Gas mark

Gas mark is a temperature scale used in cooking and baking, primarily in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and some Commonwealth countries. It is a standardized scale appearing on the dials of ovens and in cookbooks, providing a simple method of setting and reading oven temperatures. Unlike the more widely used Celsius or Fahrenheit scales, the Gas mark system is numbered from 1 to 10, with each mark representing a narrow temperature range.

History

The Gas mark system was introduced by gas oven manufacturers in the early 20th century to help consumers use their new appliances more easily. Before the widespread adoption of electric ovens, gas ovens were the primary means of baking and cooking in the home. The Gas mark system provided a straightforward way to set oven temperatures without needing to measure the actual temperature in degrees.

Temperature Conversion

Each Gas mark corresponds to a range of temperatures in degrees Celsius and Fahrenheit. For example, Gas mark 1 is approximately 275°F or 135°C, and the scale goes up to Gas mark 9, which is about 475°F or 240°C. There is also a "slow" setting, marked as S or 1/2, for very low-temperature cooking, around 250°F or 120°C.

The conversion between Gas marks and other temperature scales is not linear, meaning the increase in temperature between each mark is not consistent. This can sometimes make conversion between Gas mark and Celsius or Fahrenheit slightly complex for those unfamiliar with the system.

Usage

The Gas mark system is primarily used in the UK and Ireland. It is commonly found in cookbooks and cooking guides from these regions. While modern gas ovens in the UK and Ireland still feature Gas mark settings, many also include the equivalent temperatures in Celsius. Electric ovens, which are now more common, use the Celsius scale.

Conversion Table

Below is a simplified conversion table for Gas marks to Fahrenheit and Celsius:

Gas Mark	Fahrenheit	Celsius
1/2	250	120
1	275	135
2	300	150
3	325	165
4	350	180
5	375	190
6	400	200
7	425	220
8	450	230
9	475	240

See Also

• Oven temperatures
• Cooking
• Baking

External Links

Note: As per the given constraints, external links and references are omitted from this article.