to set up. Moreover, most electric ovens feature a conductive fan to distribute heat evenly at different angles of the food.
Pros:
- Electric ovens can offer high heat production.
- Due to its conductive fan, it can ensure an even heat distribution.
- A cook can install the electric Oven himself.
Cons:
- They take too long to preheat, even up to 30 minutes.
- Adjusting the temperature is tricky due to the Oven’s heat-retaining tendency.
- Electric Ovens won’t run if there is any minor casualty like power cuts.
Why Do Professional Chefs Prefer Gas Ovens Over Electric Ones?
If you are a home chef and baking cakes & pizzas are your regular thing, it’s natural to wonder,
“What do professional chefs prefer: Gas or electric ovens?”
A homemaker or an avid home chef has to prepare meals for her family three times a day. So, it’s obvious to be worried before investing in culinary appliances.
As we have stated earlier, gas ovens were the first option of 96% of chefs around the world as gas ovens are easy to control, highly responsive, and preheat quickly. Actually, It is preferred for cooking delicious food as well as maintaining its nutritional content. Even though you have to go for professional installation for gas ovens, they are easy to maintain & operation cost is affordable. Let’s check the six major factors that lead them to choose gas ovens over electric ones.
Fast Response:
If you start heating up both the electric & gas oven at the same time, the gas oven will be the first one to respond. It takes only a few seconds to reach your high desired temperature. Moreover, it doesn’t retain heat & cools down quickly as well.
Professional chefs always need to be fast & show a quick turnover to prepare fresh meals for their guests. Thus, they are always up for gas ovens, as it is fast to respond. It is also the best choice to cook sauces with perfect consistency.
Heat Control System:
Unlike electric ovens, gas ovens are well known for their precise and instant heat control system. If you increase the heat, the flames will heat up the pan instantly. Thus, there will be low chances of accidental burning of food. On the contrary, electric ovens retain heat for a prolonged time. So, if you don’t want to burn the meal, you have to put the pan away from the heating element.
Compatibility With A Wide Range Of Cookwares:
If the cook is using an electric oven, he has to be aware of the cookware used. Only nice & flat cookwares are compatible with electric ovens to ensure proper heat distribution.
Generally, professional chefs use pans that are not exactly flat but slightly warped instead. So, they prefer gas ovens as they can ensure proper heat distribution whether the ware is bent or flat.
Moisture:
Gas burners have a tendency to release moisture to make the cakes soft & moist. On the contrary, electric ovens can bring crispness by drying out the meal. Thus, electric ovens are only suitable for crispy & roasted cuisine. You don’t really want your baked pizzas & cakes to be crispy, do you?
Ease Of Maintenance:
Compared to a gas oven, electric ovens are messier. Food doesn’t easily stick to gas ovens for their lower surface. A chef can just soak the entire steel grate in the sink & clean the leftovers. He can go for any random cleaning sprays for further cleaning. However, he will require a special cleansing agent for electric ovens to scrub the leftover burns off without peeling off the surface.
Cost-Effectiveness:
As a whole, a gas oven is indeed more cost-effective than the electric one. It offers more run time at a low cost. Even if you use gas ovens on a regular basis, you can save around 10% to 30% energy.
Are You Using A Gas Oven? Check The Tips Now!
- Never use gas ovens for heating the room as it will increase the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Install a fire extinguisher and carbon monoxide detector nearby for utmost safety.
- The gas oven should have a range hood to vent the unwanted gases outside.
- Beware about the size of the cookware.
- Never let your food boil over, as it will put out the fire. Thus, there will be a possibility of a fire explosion.
- Don’t keep flammable materials nearby.
- Make a habit of cleaning the Oven often.
FAQ:
Why do chefs prefer gas ovens?
Chefs prefer gas ovens more as they offer –
- Superior Response to heat.
- Super quick preheat.
- Easily controllable heating & flame levels.
- The convenience of cleaning.
- Cheap operating cost.
Is gas cheaper than electric?
Actually, yes. According to a survey by consumer watchdog, cooking via gas for a year is around 50% cheaper than electric ones. Many individuals will complain about the pricey installation procedure. However, as a whole, gas appliances come at a cheaper rate with more energy efficiency. So, operating cost is low indeed.
What cooks better, gas or electric stove?
Gas stoves have always had the upper hand compared to the electric stove, as it is speedy, responsive & cooks evenly with fast preheating. You can also enjoy precise control over the heat & flame on the gas stove. In terms of maintenance, gas cooktops are easier to clean as well. According to research, an individual can save from 10% to 30% energy by cooking with gas.
Is It Dangerous To Use A Gas Oven?
Gas Oven usually runs on natural gases like Propane which can release carbon monoxide and formaldehyde into the air. Thus, it can cause not only indoor air pollution but also can create a hazardous environment for humans as well as pets. Thus, ensure proper ventilation in your kitchen before you install a gas oven. Moreover, inspect them annually for carbon monoxide gas leaks.
Final Words:
Do chefs prefer gas or electric ovens? I believe you have got an answer to that by now. Both electric & gas ovens are excellent appliances that have their own pros & cons. However, most chefs love gas ovens, especially for baking, as it is highly responsive, and flames are easy to control and easy to maintain. So, if you are up for frequent baking, go for a gas oven without further ado. Just be aware to ensure proper ventilation to be safe & sound.
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