Comparing Travel Buddy & Road Chef Camp Ovens
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- Опубліковано 12 лип 2024
- Check out the Travel Buddy 12V Portable Marine Oven here:
www.snowys.com.au/12v-portabl...
Or the Road Chef 12V Camping Oven here:
www.snowys.com.au/road-chef-1...
Who doesn’t want to tuck into some hot and delicious baked goods after a long day on the road? With a 12V oven at your disposal, it’s easy to make that happen.
But, which one do you choose? The Travel Buddy or Road Chef?
In this video, our gear expert Lauren set up both of these units side by side in the Snowys Keswick store to give you a full comparison, so you can figure out which one is best for you.
She starts off by talking through the similarities and differences between them as well as the materials and useability.
Lauren then moves onto showing you how to use them both, and does a taste test by popping some pies and pasties in there to cook to see which unit performs better - so watch it above for all the details.
0:00 - Intro
0:28 - Dimensions
0:48 - Materials and weight
1:03 - Features
2:48 - Temperature settings
3:11 - Timers
3:30 - Power consumption
3:43 - Connections
4:37 - Using the ovens
5:29 - How well does it cook?
6:20 - Where are they made?
I have a feeling that the Aussies are going to support their home brand more than ever -- especially now that the Chinese are facing some serious questions about COVID 19 and they are trying to pull rank on the Aussies with all sorts of economic threats -- Go Australia ! ! ! ! Support your home grown businesses ! ! !
We are with you there, Roderick... support Australian Made! ~ Ben
Aussie assembled isnt aussie made . All the parts are from china even the case . Its just assembled here
@@chrisward5626 and you have proof? do your homework before making a comment...travel buddy is developed and manufactured here in Australia in victoria...Road Chef is a Chinese knockoff...albeit a damn good one....i know because i've had both...but stick with australian made and owned...ie Travel Buddy
@@warrenmarkboxshall8036 KickAss Travel Oven with tray/trivet is better than both and the new glass door one with light is better yet (I’ve had both & still have the glass door one).
Great review Lauren.
Sadly no one should be supporting Travel Chef.
Ex employees should not have the right to directly copy the hard work and innovation of Australian family owned and manufactured products.
Sure bring in your own 12v
travel oven produce in China but build it different or potentially better but dont copy another mans lively hood.
The awesome Travel Buddys are made in Bendigo Vic by a wonderful family owned business.
🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺
It sounds like you have some insights that we are not aware of, Trevor.
We certainly want to support local Aussie companies wherever we can, we also have a host of customers chasing us for a product like this and we needed to bring in another product to keep up with demand.
We are still fully supportive of the Travel Buddy brand and hope that their supply can meet demand in the near future.
~ Ben
@@SnowysOutdoors Cheers Ben, I'm also from our Industry. I have had plenty of contact with you guys, I have been connected with Snowys in the past with Waeco for 10 years and in recent times myCOOLMAN/Milenco.
This was in no way a barb at you guys. Cheers Mate :)
@@SnowysOutdoors that's a lame excuse. You just don't care. I won't buy anything from you ever..
@@donpaterson2397 I'm sorry you feel that way. We do care, and fully support Australian made. All the Australian made products on our website are clearly labelled and we have page dedicated to it - www.snowys.com.au/australian-made-camping-outdoor-gear.
At the end of the day, we aren't here to tell our customers what to buy, instead, we want to offer choice and guidance, and if asked, we'll recommend Australian Made every time.
~ Ben
You undermine Australian innovation and business by supporting a product that's a complete ripoff by creating a market for the Chinese import. It's as simple as that. If travel buddy go belly up it will be resellers like yourselves to blame.
I've just returned from an overland rally in British Columbia, Canada. Two vendors had these 12 volt ovens - one had the Travel Buddy and one had the Road Chef. I made a choice to choose the Travel Buddy due to made in Australia. Even through we are separated by thousands of kilometers of ocean, the reputation of excellent quality of Australian products is well known among the remote touring community here.
