How to use a gas oven? (7 easy steps)
In this brief guide, we will answer the question “How to use a gas oven?”, and discuss the in-depth detail of oven symbols and controls that can help you better use a gas oven.
How to use a gas oven?
To use a gas oven, you need to follow the instruction provided in the manual that comes along with the oven and some tricks that you master from practicing so that you can get better results. Following basics will help you to use a gas oven:
7 easy steps to use a gas oven
- Figure out the basics of your oven. Before you start to use your new oven, it is important to read the manual for its instructions that comes along the oven. This will help you understand the basics of how to turn the oven ON and OFF as well as how to move the racks and other aspects of how your oven works.
- Use an oven thermometer. It is very important to use an oven thermometer to determine the temperature while cooing because the temperature of the gas oven tends to fluctuate rapidly. Using a thermometer helps you to keep a check on the activity of the gas oven and prevent the unexpected rise or fall in the temperature.
- Rotate your trays while cooking. As temperature tends to fluctuate rapidly so there are chances that some spots will get hotter or colder during the cooking process. Therefore, it is important to occasionally open the oven door and rotate the tray a few degrees to ensure an even supply of heat.
- Place a baking stone on your oven’s floor. The baking stone helps to regulate the temperature of the oven by radiating temperature upward in a more even fashion. The baking stone is generally used to prepare baked goods and pizzas.
- Move items higher up for browner tops. It is important to move dishes you want or need to brown on the top tray to allow them to brown faster. Because sometimes it can get hard to get things like pies to brown on the top in a gas oven.
- Turn up the temperature for added crispiness. The more humid environment of the gas oven can affect the crispiness of the goods like roasted potatoes. Raising the temperature about 25 degrees hotter than the actual requirement can help you deal with the situation.
- Do not use dark metal cookware. Dark metals absorb heat more quickly so it is recommended not to use dark metals in the gas oven to prevent the dishes from getting burnt or brown at the bottom.
Other FAQs about Ovens which you may be interested in.
How oven symbols and controls help you to use a gas oven?
To use a gas oven, it is very important to know about its symbols and controls so that you can take the maximum advantage of it in a productive way. In case you do not know what the oven symbols mean, you will be missing out on getting the best cooking and baking results. Here is a brief description of oven symbols that may help you use your oven in a better way:
To see the symbols and controls of a gas oven, click here.
Lower heat element only
On the control panel of the oven, there is a square box with a single horizontal line in it at the bottom. This symbol means that the heat will come solely from the heating element at the bottom of the oven.
You can use this key to gently cook stews and casseroles. This key can also be used to crisp up the base of the pizza.
Upper and lower heating elements
On the control panel, there is a square that has two horizontal lines: one at the bottom of the square and the other at the top of the square. This symbol means that the heat will be generated by the heating elements in the top and bottom of the oven.
You can use this key for pastries, scones, or roasting meats.
Full grill
A double zigzag line at the top of the square indicates that the heat will be produced by the whole grill element. So if you want to cook a lot of food at once, you can use this key.
This key is generally used for browning off meat, top lasagna, and to make a large round of toast.
Part grill
A single zigzag line at the top of the square indicates that the heat will be produced by the half grill element. So in part grill, it is important to make sure that your food is placed right under that part of the grill.
The half grill is handy to use if you want to cook only a couple of sausages or you want to brown a slice of cheese on toast.
Conclusion:
In this brief guide, we answered the question “How to use a gas oven?”, and discussed the in-depth details of oven symbols and controls that can help you better use a gas oven.
