WHICH BOAT COOKER?

[JustMelfort]

Hi. I'm looking for a 2 burner + grill cooker for a small boat. Spinflo and Plastimo seem to dominate the gas market - which is better? Spinflo seems cheaper, but I guess there's an element of paying for what you get?

Do I need a flame safety device to comply with insurance? The boat is v small so no risk of leaving it unattended though maybe it's possible to knock the cooker on. Grateful for your experience and guidance...

Thanks

 

[ianat182]

Bought mine ,a Plastimo from force 4,ex but make sure the gimbals are included in the price .they were extras last year,should be included in my opinion the price they charged.. else try Calor people(Southampton) for same model.

Ian

 

[nimbusgb]

[ QUOTE ]
Do I need a flame safety device to comply with insurance? The boat is v small so no risk of leaving it unattended though maybe it's possible to knock the cooker on. Grateful for your experience and guidance...


[/ QUOTE ]

Don't know if you need it for insurance but you'd be nuts not to have them fitted. You may not just knock the gas on but a little breeze could put the flame out while you are attending to something on deck.

 

[Tranona]

Not much in it. Both are made in UK if that makes you feel better. I thought the basic Plastimo was cheaper. Don't think you can buy a cooker without a flame failure device now. Don't be tempted by a Techimpex which are on offer at comparable prices. Not in the same league for quality.

 

[jerryat]

The Nelson Spinflo is excellent. Highly recommended.

 

[nedmin]

Spinflo comes complete with gimbals and has flame failure on all burners inc. oven.Very happy with mine.

 

[ebbtide]

Re: Flame failure

[ QUOTE ]
You'd be nuts not to have them fitted.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ever had the kettle boil over while you're in the bog??

And fit detectors in the bilge too - internal battery types are available, no wiring needed.

 

[JustMelfort]

Re: Flame failure

Great - thank you all. Flame failure it is. Gas detectors already done and will go and see what deals I can find on either Plastimo or Spinflo. Thanks again.

 

[TamarMike]

Re: Flame failure

Bought a Plastimo one last year, fitted the (Plastimo) gimbals from the previous oven using the pre-drilled holes but it doesn't hang level, always leans back so I am about to add some 'ballast' to the front of it. However with just a burner and grill unit it really needs to be used fixed if using heavy/full pans or kettles. Otherwise very pleased with way it works but definately needs the pan clamps if used at sea.

 

[charles_reed]

The Plastimo is made by Leisure Products in Bolton and costs considerably less in caravan shops than the identical Plastimo in chandleries.

Definitely have one with flame failure on all burners - bugger the insurance, I'd rather not be blown up.

I'm on my 2nd Plastimo-type cooker in 19 years and I do a lot of cooking on it.

Realyy chap is the Flavell hob - but don't buy in chandleries

 

[ShipsWoofy]

[ QUOTE ]
The Nelson Spinflo is excellent. Highly recommended.

[/ QUOTE ]I was going to recommend this also, but I read his question that he didn't want an oven. Otherwise I have been really pleased with our Nelson for 5 years now. Doesn't time fly?

 

[Anonymous]

You've had plenty of good advice. You specifically say that you don't want an oven but for the benefit of others who read this thread I would point out that a thermostatic oven is much better than non-thermostatic. Look for a high-power (kW) oven with stat. The reason is that a non-stat oven has its max safe temperature controlled by the maximum gas flow. When you put something large into the oven -- e.g. a roast and potatoes -- it pulls the temperature down for ages making it hard to get a good roast. What you have to do is cook the meat slightly under what you want, and leave it in a few layers of foil and then, using the same pan, do the potatoes. It's a bit of a pain and when it's warm, a nuisance. So definitely go for a thermostatic oven and when choosing, go for the one with the largest kW power (oven).

 

[swanny]

Can't understand what is wrong with a Techimpex. I fitted one last year and it is great! However, I did not buy the budget one but the Mariner 2. One rare feature is it has a 3kw burner along with the 1.7kw one. Boiling stuff takes no time! it comes with gimbals which lock the cooker in and stop it from jumping out of them. It also has a neat device to alter the er....the...hmm.... the point at which it swings....? Ok, I don't know the technical term but you can move the cooker back and forward on the gimbals to gain the correct trim if the cooker is loaded unevenly.Easy to clean, auto ignite, flame failure device AND a manufacturer who answer emails and gives unending advice personally!!!! I like it. No, I love it! (hope nothing goes wrong now gulp!)