There’s no doubt that baking is one of the oldest cooking methods. It has been around since prehistoric times and has shaped how we live and eat.
Given its rich history, it’s amazing that baking is still evolving. Today, there are countless new techniques and technologies for creating innovative desserts.
Let’s explore the modern heat sources for the more adventurous bakers!
15 Modern Heat Sources for Baking
Here are 15 modern heat sources for adventurous bakers who want to experiment!
1 – Smart Ovens
Smart ovens don’t look that different from traditional ovens.
They come in electric and gas types, similar to traditional ovens. The only difference is they connect to the internet to help you bake.
You can control and monitor the oven’s features from a smartphone. Plus, the oven provides information on how to cook each dish, making it a good option for beginners.
2 – Air Fryers
Contrary to popular belief, an air fryer doesn’t just produce healthier french fries. At its core, an air fryer is a mini oven!
Air fryers work by circulating hot air around their interior. The mechanism is similar to a convection oven, so yes, you can bake desserts with an air fryer.
3 – Oven Toasters
Believe it or not, my first oven was an oven toaster.
As a kid, I would bake whole bread loaves and cookies in this tiny oven. It’s a convenient, versatile, and affordable tool that fits all modern kitchens.
4 – Sous Vide Cookers
Sous vide cookers are invaluable tools for all modern bakers. You can use them to create sauces and custards.
Not only that, you can bake cake in a sous vide!
To do it, you’ll need to use more flour and leavening agent than the recipe calls for. Seal the cake batter in mason jars and submerge the jar under a sous vide bath.
5 – Pizza Ovens
Pizza ovens are more expensive than other types of heat sources. That said, there’s a reason why people buy them.
These ovens can reach up to 800°F, the perfect temperature to cook high-moisture dough. You can use a pizza oven to bake deliciously crusty artisan bread!
6 – Induction Cooktops
Induction cookers use magnetic energy to generate heat. Because of this, induction cooking is faster, cleaner, and safer.
Induction cookers often come with side accessories for creating desserts. Some examples are induction disks for crepes and induction skillets for pies.
7 – Infrared Ovens
Infrared ovens are ovens that heat food using infrared light instead of convection. Using it is advantageous to some bakers because it’s a direct heat source.
These ovens concentrate radiation on the food, preventing it from drying out. They’re also more efficient, smokeless, and easy to clean.
8 – Steam Ovens
Have you ever wondered why bread recipes sometimes ask you to spray the rolls with water before baking? The reason is that steam creates crustier layers!
Enter steam ovens – cookers that have a reservoir for water. These appliances release steam as you bake, ensuring you make high-quality bread.
9 – Rotisserie Ovens
Rotisserie ovens are smaller ovens with an attachment for roasting meat.
You insert a metal rod through the center of chicken, pork, or beef and attach the rod to the oven. A mechanism rotates the meat as it slowly roasts, ensuring an even cook.
Of course, rotisserie ovens aren’t limited to savory dishes. They’re the perfect size for baking small batches of cookies, pies, and even cakes!
10 – Electric Smokers
Electric smokers utilize low heat to infuse food with a smoky aroma. You can use them to add smokiness to ingredients like butter and caramel.
They’re also great for making fudgy brownies. If you have extra time, you should definitely try smoking desserts!
11 – Slow Cookers
Slow cooker desserts are hands-off and hassle-free delights that anyone can make. All you have to do is mix all your ingredients in the ceramic dish and switch the cooker on.
Adventurous bakers can use slow cookers for bread pudding, cheesecake, and cobblers. Not only that, you can also warm chocolate up in a slow cooker for a quick fondue!
12 – Rice Cookers
Like slow cookers, rice cookers also use low heat to cook dishes other than rice. Today, rice cookers have various settings, enabling college students and bakers alike to make desserts.
Some of my favorite sweets to cook using a rice cooker are poached fruits, pancakes, and oats!
13 – Microwave Convection Ovens
Microwave convection ovens are similar to traditional microwaves, with added features. They can circulate hot air throughout the cavity, allowing you to broil and bake desserts.
This hybrid design lets you heat food quickly while developing a nice brown color. If you only have space for one appliance in the kitchen, consider a microwave convection oven.
14 – Freeze Dryers
Freeze drying is a form of dehydration where you convert the ice crystals in food directly into vapor. Freeze dryers are great because they can preserve the color and flavor of fruits, candies, and other ingredients.
Bakers can crush freeze-dried produce and use the powder as an ingredient in baked goods.
15 – Food Dehydrator
Finally, food dehydrators are the best option for drying food if you can’t get your hands on a freeze dryer. They’re more affordable, and they can dehydrate anything you want.
I use my dehydrator for making fruit leathers and dried mangoes. You may use your creativity and incorporate various dried ingredients into your desserts!
Final Thoughts
Because of the many heat source options in modern cooking, you may find it difficult to choose which one to buy. My tip is to compare them first in terms of convenience, cost, space, and maximum temperature.
I hope you enjoy baking with any of the tools on this list, and be sure to let me know how your baking adventure goes!
Sarah is the founder of Baking Kneads, LLC, a blog sharing guides, tips, and recipes for those learning how to bake. Growing up as the daughter of a baker, she spent much of her childhood learning the basics in a local bakery.