Boat cooker - your opinion wanted

[idpnd]

I'm considering one, too as there isn't a gas installation on the boat I'm refitting; there's some first-hand info in the following threads-

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-maintenance/48501-origo-oven.html

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f124/origo-6000-a-5812.html

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=224076

I do find the oven one rather expensive, I am considering complementing the stove with some sort of bbq unit instead.

 

[capnsensible]

12 years on board. Spinflo Cara. Spares from caravan places. Dogs doodahs.

 

[shamrock]

Origo oven reply to Nathan

I'm currently living off cold food and takeaways, awaiting the funds to buy an oven. I had an Origo 1500 on my last boat and loved it. Best bit of kit on there IMO. I was considering a Taylors for the new boat, but I'm not ever so convinced about paraffin now, and I found that Origo make a 6000 model which includes an oven.

Has anybody got any experience with the Origo meths oven?

Yes we have one. We like it - lived aboard with two kids for 18 months and used the origo for all cooking except BBQ on the back rail. Oven is OK, takes a little bit to heat up and we only really used it for bread and brownies. I wondered if it used a lot of fuel then measured the cannister weight before and after baking bread and it was not enough to worry about or remember! I read somewhere (on this forum, I think) that you can add extra insulation around the oven but we never bothered.

Bought the oven used for 300 GBP before we left and it's done well although the gimbal set is made for the regular stove and the extra weight of the oven caused it to eat through the alloy of the gimbal brackets (in mid atlantic, of course) - best to reinforce with s/steel.

And of course, the main benefit that we've gained a big locker space where there used to be two propane bottles, no gas alarm or solenoid and peace of mind with the kids around.

 

[BlackSheep1]

We upgraded our cooker in 2007 prior to cruising to the med. We purchased an ENO Opensea 3 burner gas type. We have had to replace 2 thermo couplings in the first year, the oven door glass section cannot be removed for cleaning (the screws just keep turning), the control knobs get very hot as do the whole carcase, the pot/pan clamps plastic handles are distorted due to heat from rings. The top is held in place by small spring clips (they shear).
This was an expensive cooker and we thought incorrectly expensive meant quality, not so in this case. I certainly would not recommend this model.

 

[KellysEye]

We have a Force 10 that has been used almost every day for at least twenty years with no problems. Just need to clean the thermocouples every couple of years. As somebody said they are not cheap but, as ever, you get what you pay for.

 

[theguerns]

thanks

We installed a Nelson Spinflo back in August 2004, and so far have had no problems at all. It was reasonably priced - amazing I know.... maybe because it isn't produced exclusively for the marine market?

The Spinflo just has 2 burners - on occasion 3 would be handy, but it's never been a show-stopper. The separate grill makes fabulously even toast - it came top in a PBO cooker review which focused on how some grills cremate at the centre, leaving the toast barely warm at the edges.

We have been living aboard since spring 2005, hence the oven has seen many hundreds of loaves. It comes to temperature quickly, and cooks evenly.

All in all, a good value, reliable bit of kit.

Good luck.

Ruth

Thanks for your post. We are just about to replace our aged vanessa because of the burnere not having flame failure. and were thinking of the Nelson Spinflow we were told that the oven is the best on these small cooker because it reaches 250c which you need to cook cakes and bread. So it looks like the Nelson for us Thanks again.

 

[PetiteFleur]

Thanks for your post. We are just about to replace our aged vanessa because of the burnere not having flame failure. and were thinking of the Nelson Spinflow we were told that the oven is the best on these small cooker because it reaches 250c which you need to cook cakes and bread. So it looks like the Nelson for us Thanks again.

Although not a liveaboard, we fitted the Nelson Spinflo and are very pleased with it. Replaced a Vanessa which was on its last legs. The oven works really well.

 

[Mistroma]

30 year old Flavel Vanessa Cooker

When we sold our previous boat last year the new owners couldn't believe that it was the original as it looked too new. It just seemed to keep going forever and had a great grill.

My wife liked the sep. oven and grill. Although it was only a 2 burner model it had a slot above the grill and my wife often used that to simmer a 3rd pan when grilling. She really missed that feature as modern grills don't seem to have that option.

I doubt modern cookers will last as long and I doubt the Flavel was even a "marine" cooker.

In fact, I had to buy a brand new Eno 3-burner to replace the 2-burner model fitted to our new boat. My wife was just too used to a 2 "and a bit" burner cooker. More than a little annoying as I now have a virtually new Eno Gascogne 2-burner & grill cooker taking up space in a spare room. Oven never even used & grill only tried to see if it worked.

The new 3-burner cooker cost an arm and a leg (& I think she'd still prefer the old Flavel). But that's life.

On plus side, I can confirm that oven works well on the 3-burner Eno model. Although it takes approx. 12 mins. to get to 200C and 18 mins to reach 240. However, it seems well insulated and holds temp. with gas at quite a low level. Burners are also very controllable.