I Bought an Oven for Cooking in a Van on Amazon

For a long time I’ve looked for a simple, reasonably priced method of baking on top of my oven-and I finally found it! I ran across a Omnia Stove-Top oven on KZbin and ordered one from Amazon and it works great.
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Thanks for watching!

[@gisellegonzalez2628]

I love my Omnia oven!!! I bake bread, cakes, cookies etc. I would advise to also purchase a digital instaread thermometer you can read when it comes up to temperature and to maintain it.

[@sarahvegangarden4822]

Hi Giselle, do you cook bread and cakes etc from scratch? Do you cook the cake in the ring shape? Cheers!

[@drivinfool9902]

Yea, I was going to suggest the kind that probe is in the food and the read out has a magnet to stick on outside. Like on your splatter sheild.

[@kele1264]

Thanks, Giselle. Please tell us which thermometer you bought and how you use it with this oven. thank you

[@jenniferrae6646]

Being constructed from aluminum, it is quite toxic. Stainless steel is always approved much more readily.

[@ProdigiousReturn]

@@jenniferrae6646 sadly it isn’t available in stainless. With the silicone liner there is no aluminum touching the food.

[@frisqiestyleideas3447]

I'm going to try this method out with a bundt pan in a deep lidded pan, and cut up a silicone baking sheet for liner.

[@allonesame6467]

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. -- Lao Tzu. -- Thank you Bob and Crew, for all that you do! Blessings Abound

[@jeanburk9539]

Lao Tzu never lived in Alaska! Short growing season.

[@debbieweir2095]

There was also a lot of food in that small little space I'm surprised that it worked crisping up 👍🏼nice work Bob!

[@axdesho]

Bob, I’ll take mine with tartar sauce please. Thank you looks delicious.

[@deesadventurequest1135]

I just received mine a few days ago! Leaving out on the road for the first time, and thought it would be nice to bake while I'm out.

[@JamesBabb]

I’m also a fan of the Omnia. I never thought of fish sticks. For cinnamon rolls, I put the metal rack under the silicone liner to keep the bottom from burning.

[@DivineMojo]

Yummmm!!! Thanks for tip!! 😁🙏🏼💜

[@itsallaboutjesus8935]

Maybe that'll help Bob if he hasn't tried that for his baked goods.

[@juliablines5721]

Excellent idea. Thanks!

[@edwardgobbo9685]

There is an optional thermometer for that oven. Also, a special case. I found that a certain brand has a foil bunt cake pan liner that comes in handy but may be hard to find, but is really not worth the money. Parchment paper and scissors is your best friend.

[@daviddickson1403]

How can you not like Bob! He is just so interesting to watch.

[@ramblingrandy4113]

Jiffy mix tip : Cream style corn instead of milk. Amount of the corn would depend on the brand, different consistency, never found one that wouldn't work. Still use the egg in the batter per directions. This recipe works for hushpuppy as well.

[@aspieboy74]

I do the same, but add 1/2 stick of melted butter and some jalapeños. Take a little longer to cook

[@jodybaker3037]

You're the first person in all my 65 years (besides my siblings) whose mother was from Arkansas and father from Oklahoma besides me! I call myself a farmer daughter who likes her food real. Fish sticks and meatloaf are my comfort foods. Love my black eye peas and sweep cornbread baked in an iron skillet with a side of fried potatoes and collard greens. Yum! Wonder how that oven would do on cornbread!

[@CharlesButler]

I used to be line cook at a restaurant back in my college days. This brought back memories and now you got me on creating good recipes for healthy outdoor cooking. Awesome video Bob!

[@kcbeerslinger]

This was used by the Swedish fishermen for many years. there are many casserole dish recipes out there for this. I think it makes great box cake mixes. I start off at low/medium for about 15 mins. and low for 40 mins and check for doneness with a tooth pic and they always come out nice and moist. Spray Pam the silicone liner too. Enjoy :-)

[@dianepierson4687]

I love fish so much, but I hate heating up a big oven! Thanks for the demo. Yes Friday night fish sticks and French fries were a staple food growing up, just like grilled cheese and tomato soup. :)

[@rmacster]

This is the kind of cheaprvliving video that I most enjoy. Thanks Bob.

