How to Use a Halogen Oven and Set It up in Your Kitchen

Last Updated on November 22, 2022

A halogen oven is a fantastic and versatile device. This portable cooker uses a halogen heating bulb and a fan to circulate the hot air and cook your food. You can use this oven as an addition to your main cooker when making large meals. Alternatively, it is a brilliant space-saver for people who don’t have room for a large stationary oven.

If you have a halogen cooker, you will undoubtedly be excited and can’t wait to start testing different types of food. However, some people may find this daunting to use at first. It can always be a challenge using a new cooking device. You want to make sure the food is cooked properly to avoid any illness or upset stomachs!

But fear not, this device is relatively simple to use once you understand how they work and the standard steps to use. This is what we offer in the below guide – info on using a halogen oven correctly and safely. Check out the step-by-step process and a range of useful tips so you can get the most out of your halogen cooker below!

Step-by-Step Guide to Using a Halogen Oven

Using a halogen oven is not as complicated as it sounds. Follow the steps below, and you will be cooking great food in no time!

Step 1: The Preparation

Before you start the cooking process, you must set up your kitchen space and prepare your food. Ensure that you have a clear space on your kitchen work surface. Ideally, the oven should not be touching any other surfaces except the kitchen top. This ensures it doesn’t get damaged and that any excess air can circulate easily from the cooker.

Also, ensure you have the necessary accessories you need like the extender ring and the different cooking rack options.

Step 2: Place the Food Inside

Once you are prepared, you can place your food inside the halogen oven. It is advisable to use either the high rack or the low rack provided. These are useful because they lift the food from the bottom tray and allow the air to circulate properly.

This will ensure the best results when cooking. Also, it will ensure that your dishes are cooked evenly and heated properly throughout. You can also use foil inside these cookers if you wish to help catch some fat or sauces when using the low rack.

Step 3: Set the Temperature and Cooking Process

When the food is already inside, you can set the temperature or cooking time. It is always advisable that you research the recommended cooking time – some ovens even have recipe books that show ideal times for different meals. Usually, it is a simple case of choosing the temperature or setting a timer on the top control panel. This exact method will differ depending on the model of your oven, however.

Once the cooking time is set, you can sit back, relax, and watch the magic happen!

Step 4: Check the Progress

When cooking, you must occasionally check on the progress. There is no need to stand and watch the whole process. However, periodically, you should lift the lid and check how your food is cooking.

Lift the oven lid (use oven gloves as the top ring can be hot) and see how your food is cooking. For example, if you are cooking chicken, you may want to stab a fork into it and tear a piece off to see if it is still pink inside. It is not advisable to remove the food from the wire rack. In addition, always be wary of the blast of hot air that may shoot out when you open the top.

In terms of frequency – that is a personal choice. However, if the suggested cooking time is 20 minutes, you may want to check after 5 minutes and then 5 minutes before the end. A progress check serves two purposes. Firstly, you can ensure the food is cooking as intended. Secondly, you can make adjustments if needed. You could turn the temperature up if the food were not cooking enough.

Step 5: Remove Your Food From the Oven

Once the food is cooked and you are happy with the result, you can remove it from the oven. It is vital to wear oven gloves when removing any food as it will be incredibly hot! Also, as mentioned above, watch for the hot air as you open the top ring.

Depending on what types of food you are cooking, you may need to let it drain. For example, if you are cooking a chicken or a beef joint, you may want to take it out of the bowl and let any excess fat and juices drain away.

Step 6: Clean Your Halogen Oven

Finally, once you have enjoyed your delicious meal, you should now clean the oven. It would help if you cleaned it regularly as there can be a build-up of fat and food splatter. Some ovens do have a self-cleaning mechanism, in which case you usually add water and set the self-cleaning program. After that, the halogen oven will do the rest.

Alternatively, you may need to manually clean the glass bowl, ring, wire rack, and other components. You can clean the glass bowl, high rack and low rack simply with a dishcloth and hot soapy water. Ensure you are thorough and that you wipe away any excess grease, stains, and fat.

