How to Bake in an RV Oven Like a Pro

by Lauren Lynch

RV ovens can be a little intimidating to use at first, but with a few tweaks and a little practice, it can be used to bake with great results. RV ovens are notorious for their uneven baking — so much so that some RVs come without the standard oven (or offer a convection microwave instead).

When we’re new to RVing, so many aspects are dauntingly unfamiliar that learning to use appliances like ovens can get put off — especially since we have alternatives we’re already comfortable with like microwaves and grills. During the heat of summer, indoor oven use becomes less appealing and we end up using the oven as a storage compartment.

In my tiny RV kitchen area, there is really no counter space to store additional cooking appliances like the popular instant pots, toaster ovens, griddles, and even coffee makers — so I was motivated to make use of our propane gas oven.

If your campsite includes unlimited electricity, then it can be tempting to just plug in an appliance out of convenience, but propane gas is so inexpensive and we need to refill so rarely, that it just doesn’t make sense to us to haul around the extra weight of additional space-hogging appliances.

If your experience was anything like mine, as a first-time RV buyer, I was clueless about so many things and overwhelmed by the walk-through at pick-up. If I had it all to do over again, I’d bring a pad and paper. Even so, it all happened so quickly and there was so much to process that many of the detailed instructions didn’t sink in. For anyone who is new to RV cooking, here are some basic concepts that will build confidence as you begin to experiment with your RV oven.

How to Light the Pilot Light on a Gas RV Oven

If you’re new to gas appliances, the whole idea of using flammable gas in an enclosed space can seem a bit frightening. With a little knowledge and common-sense safety, however, they’re simple to master.

• Step 1: Check to make sure that the gas is turned on to your oven.
• Step 2: Open the oven door and locate the pilot at the bottom center of the oven’s interior (see photo above to know what to look for).
• Step 3: Push in and turn the oven knob to “Pilot,” continuing to press it in while you light it, then light the pilot with a long stick lighter. Once you can see that the pilot is lit, continue to hold the knob in for an additional few seconds, then release the knob.
• Step 4: Turn the “Oven” knob to the desired cooking temperature.

It’s as simple as that!

Once you’re done using the oven, you can turn it back to pilot to keep it lit for the duration of your stay if you plan on using it often. When it comes time to pack up and move your RV (or when you’ve used the oven for the last time on the trip), be sure to turn the pilot light off by turning the oven knob to the “Off” position.

However, It’s easy enough to light, that it’s safest to keep the oven in the “Off” position between uses to avoid any gas smell or leakage and to keep from wasting any propane.

The Secret to Success: A Pizza Stone

While RV ovens are known for their uneven baking, the simple secret to improving their efficiency is a pizza stone. Place a pizza stone on the bottom shelf of the oven (directly over the heat source, not on the actual bottom of the oven — as in the photo above). Preheat the oven with the stone inside and it will distribute the heat, allowing foods to bake evenly.

Most pizza stones are too large for an RV oven, but I found that the Cuisinart Alfrescamore Pizza Grilling Stone fits in our RV oven perfectly, while allowing heat to circulate around it. This 13-inch stone is made of Cordierite and can withstand high temperatures (bonus: it can also be used to make pizza on a grill). Plus cordierite is very lightweight, making it ideal for RV travel.

How to Properly Clean a Pizza Stone
To clean the pizza stone, allow it to cool completely in the oven. Gently scrape off any debris with a plastic scraper or spatula. You may use a damp scrub pad to clean off any remaining food particles (do NOT soak the stone or use soap on it, it will absorb into the stone and linger, ruining it). Greasy ingredients like cheese may stain the stone but won’t damage it. Dry the stone and store it in the oven. Do NOT coat it with oil. Seasoning it is not necessary.

To use it for baking bread or pizza, move it up to the baking rack, sprinkle it with cornmeal before preheating the oven and bake them directly on the stone. They should lift right off with a metal peel. (Subscribe to our blog below for upcoming posts on making pizza in a grill or RV oven.)

Fearless Fun in the Kitchen

Easier said than done? A healthy amount of caution can be a good thing — we need to know how to use our appliances properly and safely. After we know how to use them, then we can throw caution to the wind and just experiment. (Don’t worry, once you understand it, your safety knowledge will come back to you if needed.) There may be a few baking flops at first, and that’s fine. Just enjoy the process of learning.

