Figuring out the best way to use your kitchen appliances isn't always as easy as you'd think. Do you want to prepare a meal using the oven and stove together but don't know if this is possible? Is it safe to cook on the stove while something else is in the oven?
Well, we've done some research and have these answers for you below.
Yes! You can certainly cook in your oven and use the stove at the same time. However, you want to check that both elements can withstand using that much power simultaneously, so we recommend turning the two on and seeing if anything happens.
Additionally, most stoves and ovens are made to work together at once, so unless your user manual recommends against this, you should be fine.
As we start this article, we will cover everything using the stove and oven and discuss whether or not you can do this at home. If you aren't used to using both functions or have related questions, we're here to help. With that said, let's dive right into this topic!
Can You Use The Oven And Stove Together?
Yes. You should generally be okay to turn on the stove while the oven's on and vice versa. Since most new appliances are made to withstand two different uses simultaneously, cooking between the oven and stovetop is safe.
On top of that, according to experts, many ovens and stoves use different fuel sources. For example, your appliance's oven may use electricity to operate, while the stovetop uses gas.
That can also be the opposite, so this won't always be something to question in the first place. Regardless, as long as everything is in good working condition, there should not be a problem.
As we said above, you can also try and test the two. To do this, turn on the oven and stovetop, wait a few minutes, and see if anything suspicious happens.
If not, you are fine to cook with both!
Is It Safe To Use Your Oven And Stovetop At The Same Time?
Yes, it should be safe to use both your oven and the stovetop at one time. Specifically, as long as your appliance is newer and all of the wirings is correct, doing this should not be an issue.
According to Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen, you want to ensure your fuse box can handle that much power simultaneously. So, it is a good idea to test the theory of using both and see if anything weird occurs.
The only adverse side effect of using the two at once is that your heat distribution can become off-balanced. Furthermore, your entire appliance may become very warm, which isn't always safe for you.
For example, sometimes, when people have their ovens on, the stovetop also becomes warm.
This same effect can happen when the two systems are on and heating, so that is something to consider. In addition, if your appliance doesn't have great mechanics, it could have trouble keeping your food hot.
So, this shouldn't be unsafe: but that's not to say it can't become a problem.
Can I Use A Gas Stove And Oven Together?
If you have a gas stove and oven, you may wonder whether using the two at once is still fine. Luckily, this should be safe if you keep the two temperatures similar.
According to experts, you want to keep your oven and stove around 50 degrees within each other, as this can prevent one from using more power than the other.
As we mentioned earlier, not all appliances use the same fuel source. For example, if your oven is electric and your stove is gas, they don't need to stay within 50 degrees of each other to be efficient.
The same goes for an electric stovetop and a gas oven. So, if your oven and stove share a fuel source, that's when you want to be more cautious of your two temperature settings.
Again, you can't always control what type of fuel source an appliance uses, so we recommend checking the mechanics of your system and referring to the user manual with any questions.
Can I Use The Stove While Oven Is Self Cleaning?
In general, you should be fine to use the stove while your oven self-cleans. With that said, some pros warn against this if you have an older gas unit.
As we said, gas-powered appliances can be more challenging to control once the two heating elements are on, which isn't always safe for you or your cookware.
Remember, not all pots and pans can withstand extreme heat, which can occur if the oven is self-cleaning and your stove top reaches a high enough temperature.
However, if you have a newer model of appliance and it is electric, this shouldn't be a concern. Regardless, we recommend playing it safe and waiting until the oven cleans itself before cooking on the stovetop.
Even if this takes longer, it's better to be safe than sorry.
How Hot Does An Oven Get While It's On?
You can generally expect your oven to reach 400-450 degrees while it's on. However, this depends greatly on your recipe and what heat it calls for.
For example, if you need to bake something at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, your oven shouldn't exceed that threshold. One of the nice things about newer appliances is that they stay within the set temperature, making the cooking process safer.
On the other hand, if your recipe calls for high heat, that's when things can warm up around your system. As we said earlier, it's common to have your stovetop become warm while the oven's on.
Especially when using high heat, you can expect your stovetop and surrounding area to warm up. Of course, this shouldn't pose a danger to you/your kitchen, but it is something to be mindful of.
How Hot Does An Oven Get During The Self Cleaning Cycle?
During an oven's self-cleaning cycle, it's possible to see temperatures around 600 degrees Fahrenheit. While an oven cleans itself, it typically uses extreme temperatures to burn off grease and food particles.
Of course, this can sometimes exceed 600 degrees, with some heavier-duty ovens reaching almost 1,000 degrees during the self-clean cycle.
Therefore, using the stovetop while your oven is at such high temperatures isn't always safe. Instead, many professionals recommend against this, encouraging you to steer clear from your oven until it's done.
Like normal usage, your appliance can become warm while one part of its heating element is on. So, if the inside of an oven is 600-1,000 degrees, you don't want to try and turn the stove on too.
Even if your appliance uses different fuel sources, too much heat can damage an oven/range. Many chefs don't like turning on this cycle because of the extreme heat, so it's not always something you want to do anyways.
Is It Safe To Be In The House While An Oven Is Self-Cleaning?
Although the temperatures will rise to startling heights during the self-cleaning cycle: it is safe to remain in your home. According to experts, you can typically stay in your kitchen while the oven cleans unless there is poor ventilation.
Luckily, most modern systems have vents throughout the back and sides of an oven to expel any excess heat and keep your home safe from fires. Furthermore, leaving enough room around your appliance will also help keep your other systems and cabinetry/counters safe against high heat.
The only time you would need to evacuate your home during the self-cleaning cycle would be if something went wrong with the appliance.
For example, if the room becomes extremely warm and smokey, or your oven catches fire. Moreover, we recommend having a fire extinguisher if something like this happens.
How Hot Will A Stovetop Get While It's On?
Moving to the top of your appliance, you might be curious about how hot a stove can become. Generally, a stove will reach temperatures between 600 and 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Between the various stove types, a natural gas model can produce a flame as hot as 3,542 degrees. The average induction stovetop can become 662 degrees Fahrenheit at its highest setting, which is still extremely warm.
On top of that, when a small coil on an electric stove is on the highest setting, it can get as hot as 932-1112 degrees Fahrenheit. So your stovetop is nothing to fool around with.
It's also worth noting that these temperatures are hot enough to melt specific cookware, so again: be careful while using them.
Should My Stovetop Get Hot When The Oven Is On?
Although it isn't expected for a stovetop to become burning hot while the oven is on, this is possible. Your stove will generally become a bit warmer when you use the oven.
According to GE Appliances, you can expect the stovetop to rise in temperature while you use the oven. So, if you have something resting on top that can't withstand heat, we recommend removing it ASAP.
Furthermore, the company mentions how you can expect hotter stovetops if you bake or broil for extended periods, so keep that in mind too.
To Finish
Whether you want to cook using the stove and oven together or haven't thought of it, it's always good to know an appliance's limits. We found that you can usually turn on the oven and stove together, although this can become tricky depending on your fuel source.
Typically, ranges will use two heating sources: gas and electric. In that case, you don't need to worry about temperature ranges and the safety of using your entire appliance at once.
Again, we recommend referring to your user manual, which should cover this topic.
Made it to the end? Check out these other related kitchen articles below:
How To Turn Off A KitchenAid Oven [Inc. Troubleshooting When It Won't Turn Off]
How Long Does It Take To Preheat An Oven? [& How To Know When It Is Preheated]
