I cant figure out how to bake in my gas oven

[LMGold]

We recently moved, and our new place has a gas oven. I have only baked in electric ovens, and gas is giving me headaches. I tried to bake a trusted meringue recipe for a pavlova. It is not your typical meringue recipe because it cooks hot and fast, but it burned, and when I tried again the next day, lowering temps 25 degrees from the start, the outside indicated it was baked but it was not. Had I continued baking it, it would have burned. I did love how marshmallowy it was, but it was too underbaked to serve guests. Another recipe—a blueberry tart— finished 10 minutes early, at 35 rather than 45 minutes. That’s significant. My faux Basque cheesecake needed to be tossed entirely because it browned far too much. The gluten free cakes I have made did okay, but I think that is because I find GF cake recipes always require more time in the oven.

I think part of the problem is how long it takes to adjust a temp mid-bake. That may explain some of it, but after reading how finicky gas ovens can be with bursts of heat and hot spots in different places, how is a home baker with moderate experience baking everything from bread to cheesecakes to spongecakes and butter cakes compensate? I just ordered a new oven thermometer because ours somehow did not make the move.

 

[Ricksza]

I use a gas oven and found out mine runs 5°F too hot. Tested it with this method: https://www.allrecipes.com/article/how-to-test-your-oven-temperature-with-sugar/

 

[Norcalbaker59]

I use a gas oven and found out mine runs 5°F too hot. Tested it with this method: https://www.allrecipes.com/article/how-to-test-your-oven-temperature-with-sugar/

This information on sugar melting point is incorrect.

Sugar does not melt. It decomposes.

Since it decomposes, the “melting point” temperature varies widely. These facts were published in a study by food scientist from University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in 2011.

Additionally the type source of sugar impacts how sugar decomposes. Sugar beet sugar Decomposes differently from sugar cane sugar.

The only way to measure the temperature of your oven is with an oven thermometer.

This is the study.
Joo Won Lee, Leonard C. Thomas, Shelly J. Schmidt. Can the Thermodynamic Melting Temperature of Sucrose, Glucose, and Fructose Be Measured Using Rapid-Scanning Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)

 

[LMGold]

Thank you both. Turns out we have a broken something or other and have scheduled a repair—the oven is 100 degrees too hot.

 

[Ricksza]

 

[MrsM]

I was going to suggest get yourself an over thermometer, but NorCal Baker already suggested that. Read your oven instructions and know how to recalibrate, because over time, the oven temperature can change and you will have to recalibrate. It's not a big deal, you certainly can do that yourself. Glad you found your problem! Happy baking

 

[pixnum]

We recently moved, and our new place has a gas oven. I have only baked in electric ovens, and gas is giving me headaches. I tried to bake a trusted meringue recipe for a pavlova. It is not your typical meringue recipe because it cooks hot and fast, but it burned, and when I tried again the next day, lowering temps 25 degrees from the start, the outside indicated it was baked but it was not. Had I continued baking it, it would have burned. I did love how marshmallowy it was, but it was too underbaked to serve guests. Another recipe—a blueberry tart— finished 10 minutes early, at 35 rather than 45 minutes. That’s significant. My faux Basque cheesecake needed to be tossed entirely because it browned far too much. The gluten free cakes I have made did okay, but I think that is because I find GF cake recipes always require more time in the oven.

I think part of the problem is how long it takes to adjust a temp mid-bake. That may explain some of it, but after reading how finicky gas ovens can be with bursts of heat and hot spots in different places, how is a home baker with moderate experience baking everything from bread to cheesecakes to spongecakes and butter cakes compensate? I just ordered a new oven thermometer because ours somehow did not make the move.

The procedure for baking in a gas oven is very simple. The reason is that you only need an infrared thermometer to measure the temperature of the gas oven's flame. First, you have to measure the gas oven's flame through the infrared thermometer and adjust the time duration for baking as well. Your experience with the electric oven temperature and time settings will help you to adjust the temperature and time settings for the gas oven's temperature and time settings accordingly. I hope that it will solve your problem as well.

 

[Sharzi]

We recently moved, and our new place has a gas oven. I have only baked in electric ovens, and gas is giving me headaches. I tried to bake a trusted meringue recipe for a pavlova. It is not your typical meringue recipe because it cooks hot and fast, but it burned, and when I tried again the next day, lowering temps 25 degrees from the start, the outside indicated it was baked but it was not. Had I continued baking it, it would have burned. I did love how marshmallowy it was, but it was too underbaked to serve guests. Another recipe—a blueberry tart— finished 10 minutes early, at 35 rather than 45 minutes. That’s significant. My faux Basque cheesecake needed to be tossed entirely because it browned far too much. The gluten free cakes I have made did okay, but I think that is because I find GF cake recipes always require more time in the oven.

I think part of the problem is how long it takes to adjust a temp mid-bake. That may explain some of it, but after reading how finicky gas ovens can be with bursts of heat and hot spots in different places, how is a home baker with moderate experience baking everything from bread to cheesecakes to spongecakes and butter cakes compensate? I just ordered a new oven thermometer because ours somehow did not make the move.

Gas and electric are very different. While electric traps in the moisture, gas allows it to escape. My advice would be to add a pan of water into the oven when baking. This will do a few things... it will keep your baked goods from drying out too much, or keep them from baking too quickly on the outside while the inside is nowhere near being done.

 

[traviswinship79]

I planned to recommend get yourself an over thermometer, yet NorCal Cook previously proposed that. Peruse your broiler guidelines and ability to recalibrate, on the grounds that over the long run, the stove temperature can change and you should recalibrate. It's anything but no joking matter, you unquestionably can do that without anyone's help. Happy you tracked down your concern! Blissful baking

Please contact me here: https://www.baking-forums.com/threads/i-cant-figure-out-gosloto results-how-to-bake-in-my-gas-oven.7493/

 

[Mona]

It sounds like your new gas oven is giving you some challenges! To get better results, use an oven thermometer to check the true temperature, preheat the oven thoroughly, and bake on the middle racks to avoid hot spots. Rotate your pans halfway through baking and keep an eye on your goods since gas ovens can cook faster or slower than electric ones. You might need to adjust the temperature slightly and try baking stones for more even heat. With some tweaks, you'll get the hang of it!