Thanks for your feedback, Canyon, we are proud of the products we do produce here in Australia. I wasn't aware that they were sold overseas, that is exciting. ~ Ben
It’s a shame it’s a complete copy but credit to the guys who came up with the travel buddy. Aussie made for me 👍🏼
Aussie made all the way... go the Travel Buddy. ~ Ben
@@SnowysOutdoors Aussie made, or Aussie assembled?
Others have pointed out on campers etc.. big push for 'Aussie' made, need to look deeper sometimes.
Keep up the good work.
🤸♀️🤸♀️🤸♀️
@@robertwilson1827 there is a combination of Aussie-made and Aussie-assembled with many items.
There is no facility for example that makes thermostats here in Australia, and the oven wouldn't exist in its current form without this component, so they need to come from overseas,
It's hard to find products that are absolutely 100% Aussie-made.
Glad you enjoy our videos.
~ Ben
I waited for stock of the Aussie made travel buddy 👍
As should everyone everywhere we can!
Road chef is the best unit
@@FRERABRETZ1 why?
@@FRERABRETZ1 KickAss glass door Travel Oven is better.
Great review Lauren, thanks.
Thanks for the amazing review!
One of the best overland gear review I've seen so far!
Thanks for your feedback, GAK DEF. ~ Ben
Thanks for the video and the info about the were to get the trays. I brought my travel buddy from you about a year age and have waited to find someone who custom makes the trays. My tray arrived today and it is a perfect fit and great quality.
We are glad it was helpful, OCCY, thanks for your feedback. ~ Ben
I'm glad you mentioned about no noticeable temperature difference on the external door, despite the supposedly insulated door of the Travel Chef. It's what was keeping me undecided. But since this review, for me it's Aussie made all the way. Keep Australian manufacturing alive. Go the Travel Buddy!
Go Aussie Made 🦘. ~ Ben
Need to compare with the KickAss one which actually HAS an insulated door.
Got travel buddy did same mod with Anderson plug as supplied plug melted but still more then happy with travel buddy for the win
Cheers
Thank you Lauren - great comparo!!
Cheers Murray - I'll pass that onto Lauren. Laine :)
Well done, as a victorian i will buy the Travel Buddy
Australian made all the way, Kristine! ~ Ben
Awesome review. Love Snowys.
Oh, thanks N Noddy! Laine
Hi i have my travel buddy for some time now all good, works well, i put a clip on the door so no worrys, well built very good australian product. cheers terry.
Thanks for your feedback, Terry, by all accounts we've had mostly good feedback on the Travel Buddy. ~ Ben
They look amazing. I made them this morning but I didn’t have Passata so I substituted with tomato paste and a tin of tomato. Turned out beautifully with an egg on top 😊
Nice!
~ Lauren
great presentation : well done
Thanks you, Chris. ~ Ben
Great review! Would be interesting to see durability between the two after some time in a 4WD or truck, hear and read a lot about Travel Buddies lasting 10+years.
I got my smaller Travel Buddy almost a year ago now. Have used it a lot in my truck. I also have the full height tray from Somerville Metals works, as well as the insulated door to help with heat retention and no more burnt fingers. I often just set the timer to 2 hours and throw in a frozen meal from home. By the time I pull up for lunch or dinner, it's ready, and proper hot. Would really like to test out a roast in it one day.
We'd like to get some long term feedback on the durability of these two ovens too, Stel P. Travel Buddy have this history, Travel Chef are yet to be proven in the long run. It would be good if we could create some sort of sped up simulation. ~ Ben
What an amazing day at work!!
Tell me about it @Task Aydeetwo haha!
~ Lauren
Hi iam the same ,i have had a buddy for some time now very good, dont buy from overseas these are well made, plus nice people too,terry australia.
I agree, but there is an ongoing supply and demand problem. I think a lot of people end up buying the overseas model as they cannot wait until the Travel Buddy is available again. ~ Ben
I need to get one of these to the states 🤠 🇦🇺
We only ship within Australia sorry, Undergroundfro. ~ Ben
Got the Travel Buddy, love the buddy. Aussie made.
