Halogen cookers?

~Chameleon~

Does anyone here use a halogen cooker? Are they as cost effective and efficient as they claim to be?

I saw an advert for the JML Halowave on one of the shopping channels this morning and must admit I'm very tempted. But, I already have an Actifry and microwave with a combined grill so do I really need one?

joedenise

I've got the JML Halowave and love it. Do you need it? Probably not - but it will do more than your Actifry and microwave with grill so if you think you would use a "mini oven" and have the space for it and can afford it then go for it. It's certainly more economical for small things than putting on the "big" oven. I use mine quite a lot even though I've got a microwave/grill/convection oven.

Denise

Lilyplonk

I've got the Cookworks one from Ideal World and wouldn't be without it. Wish I could leave it out on my work surface BUT my kitchen is tiny and not enough space, so it lives in a cupboard instead.

Justamum

I was given one, and it was reasonably useful whilst we didn't have an oven. I could bake bread in it one loaf at a time, so it took a long time to do my normal four loaves at a time! It's good for oven chips which is all I use mine for now.

Kernel_Sanders

Justamum wrote: »

I It's good for oven chips which is all I use mine for now.

Mine (see The Works thread on Grabbit) burns chips if I don't keep turning them. In fact, all it seems to do is cook food by grilling it.

Justamum

Kernel_Sanders wrote: »

Mine (see The Works thread on Grabbit) burns chips if I don't keep turning them. In fact, all it seems to do is cook food by grilling it.

Mine has a turner inside it so it makes them perfectly. Unfortunately the same thing at Christmas turned my roast potatoes into a pile of crumbs

chrisfreelander54

We have just bought the halowave and can recommend it 100%.

So far we have used it to make HM chips, which are so fluffy and light just like we get from the local chippy, minus the grease.

We have also cooked pork chops which were so succulent. Mmmmmmm.

I've yet to use it for HM pizza, bread and cakes.

We bought one as our friends have one and since buying it their oven has become redundant.

HTH
Chris.

pm2326

I've had a halogen for 2 years and love it. After getting it I stopped using the big oven.

A year ago I refitted the kitchen and took the decision to do without a cooker and only use the halogen, never regretted it.

I especially love cooking a joint of meat or chicken in it, keeps it moist and tastes yum!

K9sandFelines

Kernel_Sanders wrote: »

Mine (see The Works thread on Grabbit) burns chips if I don't keep turning them. In fact, all it seems to do is cook food by grilling it.

I got the same one, and it burnt the lid of the pie. So now i try mostly to use the low rack. I tried again tonight and it cooked the top beautifully but the underneath was soggy. Itried HM pizza and my daughter preferred it. I'm in a rented property and my oven is currently waiting to be repaired, so it has got me through a sticky patch; however, i can only see me using it in an emergency in future or instead of putting on the big oven. I also have microwave although not combi, Actifry, Slow cooker and breadmaker. if i had to choose again i wouldn't have got it knowing what i know now. I'm just glad i didn't pay more.

Lilyplonk

The best thing of all for chips is an Actifry.

However, there are some Halogen ovens that have 'a stirrer-thingy attachment' (can't think of the word I'm looking for) which make them much suitable for doing chips than a basic Halogen. I've have my basic Halogen for a few years and have never tried to do chips in it.

If something is in danger of burning, try using the dish with the holes in as a kind of 'radiant heat diffuser' - works especially if you put the item being cooked on the lower rack and position the higher rack over it with the upturned holey tray on top of it.

mioliere

I've had the Andrew James Premier Digital halogen oven for about eight months now and use it almost every day. I rarely use my main oven now. I thoroughly recommend these ovens; they are cheaper to run than a main oven and far far easier to keep clean!