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How Can I Bake In My RV's Propane Oven Without Burning Everything?

by Fred
(West Bend, WI)

How to Bake In Your RV's Propane Oven Without Burning Everything

How to Bake In Your RV's Propane Oven Without Burning Everything

I have a 1997 Mallard Travel Trailer. When I try to bake something, it almost always comes out burned on the bottom. Can someone tell me why? And is there a possible solution to the problem?

I like to bake but do not in the camper because of this problem.

ANSWER: Hi Fred, I will be the first to admit that I normally do not answer RV cooking questions as I am definitely not a "Gourmet Chef". But, that being said; I actually have a solution for your bottom burning problem. In fact the solution has been around since the stone age. By properly using a Baking Stone (pictured above) you can improve the ability of your RV's Propane Oven to bake items evenly without burning the bottom of the food items.

Simply get a Baking Stone that is close to fitting nicely on the bottom of your RV's Propane Oven. Place the baking stone as close to the flames at bottom of the oven as you can. IMPORTANT: Do not block any oven burner ventilation holes. The best place to put the stone is on the metal shelf directly above the oven burners. Make sure that the baking stone is centered at the bottom of the oven.

Preheat your oven to the proper temperature for the recipe you are using with the baking stone in place. Once you have the oven at the correct temperature, place your food item in the middle of one of the center or upper oven racks. Do not place the pan directly on the baking stone.

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The stone will act as an insulator and will not let the super hot direct heat hit the bottom of the pan. The stone absorbs the heat evenly and distributes it evenly in the oven, which allows the oven to cook your food item without burning it.

In the video below from RVtravel.com. RV Travel technical editor Chris Dougherty demonstrates how simple it is to help avoid hot spots in your RV's oven that can cause what you're cooking to burn.




So the solution to your problem was actually invented in the stone age and hopefully it will do the job for you.

Happy RVing

RVing Al

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Comments for How Can I Bake In My RV's Propane Oven Without Burning Everything?

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No Burn Baking in Propane Oven
by: Anonymous

A baking stone is an excellent suggestion but I accomplished No Burn Baking by simply putting a cast iron skillet upside down on the rack then place whatever you're baking on top of the skillet.

Cookies, cakes, pies, apple crisp, meats, mac 'n cheese....baked perfectly. Hope this helps.

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Rv Oven
by: Anonymous


Air Bake Pan

On our last Rv I could not find a pizza stone so I bought an air bake pan that fit on the bottom of the oven. Works just as well as Pizza Stone. Lots cheaper. Ordered mine from Target.

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baking in the rv oven
by: Anonymous

use a stone that will fit in the oven and cook low and slow and it will work fine for you.

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The Use of Aluminum Foil
by: Anonymous

Several of you indicated you use aluminum foil. What if only have one rack? I also want to bake in a tube or bundt cake pan so I need the depth of the oven even if I had 2 racks.

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Unglazed ceramic tile
by: rANDY

I used 6 unglazed ceramic floor tiles. They fit in the center of the oven and do not block the ventilation holes. It distributes the heat more evenly (very similar to a home oven). I also use Air Bake pans, but even when I do not I don't have the burn issue like before.

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RV I’ven stone
by: Anonymous

I got a 12x12 unglazed tile from the Habitat restore for about a dollar. It works great. I leave it in for travel.

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Pizza stone
by: Anonymous

I have purchase 2 stones for our travel trailer oven. Both broke into several pieces when the oven was turned on. Any suggestions on why this happened?

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Cheap and easy
by: Gma Bernie


Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil

I still think the easiest and cheapest way to just to lay aluminum foil on the rack. make sure and not go all the way to the edges as it restricts the air flow. I have never burned anything in my rv oven since doing this. I use the heavy duty foil and just lay it on the rack, tuck it under the edges one row in from the sides and you're done. if I spill or overflow into the oven, I just pull out the foil and lay down a new sheet. Cheap and easy and it works.

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Airbake Pans for the oven
by: Debra


AirBake Cookie Sheet

Everything burns because the oven is to small so the heat source is to close to your food. If you can find airbake pans which are double walled and have air space between the walls you won't have the burning problem. The problem is finding the pans.