They're awesome little ovens!
~ Lauren
I think the timer/run option is the seller for me in the Travel Buddy, I will be getting the upgraded door for mine.
Aussie Made too, good choice. ~ Ben
Best just to buy the KickAss glass door version and save yourself the hassle. It has an insulated door and a timer/run option plus an oven light. Tray/trivet is a nice add on too.
Hi. Lauren, Ive the travel buddy never looked back great investment , does pizzas well to , make your own ✅💯
Plus it’s Aussie made 👍🏻
Got to love Aussie Made... and home made pizzas. ~ Ben
Thanks Lauren, I don't suppose you could provide a link for where we can buy the oven trays. I was leaning towards the Road Chef, only because the Travel Buddy doors are known to pop open when you are driving on rough tracks, but now I know Travel Buddy is 100 percent Australian made,.... well its a no brainer really! We will put our own latch on the door.
Check out this site, Donna - somervillemetalworks.com.au/. ~ Ben
HI,
Thank you for the review! Do you know if the bottom of the ovens get hot on the exterior? Thanks so much! I would love it if we could get these in the USA!
They are much the same all over when it comes to heat on the outside, Katy.
We don't ship to the US sorry, I'm not sure if there is an equivalent available over there.
~ Ben
Great info, can you tell me what the required clearance around the unit is? I'm guessing maybe 50mm. Thanks
This information isn't specified sorry, magillasviews, but I'd say you're on the mark with giving about 5cm of space around the oven as a guide. The door does get much warmer than the rest of the oven. ~ Ben
Hi snowys, thanks for the review Lauren
Can I ask if you (or anyone else) has ever had an issue with the travel buddy door opening while driving over rough terrain?
Thanks
Sorry about the delayed reply here, Zach, Lauren has been away so I couldn't check in with her.
She's back today though, and to answer your question, no, she has never had any experience with the door opening whilst in transit, but, she has never done any hardcore offroad driving with it.
As an educated guess, we'd say the most likely scenario where the door could possibly open is over long periods of sustained corrugations, but in normal driving and 4WD tracks, you should be fine.
I hope that helps.
~ Ben
Mine has been cooking while doing some rough corrugated tracks. With a couple of little jumps thrown in for fun.
Then put into some rough rocky river beds with some massive off camber and steep climbs.
Door never looked like opening. Only issue was I packed to much into my foil tray and had some spillage.
But seriously I did jump the car and hit more than one wash out to quick. (It was part of the Outback Challenge course).
yes, all the time especially annoying when you anticipate hot food only to find that the oven door is open and nothing had cooked, find a way to keep it closed if you have a travel buddy
Happens to some people. Somerville sell a door latch that you can upgrade for just $8 check our our other comment to see a vid of how the upgrade is done.
Was curious how the oven trays can be handled with bare hands and no steam coming from the food. It doesn't look very hot to me. ?
They had a few minutes to cool, Slinky, so Lauren could do a taste test on camera without burning her mouth. ~ Ben
At 4.10 when you mention adding the Anderson plug to the travel buddy did you also add inline fuse to replace fuse in cig plug ? Thanks
Hi C Birch, I just spoke to Lauren, she didn't have the inline fuse on the appliance but apparently she has overload protection accounted for in the electrical set-up on the van she uses it in. It wouldn't be hard, nor would it hurt to add one in though. ~ Ben
Just about to do same to my travel bud, saw the inline fuse near back of the other oven, wasnt sure if it was needed but probably will add an inline fuse before anderson, cheers
No harm in chucking a fuse in the setup. ~ Ben
Mines wired direct to a fuse block. As it doesn’t leave the car.
Yes, like all 12/24V equipment, put an inline fuse onto it, unless it is hardwired to a fuse box. I put one one when I removed the cig plug and replaced it with an Anderson.
Bigger thermostat i think in the travel buddy.
