Halogen oven help! (1 Viewer)

Sep 11, 2014
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I've read several posts on these ovens but would still like advice from you lovely people, please. Having read (on Fun and elsewhere) how great they are, I bought a small one for the MH to use when on EHU. I've been trying it out at home and the results have been disappointing to say the least!
Stuffed chicken breasts on the high shelf were OK. Cake was burnt on top, raw at the bottom. Ditto a loaf. I tried a casserole but the vegetables (cut into small pieces) were uncooked.
I tested the temperature of the oven - if there's anything in the top, the bottom doesn't go above 150c.
Any ideas? I don't want to lug it around if it's not going to earn its keep.
Karen
 

pappajohn

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as you found if anything gets in the way heat cant penetrate the bottom.

Heat rises, it doesnt fall....as as the heating 'element' is at the top it comes as no surprise.
 
OP
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Sep 11, 2014
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There is a fan, pappajohn, I'm thinking with no space round any food that may be at the top the fan can't function very well? But even with just one item being cooked, it was a very hit and miss affair.

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davejen

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We gave ours to the charity shop......
Cheers, Dave(y)
 

pappajohn

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There is a fan, pappajohn, I'm thinking with no space round any food that may be at the top the fan can't function very well? But even with just one item being cooked, it was a very hit and miss affair.
Ok...didnt realise that but davejen has the right idea....charity shop would welcome it.
 

Tootles

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Ours cooked fine, but I couldn't stand that lighthouse coming on every few seconds.
(I'm not qualified to give advice, however).

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Minxy

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Stuffed chicken breasts on the high shelf were OK. Cake was burnt on top, raw at the bottom. Ditto a loaf. I tried a casserole but the vegetables (cut into small pieces) were uncooked.
I tested the temperature of the oven - if there's anything in the top, the bottom doesn't go above 150c.
Hubby loves his full sized one but you do have to be careful not to overfill it so that the warm air/heat can circulate properly, also you have to remember to cover the food at the top to prevent it burning/being over cooked especially for things that take a bit of time, and/or use the low rack instead of the high one.

As for the casserole - how long did you cook it for? The smaller halogen ovens do take longer to cook things than the larger ones so you have to allow for that.
 

Armytwowheels

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Aug 10, 2012
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Remoska, Remoska, Remoska ......... Out cooks everything else, if you don't have a van oven that is.

We have a Remoska and a slow cooker in our van and no oven. Between these two I can cook anything that I could in a house. When not on EHU I have a double skillet and really good quality saucpans. Slow cook joints can be done outside on the Cadac (in nice weather) and the slow cooker works on the inverter whilst driving.

Had a halagoen but as the non-qualified Toots said, you need welding glasses when it's in use. Plus they take up as a lot of room, I ended up giving it away.
 
Nov 5, 2011
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Hi, we've got a 40 quid summat-Shef from Amazon & it's great. However, we don't eat cakes or bread.

We do eat wild salmon in a cook-bag with butter & spices, with healthy spicy wedges in foil & dressed salad with Prosecco fizz & it's delicious. Also use it for ready meals in a foil tray & chips. It's far quicker than the Remoska & warms the van, SWMBO sits at the back with her shades on & I just don't look at the lamp & it doesn't bother me.

Regarding heating, if you fill the top rack completely it reduces the heat on the bottom rack so we just switch stuff around or leave gaps around whatever's on the top.

We did buy the chips/wedges doofer that fits on top. It does what we want but, I guess totally unsuitable for more sophisticated cooking.

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Welsh girl

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We have a small one and when on ehu we have saved a fortune on gas.
I love my halogen oven, I do cover food with foil when it needs a slower cooking time. I love the baked spuds from it. I dip have to turn food but I find it great.
I keep mine in the gas oven so it doesn't take up any room. It is the smaller one, the big one wouldn't fit do I deliberately bought the smaller one.
 

Scattycat

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Used to use halogen oven but much prefer the Remoska when on hook-up and a Mr D's thermal cooker when not.
We've also used a slow cooker in the van but to be honest the thermal cooker works just as well and much more economical

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OP
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Sep 11, 2014
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Thanks for replies, as expected mixed opinions. The lighthouse effect hasn't bothered us so far. I didn't want to spend too much so the Remoska and Mr D were excluded. We do have a gas oven but wanted an alternative for EHU.
As for the casserole - how long did you cook it for?
Probably about 1.5 hrs, maybe not long enough.
It does what we want but, I guess totally unsuitable for more sophisticated cooking.
LOL I'm anything but a sophisticated cook! I tried bread and cake because someone on the net said "these turn out great every time". I'm very gullible. I should know better, I don't get great results very often at all.
TrisnandTerry, gillnphil thanks for positive comments, I'll persevere, it's certainly not going to the charity shop......yet.

Karen
 

Minxy

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1.5 hours for a casserole is nothing, I don't think it would even be cooked in a 'standard' oven at home after that length of time, to be honest though if you want to do stuff like that you'd be better off with a slow cooker if you have electric or a pressure cooker for gas or electric. I have a pressure cooker in the camper, and having used one since I was a kid at home I wouldn't be without it! I have medium sized one (6 or 7L I think) and it doubles up as a large saucepan for cooking rice, pasta, chips etc too ... without the lid tightened I hasten to add!!! I've even cooked a chicken in it and it was beautifully succulent and soft ... mmmm.

