Halogen Oven

A halogen oven, halogen convection oven, or halogen cooking pot is a type of oven that utilizes a halogen lamp as its heating element. It is used primarily for cooking. Halogen ovens are often noted for being more energy-efficient than a conventional oven due to their use of a halogen lamp reducing the cooking time usually needed in a conventional oven.

DesignA basic halogen oven features a heating chamber consisting of a clear glass bowl with a removable glass lid to which the heating assembly is secured. Inside the heating chamber, multi-level metal racks are used to elevate the contents during the cooking process. Within the heating assembly are the circular halogen lamp, a fan, and the controls for the oven which frequently include an automatic shut-off timer and a temperature control interface. On a basic model, the heating assembly has a handle to allow users to safely lift the lid off the unit. More elaborate models have a hinged lid mounted on an adjustable rear support which can be raised to accommodate an extension ring. This raises the heating assembly to reduce the grilling effect as well as increasing the volume of the oven. Hinged models are safer and easier to use. A safety shut-off switch turns off the lamp when the lid is raised during operation. The glass bowl is positioned in a stand which raises the bowl off the table-top and decreases the transfer of heat to the surrounding surfaces. Handles are often incorporated into the stand to allow for users to move the unit, providing safety especially during or after operation.

Operation

The halogen lamp is turned on and off by a simple thermostat or electronic control and generates waves of infrared light to heat the air within the heating chamber. The fan then circulates this heated air throughout the chamber to evenly cook the contents of the bowl through convective heat transfer, or convection. Self-cleaning can be performed by adding some hot water and detergent to the empty bowl. The fan swirls the hot water and usually takes about ten minutes to remove any grease and some food deposits.

Efficiency

Reports often claim halogen ovens have shorter cooking times than conventional ovens, with one report stating a figure of up to 40% faster, but 20% faster on average. Another report claims a halogen oven cooks food up to 60% faster than a conventional oven. In terms of energy use, one source claims that a halogen oven uses about "half the electricity of a conventional oven and about the same as a microwave oven".

Easy-Bake Oven

In an effort to comply with the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, Hasbro redesigned its Easy-Bake Oven to utilize a halogen lamp for the oven's heating element in place of its less efficient conventional incandescent heating element.