I’ve got a Companion Portable Power Pack 44Ah with a 28l waeco running off it full time being charged by a 250w solar panel just wondering if you think this will be sufficient to run the travel buddy off for a little while before I set up a dual battery setup or better off running straight from the car ciggie plug
I'd suggest using the power pack for this, Jayden. The ciggie plus in your car could work but the cables are usually only rated to 10A which means these stoves will be pushing the limits of the outlet.
If you do run it from your power pack, I'd suggest having the solar panel delivering charge at the same time to keep the battery topped up. There are some basic formulas you can use to work out power requirements here, this article will help you understand it better - www.snowys.com.au/blog/solar-formula-for-your-4wd-setup/.
~ Ben
No worries so basically best bet is to only use the travel buddy when it’s sunny for my setup? Sounds good to me
What brand is your watch? Really like it!
Its a Suunto 7 - I've had it for about 6 years and its starting to be on the way out now with the LCD screen. I've worn it everyday and given it a hammering though, so I've been impressed!
~ Lauren
Great...thanks so much :)
Hi, just wondering if there is an update of the review for these ovens or are they "just the same " as 3 years ago? I also noted that Lauren used her hands to pull out the wire rack to test the pies. Tough fingers hey😉 Thanks
There hasn't been any change in these as far as we are aware, particularly with the Travel Buddy as it is still made by the same Aussie manufacturer.
Lauren does have tough hands on account of all the campfire cooking she's done over the years, but I think she let the tray cool a little before grabbing it. ~ Ben
Try the bottom shelf. Should rotate the pies.
Great review! Although I'm not sure about the comment 'there is a lot of fantastic quality stuff that comes out of China?'. I believe you that this product is good, but if you could give us some other examples it would be great. I seem to have only bought landfill items for the past 30+ years.😂 In my experience China has been good for making rubbish cheap.
Sea to Summit, Icebreaker, Jetboil, Darche, etc just off the top of my head.
We've discussed this alot in podcasts, etc the reality is China has a multi billion dollar manufacturing industry with the money to invest in machinery and manufacturing process that cant be done anywhere else in the world.
Ofcourse theres a huge spectrum, you can get very bottom level cheap and tacky gear, right up to high end, top quality product.
The point is, just because something says "made in china" doesnt mean it should be an automatic right off.
Use common sense with your purchases, and you should be right.
~ Lauren
Do you ship tp the United States? You have some gear we cant get here.
We don't sorry, Blue Collar Studio, out shipping is currently only within Australia. ~ Ben
I'd preferred Australian made. However, I just want compared the price between the two from snowys but road chef oven is not available in your website
We can't get our hands on them any more, Nora. I'm not exactly sure why, but I've sent an enquiry for more information as I was unaware of this until now. I'll keep you updated. ~ Ben
@@SnowysOutdoors thanks Ben
Did you burn your fingers at all when you touched the shelf?
I think there were a few minutes for the oven to cool down a little before Lauren grabbed the shelf, or maybe a few takes to get the take right. ~ Ben
The thing not mentioned and I am very interested in is - how much power did each oven use over the 60 minute period? Putting a watt (power) meter inline with each would be a good thing for the comparison. The Road Chef has a lower current draw so the heating element was probably on for a longer time than the Travel Buddy - probably.
We didn't measure power consumption sorry, Ian. ~ Ben
They mentioned itin the video. Travel buddy takes 10 amps per hour the road chef about 8 per hour. They ran the ovens for 1 hour thus the TB used 10 amps and the RC used about 8 amps.
@@krump7429 That would only be true if they did not have a thermostat and the elements were on continuously for the hour - the job of the thermostat is to switch the element on and off to maintain the desired temperature - to compare the power consumption it would need to be measured for each oven.
@@krump7429 think you mean 10Ah and 8Ah (although the Road Chef uses more like 8.3A draw according to the front panel). @Ian T Heat of element depends on many factors including efficiency not just wattage or current draw. It’s physically possible for the 100W Road Chef to heat more quickly if it has a better quality element.
