Road Chef vs Travel Buddy 12V ovens, the testing part 1

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

What would you buy, the Travel Buddy or the Road Chef?

[@matthewlilley1341]

Unfortunately the evidence compells me to purchase the Road Chef. I really wanted the Travel Buddy to win but it is what it is.

[@UNSINKABLEII]

Great video, but I will still support the Travel Buddy.

[@Jay-hr9ci]

Road chef for sure. Travel buddy have had their heads in the sand for years. Apparently the road chef was made by a ex travel buddy distributer.

[@peterm3533]

Excellent video mate. No brainer. Travel Buddy. The three magic words - Made in Australia. Got to support our innovators and manufacturers. And really, the difference in performance is pretty marginal. OK, so no Anderson plug standard. Takes 5 mins to fit one, if you need to. I fitted a Somerville Metal Works insulated door kit to mine. Fantastic accessories available from SMW. Perhaps there will be an improved Travel Buddy MkII one day. In the meantime, I'll keep enjoying mine, and feel good knowing it helped our country along, even in a small way. There is some fantastic stuff made in China these days, the quality is excellent but if there's a similar product made right here, at a competitive price, why wouldn't you go for that?

[@noel270w8]

Good on ya mate, loved your review promoting Chinese copies over Australian made products and R&D. Mate you're a true legend, the Chinese copied an Australian product and you are promoting it. Pat yourself on the back and know that all Australians (maybe not the friendly people of Bendigo) support you in trying to make a buck by supporting the theft of Australian design. Good job buddy.

[@Jansoom]

Come on Aussie manufacturers, lift your game and make the Travel Buddy the best.

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

110%!

[@who_is_alex]

Stumbled across this video after it was linked in a FB group. I wish all comparison videos were like this, I apreciate your direct approach with no waffle or fluff to slow down the pace. You’ve also seasoned it well with prcatical benchmarks and tests that are ’scientific’ enough for this purpose. Your efforts are appreciated, thanks for your service 🙏🏻

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

Glad you enjoyed it mate, and unfortunately it's been a few years since it's been released and TB hasn't upgraded the Travel Buddy at all...... 😢

[@RustyCandyAdventures]

I will be buying road chef. I wrote to travel buddy. Two emails. Linked this video in one using there webpage. I never got a reply. Thanks for the great videos on these ovens. Russell

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

It's a shame, the Travel Buddy is a bloody great product. But they don't have an edge anymore, either financially or performance. The likes of Somerville Metal Works can supply bits that'll get your Travel Buddy performing every bit as well as the Road Chef, though these mods should realistically come as standard fair from the factory.

[@muzzaball]

Hello mate, thank you for a great review; you can't beat honesty in my eyes, so we know where we stand and can make our decisions accordingly. I am about to hop over and watch the tear-down, as everyone loves to see things pulled apart. Cheers mate.

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

I love pulling things apart, it's like a disease :) I like it even more when things work after putting them back together!

[@steveobrien7395]

I'll hold off a while for a Travel Buddy Mk2 I think. Cheers again mate, great video! Gotta stick with the facts no matter how much it hurts.

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

As you gathered, I was certainly hoping the originator would be both better in construction and performance than the imitator. But the facts are the facts. The TB is still a good unit, just that the RC is slightly better in just about every way. Let's hope TB release version 2 before it's too late!

[@justindillon4876]

You can ask the owner of travel buddy upon purchase to fit an Anderson plug I did and glad I stayed Ozzie

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

I've heard that, though not from retail outlets.

[@justindillon4876]

@@LockyourHubs4WDing keep up the great videos mate Thankyou for they are great 👍👍

[@bocheef]

Very interesting, would love to see a shootout of the other brands too.

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

I would love to put the others through their paces.

[@matthewlilley1341]

You can see your heart break at 8:25 and again at 9:09 lol.

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

Cheers mate!

[@TyFenwick]

Good video mate, i agree with you that travel buddy need to step up there game and make the changes to improve there product.

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

Competition improves the breed usually. Let's hope it's the case here.

[@jerrymyahzcat]

Travel Buddy is Assembled in Vic from mostly Chinese parts. I’d like to see a test vs the KickAss Glass Door oven. I have this and believe it’s superior. It has (obviously) a glass door to see inside, an internal light as well as a digital temperature display and a timer/run option. Also has an insulated door with a latch.

