NO OVEN IN MOTOTHOME

[Solwaybuggier]

We thought we’d really miss the oven and microwave when we changed van a year ago - but we haven’t. Probably missed the microwave more than the oven - easy for kippers! Mostly on EHU, so Remoska covers for the oven. The Weber bbq can work as (sort of) oven too.

 

[tonyidle]

not sure which one is best though due to power usage

I just happen to have a 700W (output) Akai unboxed and unused. I bought it to fit in my MH but eventually opted for one that was a better fit in the available space & had a black all-glass front that matched the Dometic Tech tower. So the Akai is available if you (or anyone else) is interested.

 

[two]

How easy is it NOT having a oven/grill in your motothome

Very easy.
You'll discover all sorts of new ways to prepare food and none need include electricity.

 

[Feltwell]

We have a "proper" cooker - oven, separate grill, hob with 4 rings. Could live easily with 3 rings on the hob but a separate grill and an oven is a must have as far as I'm concerned - I wouldn't buy any van that either didn't or couldn't have one. If you're in warm climes all the time then I can understand how you live without, but in the UK...……

Quite polarised this debate isn't it?

 

[Nicepix]

Little wife insisted on having an oven when we were looking for another MH. She had been influenced by friends who make good use of theirs especially in winter. I was sceptical but glad that we did and if we have to change the current van as is highly likely, an oven will be on the 'essential' list for the replacement.

I'd rather have an oven than a telly.

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[two]

An oven takes a lot of space.
You need to think about where you intend all the other essentials you'd like to have.
The whole thing is about compromise...

 

[Burgo]

We've got a little Lidl mini oven & grill which lives in the garage until needed, when it goes on a small table outside.

 

[Tude]

Remoska are good some foods just need a oven

 

[tinkerbell]

When cooking that in pan with olive oil, try sprinkling with sea salt, had it in Spain, or rub garlic on it, or just toast and sprinkle olive oil etc etc.
Cheese toasty , use a toasting bag in toaster, very good, oven, what oven

 

[Theonlysue]

@pappajohn @Lenny HB

Proper fried bread is when you cook the bacon, take it out, then cook the bread in the pan. Yummy.

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[StephandJohn]

We use our oven a lot in bad weather particularly but we also have a Cadac 2 Cook for outside https://www.cadacinternational.com/uk/products/camping-range/2-cook/?variant=2-cook-prodeluxe
I like cooking inside if its raining and we can't get out much but then I just like cooking anyway.
Steph

 

[PeteH]

For reasons I have yet to fathom, and that after 55 years too, We MUST have an oven in the van. The fact that it 1) gets not a lot of use. 2) Is small and not that efficient. 3) Consumes inordinate amounts of LPG. and burns at the rear before cooking the front (unless you keep turning the Pizza), does not seem to come into the equation?. My "take" is that IF I want the full roast, Pull into a decent Pub/Restuaunt and let somone else do the cooking and the cleaning up for very little extra cost?

 

[vwalan]

pressure cooker for most things . meat can be fried just a bit to look like its been roasted .
i use mine almost every day.
https://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-Bread-Anywhere:-"Baking"-bread-in-a-pressure-/
even bread can be done in a pressure cooker.
potatoes can be finished off in frying pan as well then they look like roasted spuds.
in catering kitchens pressure cookers are used alot .
no point in using a restaurant . they take your money and cant really cook any better.

 

[Paul and Val]

Toast made in a frying pan with a little olive oil is superb.

Errr. That is called fried bread, not toast.

 

[Mattbee]

Mind you, this was all done on a Cadac. I wouldn’t miss the oven (well apart from Yorkshire puddings) but the Mrs would.

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[jdk62]

Mind you, this was all done on a Cadac. I wouldn’t miss the oven (well apart from Yorkshire puddings) but the Mrs would.

Where the gravy...?

 

[Mattbee]

In a very big jug!

 

[scotjimland]

no point in using a restaurant . they take your money and cant really cook any better.

I hate eating in a room full of others scoffing food with cutlery that hundreds of others have used.. but that's just me, fussy.

