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167 of 167 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not just another gadget - this is a keeper!, 5 July 2009
This review is from: Coopers Halogen Oven
I wouldn't be without this now and I can't sing its praises enough.
I bought my Halogen Oven a few months ago, and I haven't used my conventional oven since.
Not only is it economical- you are only heating a small space and for a shorter time- I find it grills and cooks to perfection: it does use heat, so for anyone who is slightly uneasy about the "zapping" method, please don't let that put you off.
Cooking times ARE reduced, but not on all foods. It really is a case of getting used to the oven and its cooking speed and strength. Generally, I would say that you reduce by about 20 degrees celsius from an ordinary electric oven, and the cooking time is also reduced by up to a third of the conventional cooking time.
There are 2 levels of racks grill and roast or bake, and the "step-ladder" implement is for removing the hot racks from the pan. What IS a great advantage to cooking like this, is that you can see 360 degrees how your food is cooking. You can lift the handle to stop or interrupt the cooking at any time.
All the juices from the food fall to the bottom of the pan and are completely useable (not a dirty oven floor), so if you are cooking chicken or other meats, you don't even need to make gravy. You can make the most succulent and delicious potatoes or other vegetables by roasting meat on the low rack and putting your vegetables to soak up the gravy at the bottom. This oven also thaws and doesn't mind metal at all, so those ready-made meals can go straight in from frozen, as can any frozen food and stay in to cook normally- so, for me, it is better than a microwave and has replaced it.
On the downside, yes, it does have a bright light, just don't look at it! This light goes on and off as the temperature is reached.
I would say that you need this to be out on the worktop most of the time if you are to use it and get the best from your purchase.
I cook a lot and I use this oven most days, with backup from just the hob of my cooker. You do need to spend time getting used to the cooking times and heat, because yes, the cook book could be improved, but cooking is so easy once you've got the hang of it. The Halogen Oven is a lot easier to clean than an oven and I have never had those hard to clean brown fat spots you get with a conventional.
PS Forget the toast - use a toaster!
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75 of 75 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Halogen Oven and Rack kit, 2 July 2009
This review is from: Coopers Halogen Oven
I have been prevaricating over buying a Halogen Oven for weeks. The comments by other users made me doubtful, but I used mine for the first time today and it is BRILLIANT.
What is all the fuss about, Recipie books and timings???
It is an OVEN. Use it, Watch it cook and stop it when the food is cooked..
How often do you find you cook a joint in a standard oven and find it isnt quite done, you pop it in for another 15 mins, its all trial and error. There is no magic formula, its just a dome of heat, much more efficient than the box standard oven as the heat is all around and right on target.
I will use mine for all those little things that I avoid doing because its a waste of fuel heating up the large oven. I will also use it for the joints, roasters, baked potatoes and on and on, but I dont expect it to do Everything, that is where people become disillusioned. Use each implement for the things it does best... and stews do best on the top of the cooker, casseroles do best long and slow in a standard oven, and this Halogen oven does all the rest...
Oh, and I would never do toast in the Halogen... Why would you when the Toaster does it so well!!
It's marvelous, It's not rocket science, enjoy
Updated 1 yr on....
The element developed a bleb, so the fan worked but there was no heat. I contacted Coopers and they posted out a New Lid, with their compliments.
Coopers are Superb. Their Customer Service is exactly that, I cant fault them. They replied to my email quickly and the package arrived within 3 days! The fault... one of those things, but not a crisis thanks to the After Care of Coopers.
Many Thanks and Keep up the Great Work.
Sue
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68 of 68 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A useful gadget, 21 Feb 2009
This review is from: Coopers Halogen Oven
The item arrived quickly and well boxed. I have used the item to cook several different meals. I found the instructions a little vague for foods outside of the recipes included, so a little trial and error is necessary. The one big advantage of this item is that you can see what is happening, and either adjust the temperature or the time accordingly. No it is not self cleaning, but the residue does not get burnt on, and is softened when water is put in the bottom and the appliance turned on for 10 minutes. Washing is then relatively simple, though the glass bowl is a little cumbersome.
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