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

Sounds great, I'll have to check it out.

[@backyardangler6377]

Would be interested to see the comparison after fitting a insulated door and latch to the TB

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

Not the latch but I've reviewed an insulated door. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qp-7kH-DbMSFptk

[@JMCKAY351]

Hi, great show always enjoy ur shows, can u please do another comparison with the KICKARSE 12V oven also?

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

As soon as we can get our mitts on one!

[@VideoShowMeHow]

Great vid mate, really good comparison, cheers 🤘

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

Cheers!

[@VideoShowMeHow]

@@LockyourHubs4WDing Hey quick q if I may, what software you use to make your thumbnails, they're great! Is it Canva or something?

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

@@VideoShowMeHow just photoshop mate.

[@VideoShowMeHow]

@@LockyourHubs4WDing 👌 Cheers

[@majesticbutterfly]

What about draining power from your car ? Does cooking faster correlates to more drain on your battery?

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

I know this is going to seem a little counterintuitive, but if you draw more power for a shorter period of time, you actually save battery capacity.

[@johntowe9102]

That’s a comprehensive review brother 👍 cheers

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@margaretparnis8366]

I just came from the 4wd show and purchased a Road Chef just because the features was a bite better than the travel buddy I really wanted the travel buddy due to Australian made but want sold me to the Road Chef was the door.

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

The door does make a decent difference.

[@jerrymyahzcat]

I got the KickAss Glass Door version with tray/trivet which I personally believe is superior to both of these.

[@kadiocalc]

Love your honesty as always. Can you give us the cost and warranty of these ovens. Cheers.

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

I believe they're around the same price (AUD$260) and sometimes a little cheaper.

[@Mambey]

I hears a rumour that the road chef person used to work for travel buddy. Some Good improvements over the TB. But Aussie made for me.

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

Hmmm, I understood the person was the Queensland sales rep. allegedly....

[@Mambey]

@@LockyourHubs4WDing Hmm some scull duggery going on here.

[@michaelolofsson8558]

Hey mate, Did you ever do a test on how hot the outside of the oven gets at all? EG The door?

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

Unfortunately not, the outside bar the door, you can hold your hand on it even after a couple of hours running.

[@ethicalfarmer7424]

Hmmm teardown will be good and the big question - Will the Road Chef last being made from Chinesium?

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

Haha!

[@JimBob-vb8oz]

Where do you think the stainless steel for the TB comes from?

[@brendanashby6624]

Well I was thinking of the Travel Buddy but now it's the road chef for sure

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

There are now plenty of other options on the market, such as the kick ass and now kings have entered the market.

[@directionoverland9397]

Any know if the internal floor on these units warps when hot? I had a Kickass one and the internal floor would buckle up about 10mm when it got hot. I didn't like the Kickass one. Trying to decided if these 2 options are better quality.

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

The all warp slightly on the bottom when heated up.

[@jerrymyahzcat]

The new Glass Door KickAss one is the one to get.

[@rorysomerville2695]

Great Video mate results were interesting. one thing i've never liked about travel buddy is it sucks when just off battery. Be nice to find out what makes the road chef preform better in that regard. You're right though hopefully this inspires Crystal air to make a some changes and make it better

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

Competition usually improves performance!

[@garyhankinson5695]

I doubt if neither will work that well off an agm battery. Lithium is the way to go if you want to use a 12v oven.

[@robs_outdoors7478]

Ehh "carbon copies of each other"? No, one is a carbon copy of the other -- like most things from over there. Stick with Aussie design and built. Especially right now. Great review though mate. 👍

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

Cheers!

[@jerrymyahzcat]

Don’t stick with Aussie one, because it’s worse. Just cos something is Aussie, made if it’s inferior, buy a better one. The new KickAss one is better than both of these.

[@brendanashby6624]

I was just wondering if the new Kick-Ass is better than the road chef I like the road chef above the Travel Buddy because of heated up quicker and how the heat longer and of course the door but only know of this other one Kick-Ass that you mentioned now I want to get one that cooks the quickest so out of Kick-Ass and Road chef which one would you have it will be a great help for me I haven't ordered just yet but I am soon

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

I haven't tested the Kick ass, and also noticed King's have just released a 12v oven as well!

