Halogen Ovens

[EcclesCake]

I have no experience of these things but a lot of curiosity as they crop up frequently on AB!

I know 'what' they are and I'm pretty sure it's not something I want in my kitchen, I'm simply curious to understand what the appeal is.

I appreciate that they are quick, one pot, can do (in most cases) what a conventional oven can do - but so can a fancy-pants microwave??? So what is the benefit, are they cheaper to buy, cheaper to run? What can't they do?

[Old_Geezer]

You need to watch the shopping channels on the box, or visit their websites.

I don't own one but can see they are large bowls with a large hot halogen lamp in the lid. I get the impression they heat up fast and so reduce the cooking time. The lamp goes on and off to maintain the set temperature.

[rojash]

An alternative is to strap a casserole dish to your car headlights

[pastafreak]

I've just recently got one,and so far I'm pleased with it. I'm not familiar with the cooking ability of 'fancy pants microwaves-but I do know I won't/can't cook in one-the results are awful.
I've done roast dinners in the halogen,and it's all come out beautifully-and I'm still playing around with cooking times. I will say-it makes the most delicious crispy chicken skin.
The fan in my main oven was dying,and I needed something to use by Christmas. I bought mine on the recommendations of several people- It was £49.99 on Amazon-including a replacement bulb,and accessories.
They cook via infrared heat and light,from what I understand.

[mojay]

I've just bought one but not yet used it, I was invited to a Sunday lunch next door, roast chicken - can't remember when I had such a lovely meal, cooked to perfection !

[I.Don No]

I have one and I love it, but i don't get on well with cooking a pastry bottomed pie in it...........but that could be that I am just an idiot!

[Quizmonster]

My advice is,"Don't bother buying!" The bulb/element seems to be especially vulnerable, judging by stories about these things and the very fact that they now seem to supply a spare.
I bought one a couple of years ago and it came with part of the plastic base weighing about two 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 low quality for one reason or another, as the price nowadays would suggest. I believe you can now get them for under £30.00. As so often, you get what you pay for.
Of course, as you see above, you will get others here claiming that they are the finest thing since sliced bread and I wish them luck. So, if you're a gamblin' guy/gal, go for it, but my advice if you do is...don't throw the packaging away and make a note of how it all goes together!

I finally invested in a Remoska, a much sturdier and more reliable device. They're quite a bit more expensive, but well worth it, I feel. (I'm not a Remoska rep, by the way!)

[lorri24601]

I had one that lasted years and swore by it. When the bulb finally went i replaced it with a new up to date model, it only lasted 2 months, i bought another one which only lasted 3 weeks.Needless to say i did not bother again lol.

[pastafreak]

Quizmonster-though you seem to have had a bad experience-which you describe every time there is a query about halogens,it would seem most people are quite enthusiastic about them.
And-to say that there must be something wrong with them because they are becoming cheaper- is wrong. So are mobile phones,laptops-any new technology. As demand and availability increase,so cost/prices usually go down.
The Remoska is just as expensive now,as it was several years ago.

[Quizmonster]

Mojay, I Don No and yourself right here (quote) "are quite enthusiastic about them", Pasta, whilst Lorri and myself clearly are not. Granted, that means you are in a majority of one, but it's hardly a level playing-field, is it?
Something calling itself an "oven" for £29.00 should cause one to think twice, I'd suggest or - at the very least - to conclude that you will probably get what you pay for; that is, as the proverb has it, "Buy cheap, buy dear!" The Remoska has held its price because it deserves to and because it is not the subject of mass advertising in cheap newspapers.
And, yes, I'll go on telling my tale, as I hope Lorri will, every time the wretched machine comes up for discussion.
I wish you and anyone else who gets one nothing but luck, but I think you should all know that that is precisely what you will need in this, as in any other, 6/4 gambling situation!