Some people swear by gas stoves and ovens, especially because these appliances tend to preheat faster and allow more flexibility on the cooktop side of things. But the oven itself is not without flaws and can create issues you may not have considered. To some state legislators, these disadvantages are so great, that some have pursued bans on installing gas stoves and ovens in new buildings and homes in an attempt to alleviate some of the risks. For instance, New York has passed a ban on gas stoves in buildings more than seven stories high while Montgomery County in Maryland has a gas ban for new home construction. California, Colorado, and Massachusetts are also considering gas bans as well.
If you’re thinking about buying a new oven, or you’re having a new home built where you’re picking out appliances, it may be worth researching some of the disadvantages of owning a gas oven versus owning an electric oven. From safety concerns to challenges with baking and cooking, you need to know what you may be up against. Likewise, if you already have a gas oven, it can be helpful to know what these disadvantages are and what you can do to mitigate them. Here are eight of the most common disadvantages of using a gas oven that you need to be aware of.
Gas ovens produce indoor pollutants
When it comes to gas ovens, perhaps the biggest disadvantage is the potential that you and your family could inhale indoor pollutants. Not only does a gas oven release gases and particles when you’re cooking but it can even pollute the air inside your home when the stove is turned off. One study published in Environmental Science & Technology in 2022 found that a gas stove can leak as much benzene as secondhand cigarette smoke — even when it’s not in use. Meanwhile, another study in the same publication found 21 air pollutants in unburned gas including hexane and toluene that may enter your home.
Your gas oven can also produce nitrogen dioxide, which irritates airways and can cause people with asthma to cough or have difficulty breathing. And, it’s possible your oven could be releasing well more than what’s safe. For instance, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says the exposure shouldn’t be more than 100 parts per billion (ppb) in one hour, and the World Health Organization has similar guidelines for indoors. But some experts suggest that when baking a cake, your gas oven could produce 230ppb, and roasting meat could produce 296ppb (via the Columbia Climate School)…