[@barbarella0372]

Initially I struggled with the cost. I decided to take a chance and I'm glad I did. I LOVE my Omnia. There is a FB group for it so you can ask questions, share recipes, get tips. So far I've had good success with low and steady heat and not burning the bottom. I bake pastry items on the wrack. I found the thermometer doesn't work for me. When I can smell the food, it's time to start checking on it. It's extremely versatile. If you have the cash, I highly recommend the Omnia.

[@susannordstrom5065]

Hi Bob, I watched a video where they placed the rack underneath the silicone liner , that way it didn't burn the bottom of the cake, or whatever you are cooking, also they preheated the vessel before adding food

[@paintedpony2935]

"Why be normal?" 😅🤣😂

[@jeanwhite9802]

I've made lasagna, egg breakfast casserole and brownies in mine. Works great!

[@lorib360]

Yum! 😋

[@KCandtheOverlanders]

awesome to hear! we just bought one and i'm doing my research!

[@kimberleypetersen3699]

I love mine. Been using it for years both camping and on the boat. Thermostat in the lid helps to control the heat.

[@gloriouslifeonwheels3621]

I absolutely love my Omnia Oven. Although I can bake items on top of the stove such as biscuits and cake, etc with regular pots and covers too. I've used my Omnia to make delicious coffee cake, muffins even casseroles. I use one silicone liner for baked desserts and another one for things like main meals, meats and such. It is definitely a game changer.

[@pixiespics5462]

We have one and LOVE IT! For us full timers in a can or small camper, this is amazing! I prefer it over the tiny oven in our small travel trailer.

[@johnhuff393]

Good morning Bob from Godley Texas, I hereby knight thee the Galloping Gourmet Chef of the nomads. Great presentation. Stay safe and happy travels.

[@laurirohr5364]

I've been eyeing this oven for awhile. Glad you are doing this video, thanks Bob😀

[@lisaschmitt1822]

Very cool. I started my nomad life today. Left Indiana and made it pass Oklahoma City. Heading to AZ

[@hudson8865]

Cast iron Dutch oven, stew, pot roast, corn bread, cakes and many more. With just a few charcoal brickets on the lid.

[@todddunn945]

I stove top bake with a cast iron dutch oven (Le Creuset). Just put a small rack inside and you are golden. I use the cast iron because it keeps the heat more even than an aluminum pot. I got the dutch oven at a yard sale for less than $5. If you want temperature control, drill a hole in the lid and stick a thermometer in and adjust the stove to get the temp you want.

[@off-gridsimplyhappyrodriguez]

Thank you for your comment ❤

[@flowersafeheart]

Oh! It said online dutch ovens are just for over fires so I had ruled it out. What stove are you using it with? I know cast iron is quite heavy so wouldn't wanna be too heavy on one of the small kinds of camping/backpacking stoves. Also is cast iron sorta hard to clean? Do you season it once in awhile?

[@edwardgobbo9685]

Buy a good 'bush' pot, (a tall pot that usually has a bail handle with a tight fitting lid), use either tin foil, rocks, or in my case I have a very small grill, turn it sideways on the fire coals, or on a tin plate filled with charcoal, and you have a makeshift oven. I've cooked bread, a game hen, a chicken, bisquits, fish and lasagne and small dishes that would have been on the stove except I needed a slower heat for a long simmer. If you drill a hole (the right way) into the lid you can add an old style analog stick thermometer for meats or just get an ambient oven temp for breads and vegetables, for which a tiny 3 x 5 inch corn bread pan works a treat, as you can walk away for a time while you're cooking. For what it's worth.

[@chanthechinook7830]

I’ve been pushing these sweet ovens on everyone for years. I’ve had one forever. They were originally made for boat life. The best invention ever! I bake brownies, cornbread, Mac n cheese, lasagna, biscuits etc... love it. You don’t need the liner if you just rub Crisco on inside and then shake and coat with breadcrumbs, this method gives a better crisp.

