Alternatives to a cooker?

K9sandFelines

I am contemplating moving into a rental that has no cooker ... All my previous rentals have had integrated except for a long time back. I am wondering If i go ahead what would be the best appliance to Invest in. The hob and grill type appliance, halogen oven or something else? I currently have microwave (without grill),slow cooker, actifry, bread maker, soup maker and 3-in-1 waffle maker/toastie maker/panini maker, kettle and toaster. I would only really miss making pizza and cake; but could use the breadmaker/ slowcooker for those, so definitely not a dealbreaker.

krlyr

When we moved in, the oven left in the house didn't work (seller was going to bin it, but as the hobs were working and it would leave a gaping hole in the kitchen, we asked him to leave it). We soon went out and bought a combination microwave as a stop gap measure, and it's been so handy that two years on we still haven't gotten around to buying an oven! We've now decided to makeover the kitchen so we're waiting to do that, as we'll likely get an integrated over.

Combined with a slow cooker and a large George Foreman grill, there's not many meals I can't make. The hobs are definately essential though, had they not been working we may have caved and got an oven soon (or maybe even just hobs fitted to the counter, and waited to get an oven later)

rubytwilight

krlyr wrote: »

When we moved in, the oven left in the house didn't work (seller was going to bin it, but as the hobs were working and it would leave a gaping hole in the kitchen, we asked him to leave it). We soon went out and bought a combination microwave as a stop gap measure, and it's been so handy that two years on we still haven't gotten around to buying an oven! We've now decided to makeover the kitchen so we're waiting to do that, as we'll likely get an integrated over.

Combined with a slow cooker and a large George Foreman grill, there's not many meals I can't make. The hobs are definately essential though, had they not been working we may have caved and got an oven soon (or maybe even just hobs fitted to the counter, and waited to get an oven later)

I have tiny kitchen and got a mini oven when my cooker died two years ago.
. They can be very handy if youre not needing to cook for many .people and dont take up too much room. Just need to note the dimensions as you needed smaller baking trays etc, the one i have has a double hob, grill , two shelves and a rotisserie (which ive never used as i dont eat meat:rotfl:) . you can get them from about £30 and upwards . aldi, lidl etc do them from time to time and also pop up on gumtree at time

K9sandFelines

krlyr wrote: »

When we moved in, the oven left in the house didn't work (seller was going to bin it, but as the hobs were working and it would leave a gaping hole in the kitchen, we asked him to leave it). We soon went out and bought a combination microwave as a stop gap measure, and it's been so handy that two years on we still haven't gotten around to buying an oven! We've now decided to makeover the kitchen so we're waiting to do that, as we'll likely get an integrated over.

Combined with a slow cooker and a large George Foreman grill, there's not many meals I can't make. The hobs are definately essential though, had they not been working we may have caved and got an oven soon (or maybe even just hobs fitted to the counter, and waited to get an oven later)

Thanks for your reply. I think I definitely need a hob, but think I would cope fine without an actual oven. I was going to update my microwave at some point too anyway, as it was inherited and the paint is peeling off the bottom of it. I think it's definitely doable. If there is a plug where the gap for the cooker is (I forgot to look), I might possibly be able to squeeze my drier there to fill it.

K9sandFelines

rubytwilight wrote: »

I have tiny kitchen and got a mini oven when my cooker died two years ago.
. They can be very handy if youre not needing to cook for many .people and dont take up too much room. Just need to note the dimensions as you needed smaller baking trays etc, the one i have has a double hob, grill , two shelves and a rotisserie (which ive never used as i dont eat meat:rotfl:) . you can get them from about £30 and upwards . aldi, lidl etc do them from time to time and also pop up on gumtree at time

Is that the tabletop one that I mentioned above? I'm sure the ones I am thinking of only have a grill,and you can't use the hobs and grill at the same time. I will have a look into yours, as sounds ideal.

[Deleted User]

I have a Remoska that I use daily and only use my 'big' oven if I am batch cooking cakes.

rubytwilight

K9sandFelines wrote: »

Is that the tabletop one that I mentioned above? I'm sure the ones I am thinking of only have a grill,and you can't use the hobs and grill at the same time. I will have a look into yours, as sounds ideal.

Ive never tried using the grill and hob at the same time , the grill isnt amazing(but adequate) and I prefer the results with my george foreman grill or toaster (dependent on what Im making) when i am using the oven for baking / cooking pizza etc

Yes its a tabletop one, I bought it as a stopgap but havent felt any need to replace the proper oven since getting it.

jpscloud

I kicked out my ancient and dangerous gas cooker but couldn't afford to replace it. I bought a halogen oven and a portable hob (£60 for both) and I also have a slow cooker, microwave and breadmaker.

I don't bake a lot, but have found the microwave makes really lovely sponge cakes and biscotti (which can be second-baked in the halogen).

I like meat very well cooked and falling off the bone, so the slow cooker is perfect for that, and the halogen does a fantastic job as a high powered fan assisted grill.