Recently my daughter coaxed me into going to an Indian for a meal for her birthday.. local restaurant that gets good reviews. Food was mediocre, I could cook a better curry, I doubt it was freshly prepared using fresh spices and ingredients, I didn't enjoy it. It was also too busy, too noisy and way overpriced...

So we very rarely eat out, much preferring my own cooking, it's a hobby and a pleasure making nice food, be it on a BBQ, hob or oven.

As for an oven.. yes, we have one in the caravan, last van didn't, so wouldn't say it's essential but I use it a lot.

If your not a 'cook' then you don't need an oven just to heat pies..

 

[TCG]

Toast made in a frying pan with a little olive oil is superb.

You mean fried bread then

Been beaten to it several times

 

[Jaws]

How easy is it NOT having a oven/grill in your motothome

We just never use the oven.. In fact we took the oven out of our Miller..
The one in the Swift is used to store dry dog food !

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[Easyliving]

I suppose its what you get used to. We live full time in our van and like to cook our food from scratch using a couple of (simple) cookbooks we have. We find the separate oven and grill very useful and use them a lot.

Paul

 

[Christoph]

Got an oven and grill but tend to use the halogen more.

 

[tonyidle]

Mind you, this was all done on a Cadac. I wouldn’t miss the oven (well apart from Yorkshire puddings) but the Mrs would.

That beef looks like it could be revived .............

 

[Twoclots]

Just had two weeks in Snowdonia, Beast from the East and Storm Diana. Oven used everyday, Sunday roast, pies, oven chips, baked potatoes, Goulash, Curry, Beef in Ale. many prepared at home, frozen in foil containers ( very cheap in France for the big ones) so no washing up and it heats the van up nicely as well. had one pub meal, it was rubbish so ate like we do at home.
Note for future winter tours, don't book in advance and don't believe long range weather forecasts! Luckily the scenery was superb no matter how much the van was rocking!
The Shepherds were right the morning Diana rolled in.

 

[nicholsong]

I think this discussion would benefit from being broken down between those who use EHU and those who do not.

No EHU - no microwave, no Remoska.

Also 'Oven' usually includes a 'Grill'

At home I have usually been accustomed to an oven and cannot imagine not being able to cook a 'Roast' - Chicken, piece of beef etc. Pizza? on a frying pan?

Also, with the grill - doing lamb chops. Fried in a pan is not the same.

We have an oven at home, but Basia rarely used it except for baking. Then I started teaching her, and then got up to convincing her I could cook Christmas Turkey for 9 - they loved it.

I rest my case - on Regulator 5.

Geoff

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[Allanm]

You mean fried bread then

Been beaten to it several times

That’s the stuff.
Just a little oil and it tastes and looks more like toast.

You can do it without oil too but it’s not as nice.

 

[Chris]

We have had 2 vans and my wife said there was no way we would buy one without an oven.

10 years later we have used the oven once and that wasn’t even us.

My late step father used it to make cauliflower cheese one Christmas and proceeded to spill it all over our brand new van

It is funny looking back

 

[SGNV]

I live in the van, on my own, would never use the oven (gas) just for myself. Had it taken out, I know it will reduce the value of the van, but this is my home, I either live in it or think re-sale value or the time, the storage space I have gained is amazing, during the day that kitchen worktop has nothing on it so I can use it as a table for painting, perfect height. Oven or no oven all depends, do what suits you regardless of what people reckon is 'essential'. I have no microwave or remoska either, I find I can cook all I need (including crumble) on the gas ring.

 

[charliesgrandad]

I am of the opinion of if you like your food insipid looking and undercooked you dont need an oven
My wife and I have always been used to proper home cooked food and we both really enjoy cooking so cooking in the van is all part of the enjoyment for us , I am over 70 and in my life I have had 1 macdonalds ,1 kentucky and 1 pizza , the only other fast food I have had is fish and chips , yep I am a grumpy old-fashioned geezer

 

[maxi77]

We have not had an oven in either of our vans, mainly because most caravan style ovens are useless in our experience. We use a remoska when needed does fine for two of us and will run of our generator if required. We have never gone hungry and enjoy a varied diet and we have spend 6 month periods in the van

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