Halogen oven?

[mrs.chappie]

I have read good reports about these, but does anyone know anything about replacing the bulb when it blows? Are the bulbs expensive? I've seen lots of advertisements for these ovens, but no mention about spare parts.

Thanks in advance.

[Quizmonster]

My advice is,"Don't bother!" For a start, it is not a case of just buying a bulb and popping it into a socket. It is not something the owner can do...unless, I suppose, you are an electrical technician of some sort.
I bought one and it came with part of the plastic base weighing about three ounces broken through. Did I just have to send that back? Oh, no! I had to repack the entire thing and send it all. Fair enough, I got a replacement and was just getting used to cooking with it, when the bulb/element blew. I decided to return it and ask for my money back. Clearly, these things are of poor quality for one reason or another.

Of course, you will almost certainly get someone else here replying that they are the finest thing since sliced bread. If you're a gamblin' gal, go for it, but my advice if you do is...don't throw the packaging away!

[mrs.chappie]

Thanks Quizmonster. My bro and my friend both speak highly of them, by my OH is telling me to avoid them at all costs.

[Sachs]

Hi mrs,
I bought one a few months ago and I'm very happy with it!
Ive done whole fresh chicken in it, bacon, roast potatoes ( par boil ) finish off in little oil in the halogen. Pigs in blankets do lovely & crispy! I've done scones in it too.
Plus points - Much easier to clean than a conventional oven.
Food that needs crisping up does well
Easy stop and start by lifting the handle
You can 'see' your food cooking
Chicken cooks very 'moist' and succulent
Minus points - There are not many recipe books out there, it's left to yourself through trial & error. I learnt that you need to reduce the cooking time by about 20 degrees. So if say you were cooking something at 180c for whatever length of time, you reduce it to 160c. You will find out over time through trial and error, just write down your times/ temps & if the recipe needs tweaking make right. I've yet to try loads more, just haven't got round to it yet! I believe you can steam veg too by making little loose parcels of foil containing a couple of tablesppoons of water to create the steam, haven't tried it yet! x

[mrs.chappie]

Thanks Sachs!

How long have you had the oven? I am wondering how long one could expect the bulb to last for. Any idea? I am moving house shortly and the place I'm going to hasn't got a cooker. I'm refitting a kitchen but can't do it until later in the year (have to apply for planning permission and all that) and I wonder if I should get one of these ovens to "tide us over".

Thanks for reply.

[Quizmonster]

Sachs, I did all these recipes as well as doing Sunday joints, baking bread and lots more. I was REALLY beginning to enjoy using it and had just about decided the normal cooker could go...but the blessed thing still blew up in my face!
Since then, from Lakeland, I've bought a large Remoska, which is a much more substantial piece of kit, though it's quite a bit more expensive. Many caravanners use these, so ideal for places with no standard cooker. If you can spare the dosh, Mrs C, have a look on Lakeland's web-site.

[Sachs]

Hi mrs,
I've had my halogen oven about three months. I would think it would be ideal for your requirements! I haven't had any problems personally. Here's a link to the Lakeland website Quizmonster suggests x
http://www.lakeland.co.uk/

[Sachs]

Sorry mrs chappie,
just to cover another point regards life of bulb, I really haven't a clue & hope I don't have this problem. So far so good x

[mrs.chappie]

Thanks very much Sachs & Quiz. That one from Lakeland looks interesting too.