Baking a Cake in a Gas Oven . . . Help !

[Velma]

Hi,

This question isn't only directed at women but I wasn't sure where to post it and since I'm a woman this is what I choose.

I've never used a gas oven until now and I've been afraid to bake a cake in it, does it work any different then a regular oven as far as cakes and pasteries? Do you cook cakes etc. for the same time requirement as a reg oven or is it different? My main question is about cooking cakes in the gas oven and I was unable to locate anything in the search about cakes. Anyone?

Thank you for your advice and help,
Velma

[capn_billl]

I'm not a woman, but I have baked a cake in a gas oven.


The only difference I have noticed baking in a gas oven is the temp changes more quickly. Any oven I have used it takes me a couple of tries to get the temp/time set right.

[zeehag]

what is a "regular"oven??i have always used gas, so isnt a problem.....might want a pizza stone or an unglazed ile in it to distribute heat evenly, if is a propane one.

[bill352]

Maybe it's a function of age or background, but for many of us a "regular" oven is a gas oven.

Best thing you can do, afloat or ashore, is get an oven thermometer so you know what the temp really is in there and can set it properly. Cake doesn't care how it got that way.

Also, what zee said about heat distribution, and you can check that with your thermometer, too. Google "oven tiles" for various fixes.

[barnakiel]

We bake by sight. My mate uses sticks with any newish designs. They are not supposed to stick. Once any given cake is mastered we just bake by time/looks.

b.
(male)

[zeehag]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

We bake by sight. My mate uses sticks with any newish designs. They are not supposed to stick. Once any given cake is mastered we just bake by time/looks.

b.
(male)

show off..........mine were always wet in middle when i did that, then fell.....

[Alecadi]

Originally Posted by bill352

Maybe it's a function of age or background, but for many of us a "regular" oven is a gas oven.

Yeap.......... should be age!!!!!!!!!!!!

[zeehag]

elctricity for ovens and stoves didnt become popular until late--1967-70.....then ye couldnt find gas anymore. EVERY new home had ALL ELECTRIC KITCHEN which i hated.

[terra57]

Hi Velma
The answer is yes and no. Yes it cooks like a regular oven but no, not like an electric oven. Gas ovens just bake a little differently. The gas oven on the boat will probably not bake the top brown at the same time as the bottom. Most have a broil setting so you can use that, carefully, to brown the top. The oven temperature is not as uniform as a larger home model. Bake using the same time as a regular oven. Check on it a couple of times and broil for the last couple of minutes if needed. Hope this helps and I hope you don't have one of those strange ovens with the flames along the back wall!

[zeehag]

pizza stone or unglazed tile will help distribute heat..

[Hannah on 'Rita T']

I agree with Zee. I scoured used boat stores until I found a junked oven like mine. Had to buy the whole thing for $20 just to get the second rack. Mostly, I use the second rack to keep the stone on. Actually, it is an unglazed tile from Home Depot. Works fine.

[svpattyd]

Got my second rack through a camping/rv store. They matched my oven dimensions and found a rack that fits.

[terra57]

Do you put the pizza stone on the rack above your cake?

[ssanzone]

to answer your question, it dosent matter where the stone is... it serves a purpose to collect and maintain heat. it is not a flame tamer and will not affect the top or bottom of the cake (prevent one side form cooking more or less or faster or slower.

i would suggest that a cast iron pan works WAY better in gas ovens AND serves multiple functions on a boat as opposed to a pizza stone or oven tile.

pft... who needs women?!

-steve

[sv Winterlude]

For more information on using your boat oven, check out The Boat Galley, specifically here's a link:

How to Use a Boat Oven | The Boat Galley

You'll find all kinds of valuable information on this site specifically about cooking in a boat galley -- imagine that!

Cheers -- Jan