We are planning a new off grid build and would like a gas wall oven. Future proofing so we don't have to bend down to tend to things in the oven. Can anyone suggest a good oven? I'm not a gourmet cook so I don't need a top of the range fancy and expensive one, but I also don't want one that cooks poorly/uneven etc.
Gas wall oven
(17 posts) (8 voices)-
Morbo
Memberyou have to bend eventually to get it out?
Anyways, have a look how the flame manifold? distributor? thing is done. If its like the old Westinghouse just a rail in the back, its trouble. Thats what led to people buying electic. If its however more like a W shaped coil or the wires in a light bulb in 2d, like a loop to the front and back, then there is a bigger chance it cooks even. You may have to pre heat a bit so the oven reaches an even temperature. Also, its more even when fan forced. Better still, you may have an option top and bottom heat.Posted Wednesday 25 Jan 2017 @ 9:35:07 pm from IP # -
wlb
MemberWatch out for the electrically heated ceramic block that is used to ignite the gas on many modern gas ovens. Originally gas ovens used to control temperature by varying the flames using a capillary-type thermostat and modulating gas valve. Just like a gas heater. Then they changed to using a pilot flame and an on/off solenoid valve. The burner would shut off when oven temperature was reached, then reignite when it cooled off a bit. The solenoid turns the gas on and off and it is reignited by the pilot flame; just like a hot water service.
But about 10 years ago, they started to replace the pilot flame with an electrically heated ceramic block. This uses mains power to keep the block hot enough so that when gas is turned on by the solenoid, it is ignited. This block is kept hot the whole time the oven is in use and uses a considerable amount of power.
A look at the oven's power consumption figure will give you a clue as to whether or not it uses this method.Posted Wednesday 25 Jan 2017 @ 11:11:07 pm from IP # -
Benny
MemberDo you REALLY need gas Audrey ? I would have hoped most people on this forum would be part of the "no more gas" movement. Yet another finite fossil fuel we are burning away. Especially considering you are going off-grid - all those gas bottles... Please consider going fully (renewable) electric.
Sorry - rant over.Posted Thursday 26 Jan 2017 @ 12:49:41 am from IP # -
wlb
MemberUnfortunately, there isn't a lot you can do about that when living off-grid. Unless you are prepared to limit oven use to when your source of power isn't from the batteries. The only other option is to have 2 sets of appliances. Electric stove and oven for bright daylight hours and LPG for when the batteries are the source of electrical power. Not everyone can afford that, and it requires a larger kitchen.
Living off-grid is a balancing act. You do the best you can.Posted Thursday 26 Jan 2017 @ 1:44:42 am from IP # -
Morbo
Membertotally agree. I bake in winter, not in summer when its hot. Strangely when its cold and dark, not much sun to heat the electric oven. Which uses more than 2 kW (has 25A circuit breaker). Make a bread comes in at 1-1.5kWh, some winter days my entire daily PV harvest. So what then, baking bread and candle light dinner? Running generator? Cannot even do sourdough on a week day, takes time to rise, but don't have influence on the weekend weather.
Posted Thursday 26 Jan 2017 @ 4:39:38 am from IP # -
dlvb19
MemberMy cheap electric oven pulls about 2.3kW but it cycles on and off with 50% duty cycle once its up to temp. It takes about 5 minutes to get up to ~200 C though. So you could probably do an hour of baking for about 1.3kWh. If you are smart about how you cook things then an hours oven time will cover most dishes - eg. precook the roast veggies in microwave/pan, dont cook straight from freezer .etc. Just a thought
Posted Friday 27 Jan 2017 @ 3:43:19 am from IP # -
Johnnojack
MemberI have a gas stainless steel under bench oven and cooktop I don't want, cheap.
Posted Saturday 28 Jan 2017 @ 11:52:30 am from IP # -
Morbo
Memberwhat are you trying to do? Would one with a toaster be better, heat coming from top? Gets vegie roast done qicker? Or bread baking machine? Lots of stuff can be done in a dutch oven, once its up and runing, ever smallest flame still keeps it boiling. Crispy pork, done better in Weber charcoal pot. Done the meat and 2 veg in the Weber recently, was too hot to put the oven on. If you cook it on indirect and control the heat, can be done. Incl asparagus. And you don't have to bend over. Apparently you can even do pizza in the weber. An unglazed tile would do the same job like a pizza stone with fancy name and fancy price.
Edit: am not sponsored by Weber. Actually I smoked some fish, cheese, and turkey. Easy done, just monitor the temperature. Can use old gumtree branches, awesome flavour, but quite strong. Hickory is overrated, next to no flavour. And in summer, when the SHW goes into overdrive, hose the bbq down with the excess hot water.Posted Saturday 28 Jan 2017 @ 10:29:28 pm from IP # -
Audrey
MemberHi
Morbo, I actually do quite a lot of baking that requires an oven rather than a webber, campoven, smoker and direct sun, all of which I use for different purposes now and then. I am also a keen camper and do make use of an open fire and coals on a regular basis. Thanks for the tip on Hickory - haven't ever used it and won't bother if it's offered.Posted Sunday 29 Jan 2017 @ 1:11:24 am from IP # -
Morbo
MemberHickory in shops is finely chopped like mulch, disappears fast. Ok for fish and cheese. But now I got apple tree offcuts...
Baking you say, then gas is your friend. For that solenois mentioned further up. If your stove is on a separate fuse, just switch it off when you dont use it. Doing it for my split system, saves me 1kWh a day.
For the oven, maybe make it as small as you can, less losses. And they are all fan forced these days and well insulated, saves you lots of energy. Just have a look at the heating coils. You still would want to preeat them, as the flames go quite big at the start. Or cover the cake with foil for a while. I try to make same time as the bread, so the oven is up already. Bread starts at 225C, then down to 180. Then bread out, cake in.
No idea, if its easier to build a pizza oven, then can use wood?Posted Sunday 29 Jan 2017 @ 1:54:26 am from IP # -
Rick
MemberMy neighbour has recently got rid of her electric oven and gone for gas. She chose the model without electronic display (another component to go wrong) Something like this one. You can get the glass control panel with white backing. http://www.appliancesonline.com.au/600mm60cm-westinghouse-gas-wall-oven-wvg613s/
Posted Monday 30 Jan 2017 @ 11:45:49 am from IP # -
Johnnojack
MemberThe oven I have can be mounted at any height. Cooktop is separate. I have noticed gas ovens are getting rare, most gas cooktops are paired with electric ovens these days which is ok except if you are off grid.
Posted Tuesday 31 Jan 2017 @ 9:42:58 am from IP # -
Morbo
Memberyes, apparently gas ovens bake uneven, but that came down to the crazy design I mentioned earlier. Plus, if you don't have a gas oven, you need new plans to commit suicide. (How about moving to NSW, die while waiting for your operation)
Posted Tuesday 31 Jan 2017 @ 10:59:06 am from IP # -
Davebintas
MemberI'm off-grid and live south of Hobart up in the hills. I bought a Westinghouse top of the range gas under-bench oven, which has an electric griller, clock and is fan forced. I'm well outside of the area that's connected to the reticulated gas supplies and I buy my gas in 9kg bottles. Cooking takes a bit longer than by electric or natural gas. During spring/summer/autumn I use all sorts of electric cooking appliances to save the gas and in winter on most days I can still use an alternative appliance. A 9kg bottle of gas will last me well over 6 months, but I live alone, so a family will probably use more.
Posted Wednesday 1 Feb 2017 @ 10:13:07 pm from IP #