Omnia oven/Fox Hill oven

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by MMarvin

We use the Omnia oven in the trailer all the time. It requires the lowest temperature setting possible on the cooktop. The cooktop knobs feel uncomfortably warm after the oven has been on for awhile so I just pull them off after adjusting the flame. I could just cover them with foil.

We have an Outback oven also. It also works well but we have two complaints. You have to be very careful to avoid scorching the fiberglass cover. (I have heard that some folks just replace the covers regularly like a maintenance item.) And my wife insists the Outback imparts a funny flavor to everything we cook in it.

Marv

Marv, that shroud does get a bit blackened, but after hundreds of uses I have never replace it, and it works just fine. I have never heard of any imparted flavour using it, and in fact it would be impossible. The non-stick coating is just like any other in these type pots.

[medora]

FYI, I went ahead and ordered the Fox Hill double oven. Very cute, lightweight, and compact; it fits in the cabinet under the large fridge in our 17B and came with two small loaf pans and two 9x9 square pans (you can use 2 loafs and a square, or two squares at a time). I haven't actually tried it yet but have some King Arthur Flour brownie mix out in Oliver ready to go for a weekend "camp in yer yard" bake-off. Will report in on the results.

~e

[Jim Bennett]

Elizabeth, look forward to hearing your review on it once it gets some good use. Take a bunch of pictures too.

[MMarvin]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

I have never heard of any imparted flavour using it, and in fact it would be impossible. The non-stick coating is just like any other in these type pots.

Hi Jim,
I have to disagree. Wikipedia, under "non-stick coating," lists at least nine competing brands. Included is Teflon, which is going away due to health concerns. Backpacker's Pantry does not state which coating they use. Is it possible for any of these impart a flavor? Who can say?

[Jim Bennett]

Marv, after doing literally hundreds of different dishes, breads, pizza, bannock, biscuits, cake, and lots of others, both my wife and I agree that there is no flavour imparted from the Outback Oven, at least non that we could tell (and my wife has very sensitive taste and smell). We have also cooked for dozens of other people and never once heard anything mention of a funny flavour. I also have another 10 or more friends that own one, and love using it. We use other coated pots and frying pans in the trailer and canoeing (as well as a couple at home) too, and have not had troubles. I would love to use just cast iron, but weight is an issue away from home, plus the non-stick with its easy clean up and the fact it uses less oils that can affect taste, are often easy to use.

I did do some research and found very little (I have learned not to completely trust Wikipedia). I did find one site that found that there was a gas given off if the temperatures of the pan got to 500°F, and recommended not to do that. I know with the OO, we usually have the heat as low as it can go. Nonetheless, I did send an email of to Backpacker's Pantry asking what coating they use.

[Jim Bennett]

I just got a confirmation back from Backpacker's Pantry that the coating is Teflon.

[vmull]

I notice a certain flavor with the Outback oven. It's not bad, just different. I much prefer the Omnia. I've made lots of cakes and heating food is easy.

Vicki

[medora66]

W/R/T the Fox Hill ... we got the larger double model and while we LOVE having cookies and brownies baking inside the trailer, we find the unit so large that it's very difficult to maneuver under the stove hood, to the point where I feel like I'm eventually going to end up burned. I broke down this last week and bought an Omnia, which is eons lighter - and I look forward to trying it.

If you're considering the Fox Hill - I think it's a great little guy, I just would buy the smallest one (which has one tray for baking) -- at least given the situation in our 17B.

Does anyone do cookie batter in an Omnia? I'm guessing it'll come out more like a "bar" given the shape of the thing ... brownies seem like they'd do well.