Theres nothing like the smell of fresh-baked treats wafting from the galley, and thanks to the Omnia Oven, the crew of any boat with a cooktop, grill, or hotplate can enjoy fresh baked goods onboard. The Omnia Oven, a new take on the old Dutch oven, can bake anything from cookies to meatloaf without the need for a conventional oven.
Photos by Frank Lanier and courtesy of Right Track Designs and Speedseal
How it works
The Omnia stovetop oven has three parts: an aluminum pan for the food; a steel base plate with a hole in its center; and an aluminum lid with ventilation holes to give cakes and breads space to rise.
Convection currents created by the stoves heat provide uniform top and bottom heat to cook the food. An air lock between the base and the pan creates bottom heat, while the central conical hole funnels hot air over the top of the food.
The Omnia Oven works best over an open flame (propane, alcohol, etc.), but it also works on electric stoves and hotplates. Electric heat sources, however, increase cook times 25 to 50 percent.
How We Tested
According to its maker, the 2.1-quart Omnia can cook most any meal that can be baked in a conventional oven.
Test day for the Omnia coincidentally fell on one PStesters birthday, so we let him choose the test food. His cake of choice? A pineapple upside-down cake.
The cake was prepped and cooked per a normal recipe. Testers used the Omnia on a gas stovetop, and after 30 minutes of “baking” (the same time it would have taken in a conventional kitchen oven), the result was a delicious cake.
What We Found
Users should be sure to rinse the Omnia with fresh water after use as the components may eventually corrode. Weighing in at approximately 1 pound, the Omnia has a diameter of 10.5 inches and is 5.5 inches tall, including the lid, making it fairly easy it to stow in a galley cabinet or locker.
Testers liked that the Omnia can be used on a propane grill, moving the cooking (and heat) out of the cabin-a definite bonus in hot weather.
Bottom line: PS testers gave the Omnia two thumbs up. We wouldnt use it to cook a 20-pound roast, but it should do just fine for most oven-based cooking and baking needs. With an MSRP of $80 (we found it online for about $52) and a one-year warranty, its a worthy investment for small-boat owners who don’t have the space for a full range.
