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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to ask if you don't have an oven what do you use?

40 replies

EZA15 · 27/03/2017 13:49

Our oven has broken. Again. We maintain and clean them properly so it's not that. This one has lasted just over a year and it's really annoying as it was working fine yesterday. So I know it's not a real AIBU but can I ask if you don't have a traditional oven, what do you have? There are 2 adults and a toddler if that makes a difference.

OP posts:
woohooyeehoo · 27/03/2017 13:53

I do have an oven but we rarely use it. Most things are done on the hob.

Unless you have one of those hob/oven combo things.

Scribblegirl · 27/03/2017 13:55

One of my friends who has a tiny studio has one of those microwave/oven combis, is that an option OP?

IJustWantABrew · 27/03/2017 13:58

Try a slow cooker. You can cook practically anything in them. I'm currently making pulled pork in mine. 👍.
I use mine all the time, prep everything once the little one is in bed and then put it in the fridge and then turn it on the next morning and it's ready for when I want tea.
You can get a decent one for around £30-£50

NannyR · 27/03/2017 14:00

How has it broken? If the element has blown, you can get a new one for about £30 and it's a pretty simple job to change it yourself.

previously1474etc · 27/03/2017 14:04

My oven hasn't worked for ages, the clock/timer thing needs fixing there is a small one at the top though which does work, however I have a mini oven and grill which I use instead, bought as a spare when the last oven didn't work either.

I also use a slow cooker and the microwave, or the hob, I used to have an electric frying pan which was useful for times when there was a kitchen being replaced or when the oven broke.

Katedotness1963 · 27/03/2017 14:16

We had a landlord who wouldn't repair the oven for us, so we were without for over six weeks (over Christmas, the bastards). Just had to get by using the rings and the microwave.

Piffyonarockbun · 27/03/2017 14:19

We had no oven for over a year. We had one of those combi microwave things, a slow cooker and a tefal actifry. Really didnt notice the lack of an oven and only really bought a new one because the combi bit of the microwave broke Grin.

BrieAndChilli · 27/03/2017 14:27

I'm Shock at the people who never use an oven!! Ours broke just before xmas and I was going crazy at the thought of xmas without one!! Luckily we got a new one within a few days and that was bad enough

How do you all cook
Roast dinner
Shepherds pie
Lasagne
Garlic bread
Cakes
Biscuits
Toad in the hole/Yorkshire puddings
Crumble
Cauliflower cheese
Pizza
Chips (we use oven chips so I guess you fry on the job in a pan of oil??)

Scribblegirl · 27/03/2017 14:34

My mum's oven broke on Christmas Day 1999 Brie.... it's the only time I've ever had roast potatoes cooked under a grill Grin

EZA15 · 27/03/2017 14:37

I don't have a microwave, I'm one of those weirdos who feel it compromises the taste of the food 😂😂.

ijustwantabrew I have a slow cooker and I use it for me, but somehow dh can always tell when I've cooked food in it as he thinks they're crap and ruin the taste of the food.

nannyR we're going to try and replace the heating element first and see if that works, if not it's definitely a new oven or an alternative.

Thank you everyone for your replies. I really want one of those counter halogen oven things but DH has flat out refused and since he's the one who will be buying, if it is unable to be fixed then looks like it'll be a normal oven. - Any recommendations?

OP posts:
macaronip1e · 27/03/2017 14:38

We spent a month without an oven and hon when we moved house. It was ok - just needed to plan things out more using microwave (which has a grill), pressure cooker (which doubles as slow cooker) and BBQ (gas, so not too much hassle to use day in day out - plus has one ring as a hob)

LiviaDrusillaAugusta · 27/03/2017 14:38

I genuinely don't remember the last time I used my oven - probably a few years ago!

macaronip1e · 27/03/2017 14:38

...and hob....

FrogFairy · 27/03/2017 14:41

What about one of those mini ovens that sit on the worktop?

www.argos.co.uk/search/mini-oven/

QueenOfTheCatBastards · 27/03/2017 14:42

I did under a year without an oven, and I must admit I didn't like it. I was relived when I could afford a replacement. The fact that the replacement's door exploded the second time I used it was a bit of a kick to the guts.

LunaMay · 27/03/2017 14:44

I mainly use an electric frying pan and air fryer. Very rare I use the oven these days.

Twistmeandturnme · 27/03/2017 14:44

It is possible to live without an oven; millions of Chinese people manage it.
It just requires a shift in cooking: less roast more stir fry. Less pizza more toastie, less cottage pie more mash n mince etc.

Iprefersainsburies · 27/03/2017 14:58

I have a build in oven but never use it. I have a microwave oven thing and use the oven part of that.

FretYeNotAllIsShiny · 27/03/2017 15:09

Those halogen ovens are really good, and I believe use less electric than a traditional electric oven. My oven has been broken for about 6 months and I've managed with that, the slow cooker and hob/grill. I do miss my oven though, it's not as easy cooking meals for five or six adults without one.

EZA15 · 27/03/2017 15:14

Frogfairy that's the kind of thing I want. Will be showing other half when he gets home.

Queenofthecatbastards oh no! What did you do?

OP posts:
EZA15 · 27/03/2017 15:15

I mean regarding the door - did the company replace it?

OP posts:
PhaedrusRising · 27/03/2017 15:27

We've got a delonghi counter top mini-oven grill at the moment (kitchen is being redone in July, oven broke at Xmas and not buying a new oven for Just 6 months).

Really, really like it. But I think it would struggle to feed more than a couple of adults and couple of pre-teen kids due to the size.

WashBasketsAreUs · 27/03/2017 15:47

We were without a cooker whilst we were doing the kitchen. For about 4 months we used the microwave, halogen cooker and a cheap hot plate from b and m. We were fine x

floraeasy · 27/03/2017 15:54

I have a Panasonic mini tabletop oven. It's also a microwave and grill. I absolutely love it and it means we have more kitchen floorspace.