Oh, forgot to say, if you don't like the 'light show' from a halogen oven just put a towel over it ..... simples!
 
OP
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Sep 11, 2014
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Oh, forgot to say, if you don't like the 'light show' from a halogen oven just put a towel over it ..... simples!
Is that safe??
Despite raising 2 now adult sons I'm not a good cook, try out recipes and results are poor. I have no idea why. I was given a pressure cooker some years ago (very old solid one) but no instructions so that's in the cupboard.
Perhaps I should accept the inevitable - I ain't never gonna be Fanny Craddock.

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Minxy

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Oh, forgot to say, if you don't like the 'light show' from a halogen oven just put a towel over it ..... simples!
Is that safe??
So long as you don't block the vents on the oven it shouldn't be a problem, obviously you should NOT leave it covered when unattended!

Despite raising 2 now adult sons I'm not a good cook
, try out recipes and results are poor. I have no idea why. I was given a pressure cooker some years ago (very old solid one) but no instructions so that's in the cupboard.
... You're not Rhea from 'Butterflies' are you!!!! :LOL:

As for the pressure cooker, some people are very frightened of them but they don't take a lot to master, they key is to keep the pressure-up without having too much steam coming out, it's just down to practice really - have a shuftie on the web and you'll find some instructions as they all work pretty much in the same way/for the same timings. They are fantastic for making soup ... I made some lovely pumpkin soup the other days ... mmmmmmm.:D
 
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Having had mixed results with hologen in van we nearly decided to have a oven fitted,but when coated I am now trying to cook all meals at home in halogen. It is easier to play with at home and I am getting better. I think we may have to give it just one more long trip before the jury reaches a conclusion.(y) Martin
 

BwB

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Had a full size halogen and found it quite successful once we got the hang of it. But it was just too heavy and felt a bit vulnerable when washing the bowl, storing it away for travel etc. Invested in a little electric oven from Lidl for £35 and found this much lighter to handle and easier to get on with (as it's just a conventional oven). Very quick to get to temperature and silent except for the ticking timer. The old halogen was given to a friend who was lusting after one but I understand it now lives in a charity shop (the cooker not the friend, yet)

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Debs

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Must admit to being taken in by the halogen claims - carted it around in the caravan for a couple of years and haven't put it in the camper yet. Jury is still out.

Not sure what shape other peoples are but ours was like a large bowl shape with the cooker element in the lid.

Whenever I tried to check what I was cooking the sloping bottom meant the rack was always tipping sideways and dumping the food into the bottom:wasntme:

Got a bit too frustrating.:banghead:
 
OP
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... You're not Rhea from 'Butterflies' are you!!!! :LOL:
Oh darn, my secret's out.
Invested in a little electric oven from Lidl for £35
This is something I'm also considering IF I don't succeed with the halogen.
Whenever I tried to check what I was cooking the sloping bottom meant the rack was always tipping sideways and dumping the food into the bottom:wasntme:
Yup also have that problem. It all seems to be a bit of a faff.
Mr reck is working tonight so cooking just for self - going to try chicken pesto with small roasties. There's always toast if it ends up in the bin (n)
 

Debs

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let me know if you find a way of not tipping the food up, it may persuade me to try again(y):D

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Minxy

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Not sure why the food would tip up? If you need to remove the stuff on top of the rack to check underneath you get some 'tongs' for that purpose.
 

Minxy

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Must admit to being taken in by the halogen claims - carted it around in the caravan for a couple of years and haven't put it in the camper yet. Jury is still out.

Not sure what shape other peoples are but ours was like a large bowl shape with the cooker element in the lid.

Whenever I tried to check what I was cooking the sloping bottom meant the rack was always tipping sideways and dumping the food into the bottom:wasntme:

Got a bit too frustrating.:banghead:

See post #19 Mel :)

Still don't understand though, the rack should sit on the flat bottom of the bowl not on the sloping sides - did you have the correct rack and/or bowl?

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Debs

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Still don't understand though, the rack should sit on the flat bottom of the bowl not on the sloping sides - did you have the correct rack and/or bowl?
Ours doesn't have a flat bottom though, imagine a large mixing bowl...then a rack rack with 3 legs, any time you make the slightest adjustment to the food on the rack it tips up - believe me, I've tried everything I can think of:( Just a bad design.
 

Debs

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Just been trying to find a pic of one similar to ours but they've all got flat bottoms now, typical:rolleyes:. We've had ours a year or two.
 
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Puddleduck

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Ours doesn't have a flat bottom though, imagine a large mixing bowl...then a rack rack with 3 legs, any time you make the slightest adjustment to the food on the rack it tips up - believe me, I've tried everything I can think of:( Just a bad design.

You've probably tried it but would foil on the bottom of the legs squished and moulded to fit the shape of the bowl work?

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Puddleduck

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I must start using mine in the house - never did take it in the van as I like the slow cooker so much.
 

Debs

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You've probably tried it but would foil on the bottom of the legs squished and moulded to fit the shape of the bowl work?
I have, with varying degree of success, depending on what was being cooked(y) - I fear it may be winging it's way to the charity shop. At least it will free up a little space in our garage at home:D
 

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