[@brendanashby6624]

@@LockyourHubs4WDing thanks mate

[@jerrymyahzcat]

I had the 1st KickAss one. Great oven. Now I have the new glass door KickAss one and it’s so much better.

[@ronaldnollet1461]

bought the travel buddy support local

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

The the reason I bought mine. But then there's the cost of the mods to get it working properly

[@ShoeysAdventures]

This reminds me of the 79 series you need to mod the crap out of it to make it equivalent to its peers, I ended up buying a Road Chef, only because there was no stock of Travel Buddy and no word on when they would be back in stock.

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

I did chuckle at the 79 reference! There does seem to be an issue with supply of the Travel Buddy.

[@Combatt_Wombatt]

Says the guy with a modded Prado 🤣

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

Harsh..... :)

[@ShoeysAdventures]

@@Combatt_Wombatt lol yeah no one wants a standard Prado offroad lol

[@jackrock335]

Grouse review/comparison.. Thanx Matey

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

Glad to help!

[@craighill6164]

Great vid someone needs to write a 12volt cookbook

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

I'm probably not your guy, I like my steal well done! :)

[@rabbit290670]

Check out baked in my car on instagram and facebook. He has some great recipes

[@deanharries4154]

Do they consume the same amount of power..??

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

It's very similar.

[@jakestevens7283]

Is Road Chef the same exact oven as Kickass' Travel Oven?

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

Not sure, they look similar, though never have pulled the KickAss apart.

[@garyhankinson5695]

Probably from the same Chinese factory.

[@CliveWebbAustralia]

The Road Chef and the KickAss travel oven appear to be the same unit. Can you confirm this...

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

Very close, but definetly different manufactures.

[@CliveWebbAustralia]

Lock your Hubs 4WDing Thank you...

[@Phil_McAvity]

Travel Buddy for me! I’m totally with you on a TB mark 2. Surly there will be one soon, the TB is easily 5+ years old now.

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

Hopefully!

[@stefankossen8450]

Is the current draw the same? I thought the Kickass was the same as the Roadchef, and they quote an extra 10 watts 🤔 Which might also explain better performance.

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

Nothing in it current wise.

[@overlandunderland1765]

I'd still buy the travel buddy Marine again, what's a couple minutes wait

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

There is that option, definitely!

[@Davidsmith-mc2no]

What about this one Kings 12V Adventure Travel Oven | Stainless Steel | Fibreglass Insulation | 180 Degree Max Temp

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

Haven't had a play with one yet, I'll see if I can borrow one!

[@Davidsmith-mc2no]

@LockyourHubs4WDing where are you you could borrow my one if you want I am in wheelers hill vic

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

@@Davidsmith-mc2no thanks mate, unfortunately I'm out west.

[@djwanye83]

how fast does it heats up say you set it to 150F?

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

I never tested that, though you could check it out off of the graphs.

[@jerrymyahzcat]

It’s doesn’t have °F. The units are in °C. That’s 65.6°C (150°C).

[@jimmaier3600]

travel buddy for me aussie made for ever

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

One of the reasons I bought mine mate, just wish after all these years they would update it.

[@blahhblahh1511]

Pigs arse Aussie built mate

[@aussienscale]

Cmon Travel Buddy, looking to buy soon, any updates ?

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

Unfortunately, nothing yet.

[@jgfjjhf8006]

Wonder what the battery usage is on each

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

It's almost identical

[@gerardhaubert8210]

Is the Road Chef available in the US?

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

I'm not sure! Contact rpminnovations.com.au/

[@parabelllum8733]

You didnt give the Dimensions of the Pies ..... and do different brand pies draw more power

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

You mean someone else besides four 'n twenty make meat pies?

[@lastknownlocation8760]

The proof of the pudding is in the eating

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

:)

[@timphoto83ec]

One is made here in Australia and one is from CHINA! Should be an easy choice.

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

It should be, especially as the TB was the originator not the imitator. But when the imitator is a better unit for less money, it makes the decision much harder. I bought the TB, and my concern is that if TB don't innovate soon and keep the competition on their toes, there will be no Travel Buddy to buy in the future.