Also, they were both set to 180° and ran for 60mins. They would both be on the whole time with no cycling as it takes these ovens about 100min to reach 180° without food inside absorbing heat.
Can you plug this straight into your cigarette lighter if you have a van? Or do you need an auxiliary battery setup?
You'd really only be able to run the oven whilst you're driving, otherwise you'd drain your car battery pretty quick.
~ Lauren
100% Australian made is the one for me
Thanks for your thoughts here, Dave. ~ Ben
Did you have a recipe for those pies?
We don't have a recipe sorry, 828findadventure, but there are more details here on where you can buy them - www.vilis.com/. ~ Ben
@@SnowysOutdoors thanks, you all are the best.
How does Kickass Travel Oven compare to these two? Wow I'd definitely want hand made (Travel Buddy) over factory made (Road Chef)!! I wonder if Kickass' oven is hand made too?
I can't be sure on this sorry, Jake, but I'm pretty sire the Kickass ovens are made overseas, so more than likely come out of a factory. ~ Ben
@@SnowysOutdoors ok thanks. Sounds like the safe move is just going with Travel Buddy then!
@@jakestevens7283 and you'll be supporting Australian Made. ~ Ben
I have had the original KickAss one and now have the new glass door KickAss one. Made in China I believe but still an Aussie company. Better oven than both of these.
No tomato sauce for the taste test?! I’m rattled.
Quality review apart from that
Will be in to pick up a travel buddy next week!
Look, its a good point!
~ Lauren
Great review Loz
Travel Buddy just need to lift their game Anderson plug port latch
if we are going down that road its made in China Where is 99% of your things made Phone, Car, Washing machine , Dryers , Microwave , Clothes here we are banging on like its the world economic forum all over a 12V Portable Oven...
Yeah, lots of good things are made in China, 3aw77, but wherever asked, we'll recommend buying Australian made. ~ Ben
Didn't mention the travel buddy 24 volt which gets to 200 c. Can cook a frozen pizza in them.
Thanks for your feedback, Mark. Travel Buddy state that the oven reaches "190 degrees celcius+", so I guess that technically this means they can reach 200 degrees. Sounds like this has been your experience. ~ Ben
It should get to similar temps as a thermostat is a thermostat. So set temp want matter between voltage. The plus for 24v is it will get to temp twice as fast then use half the power.
..how did u touch the hot buns and steel with bare hands??
We get this a lot. The wire racks and pastry on the pies cooled after a few minutes, but they were still hot in the middle. ~ Ben
@@SnowysOutdoors I see. ty
Travel Buddy all the way! Buy and support Aussie manufactured products otherwise nothing will be produced anymore :(
Please spend the extra $10 to buy the original and support the innovators :)
Cheers, David! You're right - we just want to provide all available options. Laine
@@SnowysOutdoors Sorry I get a bit emotional about Oz made.
go the Aussie made !
All the way! ~ Ben
Aussie made for sure
Yep, I'm all for supporting Aussie Companies. ~ Ben
The travel buddy is made in bendigo Victoria .
Yep, all Australian Made. ~ Ben
Price difference?
There's a few options on the market now, Robert, check them out here - www.snowys.com.au/camp-ovens#?type=2764. ~ Ben
5:33 How can you pull out a hot metal tray without burning your fingers?!!
It had a chance to cool for a few minutes before Lauren pulled the tray out, the pies were still hot though. ~ Ben
Travel buddy all the way ....
Its a great oven!
~ Lauren
Do those little 12vdc ovens take >hour to stabilize the temperature?
.
120vac or 240vac is inherently more efficient.
Induction hot-plates.
An inverter or 'solar generator' is the electrical source... and does double-duty for other uses.
.
Those little ovens ignore plentiful cheap propane.
The same meal, ready-to-eat in fifteen minutes.
And propane does double-duty for light and heat... and a barbecue grill.
.
.
2003, we converted a 1996 Ford CF8000 commercial truck to our concept of an ExpeditionVehicle.
Nearly two decades full-time live-aboard.
Twenty-four months twenty-four thousand miles around South America.
