12 volt oven

I was down at Jaycar yesterday and spotted a small 12 volt oven for $50, couldn't resist it. Internal dimensions are 22cm x 12cm x 10cm deep. Supposed to draw about 10 amps, given that it ran OK from a 10 amp cig socket, it may be drawing less.

It claims to heat to 150 C. I gave it a run this morning by filling a foil food container with water from the fridge, 2 C, and put it into the oven and then turned it on. It hit 71 c in 40 minutes. Great for taking away pre-prepared meals in foil trays with lids and heating them. It would take two trays, one on top of each other; they would need to be rotated as the heating element is on the bottom, but I reckon you'd have two hot meals in just over an hour.

It will handle four pies, again just need to rotate, or 2 just stick 'em in and forget 'em. Hot Dogs or dimmies heating in a foil tray whilst you're driving beats the hell out of take away prices. Gonna give some of that par baked bread from the supermarket a go too.

After running for 40 minutes the voltage on my second battery hardly changed, so it doesn't look like it will suck the guts out of the battery.

Now I know bush cooking is part of the fun of getting away, but there are times when it would be great to just stick a dish of your favourite casserole or pasta in the oven, add some fresh baked rolls or garlic bread, then throw the dishes away.

I'll report again when I've tried some other cooking, but at $50 I'm happy already.