And so I offer you another Julia Child quote … because she knew her stuff, but more importantly—she knew how to have fun! “The only real stumbling block is fear of failure. In cooking, you’ve got to have a what-the-hell attitude.” Truth.

Know How to Use Your Gas Appliances Safely

Gas cooking appliances need fresh air for safe operation. Before using them, open vents or windows, and turn on the exhaust fan prior to using the oven. Gas flames consume oxygen, which needs to be replaced. The range hood should be used to ventilate your kitchen when cooking. Here is an important tidbit: you need to open the vent on your hood fan each time you use it. It will be located right behind your range hood on the outside and can be up high from the ground. My husband can reach it easily, so I have him snap it open. When you turn the fan on, it will pop open. When you turn it off, the vent flap will close. Snap it shut again for travel.

Don’t let fear hold you back, but also know that improper use of gas appliances can be potentially lethal. Be sure to read your manuals! Then use common sense. Never leave a gas stove or oven unattended when in use. Do not use oversized cookware (or pans that cover two burners). Resulting heat build-up can damage the appliance and increase the risk of fire. Do not store any flammable liquids near the stove or oven when they are in use.

Know the Signs of CO Poisoning
Early signs of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, dizziness, and/or fatigue. Increased exposure will lead to a throbbing headache, drowsiness, confusion and a rapid heart rate. If these symptoms are not recognized and avoided, continued exposure can lead to unconsciousness, convulsions, and death. Children should also be made aware of these signs and symptoms and know what to do (open doors, alert adults, and get outside immediately). Confirm that your CO alarm is operational (by pushing the “test” button) before leaving for each trip.

Check Your Fire Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers are usually located near the main door of an RV (which in our case, is also close to the bedroom and kitchen). Know the location(s) and how to use them. The instructions should be clearly displayed on the canister. Typically, you will want to stand about six feet from the fire and use the PASS method:

• Pull the pin and hold the unit upright.
• Aim at the base of the fire, not the flames.
• Squeeze the lever slowly.
• Sweep from side to side.

Most fire extinguishers will last for five or more years. To be safe, they should be inspected and certified annually. Some fire extinguishers have a pressure gauge on top that may indicate whether or not it is properly charged. Ours does not. It is simply a small First Alert extinguisher that can be purchased for less than twenty dollars—so it just makes sense to replace it every year or so. First Alert also makes small aerosol can extinguishers for around ten dollars each and these can be stashed in outside compartments (and your vehicle, if you have a travel trailer). It’s a small expense for peace of mind.

Once you understand how to use gas appliances safely, know the symptoms of CO poisoning, and are comfortable operating a fire extinguisher in the event of an emergency, you will be more comfortable and confident in using them!

Using Appliances at High Altitude

In our home base of North Carolina, there are a few mile-high mountains (exceeding 5280 feet). Because there is less oxygen that high up, your body will need to work harder than normal, and you may find that your efficiency decreases and your appetite increases. You’ll need to hydrate more. Sealed bags of food puff up … yup, it’s weird. Baking also gets a little strange.

All gas appliances are less efficient at altitudes of 3,000 feet or more because of lower atmospheric pressure and oxygen levels. Because air pressure is lower in the mountains, foods will take longer to bake. Plan accordingly. Temperatures and/or bake times may need to be increased. Gases expand more causing dough to rise faster, so baking soda/powder quantities may need to be decreased. Liquids also evaporate faster, so ingredient amounts may need to be adjusted. When you head to the mountains, plan on being flexible, tweaking ingredients as necessary, and checking on whatever you’re cooking frequently.

Visit this USDA site on high altitude cooking and food safety for more information.

Bake Boldly

While camping isn’t exactly ideal for gourmet cooking, there is no reason to limit ourselves to grilled or microwave meals either. When we camp, we’re more focused on exploring the area we’re visiting than spending too much time indoors baking. However — there is no reason to avoid it out of fear either. Subscribe to our blog below to join us for future camping cooking experiments. Up next: grilled pizza!

© Lauren Lynch and artofrv.com, 2019. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Lauren Lynch and artofrv.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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