Electric Vs Gas Ovens For Baking Bread

Baking bread at home is sure to be a fun, rewarding, and delicious experience.

However, baking perfect bread is a process that has been honed to a science over the years by humans, and small things can make a big difference to how your loaf turns out.

One of these factors is which oven to use.

So let’s say you’re trying to figure out which is better for baking bread – an electric oven, or a gas oven?

If this is a question you’re wondering about, then you’ve come to the right place!

In this article, we’re going to take you through everything there is to know about which oven is best for baking bread, and give you some additional tips on how you can create the perfect loaf!

Electric Oven Overview

An electric oven will use electricity to generate heat, which is in turn transferred to the bread through the oven walls and racks.

They are typically composed of heating elements or heating coils at specific locations in the oven and may also have a fan to circulate hot air.

This makes them an ideal choice for baking bread as they can maintain consistent heat distribution throughout the baking process, resulting in evenly baked bread.

Another advantage that you might need to consider is that electric ovens heat up quickly and can reach higher temperatures faster than gas ovens.

This is important for baking bread as high temperatures are needed to create some of the most delicious aspects of bread, including crusty exteriors and soft interiors.

More than this, electric ovens are usually more energy efficient than gas ovens, which can save you money in the long run.

Gas Ovens Overview

Gas ovens tend to use natural gas or propane to generate heat, which is then transferred to the bread through the oven walls and racks.

They will have a burner at the bottom of the oven, which will then heat the air. Some gas ovens have a broiler at the top which can help you to create a crispy crust.

One of the big advantages of gas ovens is that they provide moist heat, which is a great benefit to baking bread as it stops the bread from drying out.

Another thing that gas ovens have is more temperature control. You will be able to adjust the flames to increase or decrease the heat as you cook.

This can be particularly useful when you’re baking bread that requires a specific temperature.

However, you should know that compared to electric ovens, gas ovens have a much slower heat up time and may not reach the same high temperatures as electric ovens.

This can result in slower baking times and less consistent results. Additionally, gas ovens will likely be less energy efficient than electric ovens, and can cause higher gas bills!

Which Is Better For Baking Bread?

When it comes to baking bread, both electric and gas ovens have their own advantages and disadvantages.

There’s no right or wrong answer, it mostly comes down to the specifics of your baking project.

Ultimately, the choice will come down to your personal preference, as well as the kind of bread you are baking.

If you are looking to prioritize consistent temperature control or quick heating times, an electric oven is going to be the better choice for you.

This is because electric ovens give you the tools to create this kind of heating environment.

Electric ovens are also more energy efficient overall, allowing you to cheaply reach the high temperature you need when baking bread.

This is an important thing if you want a crusty exterior and a soft, moist interior.

On the other hand, a gas oven will give you better control of temperature and a specific type of moist heat.

Gas ovens give a more humid environment that allow you much better temperature control.

Using Both

It’s worth noting that some experienced bakers prefer to use a combination of these two ovens.

For example, some will choose to use a gas oven for the initial part of the baking process, allowing the bread to get enough moist heat, before finishing the bread in an electric oven to create a distinctly crispy crust.

Which Oven Is Best For Different Types Of Bread?

Another thing to consider is to first take a look at the type of bread you want to bake.

This can depend on the specifics of the recipe you’re trying to follow, however, the following kinds of bread may turn out better in either a gas or electric oven.

Bread For A Gas Oven

Sourdough Bread – sourdough bread thrives at lower baking temperatures, making a gas oven the much better choice.

Rye Bread – similar to sourdough, rye bread is best suited to lower temperatures.

Artisan Breads – breads that we would consider artisan are best in a gas oven because of the moist baking environment.

Bread For An Electric Oven

Crusty Bread/Baguettes – these breads usually require a much higher baking temperature, making the consistent, high heat of an electric oven the better choice.

Sandwich Bread – soft sandwich bread does much better with a consistent heat.

Small Loaves/Dinner Rolls – both of these benefit from fast baking times, meaning that an electric oven is the much better choice!

Final Thoughts

To conclude, both electric and gas ovens are good choices for baking bread, but the choice will depend on your personal preferences and specific baking needs.

Electric ovens are perfect for breads that requires consistent temperature and quick heating elements, while gas ovens will give you a humid baking environment and greater control over the temperature.

It’s also important to note that using a combination is also an option.

We hope this guide has told you everything you needed to know. If you still have some questions, check out our FAQ section below.

Frequently Asked Questions