The Tip For Browning Food Quicker In A Gas Oven

For the oven enthusiasts, few things are as frustrating as pulling out your casserole dish or delicious pie after the cooking time elapses, only to find they lack that beautiful golden crust. As a baker, you know how crucial browning baked goods is for a visually appealing dish. In most cases, that caramelized exterior is also necessary for achieving the perfect depth of flavor of the baked food. Unfortunately, browning your food is tricky if you're working with a gas oven. It may take much longer, and sometimes it never happens at all.

One reason for this is the uneven temperature distribution. Even though gas ovens heat faster than their electric counterparts, they are less efficient in circulating the same temperature throughout the oven cavity. Even more troublesome is the moisture produced by the burning gas, which creates a humid baking environment that slows down, or even eliminates, the browning process. Luckily, you can expedite browning and achieve delicious results by moving your baking tray to the upper rack.

First, to understand the importance of correctly positioning your baked goods, you need to know how the gas oven works. With the main banner primarily located at the bottom, hot air inside the oven moves upwards from the base. Therefore, the bottom of your tray often receives more heat than the top. Moving the baking tray from the middle to the top rack exposes the top of your food to the heat that bounces back from the oven's roof, resulting in faster browning.

Alternatively, for even quicker results, wait till your food is cooked through, then remove the tray from the main oven compartment and place it under the broiler for 1 or 2 minutes. In the case of a gas oven, the broiler is usually located in a separate compartment at the bottom, where it produces high heat from above, making crisping and caramelization occur much faster. Just ensure you keep a close eye on the food when broiling lest it overcooks or burns. With these simple tricks, whether baking loaves of bread or cuts of meat, you can count on your gas oven to produce those irresistible golden brown crispy tops you desire.