Marine cookers advice

[saltyrob]

Hi Folks,

We are replacing the gas cooker on our 28 foot cruiser and the galley rat requires a couple of rings ,grill and oven.

Has anyone any advise or experience of any cookers, thought a bit of research before parting with the hard earned .

Many thanks

Rob

 

[macd]

Nelson Spinflo: good grill (for a boat cooker), decent oven with thermostat. Perhaps not the most substantially made, but everything works. I bought mine two years ago on several recommendations (both from friends, and on here).
Shop around and you'll find good prices.

 

[Stemar]

I have a Plastimo Neptune, though without the oven. It's only a few years old, but the grill now only works for a few minutes (not quite long enough for 2 slice of toast) before the flame lifts off near the failure sensor and it goes out. Not impressed.

 

[ianfr]

Nelson Spinflo: good grill (for a boat cooker), decent oven with thermostat. Perhaps not the most substantially made, but everything works. I bought mine two years ago on several recommendations (both from friends, and on here).
Shop around and you'll find good prices.

+1 after many recommendations from local owners.
Just fitted ours last week. Build is not bad, but a few sharp edges near the bottom.
I couldn't use the gimbal locks due to the location, but a bolt or possibly a block of wood will suffice while not underway.

View attachment 47697

Ian & Jo

 

[jerrytug]

My Plastimo Neptune hasn't lasted very well, been in bits a couple of times, but at least you can get new spares posted for a fair price. Better if you don't need spares in the first place though..

My next yacht will have a Taylors paraffin, not for safety, but you can store paraffin anywhere on board and don't need the space-consuming gas locker nuisance, or the greedy gas prices for yacht-sized bottles.

 

[typhoonNige]

Fitted a Neptune 4500 7 months ago. Used daily since then and we've had no problems. Good oven, grill OK but only really cooks well in middle of pan and more powerful top burners than previous model. Packing not up to the job of protecting it in transit though so check carefully for any damage on receipt.

 

[FWB]

My next yacht will have a Taylors paraffin, not for safety, but you can store paraffin anywhere on board and don't need the space-consuming gas locker nuisance, or the greedy gas prices for yacht-sized bottles.

I've been using a Taylors for the past 12 years, they are very easy to use. You can get odourless paraffin from Caldo for them. A lot of folks who've never used them don't seem to like them though

 

[West Coast]

Nelson Spinflo: good grill (for a boat cooker), decent oven with thermostat. Perhaps not the most substantially made, but everything works. I bought mine two years ago on several recommendations (both from friends, and on here).
Shop around and you'll find good prices.

+1

 

[Sandyman]

Also recommend the Spinflo. For the price they are hard to beat. Had one 6 years used ever day. Only problem was the grill thermocouple went once.

 

[GrahamM376]

We have a Plastimo Neptune 2000, don't know how old it is but we've had the boat 11 years. Never needed spares and SWMBO bakes cakes, roasts joints etc. in it and has never complained so it must be OK.

 

[robmcg]

Looked at a Dometic Starlight in Force 4. Quality seemed good.

 

[TQA]

I am happy with my Force 10, it has been in daily use for 7 years now and still looks good as well as cooking good. The grill is adequate, but does make toast, the rings and oven work well.

The only real issue has been the self igniting system which has been an ongoing hassle to keep working. A $4 barbecue sparker is just easier.

 

[wilkinsonsails]

I was very happy with my Force 10,and yes the ignition thing is pants.
It's now for sale because of an impulse purchase from Gkn Espace at theBoat show.
Maybe we will save some gas but haven't had much chance to use it yet.
Cindy

 

[KellysEye]

>I am happy with my Force 10, it has been in daily use for 7 years now and still looks good as well as cooking good.

Our force 10 was fitted by the previous owner and was still going strong when we sold the boat at total of 17 years. Both of us were long distance sailors so there was a high usage

 

[jamie N]

Origo 6000. Just brilliant, but no straightforward grilling.

 

[doug748]

Weigh up how much space you have, it can be next to impossible to engineer a wider space. The Nelson is quite narrow and will normally replace the commonly found Flavel Venessa.

I have heard it said that the hob burners on the Nelson are on the small side, so if you are brewing up for a large crew bear that in mind. The rear of the thing is open to the oven insulation and you might find more expensive cookers are better finished here. It is an easy matter to fit you own alloy or formica panel if that is a problem. The pan clamps are plated and would be nicer if they were stainless, I have no idea how this compares with other cookers. I give them a wipe with an oily rag every winter, just like a British motorbike.

The rest seems to be good news. It has a nice deep tray around the burners so any spill is contained, the oven is good with a simple lock and the grill convenient in use and very good for toast. You can get two pieces on the go, and two on the way, at the same time.

I have had one for about 15 years with regular use and no problems. I thought the flame failure was dicky last year and showed it to the gas man. "I doubt it" he said "those are very reliable" He looked at it and said it was fine, no charge.

.....The tray that holds the grill pan is a bit questionable, it may work very well at holding the pan at sea. However I secure it with a a tiny bit of bungee cord, just to make sure.

 

[PlankWalker]

The defining factor is usually the space available and swinging room. All things being equal go for build quality,
Force 10 and Taylors are better than most though of course very expensive, but better value second hand that a new cheaper one.

 

[wully1]

Another vote for the Plastimo! Never had any problems with mine, oven works well. I've never used the grill which I would expect to be as rubbish as boatie cooker grills usually are.

a BIG plus point for me choosing it was finding out they are made in the UK.

 

[ip485]

It doesnt meet the OP's specs because I dont think they do a two burner version but the only cooker I was able to find that comes very close to your home cooker was GN Espace. I replaced mine this year with their four burner offering and despite the odd teething issue the cooking is superb. It is a proper oven and proper grill that really grills across the entire area of the oven. Unfortunately it is all at a price.

 

[catalac08]

I have had a Plastimo Neptune for 10 years and although the rings and oven are ok the grill has corroded apart and needs a new burner tube for about £50. The control knobs are starting to stick so next time I will try another brand.