[@timphoto83ec]

@@LockyourHubs4WDing Well i have just been reading reviews will many Road Chef owners reporting blown elements so maybe they are running them a bit harder which is why they perform better in your test but long term your better off with the less stressed Travel Buddy.

[@johnnuske2878]

Please Please Please Crystalair take note!

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

Unfortunately, they haven't yet, and they're being left by the wayside.....

[@ronjeremy6128]

So, Travel Buddy made in Aussie by an aussie family. Road chef made in China for an aussie who worked for travel buddy and knocked off the design. There's no choice. We need to stop supporting everything and anything made in China!

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

The major components in the TB are Chinese in manufactured as well. I'm more concerned with TB's ip being copied with seemingly little ramifications and probably more concerned that TB seem to be sitting on their hands as far as innovation is concerned. The best way to beat the competition is to produce a better mouse trap than the other guy.

[@jerrymyahzcat]

Not made in Aussie. Assembled using mostly Chinese parts.

[@larryrayner3826]

I too would probably buy the Aussie one .Purely because i don't want to support China. And I live in NZ

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

That's one of the reasons I own the Travel Buddy.

[@felixcat9318]

Road Cheat obviously provided their Chinese assembler with genuine Travel Buddy Marine Oven/s to dismantle and copy, and by doing so they benefitted hugely from all the R&D, design, component types, spec's and materials selection that the Travel Buddy designers/engineers had built into their Originals. To avoid a charge of 'Passing Off', Road Cheat use a tighter fitting, locking and insulated door which may explain the test results you found, as it's extremely unlikely that they fitted a better quality heating element or a higher grade insulation in their Chinese rip off copy. This is yet another example of the superb Devin Montgomery designed and manufactured Backcountry Boiler, a sample of which was dubiously obtained and copied into mass production as the m-Kettle! Edited for typo.

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

I agree at looks like, both internally and externally a TB. With a couple of small improvements and the Kickass oven looks exactly the same.. Let's hope TB MK II is released soon!

[@jerrymyahzcat]

Many copies are superior to the original. That’s life.

[@chrisg1234fly]

Travel buddy not available here in South Africa, so have to go Chinese which hurts!!!

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

Bugger, I hear great things about dealing with Travel Buddy directly (That's actually how I bought mine). Though freight might be a killer!

[@sloth_e]

Youd think the road chef would be substantially cheaper being manufactured in China with slave labour. The performance difference was negligible really. Ive looked at my mates and the doors are about as hot and a couple of minutes whilst driving in heating etc isn't noticed. Again, the differences are pretty small. Even your results showed minimal difference. But it's a no brainer for me. Aus made. Not made with slave labour. And the road chef is a rip off being made in China and not substantially cheaper.

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

With labour in China being substantially cheaper you would think they would come in cheaper, though freight from the other side of the world would also be a factor.

[@CJFranciss]

Both are Chinese. So the Aussie made argument is a moot point. Just buy the better performing, if the team at travel buddy don’t want to help themselves than that’s their choice.

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

It's disappointing, even after the proliferation of copycats since this video, TB still hasn't innovated at all.

[@321southtube]

Wasting two minutes measuring something that is obviously the same size is absolutely ridiculous.

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

Ummm, thanks? :)

[@lindmill85]

Buy the travel buddy, don't be a communist.

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

Bar the fact that the TB is chock right full of Chinese componenty.... But I do prefer to buy Aussie made, I want to keep our kids in jobs! My concern is if TB don't innovate their product range, soon there won't be a Travel Buddy to buy!

[@stephenthomson2196]

both from china

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

Nearly!

[@calmvideo-kv6gv]

Buy Australian. NOT Chinese.

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

You watched the video right?

[@donpaterson2397]

It's disgusting how it's a complete ripoff. I thought there were laws to protect Australian innovation and design

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

If you don't protect your IP, and then enforce that protection, it's pretty much a free for all in business.

[@timphoto83ec]

@@LockyourHubs4WDing IP does not exist in CHINA

[@richarm66]

@@LockyourHubs4WDing I loved your vid. I believed your pain when crowning the winner. But IP and China in the same sentence?

[@LockyourHubs4WDing]

@@richarm66 haha

[@jerrymyahzcat]

Australian laws don’t apply in China.