Do you want to buy a new caravan oven but confused by all of the different options out there?
In recent years, ovens have regained popularity. They don’t vaporize your food in the same way that a microwave does. It’s also possible to cook in a variety of different ways including baking, grilling, and roasting.
That’s why many people want to buy one for their camping vehicles. Some RVs come with pre-installed ovens, but most people will have to get one themselves. However, it’s not always easy to find the best caravan oven.
Let’s look at several brands and types to find the right one for you!
| Devanti 45LConvection Oven with 2 Hotplates | Road Chef 12 Volt Oven | Road Chef Big Bertha 12V Oven | Thetford K1520 Combo Gas Cooker with Oven, Stove & Grill |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Our pick  | Runner Up  |  |  | |
45 L | 6 L | 13 L | 34 L (15 L for grill) | |
230°C | 180°C | 180°C | ?? | |
220-240V AC | 12V DC | 12V DC | Gas | |
?? | 4 kg | 8 kg | 25 kg | |
550 x 340 x 370 mm | 322 x 196 x 277 mm | 400 x 300 x 300 mm | 645 x 501 x 515 mm | |
3 months | 1 year | 1 year | 3 years |
Best Caravan Ovens Australia
Devanti 45L Convection Oven with 2 Hotplates
Our Pick
If you have a family then you’ll probably want a decently sized caravan oven.
Devanti has you covered with their 45L convection oven. This is a generous capacity and it comes complete with a large and small hotplate. The former has an output of 1,000W while the latter is 600W.
Meanwhile, it’s got a temperature range of 100-230°C. This is excellent and should meet all of your cooking requirements. It doesn’t matter if you want to grill a steak or bake bread, you can do it all in this machine.
Furthermore, Devanti provides a full range of bonus accessories. You’ll get a baking tray, a wire rack, a rotisserie, tray hook, and a rotisserie rack.
At $225, it’s competitively priced. But there is one downside. Devanti only gives its customers a three-month warranty. Some potential buyers may consider this a red flag.
All in all, it’s a good size and does everything you want an oven to do.
Road Chef 12 Volt Oven
Runner Up
Maybe you don’t need a full-sized oven.
If that’s the case, then Road Chef caravan cookers could be right for you. Their tiny 12V oven is a remarkable piece of kit.
Firstly, it’s tiny (322 x 196 x 277 mm). This means it’s easy to carry anywhere you go. It's popular with truckers because they can stow it behind them and it doesn’t take up a lot of space. At 4kg it’s also extremely light.
Despite its size, it’s extremely durable. Road Chef uses solid steel for their products so it can handle the kind of rough and tumble you typically see on a camping trip!
The 6L capacity will be make-or-break for some potential buyers. Realistically, it’s too small for a family. But if you’re travelling as a couple it may be the best caravan oven for your needs.
With three power supply options, you can use this oven anywhere. Use a cigarette lighter plug, merit plug, or a fused Anderson plug.
This caravan oven retails at $275 so it’s not the cheapest option. But it fills a niche and the portability will make it attractive. It also comes with a one-year warranty.
Road Chef Big Bertha 12V Oven
Honourable Mention
Road Chef is back with Big Bertha.
They designed this caravan oven to be a larger, better version of their smaller 12V oven. With a 13L capacity, it’s almost twice as big as the smaller model.
The brand is proud of the oven’s two cooking elements. You can choose between using both elements at the same time or just one. Each element individually uses 10A at 12V. This makes for a combined 240W.
It heats up to 180°C with 360° airflow around the oven. Road Chef provides several baking trays for all of your cooking needs. This unit also comes with mounting brackets so you can fit it securely.
However, you don’t need to worry about burning your hands when it’s on. This caravan oven is extraordinarily well-insulated with a double layer on the door. Meanwhile, there is an internal sheet of silicone to reduce the external temperature.
One downside is that you must use an Anderson plug to activate it. The mechanisms are more advanced than the smaller model and won’t work off a simple cigarette lighter fuse.
Finally, it’s not the cheapest option at $375. But it is extremely well-made and a flexible cooking option.
Thetford K1520 Combination Cooker with Oven, Stove & Grill - Gas Only
Best Fully Featured Oven
Now we’re taking it to the next level.
The Thetford K1520 Combination cooker is a unique appliance. As well as an oven function, it also has a stovetop and a grill. In short, it’s like a home unit for a camping vehicle.
