Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Bright Ideas needed - no oven!

43 replies

IfYouLikeALotOfChocolate · 23/12/2018 07:23

Our oven glass shattered yesterday. So we have no way of cooking the majority of Christmas or Boxing Day that we are hosting.

I’ve spoken to repair companies locally who have said it’s not a part they keep in stock and spare parts companies are closed for Christmas. I’ve trawled spare parts websites and even those that have it in stock are closed for Christmas
Potentialy the part exists in Stoke and could be collected on a Monday. We are in Surrey. Normally DH or I would drive up however it’s complicated by the fact that I’m 39 weeks pregnant so I shouldn’t really be 2 hours from home and same for him. I’ve looked at couriers which are £300+.

Anything I’ve not thought of? Beyond panic?!

OP posts:
pinkmagic1 · 23/12/2018 07:28

Look on gumtree/shpok etc. and see if you can pick up a cheap, free standing electric cooker?

TeaAndNoSympathy · 23/12/2018 07:31

Slow cooker or pressure cooker? You could do veg in an electric steamer. Apart from that, phone your guests and explain. I’m sure they’ll help you out with cooking if you ask.

user1498572889 · 23/12/2018 07:31

If it has more than one layer of glass I would still use it. What make is it?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

3rd trimester General pregnancy
Happierwithouthim · 23/12/2018 07:31

Apparently you can hire a cooker but why are you hosting while you're nearly due?

Lucky44 · 23/12/2018 07:32

Slow cooker for meat, microwave veg. Cook some meat ie turkey in someone else’s oven day before. Lower your expectations. It will be fine, it’s one meal, you're 39 weeks pregnant and could be doing without the hassle of hosting. Good luck!

Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 23/12/2018 07:32

Our oven packed up on 23 December one year (it got worse, as on Christmas Eve, the tap started gushing and we had to isolate it, meaning we had no water in the kitchen Shock).*

We got a ready cooked chicken breast. We pan-fried bacon, sausages, stuffing. We had fried potatoes. We used the microwave for vegetables. We made sure that none of the puddings needed any cooking. It wasn't the best Christmas dinner - but it was fine.

*I didn't bat an eyelid when the oven stopped working. I laughed when we couldn't use the sink. I burst into tears when my washing machine broke down on Boxing Day.

LEMtheoriginal · 23/12/2018 07:32

I managed to get a new knob for my cooker on amazon yesterday. So maybe try that? Came quicker than parts company and free delivery.

anniehm · 23/12/2018 07:36

BBQ - a gas one is more controllable, surely a neighbour will have one, big ones are popular these days, or is a neighbour out for Christmas and you could use their oven? Combi microwave (with grill) for some stuff if you have, slow cooker.

How much is the part, is it cheaper to get a new one perhaps the shop display one - an independent store may take pity on you (I doubt chains would but even curry's could think it was good publicity!)

S0dabread · 23/12/2018 07:38

Would you have a neighbour who could cook any turkey /roast for you ? Or do you have a slow cooker ? I recently saw another similar thread and thst was a suggestion that seemed to suit another poster. One year ( I think about 12 yrs ago) I bought a combi microwave / oven as I was in a similar situation. It had a big capacity was a brilliant addition to my kitchen ( I still have it oven works great but micro bit has given up) Failing all that freeze what you can and go take away ! Good luck with the baby and merry christmas !!

Original poster
IfYouLikeALotOfChocolate · 23/12/2018 07:39

I’ve checked amazon...

It’s a Britannia range - I’ve been advised I can’t use it without the inner glass as there’s the likelihood the outer glass will shatter (especially as we would need to turn the temp right up as it would lose heat)

I’ve thought about a cheap oven from gumtree - I’d then need to find an installer on Christmas Eve which may also prove a challenge

Veg I can do. Hobs all working and I have a slow cooker so it’s really turkey/beef/glazing ham.

I’m not in a panic - but would be happier to be able to get the oven working to save extra hassle!

Why are we hosting at this stage - family are too far to travel to them (in terms of not being near home/hospital) and who knows when the baby will arrive - we do want to see family over Christmas (not least for the sake of the kids) and it’s only a couple of lunches. I’ve bought everything so don’t plan to be slaving in a kitchen, and DH can do it all while I do the beached whale act!)

OP posts:
Ricekrispie22 · 23/12/2018 07:39

Do any of your guests have a pressure or slow cooker? Or do any of your guests live near enough that they could cook the meat before they come and bring it with them wrapped in foil?

LEMtheoriginal · 23/12/2018 07:40

this for example is available before Xmas if you have prime. So worth a search on amazon - good luck

MrsMaryMooFace · 23/12/2018 07:40

Halogen oven! Get one from Amazon.

MissTook · 23/12/2018 07:41

About 10 layers [or more] of tinfoil stuck over the the oven door?

Original poster
IfYouLikeALotOfChocolate · 23/12/2018 07:42

I will try a few shops today to see if they can lend us the glass from a display model - that’s a good thought. It’s only a £50 part so not hugely expensive, and easily removable/changeable

BBQ is a thought (but seeing as normal bbq fayre takes forever for my DH it might make for interesting timings!). I shall have a google

Going to investigate the neighbour option

OP posts:
LEMtheoriginal · 23/12/2018 07:42

Oh sorry crossed post

Where abouts are you - total long shot but i actually have a counter top mini oven new in the box going begging. Im in kent.

Original poster
IfYouLikeALotOfChocolate · 23/12/2018 07:44

What the heck is a halogen oven? I’m looking at them on amazon! I may need to learn how to hack a large turkey down into a crown to make it fit!

OP posts:
Original poster
IfYouLikeALotOfChocolate · 23/12/2018 07:45

We are in Surrey - Kent would be doable. Would it fit a large turkey?

OP posts:
HopeHopity · 23/12/2018 07:46

Slow cooker!

Original poster
IfYouLikeALotOfChocolate · 23/12/2018 07:47

Counter top oven may be the saviour looking at them on amazon. Does anybody know if they just plug in or need an electrician to install?

OP posts:
LEMtheoriginal · 23/12/2018 07:47

I am not sure. Its literLly sat in the back of our car though. Let me see if i can find it in Argos

Neolara · 23/12/2018 07:48

Bbq the turkey. My DH has done this often.

LEMtheoriginal · 23/12/2018 07:50

I think its this this one.

So not a large turkey no. But a smaller one. Its yours if it will help

bananasandwicheseveryday · 23/12/2018 07:53

spares we used this company a couple of years ago when the element in the oven went on 23rd December. Next day delivery, Dh used their online video guide to fit and oven was working and ready to go for Christmas dinner. If they have the part in stock, they really are worth a look.

bananasandwicheseveryday · 23/12/2018 07:55

Otherwise, yes, agree that a halogen cooker would be a good idea. I would rather be without my oven than my halogen. We only use the oven for big meals, like Christmas dinner, the rest of the year we use the halogen.

Swipe left for the next trending thread