Alaska, Panama, all over north and central America.
Summers up rough logger tracks to remote mountain lakes.
Winters on isolated Baja beaches.
If it works, we keep it.
They can @Large Marge, but are alot more efficient when driving. 12v solar is an almost endless and sustainable energy supply in Australia if you've got the set up.
Sounds like you've had some great adventures!
~ Lauren
Anyone been able to bake bread in these?
Not something I have heard of, although I'm sure it's possible, may just require some trial and error. ~ Ben
Yes very doable in my travel buddy. I have made corn bread number of times came up a treat
Its not hot enough to bake bread in it. The fluffyness of a loaf of bread is caused by the co2 the yeast gives off as its dying in the heat or in bakers terms "kick". Need 200 to 230 degrees celcius or else ya bread is gonna turn out like a flat dense piece of crap lol.
Prabably owned by the same people.
Pretty sure it’s not. But been awhile since I have been camping with the owner of Travel Buddy.
They are definitely two different companies, Owen. ~ Ben
One guy left TB and stole the idea to produce RC. He is a dog lol.
Unfortunately, this product, MADE IN AUSTRALIA is not available in Germany, or I have not found it yet.
Personally, I would also buy only the original, although the Chinese have produced very well.
Unfortunately, as so often, they have no idea of their own and steal.
It is much easier and the costs for development can be saved.
But this is seen by the Chinese as "appreciation" when something is copied.
The edges (open, above) of the original are horrible.
Closure of the door, there is also something to improve here, etc.
There is also the term "product improvement or further development".
The manufacturer should work on this.
Thanks for your feedback, Jens. ~ Ben
Travel Buddy 👍 Aussie made all the way! Buy ABC - Anywhere But China 😉
I'm all for supporting Australian Made too. ~ Ben
I own a Travel Buddy love it but the presenter in this video down plays how hot that door gets. You cannot touch it after a few hrs. I will be doing the insulated door mod
Thanks for your feedback, Kieran. Lauren has one of these and based her information on personal experience. Maybe she is super heat tolerant. ~ Ben
But the KickAss glass door version. It has an insulated door but the door still gets to 90° when the inside is 180°.
The jury is out. Road chef is the winner.
Road Chef! Why is that, Jade. ~ Ben
@@SnowysOutdoors it's like a travel buddy, only it performs better, has better features, is better built (check out lock your hubs for a full teardown) and slightly cheaper to boot
Who knew that Billie Joe Armstrong had a daughter in Australia??
Not going to lie, I wouldn't mind Billie Joe for a Dad.
~ Lauren
Copy cat imported with a better latch but last i looked the aussia made is cheaper.
Owen Mawbey cheaper quality also, the wiring is insulated in the copy and not in the travel buddy, the latch and door are better also, the plug is Anderson on the copy, all round a better unit from the Wuhan clan, I’m buying Chinese this time because the Aussies have dropped the ball and don’t give a crap about quality, I won’t buy Aussie just because it’s Aussie it needs to be a good product also
exactly the same only the door is better on road chef, travel buddy will top out at 180 where road chef actually goes to 200 degrees, road chef for me.
Each to their own. For me, Australian made would be the decider every time. ~ Ben
Snowys Outdoors not when Australian built can’t give two shits about quality and cheap Chinese junk copies are better quality, Aussie builders need to lift their game, I’m Australian and the travel buddy is severely lacking in the quality department, especially where the safety of the wiring is concerned.
Snowys Outdoors so tell me where something becomes Australian made when most parts are bought on eBay in bulk from China or other sources from overseas sellers and suppliers and the product assembled in Bendigo, what a crock of shit these are Australian made, buy all parts from Australian manufacturers and suppliers and then you can claim Aussie made. everyone going yee haa I buy Aussie made any day when really you’re supporting the Wuhan clan.
@@FRERABRETZ1 I can only go on the feedback we have from customers on the performance of the product, which is all positive, and we have not had any problems with quality.