Pizza is the only thing I miss because the halogen doesn't make the underneath crisp enough for my liking. I discovered Aldi baguette pizza though, which is ultra cheap and with a couple of minor topping additions fills the pizza niche very well indeed! They cook really well in the halogen with lovely crispy bases.

I still haven't mastered biscuits - I've done a few experiments with the microwave and halogen but no real joy yet.

Anne_Marie_2

jpscloud wrote: »

Pizza is the only thing I miss because the halogen doesn't make the underneath crisp enough for my liking. I discovered Aldi baguette pizza though, which is ultra cheap and with a couple of minor topping additions fills the pizza niche very well indeed! They cook really well in the halogen with lovely crispy bases.

I cook one side of the pizza base, turn it over and then add the topping and cook top in the halogen oven. Works out not too bad at all. Am talking home made dough for the pizza here, wouldn't work on shop bought, although you could always buy the ready prepared pizza bases and do the same thing.

Anne_Marie_2

OP, how big is the kitchen for taking all these appliances? I'm thinking on the lines of, it is small, might be better to buy a new microwave with oven and grill and then buy a separate hob.
The thing to consider is, whether it would be more expensive to buy separate items or a new cooker, as from what I can gather, there is a space, albeit that you have earmarked that for your dryer. (Depends on what is more important to you, at the end of the day).

It also all depends on your actual cooking habits. I know that I would get by for a little while using a one or two ring hob, but wouldn't do me on a long term basis. However, you might on the other hand, be fine with a one or two ringed hob.

I absolutely love the halogen oven, as it is cheaper to run than my main oven, and perfectly suited for cooking for one or two people. I don't have one of those mini ovens with hobs, so cannot give you any comparisons.

The other thing to consider is an electric steamer, if you are going down the gadget line. Cooks veg, rice, chicken, fish, eggs and a myriad of other things...and they taste so good. Might be another option for you instead of a hob.

K9sandFelines

JackieO wrote: »

I have a Remoska that I use daily and only use my 'big' oven if I am batch cooking cakes.

I have heard alot about Remoskas, but haven't a clue how they differ from everything else. I use pans alot,, so can you do anything in them that you would do in a pan? I could make cakes in my breadmaker, but obviously not muffins, which is why i was considering a mini oven with

rubytwilight wrote:

Ive never tried using the grill and hob at the same time , the grill isnt amazing(but adequate) and I prefer the results with my george foreman grill or toaster (dependent on what Im making) and usually use that .

Yes its a tabletop one, I bought it as a stopgap but havent felt any need to replace the proper oven since getting it. hobs.

I have had one previously, so i know that nboth won't work at once. I guess in that instance, you would use the microwave!?

jpscloud wrote:

I kicked out my ancient and dangerous gas cooker but couldn't afford to replace it. I bought a halogen oven and a portable hob (£60 for both) and I also have a slow cooker, microwave and breadmaker.

I don't bake a lot, but have found the microwave makes really lovely sponge cakes and biscotti (which can be second-baked in the halogen).

I like meat very well cooked and falling off the bone, so the slow cooker is perfect for that, and the halogen does a fantastic job as a high powered fan assisted grill.

Pizza is the only thing I miss because the halogen doesn't make the underneath crisp enough for my liking. I discovered Aldi baguette pizza though, which is ultra cheap and with a couple of minor topping additions fills the pizza niche very well indeed! They cook really well in the halogen with lovely crispy bases.

I think if i didn't already have the Actifry i would consider the halogen; but i did mention it originally, as i am not sure if there is anything it can do that the Actifry can't?? I've made steamed puddings in the slow cooker too, and can make big cakes in the breadmaker. I was thinking if i could get a mini oven, the little chicago town pizzas would fit in, and they also go in the microwave.

AnneMarie wrote:

OP, how big is the kitchen for taking all these appliances? I'm thinking on the lines of, it is small, might be better to buy a new microwave with oven and grill and then buy a separate hob.
The thing to consider is, whether it would be more expensive to buy separate items or a new cooker, as from what I can gather, there is a space, albeit that you have earmarked that for your dryer. (Depends on what is more important to you, at the end of the day).

It also all depends on your actual cooking habits. I know that I would get by for a little while using a one or two ring hob, but wouldn't do me on a long term basis. However, you might on the other hand, be fine with a one or two ringed hob.

I absolutely love the halogen oven, as it is cheaper to run than my main oven, and perfectly suited for cooking for one or two people. I don't have one of those mini ovens with hobs, so cannot give you any comparisons.

The other thing to consider is an electric steamer, if you are going down the gadget line. Cooks veg, rice, chicken, fish, eggs and a myriad of other things...and they taste so good. Might be another option for you instead of a hob.

The kitchen isn't massive, small but long with worktops down each side. I would obviously have to weigh up the space properly once i am in if i get it. I only have two worktops now and they are crammed, although the soupmaker/panini maker are in a cupboard. I think there is slightly more worktop space.I cook quite alot of things in pan, one pot type dishes that don't really suit the slow cooker; which is why i think i might like the hobs. I've got a pan steamer, so can use that for alot, in fact i use it most days. I used to have an electric steamer but find the pan miles better!