Oven Cooking Just For One

Mandee

Mandee

Member
Location
North East England
I've lived in 'private rented' for many years and landlords will sometimes provide cookers, but always electric ones.
I don't like electric cooking but tenants are not allowed to change to gas as landlords don't like any gas in the properties,
so I have never used the 'oven' part, it's bad enough using the hob.

Instead of using the costly oven just for me, I have a little mini oven/grill that heats up in no time, so it doesn't take as
long to cook something and with the addition of my microwave I have all I need for cooking for one.

I wondered if other people who live alone have the same or similar idea. :)
 

Mandee said:
I've lived in 'private rented' for many years and landlords will sometimes provide cookers, but always electric ones.
I don't like electric cooking but tenants are not allowed to change to gas as landlords don't like any gas in the properties,
so I have never used the 'oven' part, it's bad enough using the hob.

Instead of using the costly oven just for me, I have a little mini oven/grill that heats up in no time, so it doesn't take as
long to cook something and with the addition of my microwave I have all I need for cooking for one.

I wondered if other people who live alone have the same or similar idea. :)
Click to expand...
I've seen mention of Combination Microwaves, slow cookers.. .. and air fryers on here among those who cook for one...
 

I haven't used stove oven for almost ten years.
Toaster oven, microwave, crockpots, one small, one medium, and of course top elements but you do have to be careful with small ovens they do get very hot.
Just cannot see turning on large stove oven for one baked potato.
A friend of mine does exactly that and complains about her hydro bill...she does eat them often :rolleyes:
 
I rarely use the large oven in the stove.

I rely on a toaster oven and microwave for most things.

I’m also learning to cook more and more single serving short order meals on the stove top.

In the last year I’ve been relying more and more on leftovers or prepared food items that just require me to heat and eat.

I only really cook once or twice a week.
 
hollydolly said:
I've seen mention of Combination Microwaves, slow cookers.. .. and air fryers on here among those who cook for one...
Click to expand...
Many years ago I tried a combi microwave, I can't remember why now - but for some reason I
wasn't keen on it. Also tried a slow cooker, wasn't keen on that either. I haven't tried an air fryer
but have wondered what they are like. :)
 
Have used my gas stove oven maybe Once in the last 20 years! I hate cleaning it, it's too hard. So, I use my broiler/baker/rotisserie/convection table top or microwave. I prefer the oven, but as I said, too hard to keep clean. Haven't used my slow cooker since before I haven't used the oven. Found the meals too watery. I'm sure it's me doing something wrong. For the rare (very rare) stews I use the stove top.
 
Mandee said:
Many years ago I tried a combi microwave, I can't remember why now - but for some reason I
wasn't keen on it. Also tried a slow cooker, wasn't keen on that either. I haven't tried an air fryer
but have wondered what they are like. :)
Click to expand...
I'm with you on the slow cooker.. I have one, but I hardly ever use it.. I hate the texture of the meat when it's been 'stewed'

have a look on some youtube Video with regard to the air fryer, you'll get a better feel for it. I don't have one, but then I wouldn't have counter room for one even if I wanted one
 
Mizmo said:
I haven't used stove oven for almost ten years.
Toaster oven, microwave, crockpots, one small, one medium, and of course top elements but you do have to be careful with small ovens they do get very hot.
Just cannot see turning on large stove oven for one baked potato.
A friend of mine does exactly that and complains about her hydro bill...she does eat them often :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
I agree, turning a large oven on just for one item is just not worth it. My mini oven/grill cooks everything
really well and I warm my plate up on the top of it :)
 
I have not used the full sized cooking stove in my kitchen since about a month after I moved in. It is electric and I could not stand the smell of it when it is turned on. Less control than a gas one too. So I use the oven as cupboard for my pots and pans. I took the elements off the burners on the top. I use a few different electric appliances (no microwave) to cook with that are perfect for cooking for one or two.

For stove top cooking, I have an induction burner that is like the old hot plates but uses a different technology. Very fast and energy efficient. Safer too.

For the oven, I have a toaster oven. Also a NuWave oven, which uses conduction, convection, and infrared technology. I use it almost daily. It sits on the counter and is easy to clean too.

I also use a Instant Pot, which is like a electric pressure cooker but does much more. I use it several times a week.

It sounds like a lot of trouble for one person having all these appliances but cooking is what I did before I moved here and I still do it. I cook most things from scratch and have discovered ways of making that easier and quicker with these appliances. I have a few other things but these are the ones I use almost every day.
 
I conducted a little experiment last night to see if I could make steak fries in our toaster oven. My intention was to cook them and then refrigerate them so I could have them with lunch today, but they came out so good, I ate them all last night! That was around midnight. (I'm a bit of a night owl.)

I assume using the toaster oven uses less energy than the regular oven.
 
OK, I don't live alone, I live with hubby but I think the situation's still pretty much the same. I have a GE electric stove with a double oven. One oven is a normal size, the other oven is very small. And I have a toaster oven. That sucker's really old; we got it for a wedding present 42 years ago, but still works great.

It really depends on what I'm making as to what I use. If I'm making a casserole, a lasagna, or something big, I will use the regular sized oven. Then we can have leftovers for a couple of days. If I'm making a couple of baked potatoes to go with a meal, I will use the toaster oven. Most of the things I bake, though, I use the smaller oven in my stove. I assume it uses less electricity than the larger one.

I can't imagine not baking and using my ovens. Even if I was by myself I would still bake. I looked online and it said that generally a toaster oven uses a 1/3 to 1/2 less electricity than an oven.
 
I use my stove for almost everything. I use the toaster oven for one or two baked potatoes or a small tray of veggies to roast.

My stove bakes, broils, frys, sautes, warms, all-in-one appliance. I use my pressure cooker on the stovetop; no need for an IP. I dislike food made in a crock pot or slow cooker. I love casseroles baked in the oven.

I use the microwave mostly for the occasional popcorn, or to heat something up.
 
hollydolly said:
I'm with you on the slow cooker.. I have one, but I hardly ever use it.. I hate the texture of the meat when it's been 'stewed'

have a look on some youtube Video with regard to the air fryer, you'll get a better feel for it. I don't have one, but then I wouldn't have counter room for one even if I wanted one
Click to expand...
I use my 8-quart Slow cooker a lot. Just yesterday I put a big bottle of Northern pre-cooked beans. Then got some diced ham chunks & put them in there. Had to add a little water. Put it on high for one hr. Then switched it to low heat & set the timer for 6 hrs. Was done at supper time. I'm still eating on it & will for two more days.

I also have put a pot roast in, in the morning with a package of brown gravy mixed as directions. Potatoes, Carrots what others you like. Done fall apart good, 1/2 way through I have to add a little more water as the gravy is getting really thick.
Usually, a 2 pound one & it will last me 4 to 6 days days.

I have the Ninja unit below. I love it. It does toast better than a toaster Use air fry. I even make my own garlic bread in it on air fry. My baked potato comes out perfect. Do NOT use convection. It will come out all dry & wrinkled. Use regular baking.
I do Cheeseburgers in it that are better than ones at Fast food places, I use the air fryer section for this as then no grease it the burger.

I'm not a vegetable eater but you can cook vegetables in the top while cooking meat below. The book that comes with it has many great recipes for about everything

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ninja-DT...en-Large-Countertop-Convection-Oven/442307294
 

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