1. It was my first step by step recipe
2. I posted pictures of my oven and every other reader of this blog immediately had a gazillion questions about it!
Ok, I tend to exaggerate a bit but in this case, its only a teeny bit. True story.
Considering all the emails I have replied (happily, may I add) on the subject, this post is terribly late. But then, here it is, finally, after a break of 9 days, my longest in a while.
This, is my oven.
And this here, is the list of FAQs. Go crazy folks!
Q. Where did you buy the oven? What's the price?
Amma got this for me from Shah Enterprises in Kottayam, Kerala (that's my hometown). The brand name is OK. I am positive you'd get this in most home appliances stores in Kerala although I am not sure of other places. If anyone has seen or heard of this, please leave a comment.
The price is about Rs. 1200. No, I am not going to convert that into USD for you. Sorry, too lazy.
Q. How big is it?
Hmm.. not that big. Its the size of.. hmm.. ok let me put it this way. An 8x8 tray will fit into it just right. Anything bigger, you will have to maneuver it by tilting the sides, etc. Amma has a bigger one so this is available in various sizes, I am sure.
Q. What's the maximum temperature? Can it bake everything from cakes to bread to cookies?
The max temperature is 220C. Usually, cakes and cookies are backed at 180C. For bread, you need a slightly higher temperature but I have baked plain white bread with very good results. In fact, all the baked good in this site are made in this oven (Update: I upgraded to a Delonghi 26L table-top oven mid 2011).
Q. Does the oven come with a warranty? Is it worth carrying all the way from India to somewhere abroad?
The answer to this really depends on how bad you want that oven. I wanted it real bad because the prices in Singapore for ovens is atrocious. I am used to this since amma has had it for over 20 years. Having said that, this thing works on a filament coil heating system so if the filament gets rusted or broken, it will result in a loose contact which is frustrating, especially while baking. So it depends on your luck on the most part. Some may last only a year but most will go on and on forever.
Good luck and if you have more questions, leave a comment and I will answer them 🙂
Disclaimer: I am not recommending this oven to anyone. This post is more informational since a lot of you had questions about the oven when I put up pics in the butterscotch blondies step by step recipe page. The oven is very basic, quite small and may not work well for all recipes that need to be baked. However, the ones you see on this blog have all been tried and tested in it so you can safely go ahead!
Cynthia
I remember long ago that our neighbour had an oven like this, though a bit bigger. I also remember mom borrowing it as she wanted to "test" how well it works even though we had an oven. Mommy like it a lot but I think she felt it would be wasteful to have 2 ovens at the time.
I wish I could get one of these. I have never seen one in the stores around here - you know, everything's fancy dancy these days.
Nandita
That is quite super - have seen old aluminium versions of this at homes - I'm sure after the sand on gas oven, this was a big relief for bakers then, I'm told my hubby's grandmom used to use this in the days gone by and she would bake cakes, breads, muffins, you name it in this one.
I didn't know Bajaj made these too - i use a simple bajaj OTG and so far no complaints...
You know there was a recipe for peanut butter blondies on Rachel Allen - Bake, which really got me interested - should try it soon -
Cheers
N
Nachiketa
Hey!!!! nice to see you using this round oven... i have a similar on from 'Bajaj'... i swear by it.... i do all my baking in this... have even gifted these to friends n family... Works like a miracle...
If anyone in Delhi wants one... let me know, i would help.
Cheers,
Nachiketa
The Variable - Nachiketa
ojalá
Hi nachiketa,
I am really interested in getting one..have been scoutingg for one in Mumbai..
Please let me know how to go about it in Delhi, will ask someone to pick it up..
Cheers
ojalá
Hi Nachiketa,
Could you help me with address as to where in delhi i can get this. My mom had this and i just loved its simplicity 🙂
Anonymous
Hi Nags,
I had posted a comment/questions in ur butterscotch blondies recipe regarding the oven. I have almost a similar one at home which amma bought in the late 80's for some Rs.250. 🙂 It had some complaints cos we weren't using it for a very very long time.. Guess from 1992 we hadn't used it at all. But works perfectly now for around an yr. 🙂
shilpa (passion4lyf)
RedChillies
Growing up, my mom had a similar oven from Bajaj but it was made of aluminium (maybe Hindalium). Love this one for the fact that it is so light weight and portable.
Padhu
Hi Nags ,I am here after a long gap.My mom has this type of oven .Do drop by http://padhuskitchen.blogspot.com/ when time permits
aquadaze
I started baking in a similar oven, my mom still has and uses that oven! You've maintained your oven very well, it is gleaming 🙂
Bharathy
well..you have to add that amma got this one after my errr mine alone suggestion on the way to Shah 😉 ;)...coz Ok was just ok for me.. which I got a few months back from the same place..:)
jayasri
That's really a cute oven, and I believe in you looking at all the baking you do, Now one more gadget to add to my kitchen, see if I can get one!!, thanks for this lovely post
Neeta
I have been following your blog for a while now, with immense pleasure - absolutely adore your writing - and this is the first time I am posting a comment.
This is the first oven I ever baked with, brings back such lovely memories, old is gold, thank you for sharing.....
Neeta