I am fond of my halogen. I did a big declutter of worktop recently, the foodprocesser put into cupboard but halogen sits in corner where used to have microwave.(it is elsewhere in kitchen, less central). I never liked using electric grills on main cooker but love the level of control a halogen offers for all grilling needs. Easy to see what is going on with bright light and see thru glass at near eye level and the timer ticking back is a good safety feature.
As for washing? it does not need too much for most jobs. A wipe with kitchen towel while still bit damp ( most food generates some steam that condenses) otherwise a couple of inches of water and detergent and turn it 'on' to wash cycle.
Recipe book: I got one online but did not find it any good, just ordinary recipes really. Youtube is good for showing you how they work.
Favourite things?: easy to do toasted cheese tho I toast bread first in ordinary toaster... suppose could use Halogen to do that as well? I use it to brown a shepherds pie, do small portion of oven chips, grill fish open or leave in the cooking bags, grill lamb steaks. Also very useful as supplement to main oven if overloaded. You can use to keep items warm, even warm plates.
I got mine in Harvey Norman electrical outlet. Visicook is the brand. The bulb 'blew' after about 6 months and they gave me a new oven. The present one is regularly used over two years now. I often see them in Aldi/Lidl for good price and mean to grab one as a replacement for when the present bulb gives out.
It does all the things an oven will do but is especially useful for small things. You will get used to using a tongs to lift out items and I have few metal dishes that are perfect containers for food. The lid needs to be treated carefully when in use and the hook overhead is a good idea... I think I have used the cupboard knob but now have a wooden board to rest it on. They supply a metal stand for it but it is a bit fiddley and something else to store about the kitchen.
