Gas or Electric Oven

Our answer

The choice between a gas oven and an electric oven is usually driven by personal preference. Most people will be used to one type or another and often revert to ovens that they are familiar with. Cooking ranges do come in duel fuel forms (usually gas top and electric ovens) so you do not have to be tied to just one type of fuel. If you are installing a hob and separate (wall mounted) oven then most people will choose an electric oven as it can be costly to run gas pipes to two points.

The main cooking difference between gas and electric is that gas will tend to have a slightly more humid baking environment (as water vapour is produced during combustion) whereas electric ovens tend to have slightly dryer heat. So if you bake a lot of bread or pies then gas may be preferred as the crusts are less likey to become dry or hard. Some people perceive electric ovens to be better for cakes but this is often due to the oven being fan driven and a gas oven with a convection fan in it can also produce great results.

Historically some people also felt that the temperature of a gas oven could be controlled more accurately than an electric oven. However with very accurate modern thermostats we do not believe this is an issue. On the hob or stovetop gas is likely to give slightly more control, particularly as you can see the flame when you adjust it.