SMEV cookers - did we get a dud?

[caol]

We have a four burner SMEV cooker with oven and grill. Must be at least 10 years old now.

The oven has never been satisfactory. At first, it kept going out. Eventually, this was corrected by the supplier (new burner, I think) but there has always been a problem with maintaining temperature.

It will, eventually, get up to 200F when empty, but as soon as food goes in, the temperature drops and does not heat up again. In practice, the thing is pretty useless as an oven - just doesn't maintain a decent temperature for cooking.

This oven is not thermostatically controlled. I can see from comparative charts that the heat output of the current SMEVs is less than most other ovens, but I do wonder if ours has never really worked right, as it has never been truly "fit for purpose".

Trouble is, the SMEV is really the only unit that meets our other requirements and fits our slot. The Spinflo Nelson would fit, but we want more than two burners. So I do wonder if the current models (which are thermostatically controlled) are any better. Did we get a dud? Were they all like that? If we bought a new one, would we have the same problems?

If anyone has a SMEV oven and is willing to share their experience, I would be most grateful.

 

[Bejasus]

we have an older SMEV 4 burner stove with oven. The boat is 1980 but not sure just how old the cooker is. We have a chart made by a previous owner giving temerature guidance relating to the numbers on the oven control. Cooker seems to perform ok, although not outstanding. However, swmbo manages to bake sponges & other cakes without too much trouble.

 

[Oldhand]

We have no problems with the temperture of our SMEV oven other than it can go out if you set it too low. It sounds like there is a restriction in your gas supply line or your regulator is set too low.

 

[caol]

Thanks, Bejasus and Oldhand

The Smev has a heat output of 1 kw, as opposed to 1.4 or 1.5 for mots of the others, so it is interesting to learn that you don't have problems.

The rest of the cooker works OK and so does the gas water heater, so I don't think there is a problem with the gas supply. The regulator was renewed last year and I don't think it can be altered from its standard setting for the installation.

I would love to get to the bottom of this.....Would consider buying the current version of what we have - especially on the basis of other people's satisfaction. But its a lot to pay if it ain't going to do the business.

 

[Oldhand]

Re: Thanks, Bejasus and Oldhand

Ours is a 1999 2 burner version and I have never known the cook to have to use a high oven setting but then we don't try to bake bread onboard. If you want the best available then get a Force 10, they blacken the tops of pies in no time at all!

 

[caol]

Re: Thanks, Bejasus and Oldhand

[ QUOTE ]
Ours is a 1999 2 burner version and I have never known the cook to have to use a high oven setting but then we don't try to bake bread onboard. If you want the best available then get a Force 10, they blacken the tops of pies in no time at all!

[/ QUOTE ]

Sounds as if it might be worth trying again. But, sadly, the Force 10 cookers wouldn't fit the slot.

 

[tjbrace]

Re: Thanks, Bejasus and Oldhand

Check the supply pipe to the oven burner. I bought a new SMEV for the previous boat and couldn't light the oven. The pipe was blocked with some fluff (brand new unit). After clearing this it worked fine. Different model to you. 2 burners, oven and grill.