Gas oven... how does it work??

[TheGreatGatsby]

Help me please! I've recently moved to a house with a gas oven and it is my first time using one. Cooking oven dishes is okay, but baking has been a disaster!! Following recipe gas marks and timings, I have attempted a chocolate cake and some bread rolls, both simple stuff that I would make perfectly in an electric oven. Both came out with burnt bottoms and uncooked tops in this oven! So what's the deal, what am I missing? Please help!!

Gas mark 4-5 for sponges, 20 minutes or thereabouts.

Sounds like it might have two burners, one on top and one on bottom and only one set is coming on.

Is there more than one setting on the dial?

I know my gas oven in my old flat (sob, I miss that oven) had 3 settings, one for bottom, one for top and one for both.

There's no burner on the top, just the bottom, I'm guessing this is the problem! It's a brand new oven. Obviously not chosen by myself!

Does it not have a grill? How are you suppose to grill things?!?

Are you sure it's fully pre heated, it will turn on full to pre heat and then reduce the flames.

Oh yes it has a grill but that doesn't come on when it is in oven mode. It's either or.

So are you saying I should turn it on to full and then reduce to whatever gas mark I need?

I know I used to turn mine own to the highest setting for about a minute and then turn it down to what I wanted. Maybe that would help?

Do you have the make and maybe you can find a manual online?