Halogen ovens

[merv]

maybe not really eco but seem to be very energy-saving compared to a normal oven. 1300w rather than 2 or 3kw.

Does anyone have any experience of them ?

Merv

[TheGoodEarth]

No. But an induction hob is very energy efficient and safe.

[miss_corerupted]

I might have a look at both of those as we have a really old electric standalone cooker, it has a dodgy ring that comes on whenever it wants (we switch it off at the wall) but I would like to save more electric

[MKG]

Wonderful things as far as I'm concerned. They won't do everything which the manufacturers would like you to think they can - don't, for instance, try a paella because it just ends up as an overcooked ricey mess. But they do marvellous baked spuds.

The only thing which really annoys me is the insistence by the manufacturers that you can use the big glass bowl as a vessel for casseroles and such things. You can't - it simply doesn't work. You can make a perfect casserole, but it has to be done within a container which is inside the glass bowl so that the hot air can get around it.

Mike

[merv]

Ok, we've had ours for a full year now. Time for a report.

Our traditional oven is virtually unused. (just for really big things like the Christmas goose and 6-hour leg of lamb and cakes)

Did a roast chicken last Sunday and it was perfect. Just occasional turning, as you would do anyway. While chicken was relaxing did the roast spuds. Not quite the same but pretty good. That chicken has since made sandwiches, chicken and mushroom pie and about 2 pints of stock. (cats got the odd bits)

This Sunday it will be a rib of beef (start off high then turn down lower for about 30 mins) York shires do ok. Monday will be Hotpot with left over beef.

Very glad I bought it.

Merv

[Green Aura]

That's good, Merv, so we have two devotees

[old tree man]

We have one too and it cost less than a normal oven our bills have proved it, once you get the hang of it its so useful

[MKG]

That's good, Merv, so we have two devotees

Three now

Mike

[Milims]

You lot are very naughty! I'm a sucker for a kitchen gadget and now you've got me thinking about looking into one of these! Although I have to say that I love my star chef http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003WVGSFK/r ... B003WVGSFK which I use at last once a day! It does everything from roasts, stews, pasta, poached eggs - I think it even does porridge - not that I've used that feature yet!

[Green Aura]

Now see what you've done!

[Milims]

I've had to ban myself from this website : http://www.nisbets.co.uk/ , which isn't easy with a trainee chef in the house who orders from them and is also sent a catalogue.........it's clearly kitchen pron!

[oldjerry]

Make that 4 for the halogen,I bake bread in ours.Best of all,I don't have to bend down to use it,I hate gadgets,but this one's brilliant.

[Spinpup]

When I had an office I used to make baked potatoes in a halogen oven every day. They were absolutely wonderful! But I'm not very inventive, so haven't used it for anything else. It is apparently much cheaper than putting a big oven on for just a few potatoes.

I hadn't thought of baking bread, will try that.

I've put it in my caravan ready for Spring holidays so I'll get it in and try being a bit more creative! Thanks for reminding me.

Michelle

[oldjerry]

NB It doesn't work well with trad bread tins,too deep,I use a Vict sponge tin,or just plonk it on the flat tin that comes with it. BW,