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Halogen Ovens in Campervans UK Review
A halogen oven is a countertop convection oven that cooks faster than a conventional oven. But can you run one in a campervan? The short answer: only with a big inverter and a big battery.
The Power Problem
A typical halogen oven draws 1,300-1,500 watts on full power. To run it from your leisure battery, you need:
- A 2,000W inverter (pure sine wave, £150-250)
- A battery bank capable of supplying 130A @ 12v (1,500W ÷ 12v = 125A, plus inverter losses = 130-150A)
- A 100Ah lead-acid battery will run a halogen oven for about 30 minutes before hitting 50% depth of discharge Verdict: A halogen oven is NOT a practical option for most campervan setups. It draws too much power for a standard leisure battery system.
Options If You Have the Power
If you have a lithium battery (200Ah+) and a 2,000W+ inverter, these are the best halogen ovens for van use:
| Oven | Power | Capacity | Price | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew James 12L | 1,300W | 12L | £40 | 31x31x31cm |
| Salter 12L | 1,300W | 12L | £35 | 30x30x30cm |
| Tower T17029 | 1,400W | 17L | £50 | 35x35x35cm |
| VonShef 12L | 1,200W | 12L | £30 | 29x29x29cm |
The Carbon Comparison
A halogen oven is more efficient than a full-size electric oven (heats up faster, smaller space) but still a heavy load. Cooking a jacket potato: 50 minutes in a full oven, 25 minutes in a halogen. Power consumption: 0.65kWh in the halogen, similar to a full oven. Neither is efficient for off-grid van life.
When They Work
Halogen ovens make sense for:
- EHU campsites (unlimited power)
- Large battery systems (lithium 200Ah+)
- Occasional use (not daily)
- Cooking for 2+ people (the 12L capacity fits a small chicken or 2-3 jacket potatoes)
Better Alternatives
If you do not have a big battery, these are better:
- Gas oven: A propane oven (Cadac, Campingaz) costs £50 and runs on £5 of gas per month. No battery drain.
- Omelette pan + lid: Baked potatoes, pizza, and bread can be cooked on the hob in a lidded pan.
- Brendan passive oven: A thermal cooker (£30) uses retained heat. Boil for 10 minutes, leave for 2 hours. Works for stews, rice, pasta sauce.
- Microwave (700W): Lower power draw. Run from a 1,000W inverter.
Verdict
Skip the halogen oven unless you already have a lithium 200Ah+ system and a 2,000W inverter. For most van lifers, a gas hob + lidded pan covers 90% of "oven" cooking needs with zero battery drain.