Also, check the heating element and the top of the glass bowl lid to see if any food has splattered on them. Remember, certain types of food like chips, fat and oil can sometimes splash when cooking. If you have used an extender ring, be sure to detach that and clean it, too.

What Can You Cook in a Halogen Oven?

Now that we have answered the “how do you cook in a halogen oven” question, we can look at the different recipes you can create. They are versatile devices that can be used for a host of other foods.

At its most basic, a halogen oven can cook anything to cook in a standard oven. The difference is in the heating element and the cooking and baking times. Halogen ovens are much quicker and more efficient.

The following are just some of the examples of meals you can cook in these cookers:

• Pizzas
• Burgers
• Roast potatoes
• Baked potatoes
• Roast chicken
• Chicken breast fillets
• Beef, lamb, and pork joints
• Fish
• Roast vegetables
• Pastries
• Bread

The list goes on! If you search the web, you can find hundreds of recipes and ideas for meals you can cook quickly in your halogen oven. Halogen oven users can enjoy an excellent variety and let their creativity shine in the kitchen!

Useful Tips for Using a Halogen Oven

By now, you should have an excellent idea of what halogen ovens are capable of. First-time users may still find these devices daunting, however. Using these ovens is a learning curve, and everyone will adopt their style and cooking methods. However, the tips we have listed below should help first-time users use their cooker effectively:

1. Ensure air can be circulated fully around the food in the oven
2. When first using these ovens, watch the process and stay alert
3. Thoroughly read your halogen oven cooking instructions and manual
4. Clean your oven correctly and take care of it
5. Always wear oven gloves when opening the lid and removing food
6. Consider using an extender ring to protect the halogen bulb
7. Ensure you have ample cupboard space or work surface space for storage
8. Use suggested cooking times as a guideline and adjusted if necessary

The first time you use your cooker, we advise watching the cooking process. You don’t want to stand watching the cooker each time you use it. However, it is initially helpful to stand and watch to get used to the timings and the cooking and baking process.

Also, if you want these ovens to last, make sure you take care of them. Many people make the mistake of only cleaning the racks, lid, and bowl occasionally. This will eventually lead to a build-up of food splatters, grime, and grease. As a result, it could reduce the effectiveness of the device and erode the materials. Make sure you clean the lid, racks, bowl, and heating element regularly.

It is also essential to adjust timings as you see fit. If the cooking instructions state to cook for 10 minutes, use this as a guideline. You may find that you need to cook for more than 10 minutes to get the desired finish you want. Different ovens will cook at different speeds, so it is essential to make adjustments as you cook.

Halogen Oven FAQs

Here are some of the frequently asked questions about halogen ovens. Hopefully, this will give you a clearer understanding when using this excellent appliance.

Can I Cook Directly in the Bottom of the Halogen Bowl?

Yes! It is advised to use the cooking rack. However, there is no reason why you cannot place food directly onto the bottom of the cooking bowl.

Do You Need to Use Oil for Cooking in a Halogen Oven?

This depends on what you are cooking. Essentially, if you would use oil in a conventional oven, you still need to use oil in a halogen cooker. For example, you could use oil for recipes like roast potatoes and chips.

Does a Halogen Cooker Use a Lot of Electricity?

Overall, no. The per-unit usage is higher than a standard oven. However, quicker cooking times mean the electricity consumption is less.

Energy Saving Tip #1 Halogen Oven use 75% less electricity than a conventional electric oven. #SaveMoney #B2Bhour pic.twitter.com/s6Rki2iAPA

— Lower Bills Richard (@LowerBillsRick) January 5, 2015

Are Halogen Ovens Safe to Use?

Yes! Halogen oven users can enjoy great safety, which is usually a safer way of cooking than a fryer or charcoal grilling. Halogen cooking should also pose no more detrimental effects than using a traditional oven.

Start Cooking

A halogen oven is a convenient addition to your kitchen. It helps in cooking food faster and even tastier! Once you know how to use a halogen oven and you are comfortable using your model, there is no end to the recipes you can create. So, what are you waiting for? Start cooking!

Did you find this article helpful? Do you have awesome recipes you’d like to share with others using a halogen oven? Let us know in the comment box below!