As for the wiring, this isn't something I'm an authority on, we can only assume that they are made following suitable standards, and it is in Travel Buddy's interest to ensure they are making their products safely.
~ Ben
@@FRERABRETZ1 certain parts are sourced from overseas simply because there is no manufacturer of the required part in Australia.
Personally, I'd rather buy something that is 50/70/90% Australian made provided it is up to the task than something that is 100% sourced and made overseas.
~ Ben
China would break I think
Couldn’t be too hot if you pulled the trays out bare handed
Lauren waited a little while for it to cool before grabbing the trays and eating the pies. ~ Ben
Youd think the chinese made one would be way cheaper being mass manufactured in a country that uses slave labour. Im definitely buying the aus made and hand made unit. And the original.
Aussie made all the way I reckon. ~ Ben
Road Chef direct Chinese Ripoff ... Go 100 %Aussie Made Travel Buddy
Its great to support Aussie made wherever possible.
~ Lauren
Did not mention insulates wiring on travel chef and heating times trave chef is much better fairly poor comparison do more resurch in future
Thanks for your feedback
~ Lauren
I don't see how a turkey can be roasted in one of these.
I wouldn't recommend roasting a Turkey in one of these, eaglen00b, it's just not going to fit. ~ Ben
It might if you run it over first.
100% insulated?? The Travel Buddy has a completely uninsulated door and no locking latch.
Save yourself issues and get the glass door KickAss Travel Oven with tray/trivet. Better than both of these.
Thanks for your advice, jerrymyahzcat. ~ Ben
Lie!! The buns are NOT hot!!! Didnt anyone notice she used her fingers to pull out the rack?
The racks had cooled for a few minutes, Prius Dwelling, I'm not sure what we would be lying about, or why lying would be of any benefit to us. ~ Ben
Sadly the Travel Buddy does not look Australian made the finish is very poor and that latch is a joke so Mr Buddy get your act together. Think i will look at the Kick Ass oven for $199.
We've always found the Travel Buddy to be solidly made and reliable, shrek mac.
They are not mass produced in a factory like the ovens that are imported, rather produced by a small team who assemble the ovens themselves with sheet metal laser cut in Melbourne, so whilst the finish may not be as polished they are well put together.
Plus, you can't look past Australian Made, and Travel Buddy are the only ones made here.
~ Ben
Lol ur saying the tb is not aussie made but ull go get the kick ass one which sure as hell isnt aussie made... u outed urself as a cheapskate on the internet
Should have just said straight away one s local and one is from China.
It's not the primary selling point for everybody though, TIMS PRB102. ~ Ben
@@SnowysOutdoors Well you say you fully support Australian made so it should definitely be a major selling point. Further research by me has shown the Road Chef may be faster and hotter but burns out the element . So better on paper and in short reviews but long term not great. Travel Buddy look to be playing it safe reliability wise but paying the price in reviews like this. I only like buying things once so i research as much as i can before putting my money down.
We do fully support Australian made, TIMS PRB102, but we also want to offer choice, and by doing this it enables us to compare and review. As it stands we have had mixed reviews coming from both sides of this debate and I'm not sure there is a clear winner when it comes to performance and quality.
What I can be sure of though is that if a customer was to ask me which one I would buy, my response would be the Travel Buddy primarily for the Australian Made factor.
~ Ben
AUSTRALIAN NOT CHINESE PEOPLE
We are all for Australian made, al how, we are just providing our customers with the choice. ~ Ben
Sorry, I am not supporting any product manufactured in China. Move your manufacturing back onshore.
I love that you want to support Aussie made, Stuart. Just to reiterate, Travel Buddy never moved offshore, they are still made here in Australia. Road Chef on the other hand are producing a very similar product from a factory in China. So you do have a choice here... personally I'd be choosing the Travel Buddy. ~ Ben
You can touch the metal with your Hmhands after cooking 1h???? That it's not hot... sorry
The oven is insulated so the outside doesn't get hot, and we had a few minutes to cool before the taste test so I could actually eat the pie without burning myself - hope that helps!
~ Lauren