Hi Natterjak!
;D
I use my halogen oven a lot, for numerous things, a roast, lasagne, even cheese on toast. It cooks good pastry too. My roast potatoes always come out crispy in it, don't know about my Yorkshire pudding though! I was lucky to be given mine, as I think they can be around the ?50 mark. The halogen can thaw food and act as a dishwasher, I've not tried the dishwasher bit, but thawing is good, takes a bit longer than the microwave. I like the way it heats up very quickly, that also means it cooks a bit quicker too, but as it's on the counter top it's easy to see when it's burning! I don't own a microwave so it's what I use instead.
I know what you mean about counter queens! I fallen foul to those before, I'm dead chuffed with my halogen oven and would definitely buy another if mine broke. I have tried to cook a chutney in it before, massive failure. It functions well for me, for a multitude of cooking, also I really like the light it emits.
Flavourwave machine (as in the picture) is the best from Thane Direct.

I have a good mate who writes cookery books, she is often sent all sorts of devices to test with a hope from the manufacturer of a good review. It's from her that I was given mine, she kept the best one, lol! The Flavourwave is the one she recommends.
From what I understand there are two basic types, one with a removable lid, that sits on a stand, which is easier to clean or a hinged lid, that makes it safer as the halogen bulb gets very hot.
Hope that helps!
