Any recommendations for a cooker?

[NealB]

We're still using a 1967 vintage Flavel twin burner cooker, with grill and oven.

It's in exceptionally clean, rust-free condition but, there's no flame failure anywhere, and the oven takes forever (yes, really) to heat anything.

So it's time for a change.

Has anyone got any suggestions on where, and what, we should be buying? A decent oven is a high priority.

Ta very much.

 

[Talbot]

Force 10

 

[nigelhudson]

Depends upon a) how much you want to spend and b) how often you are going to use it. We replaced our Flavell last year and the widely-available choices seemed to be (in ascending order of price) Plastimo Neptune, Nelson Spinflo and Force 10. Given that we a) had a limited budget and b) only liveaboard for 3-4 weeks a year we went for the Neptune. Thus far it's lived up to expectations but we do recognise that it will not last for decades.

I suggest that you go to stockists and literally get a feel of them to see how they suit you and what you think to the build quality. Then try and cut a deal or look for specials. We bought from Marinestore when they had a show time 15% off promotion.

 

[roly_voya]

You first have to decide if you want Gas or not then if you want a full marine cooker ie no corrodable parts by then you will probably be down to a choice between a very few models and pick the one you like the look of best. I went with a taylors paraffin, partly for safety reasons and partly because I find gas one dont give the power. I like to cook and most gas ones struggle to get a wok hot enough and take for ever to boil a pan for spuds etc. The taylors burners are on a par with a mains gas cooker. The other factor is that the boat does not have a gas locker and fitting one whould be difficult, dont like the idea of cylinders on deck, they may be safe but are very vunerable in bad weather.

 

[ShipsWoofy]

We cook and bake a lot on board, Sunday roasts to a good stew and bread (her not me, I am rubbish at bread).

We had to replace after survey and glad we did, we have a Spinflo Nelson. I looked at loads of cookers before committing, this is one of the only ones of this type that has a thermostatically controlled oven.

It is not the cheapest, but I have not regretted buying it once. It is now five years old and is still the new oven, not a mark on it. My only slight complaint would be the lack of splash back on the hob, but for the few times this would be handy, i.e. collecting the kettle whistle from behind the oven, it is not a complaint that would be a deal breaker.

Highly recommended.

 

[simon_sluggett]

Second the Spinflo, much better quality than say the neptune. The Spinflo also has a stainless steel oven interior, which is easier to keep clean. Only downside is it doesnt have spark lighting , but these usually go wrong after a a few years antway.
I got mine from marine warehouse Fareham, £400 if you're quick. No connection by the way!

 

[jerryat]

Hi Neal,

I'd 'third' those recommending the Nelson Spinflo. We've had one aboard for almost three years now, including some fairly long-time cruising (six months aboard) and it's excellent. The oven, thermostatically controlled, has been a special bonus over the Flavel Vanessa one it replaced.

Incidentally, the Vanessa does have flame-failure on the oven but, as you say, not on the burners.

Frankly flame-falure was not an issue for us after 22 years(!) but virtually zero maintenance was!

They're not cheap, but after looking at the Force Ten range (which we didn't like actually) we could not see why they were so expensive. It may be worth it if your living aboard long-term, but even then I'm not so sure.

Cheers, Jerry

 

[NealB]

Thanks for that, Jerry.

Our Flavel is not a Vanessa, it predates that, and definitely doesn't have flame failure even on the oven. It's a real museum piece.

We're aboard about 8 months a year, so it's looking like we need to spend some fairly serious money.

 

[saltwater_gypsy]

We have a Smev four burner hob and oven. It has all the bells and whistles and works pefectly. Four years old now.

 

[vyv_cox]

We have had the Plastimo Atlantic on our last two boats, so something like 16 years now. No flame failure devices or oven thermostatic control but perfectly OK otherwise. We decided to replace the current one with a Plastimo Neptune 2500, same dimensions but better specification. Until recently the cheapest price was generally £399, although I see that a few places offer it for £389 now. However, at boat show time at least one chandler was offering 16% discount, so we took advantage and got one for £340.

Has yet to be installed but it looks good and should be an improvement.

 

[Tranona]

You may be constrained by the width of your "hole". If i remember the early Flavels were narrower than modern cookers. There are two common widths in Europe 450mm and 500mm with gimbals usually an extra 35mm. American cookers are usually wider, although Force 10 do a narrow "European model. As to makes I hear good reports about both Plastimo and Nelson, both of which have good spares availability. Many European cookers such as Eno and Smev do not have separate grills. Avoid a Techimpex - I have one on my Bavaria and it is not well built, particularly the hob grids. Calor Gas in Southampton stock all the major makes and their website has lots of useful info on specs and pros and cons. www.calormarineshop.co.uk

Having said all that I would personally prefer a Taylors paraffin for long term use. However, they are now serious wedge with the 039L nearly £2k, almost 4 times a Spinflo. Not everybody likes them for various reasons, but if they suit you they are a lifetime companion.

 

[NealB]

Many thanks to all.............

for the really helpful, and rapid, replies.

After an hour looking at websites, reading reviews, and then measuring our 'hole', I've ordered a Nelson Spinflo from Marine Warehouse, Fareham (especial thanks to magwitch for that tip-off).


To those recommending the Taylor's paraffin cookers, yes, I'm a huge fan (our old gaff cutter had one that gave totally reliable and effective service), but I really find it difficult to justify the price tag.

Anyway, thanks again.

 

[KevB]

Gordon Ramsey /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[NealB]

Good idea..he's just taken over our local in London.

All donations gratefully received.

 

[[10753]]

Had my Neptune now for over 15 years. Only failure was the internal pipe which had corroded. Fixing this was relatively simple as the cooker easily comes to bits. However, some of the fixings were badly corroded and disintegrated when undoing the S/S screws. Failure of the internal pipe was a little worrying but the Bubble Leak detector would spot that.

If I were buying again as I'm planning on keeping the boat I think I would probably go higher up the market although if the Neptune now has better fittings then I may well go for that again.

Am i correct in saying the Neptune is uk manufactured ?

 

[FAITIRA]

We live aboard full time, on our second 'Spinflo', first had 4 burners, grill and oven, this one 2 burners, which the 'chef' says is better, flame fail on the lot!
The first 'Spinflo' went with the sale of the boat, the 'chef' wouldn,t have anything else! Bill.

 

[flyingscampi]

I agree with Tranona and found out that you are pretty limited in choices replacing the Vanessa because it is small by todays standards. The Spinflo was my choice and it is a great cooker spoiled only by slightly primitive mountings.