[@moretimethanmoney8611]

This oven would be a perfect application for nitinol (memory metal). A nitinol spring mechanism on the lid could control the temp inside by openning and closing a heat exhaust port when the desired temperature is reached.

[@cynthiawilliams4723]

Thats is the right size for a van for sure

[@terisoto8230]

Bob you an amazing man. And very thrifty. And this new product looks like a keeper. God bless you bob.

[@erikdahl1293]

From other comments here this is not a new product, apparently it has been available, at least in other countries, for many years.

[@Tanyia48]

The Omnia has a muffin liner as well. Would be great for the cornbread muffins, and other muffins as well. Love this vid.

[@NicoVeenkamp]

Omnia is very popular with the European vanlifers.

[@belindahugheslifestyle]

Well done,Bob! Thanks so much for sharing.Actually, the resemblance is more angel food tube pan than a Bundt, which has curves molded in. The technique reminds me of the International Harvester air fryer from years ago. It works with ring-shaped plastic inserts and metal racks topped with a lid, very similar to this. One of my bffs bakes biscuits and whole poultry in his vintage one. Happy trails. 💖

[@nmr6988]

What a fantastic set up! Works outside when it's hot, and warms your van AND cooks a meal at the same time when it's cold.

[@Mos2551]

There is a similar item in Malta called a borma forn. According to my parents, back in the day, you wouldn't use the oven except once a week to cook a large amount of dishes, since gas was very expensive. This item was used as a form of a small oven so as to minimize the use of gas in cooking. This was especially important back in Malta in the olden days since gas was very expensive and most where quiet poor at that time.

[@johnsimpson8198]

Awesome little oven Bob, thanks for letting us know!

[@kristinafrancis382]

I recently got an omnia for my little trailer. We don't have a stove/oven combo in our trailer and I don't want a giant toaster oven to haul around. This little guy works great!

[@rambling_rob7035]

Firebox Stove with their baking rack and pan with the Zebra Pot and you're baking anything. Cinnamon rolls, cornbread, even a roast or chicken.

[@rebelgirl7289]

I saw on a video to lessen the time baking meatloaf by putting the meat mixture into a muffin pan. There's a silicone muffin thing that goes with your set, if you like meatloaf.

[@annettefournier9655]

We have a lot of big boats around here. I'm going to goodwill weekly and keep an eye out . Thanks Bob.

[@suefreivald7031]

I love my omnia. It is much better if you put the bottom plate on the lit stove while you load the main part with whatever you are baking - then learn your heat level. I played with it on my gas stove at home and found that about 1/2 came close to 350 at the normal time. - have done corn bread, casseroles, etc. Great!

[@tarac5342]

Yum! Looks like a great buy ! Thanks Bob! Maybe you could preheat the oven with a little oil and cornmeal for a bottom crust....My mom taught me how to make her skillet cornbread she would preheat the oven for jiffy cornbread temperature, then using a cast iron skillet first on the stove top she would add a little oil to cover the bottom and sprinkle cornmeal and stir till lightly browned, then turn off gas and pour prepared mix into the skillet and place in the oven, it gives a nice bottom crust, so delicious ! -Tara from Texas

[@TheNoonie50]

I love Bob, and he's a wealth of knowledge and kindness, but he is definitely a bachelor cook, just the basics, and that's fine! You can't have everything..."Oddly enough, the lesson here, is the bottom ones cook faster and better"...:) he he he

[@02271953me]

Dear Bob; it is winter. Great job on the fish fillets!!

[@onegusty]

Bob, you are a Very Enjoyable Human Being!!! And So Very Helpful, Thank You for all you do for so many of us!!!

[@moonbowmountaincottage]

My Vintage Angel food Cake pan and my Nordicware Bunt pan both work on the same principle. My antique propane (aka gas) stove...has a non-working oven. It is not fixable. I can bake on the stovetop - with no problem. Life adaptations work just fine, here at home in my 84 year old house in Appalachia. Also, you can use an oven baking thermometer to test your temperature.

