5
SET UP
Setting up and installation of your BIG BERTHA oven is simple.
Once you have organised an appropriate power supply, simply plug your BIG BERTHA oven in, decide
if you want to use one or two elements, set your temperature gauge to the required temperature, turn
the timer switch on for the time you will need to cook and after preheating the oven, put your food in. It
really is that simple! Here are a few other things for you to consider when setting your oven up.
1. Your oven comes with a set of ‘tie down’ clamps that can be used to securely attach it in your
vehicle, boat, or the like. There are slots at the top and bottom of the oven
allowing you to secure it to a shelf or roof of your vehicle. Simply insert the
three prongs into the slots in the side of the oven and screw the brack-
ets down. Periodically check the attachment to ensure it has not become
loose.
2. The baking racks can slide in and out of the oven making it easier for you to reach your food.
Be aware that the baking racks get hot and appropriate hand protection should be used when
handling them. The trays do not have a stopper on them; however, they should ONLY be ex-
tended so that 1/3rd of the rack is out of the oven. If you extend it further than this the tray may
buckle and/or fall out causing injury.
3. If the oven is ‘rattling’ when you are driving, when the oven and racks are cool, you can gently pinch
down the arms on the sides of the racks so that they hold tightly onto the arms inside the oven.
4. BIG BERTHA comes supplied with a baking tray that is designed to create optimum cooking
inside your oven. As the oven is not fan forced it relies on natural convection, so the Baking Tray
allows for maximum air flow around the meal you are cooking. Reduced air flow allows cooler
air to build up near the meal surfaces. By allowing hot air past the product, it picks up the heat
faster cooking more evenly.
5. The oven does not require any ventilation at the rear, sides, top or bottom and as such can safely
be recessed.
6. The oven is insulated on 5 sides using fibreglass insulation. This should keep the outside tem-
perature below 40°C although this can vary depending on the ambient temperature. The door
is double insulated through a double wall and silicone inner which minimises its ability to heat
it up. However, over a longer cook or in an area with reduced ventilation it may become hot and
care should be taken.
COOKING
The BIG BERTHA 12-volt oven gives you the choice of cooking with just the TOP element, just the BOT-
TOM element or BOTH at the same time. The benefit of this is you can tailor it to what you are cooking.
Each person likes their food prepared differently so some experimentation will be required but as a
rule using the TOP elements is great for things that need grilling like nachos or pizzas. The BOTTOM
element is great for baking and will make great scones. Using BOTH elements is the best for roasting
or anything where you need all round heat.
Determine what will work best for you, the oven racks, or the baking tray. Wet food like chicken wings
or roasts are great for the baking tray, and if they are going to be particularly wet or the road very rough,
we recommend the use of an oven bag to minimise spills. The baking tray is designed to hang on the
top rail of the oven but can sit on the bottom rack or the base of the oven for more direct heat. The racks
are ideal for pies and anything you want to crisp up from the increased air movement around them.
Next set your BIG BERTHA oven to the desired temperature with 180°C the approximate maximum
temperature. Predictably when using the BOTH function, the oven will heat up quicker and maintain
the temperature more evenly than using a single element. Most modern recipes and instructions
