Gas ovens have many advantages. They heat quickly and evenly and simply work better for some types of cooking and baking. But there are also many disadvantages to cooking with an open flame. Gas ovens can be difficult to clean, as the flames cake on grease. Before deciding on the oven that's right for you, consider the disadvantages of gas.
Cost
As the cost of natural gas goes up, gas-powered ovens will become increasingly expensive. If you don't already have a gas line running to your house, the cost of an installation further increases the cost. If your oven has a perpetually burning pilot light, extinguishing it when you're not using the oven will decrease your gas consumption. Close the gas valve when you blow out the pilot light, otherwise your oven will leak dangerous flammable gas.
- As the cost of natural gas goes up, gas-powered ovens will become increasingly expensive.
- If you don't already have a gas line running to your house, the cost of an installation further increases the cost.
Safety
Gas ovens can release harmful gasses like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, according to the California Environmental Protection Agency. In large concentrations, these gasses can cause significant health problems, even death. Although most emissions from gas ovens fall well below dangerous limits, they still introduce gasses into your home. Electric ovens do not emit any harmful gasses.
- Gas ovens can release harmful gasses like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, according to the California Environmental Protection Agency.
- In large concentrations, these gasses can cause significant health problems, even death.
Power Outages
Even though gas ovens are powered by propane or natural gas, models without pilot lights require electrical ignition. These types of gas ovens are not usable during a power outage. Although this is also true for electric ovens, consumers my think power-outage safety is a good reason to purchase a gas oven.