Camping Ovens

Lightweight and Portable

23rd May 2025

Introducing round, pan-like ovens. I omitted the folding rectangular Coleman type, except for a comparative video, and cast iron dutch ovens.

These ovens seem to be most popular in Germany, Scandinavia and Italy. Many websites and videos are in those languages.

For text translation google translate

For translations of videos that have no English subtitles there are a few extra steps to get them translated (there may be another, more direct way that I don't know of).

go into the video info section and click on "transcript"
in the transcript box click on the "more" icon ( ⋮ three vertical dots) if the transcript shows timestamps
click "toggle timestamps" to remove them
copy text
go to google translate
paste text into left box
choose the origin language or "detect language" if not sure in the left box and "English" in the right box

I give links to several sources for most models as product prices vary, but when different postage costs and potential discounts are taken into account, the total cost may be differently weighted. Also, sometimes the cheaper site has less images and information, and stock levels change.

Prices for foreign purchases fluctuate with exchange rates.

Most foreign sellers will deal with the VAT their end so you don't get charged VAT twice. Duty is not charged for purchases under £135 including shipping.

These ovens are relatively compact and energy efficient. Depending on model, they may perform any functions of a regular oven on a smaller scale

bake bread, pizza, cake, biscuits, lasagne, casseroles, pies, muffins and more
roast
grill
steam
cook
fry

They are used primarily on gas stoves for best control, but also alcohol stoves that can be regulated, and some may also be used on charcoal and wood stoves. They can be equipped with a thermometer.

Times are, generally, the same as for full size ovens, however, the smaller size requires considerably less energy.

Tips

for stoves which put out too much heat: use simmer plate
on chimney models prevent burning by keeping a small gap next to the chimney or use silicon liner
pre-heating is generally not required; depending on stove output, turn heat up high for 3-5 minutes at start of cooking, then reduce to smallest flame for the remainder
see last video below for tips on above
for even baking top and bottom better to keep the boost at the start on the short side and add a few extra minutes
lots of comments on videos and reviews are good source of useful information, hints tips, experience (source of much of the info here)

Types

They come in two main types and a hybrid

with a central "chimney", creating a hole in the centre, thus food is arranged around the chimney
with a heat spreader plate raised slightly above a large hole in the base, thus food can occupy most of the space above
hybrid - with a chimney in the main compartment and an optional baking tray which sits across the main compartment and the chimney

Makes and models by size and type

The most popular makes and new models with special features. A general search for "camping ovens" will lead to a few more models.

Large ovens - 30 to 35cm

"Nonna Aurelia" - two sizes (30cm and 35cm), heat spreader plate, no chimney, with small window in lid, can take two levels, aluminium, allows use of different trays and pans as placed on racks/trivets, basic accessories included, high capacity cooking, high lid allows two tier baking of bulkier items.

Maker's website page for the oven in both sizes

Pentole Agnelli: maker's name
Nonna Aurelia: product name, though not referred to by that name on the Italian website, except seen on the box - most commonly what people call it in videos and discussions, often just "Nonna" - probably better search term for in-depth research

Purchase from Pentole Agnelli (link above - unknown extra charges)
30cm €88.33 = ~ £74
35cm €100.25 = ~ £84.10

From another Italian site (unknown extra charges)
35cm €67 = ~ £56.32

From amazon
30cm £51.93 + £7 delivery, shipped from Italy
35cm £106.97 free delivery, shipping from amazon directly

Prices have varied widely, and both sizes appear to be on the low side right now.

The bigger one may be too big for some camping gas cookers which have lids and wind shields in the upright position.

"Petromax" - two models with chimney (31.6cm, 2L capacity), one as hybrid with optional baking tray to go over main compartment, stainless steel (requires longer cooking times due to faster heat dissipation), accessories not included.

The standard Petromax model with fixed handles is a hybrid when used with optional baking tray and allows two tier baking, though low lid allows only thin items on the top tier (pizza, biscuits and similar). It is not clear if the "Dimego" model with folding handles can be used with the baking tray. Both models appear to be the same size, though the Dimego's pan has a ceramic coating which may get damaged in contact with the baking tray.

Standard model

reduced £58.79 (unknown extra charges) Bushcraft Lab

£69.95, free shipping and current discount code of 20% off = ~£56 (see banner for code if still applicable) Mountain Warehouse

reduced £62.99 (unknown extra charges) Funky Leisure

reduced £69.95 shows diagram of how it works (unknown extra charges) Forest School Shop

£74.50 (unknown extra charges), extra images and info Wood to Water

£79.95 extra images Amazon

Baking tray for standard Petromax oven - out of stock, but price should be around £25 as seen on other o/s websites - although the above ovens are sometimes shown with the baking tray, it is a separate purchase, and seemingly difficult to get at present Amazon

Dimego model

£84.95 Amazon

Small ovens - 30cm to 26cm

"Omnia" - 26cm, two heights available (2L and 3L), chimney type, well established and best known of its kind, aluminium, optional ceramic coated pan available, sold as basic three-part set or full kit, Omnia and third-party accessories available.

Starting at €44.90 = ~£37.84 for the basic model on Omnia's own website

"RoadBaker" - based on the Omnia dimensions, chimney type, comes with ceramic coated pan as standard, has large window in lid, lid also available separately to upgrade the Omnia and other ovens of same diameter, two level baking, available as basic oven or variously configured kits, various parts and accessories available separately, currently not shipping outside of EU.

oven, basic model reduced €89.90 = ~ £75.68 RoadBaker website

lid ("RoadTop") reduced €44.95 = ~ £37.84 RoadTop page

"Hajka Oven" - 23cm, with heat spreader plate (no chimney), sold as full kit directly from the inventor (outdoor chef and cookbook author not satisfied with existing models), new on the market with first batches gone to Kickstarter supporters, new batch for general public to ship end of May, it is, as the Germans say, the egg laying wool-milk pig and can fulfil all the functions listed at the top. Each part is made of a material best suitable for its function

S/S base, roasting pan and rack
carbon steal heat spreader and pizza plate
aluminium lid and ceramic lined baking pan, and heat distributer as optional extra (for bringing more heat into the middle of a deep dish such as cake or casseroles, reducing energy need and cooking time by up to 20% - not clear if the metal is anodised and if not may not be safe with acidic food (I'm awaiting answer on that from maker)

£140 including postage Hajka website

Videos

German language videos

baking on a trip link
comparing the Nonna, Omnia and Petromax link
baking like at home with the Nonna link
quick bread in the Nonna and Omnia link
comparing the two Petromax models link

Petromax Campo tips (also applicable to some other models) link

shows how to prevent burning with an additional cone forming a space between the main cone and the flame
for quickly pre-heating don't try to heat up the cold air under the lid but exchange it by leaving the lid open a chink (about 1cm) so the cold air is driven out when temperature reached close lid and turn heat to lowest setting
he also adjusts temperature if too low by opening the lid as before
he suggests the lid should have a small adjustable venting hole, something the Nonna has

Other videos

Comparing the rectangular, folding Coleman with the Omnia link. There are several videos on whether the Coleman is any good - just search "camping oven"

Many more on YT with some English language videos (also check blog posts). When searching for the Hajka oven include the word "oven" as "hajka" is simply Swedish for hiking and would bring up a lot of irrelevant results.