[@greywindLOSP]

WHOOOO BUDDY, cooking with BOB! Glad it worked well for you sir.......ATB

[@heatherrenton2086]

Bob you are absolutely wonderful! I was hesitant to spend my time watching this Omini heat video. Only because in Canada it seems over the top expensive. No mater the cooking vessel, Ive learned a few cooking tips for van living. Thank you so much! I can hardly wait to cook fresh food in a similar unit, outdoors. Indoors, in my van. I stick to vegetarian type diet. For no other reason than meat, poultry, fish, etc. are sticky inside the van. I love to cook fresh food. It isn't always easy in a van in sub-zero temps. When I am cooking indoors with the doors and windows in the van closed. I know I am gong to introduce heat, smoke, moisture into my van. If it is really cold outside, I am not gong to want to open any kind of a vent. The solution, head south! This has been a tough year, without explanation, we all get it! Thank you Bob! Thank you so much for reminding us all, especially me that I can cook healthy meals in my van, year round! ...... sign me off........freezing cold in SE ON, packing up my almost done, part built van! Honestly, somehow, you have given me the last bit of confidence I needed to move forward. Thank you again Bob! Thank you HOWA for the support you freely give in support of Bob Wells and most importantly in kindness, and compassion for your fellow human beings. I am so looking forward to meeting you all again one day.Joan Costa.......you are noting less than a wonderful human being!

[@vinster907311]

Bob. Wonderful demo of baking fish sticks. I'm gonna the similar idea using a Dash mini cooker ($20-$25). The bottom of rice cooker doesn't stick. But I'm gonna add little metal to elevate the fish sticks to see if it works better

[@MySonsMother]

I’ve been using my mini rice cooker to cook a lot of meals lately, but I haven’t tried fish sticks. I fried other things though.

[@lindajoplin8054]

My husband is from Oklahoma and I am from Arkansas. I hear you on the comfort food.

[@brianbenson3669]

These have been popular in Europe for years. Dozens of KZbin videos making all kinds of different meals and suggesting numerous modifications and improvements ( some in English, many in German, Dutch, Swedish, etc).

[@drivinfool9902]

What channels are the English ones? And thanks!

[@kathleen3756]

@@drivinfool9902 I did a search in the youtube search line for "omnia oven review" and quite a few links showed up. Many of them were examples of actual baking and not just warming up food.

[@condos-crap]

@@drivinfool9902 there is an americian couple who have done many reciepes on youtube. search " little house of beans'

[@Ask-a-Rocket-Scientist]

If you have 1500 watts, I use a Betty Crocker Pizza Oven for EVERYTHING. I bake, fry, stir fry, etc, etc. You can’t heat with it because it’s just resistance heating.

[@jamesparker2337]

B you could easily add a small temperature gage on that lid to monitor baking. Like ones gas grill lids.

[@OrbitStephanie]

Thank you for sharing!! I made jiffy cornbread in mine and it came out great!! Gonna do a pizza next. 💚

[@justmonathefurcrew9009]

I really like the idea, especially with the rack so you would be able to turn them over with the small set of tongs. The only bad thing, for me, $120? is too much to pay for cookware with the Kitchen products I have already. I use cast iron most of the time because that's what I grew up with, from my grandmother's way of cooking. But it seems to work wonderfully

[@leilareggie1826]

One of my favorite kitchen supplies including for camping is a couple of quality round and a square cake rack that usually is used to place a hot cake pan on. I place them over a direct flame or electric ring to create an elevated space depending on what kind of pan I am using. This Swedish kit looks cool. I use the round one in the bottom of cast iron dutch oven with foil over it to bake with the lid on over open or low heat.

[@originalBongoCat]

Thanks Bob! I hope you do lots more cooking demos. That was so enjoyable, I could almost taste the fish!

[@kishamariscal2457]

Loved the video! Thank you! Safe and happy travels!

[@emmettwanzer4108]

Bob, Maybe you could list and show all the important things you have in your van such as what kind of solar, refrigerator,heater,water system, ect.etc..

[@dalevolkman2242]

Really helpful camper lifestyle cooking tip!!! Thank you 😊

[@jannwebb]

We always had mac and cheese with fish sticks. And ketchup, too. I think that was what we had on Fridays in public school. (Fish on Fridays for the Catholics). Great video, Bob. Miss y’all!

