Mini ovens?

thriftwizard

DS3 had a Bit Of An Incident involving chestnuts last week whilst I was away, which "killed" the microwave completely. It just so happens that I hate microwaves with a passion (with good reason) so I'm NOT going to replace it. However, we still need to re-heat individual portions of food from time to time, and I'd also like the boys to be able to cook their midnight pizzas without sticking my big oven on! There are a plethora of other small things that people are using the big oven for, too. So I thought I'd like to buy a mini-oven instead, having read that they're nearly as fast as a microwave for reheating and can also be used for, say, individual cakes.

I don't really want to buy a £30 one & have to replace it after a year or two; there are 7 people living, cooking & eating in this house & cheap & cheerful is usually a mistake - that said, the deceased microwave cost £29 at T&sco about 10 years ago, but then, I hardly ever used it. Currently I'm torn between the Lakeland & the Dualit mini-ovens; £30 apart, but there's an extra inch and a bit of shaping to the more-expensive Dualit which I think means it'll take a bigger pizza! Given two twenty-something male residents and another regularly popping home for weekends, this is a serious consideration.

Anyone got any experience of these, or other suitable models, and any recommendations - or otherwise - please?

honeythewitch

thriftwizard wrote: »

DS3 had a Bit Of An Incident involving chestnuts last week whilst I was away, which "killed" the microwave completely. It just so happens that I hate microwaves with a passion (with good reason) so I'm NOT going to replace it. However, we still need to re-heat individual portions of food from time to time, and I'd also like the boys to be able to cook their midnight pizzas without sticking my big oven on! There are a plethora of other small things that people are using the big oven for, too. So I thought I'd like to buy a mini-oven instead, having read that they're nearly as fast as a microwave for reheating and can also be used for, say, individual cakes.

I don't really want to buy a £30 one & have to replace it after a year or two; there are 7 people living, cooking & eating in this house & cheap & cheerful is usually a mistake - that said, the deceased microwave cost £29 at T&sco about 10 years ago, but then, I hardly ever used it. Currently I'm torn between the Lakeland & the Dualit mini-ovens; £30 apart, but there's an extra inch and a bit of shaping to the more-expensive Dualit which I think means it'll take a bigger pizza! Given two twenty-something male residents and another regularly popping home for weekends, this is a serious consideration.

Anyone got any experience of these, or other suitable models, and any recommendations - or otherwise - please?

I think the Lakeland one looks much better, The fan is essential in a small oven, and it has a proper setting for pizza. It looks very like my old Swan oven which lasted for years and I have never found one as good.

i am currently using this microwave http://www.panasonic.com/uk/consumer/home-appliances/microwaves/combination-microwaves/nn-ct552wbpq.html amnd it works great just as an oven, and fits in a 26cm round casserole easily(or bigger without handles. the tray is 34cm)

NewShadow

The grand remoska from lakeland will take a pizza easily, and make delicious cakes.

Not sure if it's what you meant, but mines going strong 6+ years on second hand from eBay.

thriftwizard

Honeythewitch, thanks but from here on in I'm avoiding microwaves wherever possible, even if they can just be used as ovens. NewShadow, I didn't realise you could still get Remoskas, never mind a grand one - off to investigate further right away!

VfM4meplse

I bought a mini-halogen oven for eventualities such as this (I hardly ever turn my oven on, unless there is a strong urge to bake a cake). However my dad uses his probably 5 times a week at least, for cooking individual meals from the freezer during the day when my mum's not about.

I got a good deal at Robert Dyas a couple of years ago, it cost £16. Unfortunately I haven't switched it on once. So if you are an "oven" family, would say go for it. If you aren't, then it's a complete waste of cash.

YORKSHIRELASS

We have got a mini oven that we use in our camper and it's great - but tiny, do check sizes before you buy.

At home we use our halogen oven all the time, far more than our main oven. Its low wattage so economical and quick. The only thing that it's not great for is baking but I put the "big " oven on for this once in a while. Again check sizes, ours is big and has to stay on the worktop, something to consider if this was an issue.