GROUP GEAR TEST The results Performance


How fast does it boil water? How many slices can it toast? How big is the useful oven space and does it have good heat distribution?


Ease of use


Can it take a frying pan handle? Is it easily cleaned? Do any of the exposed surfaces become too hot? Can you set oven temperature?


Value for money


Taking into account all our performance criteria and ease of use, does it justify its price tag?


Conclusion


We learned several things from this test. First, high-volume boatbuilders don’t buy off the shelf. They give cooker companies a low price and a spec and ask them to deliver. So the cookers you find on many new boats are unlikely to be as efficient or as well made as the models we tested. Secondly, most of the cookers


we tested are based on 30-year- old technology because it’s not economical for companies to invest in R&D for a market with just 2,000 UK unit sales per year.


The exception is the Levante,


which has been recently designed. It’s an excellent cooker with great galley-wide design ideas. However the price-tag of £1,745 shows why. But if you’re a keen galley chef and you can afford it, get the Levante. If you can’t, go for the Spinflo


Nelson (£500), which just shaded the Techimpex (£415) because of the secure two-slice grill, the extra ovenware that comes with it, and the burner wells which will prevent spillages dropping through the vent and onto the grill.


Every piece of kit Yachting Monthly tests is thoroughly examined against three key criteria


Techimpex LP Voyager Spinflo* Dometic Smev Bainbridge Eno


Origo Force 10 Levante*


Each of our three criteria are marked out of 10 8


7 7


8 8


6 5 8 5 8 4 3 6 9 *Yachting Monthly recommended product - see conclusion below


Why not try our favourite onboard recipe?


Once you step aboard, it’s easy to start eating picnic food such as crisps, sandwiches – even Pot Noodles. That’s fine for a few hours but becomes wearisome after anything more than a daysail. So why not get cooking instead? Here’s a great recipe – tried and tested afloat – from our liveaboard correspondent, Jayne Toyne.


Best on test


Levante Two- Burner Compact


British product that’s close to perfect Recommended Spinflo Nelson


The oven may be on the small side, but this cooker is excellent value for money


THANKS TO: Peter Spreadborough and SoCal in Southampton, expert suppliers of all sorts of gas


appliances, for allowing us to take over their test facility for two days. Tel 02380 788155 Web www.socal.co.uk


Chocolate and Guinness cake Ingredients 250g light muscovado sugar 125g butter 175g plain flour 50g cocoa ½ tsp baking powder 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda Three fresh eggs 200ml Guinness 200g white chocolate 200ml double cream


Method ■ Preheat your oven to 160°C (325°F or gas mark 3). Cream the sugar and butter in a bowl. In a separate bowl, sift the flour, cocoa, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda. Beat the eggs in a jug and measure out the Guinness. Gradually add the flour, beaten egg and Guinness to the creamed sugar and butter, and mix until smooth.


4


*Yachting Monthly recommended product - see conclusion below 10


7 7 7 6 5 8 6 6 5 7 8 8 9 Maximum possible score 9


■ Line an eight-inch circular springform cake tin (that is, one where the side unclips and removes) with greaseproof paper and lightly butter the sides, then pour in the mix and put the tin in the oven. ■ After 45 minutes, prod the cake to make sure it’s cooked through, in which case it will come out without a fight. If it doesn’t, stick it back in the oven for a bit longer. ■ When it’s finally ready, leave it to cool for 10 minutes on a rack, then turn it out of the tin. It needs another 30 minutes or so to cool, during which time you can make the topping. ■ Melt the chocolate and half the cream in a pan and leave it to cool outside or in the fridge, but don’t let it solidify. ■ Whisk the rest of the cream in a bowl, mix the two together, give it a good old whisk and then leave to firm up again. ■ Once the cake is cool and the topping firm but not stiff, put the two together, and enjoy!


We’ve conducted over 150 rigorous tests on everything from anchors to zinc anodes. To order a test report, visit www.yachtingmonthly.com and click on ‘find YM articles’ MAY 2013 www.yachtingmonthly.com 73


PHOTO: JAYNE TOYNE


PHOTOS: MIRANDA DELMAR-MORGAN, GRAHAM SNOOK


£1,745 £500


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