Andrew James 12-17 Litre 1400W Digital Halogen Oven Cooker with Hinged Lid | Glass Air Fryer with 10 Accessories | Hinged Halogen Oven Cooker with Replacement Bulb and Extender Ring (White)

I have had one of these previously that I had for 6/7 years which was used daily. Any halogen oven whatever make is worth having in my opinion . They are so easy to use, economical and in lots of uses quicker than a normal oven.I have actually been using these types of ovens for 20 years . Normally they last for 3/4 years depending on use.The Andrew James model was chosen by me because due to my kitchen layout I don't have anywhere to put the hot lid when its taken to turn meat etc so I needed one with a hinged lid. Unfortunately on my last order the mechanism for lifting the lid broke within a couple of weeks and as I often use the extender ring it rendered the oven no good for my purpose. I did contact the seller to see if they would send a replacement holder but they did not phone me back so I had to return the whole oven to Amazon which was waste on an oven really. So for the sellers lack of help I would give them no stars if possible. I you can find another seller of an Andrew James Halogen oven it's the kind I would recommend . I have now plumped for a Daewoo one with a removable top and I am going to have to re jig my kitchen a bit to cope but its worth it.If you have not had a halogen oven before try to make sure that the cover over the fan and bulb in the lid is stainless steel - often the cheaper makes are not and the coating soon starts peeling off making them useless as the flakes end up in your cooking.UPDATE - bought a Daewoo after this which was awkward for me to use as I have no where to put the lid when it's taken off and hot. This only lasted a year and was very noisy. First the timer packed up then the thermostat so I had to send it back which the suppliers were very good about.I have now purchased another Andrew James and the difference is noticeable straight away . Its far more quiet and cooks evenly and the lift up lid is a great bonus to me. I have not used the extender ring mechanism as yet hopefully it'll do better than the last

First time of use and the fan packed up. Ruined a full meal's worth of food. Get your act together Andrew James!Two stars rating as it worked for about half an hour. Return/replacement requested.Will update this review in due course.___________________________________________________Update: 18 Aug 2014The faulty product was returned using a pre-paid shipping service which entailed taking the repackaged item to a collection point at a nearby mini-supermarket. Over a week later, having heard nothing from Andrew James, I 'phoned their Customer Service line and was told a replacement would be despatched 'tomorrow'. This was indeed the case, for the following day it arrived.This one seems fine although I have used it just the once so far to do four large baked potatoes. I cooked them for a little longer than recommended at a slightly higher temperature and they were superb. Probably the best baked 'tatties I've ever tasted. And the fragrance while cooking... simply mouth-watering!So, after my initial disappointment and Andrew James' slightly 'iffy' customer service, I'm now a really happy bunny and would recommend the cooker's performance unreservedly.Although arguably it now deserves five stars, I'm leaving the rating as four to reflect all the hassle and palaver I had to endure. But as they say, "the quality is remembered long after the price has been forgotten". In this case, part of the 'price' was the inconvenience and trouble of obtaining a replacement.___________________________________________________Another update: 21 Aug 2014Now had chance to use the Halogen Oven to a greater extent and I am really over the moon with it. Have now revised its rating to five stars. One tip... consider buying the air-fryer attachment and use it instead of the extender ring that comes with the cooker, even when not frying. The air fryer has a rotary shutter which opens or closes a series of ventilation holes around its circumference. When opened, cooking yields a crispier result. This user-control is continuously variable, so can be set at any degree of opening. Well worth having.__________________________________________________Yet another update: 29 Sep 2014Found another use for the Halogen Oven! Did a major clothes wash yesterday and went to fetch a pair of clean boxer-shorts this morning from the airer. But they were still slightly damp.So here's my 'recipe'...Ingredients: 1 pair of freshly-washed, slightly damp boxer-shorts (for a tasty alternative, try socks).Method: Crumple gently onto low rack and cook for 5 mins at 60 degrees C.Result: Bone-dry and warm as if just removed from a tumble-dryer.What a versatile piece of kit this is!