Asking for a friend, as they say... Does anyone know of a compact microwave that is worth having in a campervan, other than the small 'cheap and cheerful' ones available in supermarkets? Space is at a premium, so size really does matter in this instance.
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You need to check the input wattage as a standard microwave will trip the site electrics. The rated wattage is the output of the oven. The input is almost double, for example a 900W microwave requires an input of approximately 1400W. A standard microwave also has a starting surge of 3 to 5 times the running current. Units designed for caravans usually incorporate a soft start to reduce the starting current.
before we had our current caravan we just used one of the tesco cheapie microwaves, i think it was 750 watt, never had a problem with it, but the only thing is that actual size of the unit might be to big for what your wanting, we had space spare inside, but would put in the awning when that was up
We’re away in the MH (glorious weather!) so I’ve checked what’s fitted in ours (AS Nuevo)
Daewoo KOR-6L6BDBK
It’s not that compact (18”x10” or so - my handspan is 9”, so that’s approximate). There’s a vent in the side of the cupboard. I know MH folk who have removed theirs to use the space for storage.
It has various automatic options including, bizarrely, “frozen pizza”. We just use it for microwave rice rather than the faff of draining rice or the volume of a rice cooker.
Our current and last motorhomes came with microwaves fitted. On both we've had the electrics trip when using the microwave (due to the surge mentioned by Bernie47). I have no idea whether the microwaves fitted are camping specific or merely just domestic ones fitted to the motorhome.
On a good, 16amp supply, you should be able to run the microwave whilst running other things like the heating/hot water/lighting/ fridge etc but it does seem to be a lottery.
The standard OEM fitment microwave in my van is a Daewoo KOR-6L5R, rated at 800W output, 1200W input and requiring around minimum 6A supply (Daewoo's words, not mine! - 6A = 1440W!). It's dimensions are 446 x 270 x 318 mm, so not minuscule, 20l cavity volume, and 10.5Kg weight.
It has an 'Eco' feature whereby after 10 minutes of inactivity or at the push of a button it goes into a shutdown/power saving mode until revived by another press of a button.
It's fitted in an eye level open fronted 'cupboard' with it's own dedicated vents to outside of caravan to vent steam/heat generated during heating/cooking (and they are very much needed when in the confines of a 'cupboard'! - I have actually had it trip it's inbuilt overheat protection where it needed to cool down before resuming working!
As to whether you can use the microwave at the same time as other appliances (as mentioned by Kenles above), that very much depends on the rating of the EHU, AND the wiring/power distribution within your van, on mine the heating and power sockets are on different MCBs, so little risk of tripping them, and mine have happily been run at same time (16A EHU). As already mentioned (shame manufacturers never bother to mention it in their instructions!) microwaves draw large surge currents on start up, way in excess of their normal running current, that can trip a MCB pushed near it's tripping current by multiple appliances, so some caution needed.
Not sure I've ever seen a microwave marketed specifically for caravan/MH use, but those OEM fitted do tend to be lowish power, compact size and low weight for perhaps obvious reasons.
A few things that you need to consider for use in a camper/MH/caravan over and above power concerns. Weight, can the shelf/bracket/cupboard withstand the weight of it under travel conditions where it's static weight is multiplied by the 'bouncing movement' of the vehicle. On the subject of movement, the glass turntable either needs removing for safe travel storage, or securely wedging in place during travel (I use a block of expanded polystyrene wedged between turntable and cavity roof), or risk of it breaking/damaging microwave interior! The entire microwave needs some restraint to stop it moving during travel (even with wells for the feet to locate in and a restraining brace inside the cupboard, mine tends to move within the cupboard on bumpy roads!).
With some regards made to it's power demands and weight, I can't see much wrong with a budget microwave from the supermarket, so long as above comments are considered. It is what it is, it may not live forever, and for certain it won't have been built especially for the rougher travelling conditions of mobile use as opposed to a fixed domestic kitchen, but it's going to be cheap enough that should it happen, early failure is not the end of the world. If such a thing as a dedicated camper/MH/caravan microwave did exist, you can guarantee that the price would make your eyes water as is the case of all other dedicated appliances!!!!
If you have the space and budget, inverter based microwaves usually made by Panasonic can be more flexible. Though not all Panasonic microwaves are inverter based, especially the lower priced models.
A normal microwave runs at 100% or 0% power, so frequenty switches on and off. On the lowest setting it will be 0% (off) most of the time with short bursts of 100% hence you can usually hear the hum as as it cycles on and off. At full power it runs 100%.
An inverter microwave runs at a consistent output, usually from ~ 10% to 100% so isn't continuously switching on and off and causing surges. If you set 50% power, it will run continuously at 50%.
If you are at a site with a limited power budget, a lower power setting will usually work as it does not cycle 100% like conventional microwaves.
Saying that, we've used a Daewoo QT3 (pink) for the last few years when glamping, great when the kids needed bottles etc in the night. Or for the small frozen chicago pizza's in a pinch. Very basic, only 600W output and too small for a full size plate but otherwise has been good and I've never yet had an issue with electrics on 6 or 10A sites. This may be the first year we camp without it as kids have now out grown... though her ladyship does like supermarket curry night with the trimmings which it also heats up nicely.
You might like to ask your friend what they are going to use it for bearing in mind that they have managed without one so far.
I only ask because we have a fixed unit in our caravan which has probably only been used a couple of dozen times in the 12 years we have had the caravan. Perhaps our eating habits are abnormal but microwaved food in the caravan just doesn't seem to gel.
DaveS1
They were thinking it would be a quick, easy way to heat up small portions, as one of them has to eat little and often for health reasons. It may be that they decide the hassle outweighs the benefit, but after the advice received here at least they'll be able to make an informed decision.
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Topic: Small microwave oven for campervan?
via mobile 27/3/2022 at 10:20am
but otherwise has been good and I've never yet had an issue with electrics on 6 or 10A sites. This may be the first year we camp without it as kids have now out grown... though her ladyship does like supermarket curry night with the trimmings which it also heats up nicely.
