Gas or Electric Wall Oven?

Choosing between gas and electric wall ovens

The first thing you need to decide when shopping for a more conventional wall oven is whether you want an electric or gas model. In an existing kitchen, this is usually determined by what kind of oven you're replacing. If you're building a new home, doing a floor-to-ceiling remodeling job, or have available gas lines, you have a choice. Experts say electric ovens heat more evenly, but gas ovens heat up and cool down faster. Gas ovens are also a bit more efficient, particularly when equipped with electric ignition. However, because ovens tend to be energy-efficient in general, the difference is only about $25 per year, according to Sears' appliance advisor. Electric ovens have a larger capacity and are generally easier to install.

The biggest downside to gas ovens is the potential for noxious fumes, especially in today's well-sealed homes. Gas appliances should always be vented outside, and it's prudent to have a carbon monoxide detector nearby (see our report on carbon monoxide detectors for more information). Self-cleaning cycles, which use high heat in the process, seem to exacerbate the problem. That's why most people prefer electric wall ovens. In addition, most new innovations are for electric ovens, and you'll find more options and sizes available in electric ovens as well. For that reason, we focus here on electric wall ovens, and model numbers given are for 30-inch models.