Obviously, this won’t suit a lot of caravans because they have limited space and already have stoves. But this caravan gas oven will suit larger RVs because they tend to have more room.
Safety comes first with this Thetford unit - they have a glass lid with automatic shutoff as well as a flame-failure device. If you’ve any worries about working with gas, then this should appease you.
This caravan oven is easy to clean and makes optimum use of space. Most users agree that it’s aesthetically pleasing.
It only works off gas so you’ll need to have a bottle in your van or you won’t be able to use it. This can add weight to a unit that is already 25kg, although the reality is that most people already use gas in their caravan for air/water heating, so this won’t be much of a problem.
Another issue is the price. This is an expensive oven that retails at $1,300. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that you’re getting a multifunctional product with an excellent three-year warranty.
Points To Consider When Purchasing A Caravan Oven
Now let’s look at the different points you should consider when buying a caravan oven. They’re expensive so you will want to be sure that you get the best one for your buck.
Size and Weight
First and foremost, the space you have available will be a deciding factor when you buy a caravan oven.
A Thetford K1520 might seem like a great option but if there’s no room for it in your camping vehicle, it will be an expensive waste of money.
Realistically, the majority of caravan owners will prefer smaller, portable units. There are two measurements to consider in this context. These are the external dimensions of the oven and the required cut-out space.
If you’re just going to place your oven on a countertop you can forget the latter. But if there is a cut-out, remember that you need to leave some space so that it won’t affect the oven’s ability to self-ventilate.
Otherwise, it could affect the oven’s capabilities or in the worst-case scenario become a fire hazard.
Weight is always an issue in caravans so try to think about the number of appliances you need or will use. They all add up and can be problematic when you have too many.
Caravan gas oven owners need to consider an additional factor. Gas bottles also add weight and take up valuable space.
Personal Use
How often do you plan to use your caravan oven?
If it’s only going to be now-and-again, you may prefer a smaller portable oven like Road Chef’s offerings. These appliances are very sturdy and work surprisingly well. But they won’t suit everybody’s requirements.
Families will need something bigger like the Devanti 45L caravan oven. It’s a big unit but it’s still stowable and can easily be removed from the vehicle. If you have the capacity for a combination cooker then this could suit you too.
However, if you’re not going to use it regularly then it may be worth considering if you need one. Maybe it would be better to get your barbie out of even a caravan slide out kitchen and do most of your cooking outdoors.
You still have your hob indoors so maybe a smaller oven or a microwave will suit your needs. Of course, this is something that you’ll have to figure out for yourself.
Ignition
As you can see above, the majority of these caravan ovens require a 12V circuit connection. However, you can get gas ovens too.
The smaller portable ovens like the tiny Road Chef just need a cigarette lighter fuse to fire up. This can make them a fantastic option when you’re on the road.
If you plan on running your oven for a long period of time, don't forget to consider how much power this will drain from your battery! You may need to keep it topped with a generator or solar panels.
Health & Safety
Caravan ovens are very useful but they must be used properly.
Make sure that they are in a well-ventilated area (ie. keep your roof hatch open while it is in use).
If you place it into a cut-out, ensure that there is space for it to breathe. Furthermore, if you place it on a table or countertop, remove anything flammable from around it.
Some ovens have additional insulation for added safety. The Big Bertha is excellent in this regard because it has multiple layers to reduce the chance of burns when you accidentally touch it. This is a great feature for anybody with young children.
Gas ovens come with their own issues. Be careful where you store your bottle and ensure that it is connected correctly. Check out these guidelines from the QLD government for more information.
Ovens will also raise the temperature inside your van so be aware when it’s very hot outside!
Alternatives to Caravan Ovens
If you’re not sure about buying a caravan oven, think about these different options instead:
Final Thoughts
There’s no doubt that caravan ovens can be a great asset to your camping lifestyle.
As with a lot of these appliances, you should think about whether you actually need it before locking in a purchase. There’s no point spending hundreds of dollars on something you don’t need.
Families will be drawn to the Devanti 45L oven because of its size and capabilities. Sure, the three-month warranty is a concern, but it does everything that you need.
If you want something smaller, then the Road Chef series is excellent. Whether you go for the Big Bertha or the smaller unit, you know you’re getting a great product.
Remember, if you have any questions, please comment below and I’ll get back to you!
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Note that while every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information on this page, there may sometimes be errors. Check all specifications with the manufacturer before purchasing any product.