[@leem200]

Same here. I am from MD.

[@365vacay]

I love my Omnia. One of my favs is a box of Jiffy, a can of tomatoes and some chorizo. Super Easy!

[@smallfootprint2961]

Well, I'm lucky, because I've grown lazy in my old age. I eat plant based, and everything goes in one pot. Glad you like your new toy. It's always fun to find something that works for you.

[@jonnytorch-er5ig]

A heat diffuser, which is a metal plate, would help even out and maybe help cut down on the scorching.

[@alyssasoto5489]

They have square ones that fold down flat. Vancity vanlife has one that's pretty cool.

[@MySonsMother]

Bob had a square one, too, which he showed in this video.

[@hemetsonshine]

Saw this at the thrift store a year or two ago. Now know to keep a look out for it.

[@roguegypsy7827]

Hey Bob! Try a Hawkins stainless steal pressure cooker. Works great on the propane stove. Jasmine rice takes 5 minutes after it comes to pressure. I make Peruvian beans for one hour and 15 minutes with onions, garlic and pork chops. Let it depressurize on its own. That oven looks like a great tool especially from Sweden. They make quality stuff. I live in a 31 ft class A with no oven. Only two burners.

[@MySonsMother]

I second that. I’ve use the non-electric style since about 40 years ago.

[@caroleanne8529]

A fellow earlier, Matthew DeGelleke, said, "I use a non stick pan with a baking rack that with leaving space outside the food i'm cooking for the heat to flow. Then I use a glass top and usually that makes for good baked pizza." That sounds like an excellent idea, except I would use a cast iron skillet to better hold in the heat. Just my thoughts, b/c I have never tried it.

[@mirjamoosterbaan9032]

I bake sourdough bread, cake and all other things in it. The Omnia is a lifesaver!!! And I do not have the addons but I haven't had a problem with the Omnia, no preheat needed. And yes centre it. but you even can bake a good lasagna in it!!!

[@lindahardy8713]

That looks like a good option! If you use the oven often, you’ll learn to control the flame to get the heat you want.

[@sallyplus4]

I purchased this after watching this video. Thank you Bob this works and it's just the right size. Packs up into a small package. All the pieces fit into the bag it comes with.

[@Kralingenrobin]

Remember the old days? Where people put stones in fires to take the heated stones inside? You might be able to heat up stones in the omnia oven as a heat source and save a little bit on gas when the stones are hot.

[@caneycreekgypsy1871]

I’m so impressed with your attitude! No matter what happens you keep a good attitude!! Best of luck to you on this little setback!! It can be fun!! 👍🏻🙏🏻🤗

[@caneycreekgypsy1871]

Well, sorry Bob! I like your attitude too but this comment was for another RVer! My mistake! 😆

[@drivinfool9902]

Hi Bob, great to see you trying new things. I'm taking your course on Udemy and saving for a van. Congrats your movie is out. You deserve one. You help so many people.

[@ProdigiousReturn]

What’s the name of the course?

[@Salty_Sassenach]

I cook my fish fingers (UK) in a frying pan without oil. I just put them in my frying pan and put the lid on, turning occasionally until cooked. I also have a pressure cooker for potatoes, root veg and stews/chunky soups. I also toast my bread in a frying pan as well.

[@gisellegonzalez2628]

I love my Omnia oven, it’s a game changer, I’ve baked bread, cakes, it’s wonderful

[@kelleylynda2704]

Good advise about the portable oven, Omnia. Looks like it's easy. thanks, Bob.

[@humanity941]

hi from australia bob i watch all of your videos . fantastic channel .

[@nmr6988]

Those are Gorton's breaded whole filets, and they are healthy and delicious. So it's real fish and not chopped and formed.

[@shamrockit5136]

Great recommendation with this oven seems like one could make a tap into the lid and install a small grilling thermometer.

