| While some cooks will have a preference for one or | | | | where the gas is not connected. Using two bottles will |
| the other oven types, it is important to research the | | | | prevent the unfortunate occurrence of running out |
| features and comparisons between electric and gas | | | | halfway through a dinner party. If the house has gas |
| ovens. If you are in the enviable position of remodelling | | | | lines for heating or water, gas cooking may be the |
| your kitchen or building a new home, the time you | | | | sensible option. |
| spend now in planning for the long term will be | | | | 4. Ease of use Speak to someone who uses a gas |
| rewarded with day after day with years of cooking | | | | oven and they will tell you how easy it is to use. The |
| and meals successfully cooked. | | | | latest models come with an instant ignition switch |
| | | | making the lighting of an oven as easy as electric. |
| 1. Initial purchase price The initial purchase price must | | | | Cooks familiar with cooking food in an electric oven will |
| come in to play when deciding between gas or | | | | swear by the ease of use and perfect results for |
| electric. It is save to assume that electric ovens will | | | | baked goods such as sponge cakes. |
| always be the cheaper option but that will depend on | | | | 5. Reliability The even cooking temperature throughout |
| the brand, del and type of oven you are buying. Gas | | | | the cavity of an electric oven makes it more reliable |
| may be more expensive but the daily running costs | | | | than the gas. But the newer gas ovens on the market |
| can be considerably less than electric. | | | | these days use a fan. This forces the heat to circulate |
| 2. Ongoing energy costs Electricity is said to be a | | | | around every item inside taking this feature a step |
| cleaner fuel than gas but the costs of operating an | | | | further. Some chefs say fan forced gas ovens will |
| electric oven have proven to be higher. Electric ovens | | | | give perfect results for most baked products. |
| take longer to heat and most recipes will call for a | | | | 6. Versatility The invention of the double cavity oven |
| preheat to begin with. Careful planning of meals can | | | | has still to catch on in any but the latest kitchens but |
| help with energy savings though. Make use of the | | | | gas and electric models are available making this a |
| residual heat after baking or roasting by keeping foods | | | | great option for cooking foods requiring different |
| warm in an oven that has been turned off. | | | | temperature and cooking times. |
| 3. Consider installation Electric ovens are easy to install | | | | Whether you choose gas or electric be sure to do as |
| as long as there is a qualified electrician in the area. | | | | much research as possible making the final decision a |
| Gas ovens need a plumber and gas and electric lines | | | | sensible one that will last for at least the life time of the |
| so the installation will be more involved and may cost | | | | oven. |
| more. Cylinder gas may need to be ordered in areas | | | | |