I have found the cookie sheets on amazon and in bed bath and beyond ( be sure to measure your oven mine will only hold the 9" x 14"). Actually I have successfully cooked in the oven by just using whatever pan I have and placing the airbake cookie sheet under it. The other alternative is get a convection/microwave.

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How not to burn in RV oven
by: Steven C

I second the use of 4 - 6X6 UNGLAZED tiles to stop burning. My wife saw this and we found them at the local home improvement store for $.97 each. They are the clay colored flat tiles but they MUST BE UNGLAZED or they will break. We got my sister a set and she loves them also.

Cheap and they work great -

Our oven has two racks so we set the bottom on as low as possible and we were good to go

Good luch!

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No more burning
by: GmaBernie

the only issues I had with the baking stone was #1- the price, and #2- the heaviness of the stone. I ended up chipping the corner of my stone due to rough back roads in our rv. I didn't like having to add one more thing to my oven. Besides cleaning it was a pain.

I went back to simple heavy duty aluminum foil. It is cheaper than a stone and is super easy to clean. Make sure and leave the space between the last wire on the rack and the oven wall open (no foil) to let the air flow around like it's supposed to. I finally convinced my daughter in law to put the foil in her rv oven and she's tickled now. No more burnt biscuits. She loves it and its so easy.

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Oven
by: Anonymous

What would you suggest to help prevent burning in the oven when I only have one rack?

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Cheapest by far
by: GmaBernie

I have tried to use a baking stone and tiles. I still like the aluminum foil solution the best. It is by far the cheapest and easiest to use. We always have a roll of foil in the trailer so it's easy to put in. Tear off a sheet that is almost as wide as your rack. Lay it over the bottom rack and wrap the excess around the rods of the rack. Leave an open space on both sides of the rack for the hot air to circulate. I guarantee you will not have burnt bottoms of your stuff anymore. It's easy to pull off and throw away instead of trying to scrape off the stone if you spill. Been there, tried that. I stay with the foil.

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Baking stone
by: Brenda

What size Baking Stone will fit in the RV oven ?

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Easy fix
by: Bernie Cronquist

The first thing I do if we get a new RV is line the bottom rack with heavy duty tin foil. Usually your oven will have 2 racks. I place the top rack where I want it to be and line the bottom rack. If I spill while cooking, it's easy to throw away and wrap on a new layer. It solved my burnt bottom problems quick and easy. Cheap too.

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Unglazed tiles
by: Jim & Pat 13 year fulltimers



Baking Stone

Go to your local garden center or big-box Home improvement store and get UNGLAZED (usually red clay type) flat tiles and place in bottom of oven- which will evenly distribute the propane heat in the oven.

You don't have to cover it completely, You do NOT put your baking sheets or pans on top of the tiles/stones- but on a rack above them.

It may take a little longer to pre-heat your oven; but also use a thermometer (not just the oven setting gauge) to monitor the temperature.

You may also try a Pizza baking stone that you bake a pizza on an outdoor gas-grill. Again, this will distribute the oven heat.

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BakiIng stone
by: Anonymous

i placed a baking stone in the oven and it cracked. The company said it was designed to be covered at least half when using or it would break

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using the oven
by: Lutz

I suggest getting a thermometer and checking the accuracy of your thermostat. We found our brand new oven was running way hotter than it was set for!

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baking in rv oven
by: Anonymous

I use unglazed floor tiles . They work great and help with less propane use. 4 6 inch square tiles work . They have to be removed for travel.

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Another option
by: Anonymous

I found that an Air-Bake insulated cookie sheet under the baking pan had a similar effect. The stone would probably work better, but is a little more expensive.

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How Can I Bake In My RV's Propane Oven Without Burning Everything?
by: Anonymous

I agree with the baking stone suggestion. I have been using the baking stone for years.

Presently, we have a fifth wheel but did use the stone in our travel travel. Also, I use a airbake cookie sheet pan. It is on the wire rack in the oven and then I place what I am baking on top of the cookie sheet. I have not burned the bottom of any dish, since using the stone and cookie sheet.

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