Table-top halogen ovens

claregre

Thanks for your replies!

We are negotiating a kitchen rearrangement, hopefully we'll be able to get some worksurface stuff into cupboards and have room for the halogen oven AND the microwave.

I can feel a junk clearout coming on ....... !!

Never buy a new house, the kitchen cupboards are TINY. From the outside it looks like you've got LOADS of room, but just try putting stuff in them and they suddenly magically shrink!

SuzieSue

claregre wrote: »

Thanks for your replies!

We are negotiating a kitchen rearrangement, hopefully we'll be able to get some worksurface stuff into cupboards and have room for the halogen oven AND the microwave.

I can feel a junk clearout coming on ....... !!

Never buy a new house, the kitchen cupboards are TINY. From the outside it looks like you've got LOADS of room, but just try putting stuff in them and they suddenly magically shrink!

I have a similar problem with space. I got shelves similar to the following for the microwave:

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/8405391.htm

The microwave is now under a wall cupboard and there is enough space under the microwave for a kettle, toaster etc.

Top-ranking_Bug

I bought an Andrew James one from Amazon, complete with spare bulb, 2 year warranty, extender ring, lid holder (the lid is not hinged - I don't have anywhere on my working area that doesn't have cupboards above it and this doesn't allow sufficient space to open a hinged lid up), baking tray, steamer tray, skewers, low and high rack for just under £40! It also comes with a ather naff recipe book which wasn't a problem as there are so many excellent Halogen Oven Recipe books around now for a few pounds. EDIT: I recently bought another one for my daughter, and the recipe book is different and very very good! Tells you which rack to use etc.

It has come out the best in various user reviews as well. There were far too many people experiencing problems with the Ideal World ones for me to consider them. I don't think there's many days in the month when I'm NOT using mine. As I type this, I'm cooking a rice and apple pudding. I live on my own, and it's such a money-saver for that reason. Switching on a "proper" oven to do a single jacket potato, or a handful of oven chips was just too wasteful of electricity.
Cleaning it is a doddle! Yet another time-saver, and time is money, right?

I agree with previous posters: I would not get rid of my microwave. A Halogen oven is not a replacement for a microwave, just as a microwave is not a replacement for a conventional oven! Rather, they complement each other.

faerie~spangles

Has anyone used their halogen to make them?

I did find this as you can see it is a normal recipe for y/puds.

Joe_L

Well my halogen oven, bought Sept 2009 from Coopers, is on the verge of giving up the ghost. The bulb is starting to fail and all the bulb fittings have rusted away leaving the bulb sitting in the guard. Not a bad innings really and it's served me well. I've immediately re-ordered another one from Amazon as I can't cook without one now.

Murphymycat

We've had 2 halogen ovens in 4 years. Only thing they are not brilliant for is pizza, always soggy. We also have a work top mini oven, bought in one of the Heart Foundation furniture/electrical shops for £20, it's brilliant for pizza.

claregre

Well our Andrew James halogen oven was delivered on Saturday (ordered from Amazon on Friday, delivery 3-5 days!!). We will be cooking a whole chicken in it tonight - nothing else, lets not run before we can walk!!

The instruction leaflet is next to useless!! Does anybody know what the steamer tray is to be used for? I have guessed that we can put some water / wine / stock in the bottom of the bowl and then put some, say, salmon on the steamer tray on the low/high (??) rack, but is that the right thing to do?

Is the steamer tray to be used for anything else?

Oh, and has anybody successfully replaced the bulb in an Andrew James oven. The picture instructions look a bit complicated.

claregre

Chicken was the moistest, most flavourful chicken I have ever eaten!! Think they may be a few more chickens finding their way into our house ...
55 mins on about 190 degrees I think.
Watching it cook was brilliant as well - was really really worried it burning at one point so we turned it down a bit but it was spot on in the end.
Turning it with the supplied tongs was fun tho ......... !!

nannygladys

I recently acquired a halogen and still ecperimenting with it. I dont eat meat so cant help you there, but tonight I cooked roast vegs (courgettes, onions, pots, toms, mushrooms etc) and it was lovely with garlic and herbs on top.

I have tried a cake but it was a disaster but the bread and butter pudding was delishous. As I say Im still learning but so far it has been a sucess and I will keep going

bobby9205

Hi All,

ive been considering getting a Tefal Actifry and then saw this - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200794056449?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

which is kind of a actifry and halogen combined, the main reason is I want healthy chips (that dont taste like cardboard!) I was wondering how good just a normal halogen is for cooking chips, as Im not a big fan of oven chips, so the idea of cooking in just a little oil appeal to me.
Are they any good for cooking normal homemade chips in a bit of oil, or am I best looking at this Igenix or the actifry?

Cheers, John