One of the first decisions you need to make when buying an oven is whether you want gas or electric. There are a number of differences between a gas oven and an electric oven, so you need to make sure you pick the one that’s right for you. The type you choose will have an impact on everything from installation cost to energy usage to baking quality. If you don’t know the difference, then this blog post will go through everything you need to know. After reading this post, you’ll know all about the key differences between gas ovens and electric ovens and you’ll be able to make your choice.

Performance and Cooking Quality

Cooking with gas is very different to cooking with electricity. Here are the key differences:

Gas Ovens

• Gas ovens will heat up a lot quicker than electric ovens, so they don’t need to be preheated for long. They generally take 10 to 15 minutes to completely heat up.
• The gas flame heats all parts of the oven, including the sides. They are prone to temperature fluctuations and uneven heating but you can adjust the temperatures easily to give you more control. 
• Regular maintenance is required with a gas oven to ensure that they are safe. This needs to be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. 
• Gas ovens offer a drier heat which is often not recommended for baking as it can affect the moisture content of bakes. If you’re going to be baking a lot of bread or cakes, this is something that you should consider.

Electric Ovens

• Compared to a gas oven, electric ovens will take a little longer to heat up. You will typically need to add an extra 10 minutes to your preheating time. 
• Electric ovens are generally easier to use with straightforward temperature controls. They may also come with handy additional features such as a self-cleaning function and a timer.
• Although easier to use, you can’t control the temperature of electric ovens as well as you can with gas ovens. 
• Electric ovens provide even and consistent heating. For dishes where precise temperature control is crucial such as bread and cakes, electric ovens are generally preferred.
• As electric ovens lack any open flames, they are generally considered to be cheaper when installed properly.
• Electric ovens offer a humid heat which means that they retain moisture better than gas ovens. Again, this is ideal if you are baking things such as bread or cakes. 

Installation and Safety Requirements

It doesn’t matter which fuel type you choose, both gas and electric ovens will need to be installed by a professional. 

Gas Oven Installation

As gas does come with more risks than electricity and you will need to use a Gas Safe registered engineer for both installation and any maintenance. With gas appliances, there are risks of gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning. It is a legal requirement in the UK for any gas appliance work to be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Once the work has been carried out, the engineer should supply you with a Declaration of Safety Certificate. It is essential that you have a carbon monoxide detector in your home if you have any fuel burning appliances, not just for your oven. This should be placed in the same room as the appliance, 1 to 3 meters away from it. You should regularly test the battery to ensure it is working. 

Electric Oven Installation

If your electric oven is hardwired, then you will need to have it installed by a qualified electrician. Even if you think that you would be able to install the oven yourself, for safety reasons it is recommended that you hire a qualified professional. If you’re upgrading from a much older model, the newer oven might have completely different wiring setups. Incorrect wiring could be dangerous. An electrician will also be able to do safety tests. 

If you’re looking for either a Gas Safe engineer or a qualified electrician, you can use Checkatrade or the Gas Safe Register to find one near you. Always make sure that you ask to see the ID card of the Gas Safe engineer before you let them carry out any work. The cost of installation will depend on the type of work required, your oven and the area. 

Running Costs and Energy Efficiency

With the current cost of living, it’s important to consider the running costs of any appliance before you commit to buying it. Many of us are making choices to save money, so it’s really important to know how much your fuel costs and the difference between gas and electricity. The difference in running costs can be the deciding factor whether you choose a gas or an electric oven.

As it stands in the UK today, electricity is substantially more expensive than gas when you total it up per unit. This has a noticeable impact on the running cost of ovens. The current Ofgem price cap for October to December 2025 shows us just how much of a price difference there is between the two fuels. Currently, gas costs around 6.29p per kWh whilst electricity costs 26.35p per kWh. Just 20p difference may not seem like much. However, if you look at the annual costs, a gas oven is significantly cheaper to run than an electric oven. 

The difference in the cost of fuels will add up in the long term, especially if you’re using your oven regularly. Most households will use their oven on a daily basis. Despite this, running cost is just one part of the picture. You also need to consider the energy efficiency. Electric ovens, especially the fan assisted models are often more energy efficient. This is due to the fact that there’s no heat loss through ventilation. They also heat more evenly, have better temperature controls and cooking times are often quicker. So, although running costs are important you will need to consider all factors. 

Convenience and Maintenance

You’re likely to be using your oven regularly, perhaps every day so it’s important that the one you pick is right for you. As already mentioned, it’s much easier to control the temperature in electric ovens but that aside, they’re also much more user friendly in general. 

One thing that electric ovens have that gas ovens don’t is self-cleaning technology. Many modern electric ovens have this feature which is a pyrolytic self-cleaning cycle that heats the oven to such high temperatures that any food residue is burnt away and reduced to ash. It is then so much easier to wipe the debris away. Gas ovens will not have this feature, which means that they will require much more manual cleaning.

If you have a busy lifestyle then you may want to think about the initial heat-up time. As we already know, gas ovens heat up a lot quicker than electric ovens do. It’s important that you understand that electric ovens, particularly those that are fan assisted offer a more consistent temperature throughout the cavity. 

Both gas ovens and electric ovens are built to last many years. They’re one of the appliances that you need to be able to rely on but their maintenance needs differ. Electric ovens tend to have fewer issues over time as they have fewer mechanical parts. This means that they are fairly straightforward to maintain. Gas ovens will need to be serviced periodically to ensure that they are safe to use in your home. This will need to be done by a Gas Safe Engineer.

Conclusion

Ultimately, whether you choose a gas oven or an electric oven, it all comes down to what matters most for your lifestyle, home and budget. There are clear advantages for both fuel types so you need to consider your individual needs. All of the different factors including installation requirements, running costs, energy efficiency, maintenance and cleaning should be considered before you make your purchase.

Gas ovens are the cheaper option when you’re looking at running costs. However, they require more maintenance and have more safety considerations. Electric ovens will cost more than gas ovens to run, but offer a much better baking experience. Whichever oven type you decide to choose, we are here to help. You can contact us Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm if you have any questions.