My oven has only one setting

yes (sheepishly), sunday. apparently i am having three-day weekend conversion confusion also. email being checked now. :)

also, your drink sounds dreamy!!

Okay, net was out for a day, thanks for all your help and ideas, friends.

There are numbers, 1 through 8, but no matter what number i turn it to the temperature stays (or looks, i guess, looking at the gas) the same. Also, if the stove actually did work what would the numbers correspond to? but i guess that's not a question i have to worry about too much.

i am subletting so am disinclined to go to the landlord with this.

Those are called gas marks. Here's a conversion chart: http://www.hintsandthings.co.uk/kitchen/oventemp.htm

I'd try the 5-min flour test out at mark 4 and then at mark 7 and see if there's a difference.

thanks jaq! 1-8 aren't any different, i don't think, but I'll check it out.