Question about steam -- blocking oven vents
I've read over on the BakingCircle forums from one member who's had great luck blocking the vents of her ELECTRIC oven while steaming the oven. Traps the steam, keeps the oven like a sauna, and gives her fantastic oven spring.
My GAS oven is well vented and so, when I try the skillet trick, I get a huge rush of steam, but it almost immediately vents right out, or so I suspect. I've thought about stuffing some oven mitts in the vents right before I steam, but I'm concerned about what that might do to the gas / air mix with an oven at 450-500 degrees.
Mainly, would blocking the vents for 5-10 minutes at that temperature produce carbon monoxide gas?
I love my bread, but I'm not really dying for good bread, if you know what I mean.
Anyone have some expertise here?