Once solely found on late night shopping channels, the Halogen oven has become increasingly popular in many homes with word spreading across the internet as to their usefulness. Not only do they save space, they can do everything a normal oven does – boiling, roasting, baking, steaming and even defrosting – but in one pot.
These ovens were developed with halogen elements, converting electrical energy into intense heat. Using infrared waves and a built-in high performance fan to circulate the heat, they are much smaller than their traditional oven rivals, and are available at a fraction of the cost.
Despite their compact size, they can accommodate a surprisingly large amount of food; a medium-sized chicken can be surrounded by vegetables in the bowl. The bowl of the halogen oven itself is clear, allowing you to watch the food cook and adjust cooking times accordingly. Fats from food drain away, meaning the cooking method is particularly healthy, and some superior models even feature a self-cleaning function, thereby reducing the washing up required.
The more popular models come with racks or shelves – these let you cook food on multiple layers, preparing the entire meal that much quicker. Thanks to the circulation of air, there’s no need to turn the food or swap shelves around – all the food cooks evenly without any interference required from the chef, unlike traditional ovens.
The halogen oven accessory market is also becoming popular, ranging from lid stands and extra specialist shelves to a range of cookbooks.
Whilst the halogen oven may not be ready to send traditional ovens the way of the Dodo, they can certainly make a big difference in a busy kitchen. And with the energy savings a halogen oven brings to the home, I think it’s safe to presume that the halogen oven will become a standard item in many homes.
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