Ovens are fairly easy to use if you know the right tips and tricks. Gas ovens and electric ovens require slightly different operation, so make sure you use the right cookware depending on your oven type. All ovens need regular cleaning. Make sure to clean your oven when you notice built up food and debris on the floor and oven racks.

Figure out the basics of your oven. Before you start attempting to use your gas oven, or any oven, read over any instruction manuals you have. This will inform you of the basics of how to turn the oven on and off as well how to move the racks and other aspects of how your oven works.

Use an oven thermometer. Gas ovens tend to fluctuate in temperature. Even if you set the oven for a specific temperature, the heat may rise or fall unexpectedly during the cooking process. Therefore, use an oven thermometer to measure temperature. You may need to turn the heat slightly up or slightly down during the cooking process.[1]

Rotate your trays while cooking. Heat tends to fluctuate in a gas oven. Some spots will become hotter or colder during the cooking process. Therefore, it can help to occasionally open the oven and rotate your baking trays a few degrees to ensure things cook evenly.

Place a baking stone on your oven’s floor. A baking stone can be used to cook things like baked goods and pizzas. However, it can also help regulate temperature in a gas oven. It can help radiate temperature upward in a more even fashion. Place it on the bottom of your oven or on the lowest rack when you’re not using it. Then, place whatever you’re cooking just above the baking stone to help it cook more evenly.

Move items higher up for browner tops. It can sometimes be hard to get things like pies to brown on the top in a gas oven. It can help to move dishes you need to brown to the top tray. This will allow them to brown faster.

Turn up the temperature for added crispiness. Gas ovens tend to be more humid, which can affect crispiness. Things like roasted potatoes may not get crisp as easily in a gas oven. It can help to turn the oven temperature up about 25 degrees hotter than the recipe calls for. This will result in a crispier final product.

Do not use dark metal cookware. You should never use dark metals in a gas oven. In a gas oven, heat comes from the bottom of the oven. Dark metal cookware will absorb heat faster, which can result in the bottoms of dishes become brown or burnt