[@anneli1735]

That’s already offered by Omnia 😉

[@awanderingdream2093]

I have this oven and have played w it a bit. First, preheat the disc that sits on directly the burner. Once preheated, put the oven together and start baking. If you are baking bread, cake etc. put the wire rack underneath the silicone mold and then preheat etc. also once Lee-heated, cook it on a low flame. Still need to use it more bit so far these are my findings. O another your Uber gave a great tip - use one silicone mold for savory and the other for sweet. Sometimes savory tastes can stay in the silicone, this way you don’t have to worry about it. Enjoy! Thanks for the info, always!

[@AnythingwithGregG-f2z]

Thermometer - a cheap thermometer is a surface type, maybe $3-4, it just sits on a top surface. It will help you regulate the temperature better. Note, it will only read the surface temperature but that is all you need. You are just wanting to monitor the temp and keep it steady adjusting the stove flame. Those fish turned out very well. Ciao

[@sallyplus4]

Thank you Bob. You solved a problem.

[@cathydemarest3572]

Frozen food like the fish fillets I would have just put them on top of the metal grate and left the silicone out of it. I used it again the other day on my grill and took the plastic handle off the top. And cooked chicken half’s. The grill was set at 350 Worked very well. getting ready to go camping again and I always enjoy using it for muffins. I have the silicone muffin tray.

[@susanpidgeon9683]

Bob the Walrus enjoyed his fish. He's such a great guy! 😍( Just teasing about the walrus part)

[@davidleigh443]

It reminds me of a Rocket Stove meets a bundt pan. I have watched Lars from Nomadic Dane use one a couple of times. Thanks Bob for introducing me to Lars and his Channel.

[@TheFeelButton]

A nice tool to bring comfort to the road! Cheers Bob!!

[@brunobeaupre1072]

Thanks for the share Bob, it's too bad there is not a lot of options but at least there are some. Stay safe.

[@hipdogdsv]

same comfort food for me growing up in AR too. Meat, taters and a veggie every night. I still try to cook that way today. but don't always eat meat with every meal. I gotta get one of those ominis!

[@sarahvegangarden4822]

I just bought the rechargeable lighter, thanks to you! Great gadget. I'm considering the Omnia now. 👍

[@62WILDCAT]

What about using a big cast iron skillet with lid, like a "Dutch oven" ? I've just moved to a Tiny House with no oven except my little toaster oven .

[@memeking5376]

I love the Omnia, it makes the best brownies. Yum!

[@lourdeshinojos1127]

Great idea I’ll look into it for the future.

[@zonacrs]

Thanks for the review, been thinking about buying this for camping. Perhaps invest in an infrared thermometer and pre-heat first checking the outside of the lid for temp.

[@katherinetaylor5323]

I love the omnia oven.

[@martinhays6811]

Thans Bob that will work good on my stove and outside stove perfict im sold

[@meganoneill4801]

I just received my Omni! Looking forward to using it

[@justinoller18]

Similar to an air fryer. Maybe try rotating/flipping food at halfway cooking point to get even cooking. I would be interested in trying air fryer recipes with this.

[@deebee4622]

Yum, beans and cornbread were staples in our house too. Cornbread also became our desert by adding molasses. Thanks for the informative video and stroll down memory lane!

[@BTNomad]

I just checked the Omnia Amazon page and they now have a thermometer that you can add to the lid!! Going to order it now. 😊

[@koningbolo4700]

You can but you will find the thermometer is of very little practical use. What can be useful though is a meat thermometer (or instant read version) which you can use to probe the dish for readiness... I use a glass lid and inspect the dish regularly while it is cooking. The lid has a small vent hole which my thermometer fits allowing me to probe the dish while it is baking/cooking...very handy... Let me explain why a oven/bbq thermometer is almost useless. In the majority of cases you will be baking with the flame/heat source on low and sometime on slightly more then low... You can therefor assume the oven pan operates at the same "magical" thermerature, whatever the number may be. I would suggest you just try the oven pan at low with a variety of your favourite recipes and as a result get a feel for the thing. You will find the temperature of the air in the oven is about the same no matter what you are cooking. however the temperature of the inside of the dish is much more interesting as you can imagine...

[@boomerartist9772]

Looks like a great stove top oven! Thanks for the demo, Bob.💕