Thinking Of Not Having A New Cooker

[rowanwitch]

My current one has died and I am seriously considering not replacing it with another one. Just getting a mini one that sits on the work top. I would gain a chunk of extra space, and have room for a dishwasher which I would use more often. I mostly use my slow cookers and microwave and living alone using a big oven seems inefficient. I love cooking but a small oven would still mean I could bake a bit.
Some friends think I am crazy, some think it's a great idea, one is going to do it himself when his cooker needs replacing.
I can't see me holding any dinner parties in the future.

Your opinions please.

[Eleena]

I think you're spot on rowan.

[rowanwitch]

It's only a convention and if I entertain it can be in a restaurant.

[Eleena]

Yep, circumstances change. My oven also needs replacing and like you I only use it occasionally, but my daughter uses it ... so will see. Those small table top ones though are sufficient.

[bhg481]

Several years ago we bought a small infra-red fan oven for camping, as our caravan did not have an oven. We liked it so much we bought the larger size for home and use it all the time.
Just a caveat though - will you still need a hob for cooking vegetables etc?

[Flonska]

You could microwave the veggies?

[waterboatman]

Good plan rowan.

[waterboatman]

You can microwave veggies. I do!

[Eleena]

Veg microwaves really well .. and quickly too.

[Hopkirk]

Have you checked that you have water supply and drainage access for a dishwasher?

If so then I would say yes, go for it.

[rowanwitch]

The one I am thinking of has a two ring hob and yes I have water and drainage as the space is next to the sink. I need to get a quote for changing and extending the work top if I can't do it myself. It is only the lack of a jig saw stopping me. Also the cost of uninstall and removal of the old one.

[murraymints]

anything needing fried will need a hob though....love a stir fry

[waterboatman]

I couldn't do without a cooker.

[waterboatman]

I love a stirfry too.

[murraymints]

crossed posts...remember to check the capacity/volume/dimensions for your ovenware

[woofgang]

When we had our kitchen redone, we put in a six hob double oven range cooker. i never use one oven and rarely use the other. When my back plays up, I can't use either oven as i can't bend down far enough so I would say go for it. My only caveat would be if you ever looked to sell, you might want to consider replacing the oven.

[rowanwitch]

Don't own the place, and yes bending down to the oven is a problem. Stirfries might be an issue as the rings won't be powerful enough to heat a large wok. I might need an electric wok as well.

[TonyV]

We have a Stoves cooker and top grill also doubles up as a small oven.

[furrypusscat]

I think your idea is spot on. You wouldn't be wasting money heating a big area and if you don't need a full sized oven why not. I definitely think your idea is a good economical one and you can utilize the space.

[rockyracoon]

When we did our extension, I didn’t have a kitchen for a few weeks, so I bought one of those mini ovens and a separate 2 ring job (if I remember rightly, you couldn’t use hob and oven at the same if it was an all in one unit) and I have to say, they were both excellent. There wasn’t much I couldn’t cook for a family of four, I even roasted a chicken and potatoes. Go for it, get your dishwasher.

[Eleena]

rowan, you had me thinking about my own small kitchen .. and me also needing a new oven! So, I googled 'best' of reviews ..
https://productspy.co.uk/best-mini-oven-reviews/