For the avid chef, using a proper oven is the key to cooking and baking well. Ensuring that temperature and airflow are maintained properly for whatever meal you’re preparing goes a long way to creating fine cuisine. But how do you know what oven to use? There are many different options of ovens available for purchase, and each one of them has unique benefits. Let’s explore the main types of ovens.
Gas Ovens
A natural gas oven is one of the traditional building blocks of a kitchen. The gas oven uses natural gas that is ignited to provide heat as opposed to using electricity or some other form of combustible material. There are several main reasons gas ovens have been popular over the years. A gas oven heats up relatively fast, allowing you to start from a cold oven and be prepared to cook food very quickly. Additionally, it allows for increased cooking control; there is more control over heat and temperature inside the oven in comparison to an electric oven.
Gas ovens also provide moisture while cooking, which helps when cooking foods that are more likely to dry out during the baking process. This moisture, however, must be monitored and well understood because it can convince you that food is not yet done, leading to overcooking. Additionally, natural gas ovens are more energy efficient. The amount of gas needed to ignite and heat an oven is less expensive than the comparable amount of electricity needed for the same temperature. They are also typically more durable because of the use of natural gas as opposed to electricity, making them better long-term options.
Electric Ovens
An electric oven is often seen as a standard appliance in modern homes. The main benefit is the ease of use and safety of an electric oven as compared to other options. Electric ovens require no additional piping or materials as there is no combustible material and no gas line needed. These are great options to put in place in a new house or a house that does not have an existing gas line. Because of the lack of gas or other combustibles, these are very safe options. While it is impossible to remove the risk of heat damage from ovens, these have no gas sources that could lead to leaks or accidental combustion, which are some of the most dangerous factors for a gas oven. The safety factor makes this an excellent choice for parents and families to use inside their homes.
There is also an added component of ease of use that makes these ovens attractive. Because they are standard and simple, people are more likely to use them and have less difficulty with them. There is no ignition that is needed; the electricity simply warms up coils that disperse the heat throughout the oven body.
Wood Pellet Ovens
Wood pellet ovens and stoves are a departure from the other options. Using compressed sawdust pellets and a chimney to ventilate smoke, these ovens are extremely efficient and offer some excellent benefits. The ovens incorporate remote controls, temperature gauges and many other advanced features to bring wood-fire cooking into the 21st century. These ovens are quieter than traditional forms of ovens, and they require significantly less electricity than other oven models. Additionally, they require no natural gas, so there is no danger from leaks when the oven itself is not running.
This different form of the oven is definitely a change of pace from traditional ovens. It does require more frequent cleaning to prevent the buildup of ash inside the oven. This process, however, is not lengthy, and if maintained properly, it will keep the oven working perfectly for quite a long time. Additionally, experts suggest that wood pellets produce less ash overall than burning other forms of combustible material. These ovens are also one of the most environmentally friendly options on the market because of their net-zero carbon contributions. The wood pellets are a byproduct of foresting industries and are therefore used to reduce waste, making them an excellent choice for those trying to maintain a smaller carbon footprint. The pellets are also relatively affordable compared to other types of fuel.
Convection Ovens
Convection ovens are a subset of other types of ovens, and they work by moving the air inside the oven to provide a more complete and uniform cooking process. Typically, true convection ovens are electric ovens, as the fan units would tend to snuff out the flame that is powering a gas oven to provide heat. A convection oven is great for ensuring that the entire oven gets consistent heat, which is a problem faced by all oven users. For instance, in a conventional oven, the cookies on the bottom rack would finish baking far more quickly than those on the top rack. The fan in a convection oven ensures that the heat is evenly distributed throughout the entire oven interior so that every item in the oven cooks thoroughly and equally at the same rate. If you like to make roasts, a convection oven is an excellent choice. Just remember not to overcrowd this type of oven so that the air can circulate freely inside.
The oven is one of the mainstays of the kitchen, and it is vital to proper cooking and baking technique. For the recipes you’re making, find the best oven that suits your needs. Each style cooks slightly differently, and there are advantages to each of them. If you want a standard, traditional oven style, opt for an electric choice. Convection can be an added benefit for these ovens so that you ensure even cooking times and temperatures, but small fans can be incorporated into other oven types as well to give the same benefit. A gas oven is an option for the more experienced culinary artist, especially if you need to maintain moisture in your baked goods and cooking. For the less traditional or eco-friendlier chef, a wood pellet oven is an innovative and exciting new option to explore. Whatever you like to cook, make sure you buy the best oven for your kitchen.
Here’s another article you might like: Tips to Organize Your Kitchen