Vanholio’s trusty old RoadPro Stove finally died after 2 years. But no worries! He’s love, love, lovin’ his new 12v Digital Stove to Go by Max Burton. It beats out the RoadPro by a mile! Here’s a review with 10 reasons why …
10 Reasons to Buy a Max Burton Digital Stove to Go
1. Adjustable Cookin’ Temps
The Max Burton has 2 modes: Heat and Temp. Heat mode just keeps pumpin’ juice till the temp gets to a roasty 350° F (177° C). Temp mode, though, lets you set the final temperature to one of 11 settings, from 100-350° F (38-177° C). And the digital display shows you the current temp inside. Meanwhile, the RoadPro just has one temp, 300° F (149° C), and their ain’t nothing to tell you how hot it is presently.
2. Better Shell
I’ll say it: The RoadPro Stove’s plastic lunchbox shell is a bit flimsy. Well, what do ya expect for about $35! And the Max Burton better be better at $70 – and it is. The plastic clamshell’s round edges and superior cover latch’ll hold up more over the long haul.
3. Vertical Design
The RoadPro is more flattish, which ain’t good for soupy things and cookin’ rice while drivin’, or even parked on an angle. Look at the non-stick pan in the photo at top. It’s mainly vertical, so shit won’t slosh around so much. Only thing vertical is worse for is bakin’ a pan a biscuits.
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4. Raised Feet
On bottom, the Max Burton’s got little feet that raise it half-inch or so. That helps keep from burnin’ your van floor, or wherever you got this thing stuck. The RoadPro is flat on bottom and tends to heat up where it sits.
5. Auto Safety Off
It don’t say nothin’ about this in the user manual, but I discovered it myself. Vanholio had his Max Burton in a tight spot. After startin’ to heat up a bit, it’d turn itself off. Then it worked in a more open spot. Obvious then, it turns itself off if the components get too hot. Better than startin’ a fire!
6. Non-Stick Pan
The Max Burton’s pan is removable for washin’ and non-stick inside. The RoadPro ain’t got no pan included, so you end up havin’ to buy tiny aluminum bread pans.
7. Large Volume
That non-stick pan is 1.5L in volume (a bit more than 6C). Vanholio’s made him enough stew at one go for 2 hefty meals!
8. Steamer/Warmer Tray
Wanna steam your veggies? Maybe warm some tortillas while your beans finish up? Easy. The Digital Stove to Go comes with a fitted steamer/warmer tray, as shown in the photo at top.
9. On-Off Button
Done cookin’ and can’t reach to pull out the 12v plug while drivin’? No problem. Just hit the handy on-off button.
10. 2 Spare Fuses Included
Higher-Amp 12v devices like these are known to pop a fuse now and then. No problem! The Max Burton Digital Stove to Go comes with 2 extra 20A glass fuses. Replacin’ them is easy, too: Just unscrew the 12v plug.
Downside to Max Burton Digital Stove to Go
The one downside to the Max Burton (hell, even the RoadPro Stove) is that it pulls a lot of Amps. Up to 12 or more at times! In some vehicles, that overwhelms the 12v socket's wires and fuses. You'll see that's the No. 1 complaint in the Amazon.com reviews. Or at least, the cause of it.
Install Marine Plugs on High Amp 12v Devices
Choke Your Chicken in a RoadPro Stove
12 Volt Cooking (website)
I haven't used my RoadPro in more than a year. Since it sucks so much power I only want to use it when there's still plenty of daylight left to recharge the house batteries. Cooking midday doesn't really fit my eating style. And cooking while on the move, using the van's power, seems odd and inconvenient. Oops, gotta pull over to check cooking progress. Rats, it's burned. Oh, and the lid warped so it doesn't seal anymore. I almost tossed it but kept it "just in case." In case of what, I don't know.
ReplyDeleteOne good thing about it, though, is that its rectangular shape makes it easy to stow away in a spot under my cabinet. A cylindrical oven with a sloped top would leave unused space around it, which would bug the crap out of me.
I cook off the solar while driving. No problem. I like to set somethin' to slow cook and be ready when I get there
DeleteSo here it is, March 2018, and I'm thinking about actually getting this cooker (and the plug mentioned elsewhere). I just need to figure out where I'd keep it when not in use. 11.8 x 8.5 x 7.9 inches. A little bigger than my head. Hmmmmm... Something else might need to go.
ReplyDeleteChuck the spare tire?
Delete