Gas cooking?

Alfietinker

Not really moneysaving, but you're all so knowlegable.....

Anybody got any tips for switching from an electric to a gas oven?

My new gas oven is broken and the engineer is coming for the 3rd time tomorrow, but I sometimes think I'm going mad.

I keep relying on an oven thermometer (even brought a new one in case the previous one was faulty). Am I being paranoid?! Do the temperatures really equate exactly?

It takes over 40 minutes to reach temperature according to my thermometer, even though the flame goes down after 20 mins... again, should I rely on the thermometer this much?

Just so I know, because the engineer is not leaving the house until I'm satisfied!!!

System

I keep relying on an oven thermometer (even brought a new one in case the previous one was faulty). Am I being paranoid?! Do the temperatures really equate exactly?

Well i dont rely on an oven thermometer at all!!! I just rely on the settings i have put it on and all that fussing with the themometer means you will keep opening the door and let the heat out.

It takes over 40 minutes to reach temperature according to my thermometer, even though the flame goes down after 20 mins... again, should I rely on the thermometer this much?

Well its going to take time to get to temperature if you have had the door open, but i wouldnt have thought it would have taken 40 minutes. I definately think your relying on your thermometer too much.

madmummy_2

I noticed no difference in performance when switching from electric oven to gas and then back again. If you can cook with one you can cook with the other and there is not the learning curve as with hobs IMO. I switched back to leccy cos only two kinds of food left my kitchen when I had a gas hob (raw 'n' burnt offering)

Get the engineer to check out the temp if you suspect it is turning down too early. As you are used to leccy remember not to slam your oven door as this can sometimes make the flame go out. There are safety features so you won't be gassed but ya dinner won't cook either. You may laugh but I did this a few times when I had a gas oven.

Edit: posted by MATH

Alfietinker

Thanks very much for both your answers - where else would someone answer my questions?!

The cooker is definately faulty because the main oven flame never goes up at all and the manufacturer has sent through lots of spare parts.

The top oven has had it's thermostat replaced once, then the engineer came out again and said it seems to be taking a long time to heat up but didn't know if that was normal. Now in the latest lot of spares sent through there is another top oven thermostat, so I just wondered how long other ovens take?

Just another couple of quickies so I can get it clear in my head.

(1) When you hear the flame go down it should reach temperature. (manual is very vague)

(2) Forget the thermometer? What would be a good 'test' food to see if the temperature is OK - a cake perhaps?

fazer6

I have a special test for reheating on the hob, cooking in the oven or in a microwave to see whether stuff is done, put your finger in the middle, if it's hot and burns a bit it's done, if it really burns it's overdone, if it's cold it's not done.

For cakes there's always the put in a knife and if it comes out clean it's done, but don't use this for brownies (I made this mistake once and just got cake), and for meat you can see if the juices run clear. But the shove your finger in trick works just as well.

Alfietinker

I'm not really being stupid - meat has come out raw, and frozen chicken kievs still cold in middle

I only heard about different fuels cook in different ways, so I wanted to know if this was true, of if my cooker is absolutely faulty.

And as you are all so wise...

Sorry, didn't mean to let the side down.

Galtizz

Alfietinker wrote:

I'm not really being stupid - meat has come out raw, and frozen chicken kievs still cold in middle
.

If you want my completly unproffesional view, I'd say it doesn't sound good. Have a look on the vent board or, if the gas board supplied it, the gas and electricity board and they will help you on how to complain and get results (they're very helpful).

Alfietinker wrote:

the engineer is not leaving the house until I'm satisfied!!!.

:eek: LMAO, sorry, I have a dirty mind