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My last gas oven/stove was horrible. I couldn't cook anything over "low" on the stove. But it was also just a cheap, bad oven/stove combo. I think for gas versus electric that it also depends on the the brand. That said, I've never had a problem with an electric stove/oven except that I can't roast red peppers over the open flame.

Most gas ranges are available with an electric oven. This is called a dual fuel range. The reason for it is that with an entirely gas range/oven you can not get the oven hot enough for a self cleaning oven feature. An electric oven is capable of self cleaning since the temperature can get very high. So, you get the best of both----a gas cook top and an electric oven. This is very popular and very available.

I have a totally generic ($450 Frigidaire) all-gas-all-the-time stove/oven, and it's great. When we first got it, the burners ran a little hot, but that's easy to adjust (you just pull off the knob and turn the screw until "Low" really is low). We don't have any problems with the oven -- it cooks evenly and keeps heat well. It even self-cleans! We bake alot -- and we keep a pizza stone in the oven all the time, which might make a bit of difference.

And, as an aside: my parents bought a $5k dual-fuel Wolf stove/2-oven last year, and they've had to have 8 repairs on it so far -- right now the big oven won't maintain heat, and the small oven is always 50F too low. So getting a well-reviewed make/model (like, against all odds, my cheapo stove) is probably more important than whether it's gas or not.

I also have the gas range / electric oven combo and I love it (it came with my apartment, so I just lucked out). I much prefer cooking with gas, even though electric cooktops have come a long way, and can still get the heat benefits of the electric oven. I think mine is a GE? Or maybe a Frigidaire.

I've heard that it's inherently difficult to control the temperature of a gas oven, which is why the dual fuel thing is so popular.

We're about to redo our kitchen and will replace our all electric stove/oven with a dual fuel. I'm a part time baker and feel that electric ovens are more precise at holding a temp. I can't stand my electric as a cooktop - can't wait for gas! Btw - what brand is the yellow oven on the left - does anyone know? I'm intrigued!

We just got an all-gas Viking range (in white enamel! love!) in November, after assuming we'd get dual-fuel. A friend who works in kitchen design recommended we skip the dual fuel to save money and avoid having to install a breaker to power the oven (we actually don't have electricity on the wall where our stove stands; we'll have to remedy that when we get a hood...). He also talked up the incredible broil function on the gas version, which he said couldn't be matched by electric. It's true, the broiler is almost like a restaurant salamander.

That said, we have definitely had some issues with getting the oven up to temp--I keep a thermometer in it and it is frequently way lower than it should be. But things cook, so who knows? I haven't tried baking yet, but our Thanksgiving turkey was perfect.

What I need to explore more is how the convection works. My husband tried it out while trying to bake a pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving and the temperature wouldn't go above 200. Weird.

I cannot believe how many complaints I've heard about Viking/Wolf. I don't understand it. It's basically commercial equipment. Oh well.

I'm a chef and have always used primarily gas ovens. Gas with a convection fan.

When I was sourcing equipment for my condo and began talking to appliance dealers and looking at ovens (wall) I saw very few gas models.

The dealers were exactly right when they said that electric ovens are much more precise and efficient than gas ovens.

I had a 220 v. outlet wired into my kitchen for the purpose of installing an electric oven. It was well worth it. It heats up extremely fast, holds it's temperature well, recovers quickly and browns more evenly than a gas model.

If you are a baker you will be very happy with electric.

But stick with gas cooktops. Or induction if you are super high tech.

We have an electric oven/stove at home and, while I love that the oven is a consistent temperature for my baking, I HATE having to use an electric stove top. This is mostly because I like to warm things over an open flame-- like toasting nori, warming up tortillas, or blackening a pepper. It's pretty much impossible to do any of the above without actual fire.

Of course, I'm intrigued by the dual-fuel oven/stoves...Sounds like the best of both worlds!

I have an all-gas range (that came with my rental apartment). While the cook-top is great, it definitely took a while to get used to the gas oven. It used to be pretty uneven, because the cycles on and off seem to last too long. However, we put our pizza stone on the bottom of the oven and leave it there. It takes longer to pre-heat the oven now, but it cooks much more evenly.

question for those with gas ovens: i live in a rental too, with a gas range/oven. i've had gas ovens in the past with no problems, but this one, the first time i turned it on it started to smoke. not heavy smoke, but it was noticeable. i got scared and haven't used it since.

before i call my landlord, is this common? is it just dirty? if so, how/where do i clean it? thanks!!

leanne,

does it smell like burning food smoke?

If so, you probably have some carbonized food particles stuck in there.

Is there a bottom broiler? If so, pull it out and see if it is dirty.

Also, is the bottom of the oven clean? There could be spilled grease or something that has dried up and is burning.

I just installed a new electrolux electric oven and induction cooktop and could'nt be happier. The induction is just great, it's very fast and precise. I had to forgot some of my cookware, but it's worth it.

gas stove top, which is the most common, here in Italy, and I find is the best to use when cooking.
i recently got a whole new kitchen and for safety reasons (young child) got a heatproof door electric oven, and will never go back to gas again!
the pain with gas ovens is they take a while to start up, and never heats quickly and high enough, imo.