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Last Updated on August 24, 2024 by Paul Clayton
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Best RV Microwaves: Brand Buying Guide & Reviews
This compact and efficient kitchen tool is tailored to fit into the limited space of your RV kitchen without compromising on functionality. The RV microwave is not just for reheating food; it also offers cooking capabilities that allow you to prepare various meals.
- RV microwaves suit limited kitchen space in RVs.
- They use less power than household microwaves.
- Features vary for different RV microwaves available.
- Consider kitchen size and power availability for suitability.
- Proper ventilation and clearance are vital for installation.
- Regular maintenance ensures safe and efficient operation.
The suitable RV microwave will make life on the open road much more enjoyable, particularly when preparing and cooking meals on the go.
The wrong RV microwave, however, will almost always make your life on the open road miserable – if for no other reason than the appliance you bought to help you speed up cooking and reheating meals is constantly letting you down every step of the way.
And while most RV owners look at other significant appliances with a closer eye before pulling the trigger on an RV purchase, the quality of life upgrades you get when you knock your new RV microwave purchase right out of the park cannot be overstated.
Easily one of the most flexible, versatile, and arguably essential RV appliances anywhere in your RV, getting your hands on the perfect microwave should be one of your priorities.
Armed with the inside information below in this quick guide we have put together, you’ll find all kinds of tips and tricks to help you guarantee you always get the best RV microwave possible.
There’s a world of difference between microwaves that have been designed specifically for RVs and those that have been designed for traditional homes and apartments.
While some people have been able to make do with conventional microwaves, you’ll soon learn how incompatible these two technologies are.
So kick back, relax, and let’s dig a little bit deeper into all of the key features you should be hoping to get out of your new RV microwave – with a couple of recommendations for what we feel are the best of the best options on the planet today!
The Top RV Microwave Options Today
1. Toshiba
- Offering 1100 W of power while only consuming 0.6 ft.³ of space
- One of the most energy-efficient and powerful
Summary
The folks at Toshiba have been producing electrical appliances for decades and are responsible for some of the best traditional microwaves you’ll find on the market today. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that this same company can produce top-tier RV-specific microwaves.
However, some are (pleasantly) surprised that a lot of their SMART Technology from the traditional microwave world has made it over to their RV lineup.
Offering 1100 W of power while only consuming 0.6 ft.³ of space, this is one of the most energy-efficient, powerful, and capable compact RV microwave solutions you’ll find out there now.
Though you aren’t going to be able to prepare full-size meals in this microwave (the rotating heating plate only measures 9.5 inches in diameter), if you plan on using your microwave for smaller meals, heating leftovers, or popping a bit of popcorn, it doesn’t get a lot better than this.
Six different power levels are available, the defrost option works wonders, and the ability to dial in your cooking times with the mechanical wheel offers a level of accuracy you won’t find anywhere else.
2. Whirlpool
- Measuring in at 1.6 ft.³ of space
- It comes in at 1200 W of juice and has six adjustable temperature settings
Summary
Whirlpool is another household name brand that has been making fantastic appliances for years and years, and they also have a reputation for durable, reliable, and technologically advanced options that will not disappoint.
This microwave is slightly larger than the Toshiba we reviewed above, measuring 1.6 ft.³ of space. That will almost triple the space you have to cook and prepare meals on the go, opening up a lot of extra utility and functionality with this RV microwave you wouldn’t have otherwise.
Relatively lightweight – measuring in just 37.5 pounds – this is a prime candidate for under mounting on your upper cabinets in the kitchenette of your RV.
With this RV microwave, you’ll also get plenty of extra power to handle serious cooking. It comes in at 1200 W of juice, has six different adjustable temperature settings, and is one of the most straightforward control schemes we’ve ever seen in RV cooking appliances.
3. Danby
- This unit is ridiculously energy-efficient
- Own an independent power source, running off batteries or tied to your generator
Summary
Another compact unit (with 0.7 ft.³ of capacity available), the Danby unit, can surprisingly cook and prepare meals much faster and more consistently than other compact units thanks to its 700 W cooking power system.
This unit is ridiculously energy-efficient, maintaining as low a footprint as possible, whether hooked up to its independent power source, running off of batteries, or tied into your generator.
The unit allows you to dial in cooking temperatures and cooking times by weight, allowing you to heat and cook food more evenly than you would have with more traditional units that only allow you to adjust by power and time.
There are some quality control and reliability questions surrounding these RV microwaves, but by and large, these are pretty solid units you can rely on to help you handle some of the cooking going on in your RV.
4. Advent
- It has 900 W of power available at any point in time
- The installation process is pretty simple
Summary
The Advent is a “tank” in the RV microwaves, if only because the folks behind this particular unit have taken zero shortcuts in its fit, finish, or the construction materials used to round it out.
You’re looking at a microwave with 900 W of power available anytime. However, thanks to unique electrical engineering going on “under the hood,” you won’t ever have to worry about the system overloading your RV electrical layout.
Ten different power levels allow you to infinitely adjust your microwave to the task at hand, really dialing in the right power and heating controls – as well as timing your microwave correctly – so that you never have to worry about scorching your food on the outside while leaving it almost frozen on the inside.
The installation process is pretty simple, too. Most reviews online show that it can be installed with a DIY approach in about 30 minutes, with no electrical skills or special knowledge necessary.
5. Greystone
- Offering up to 0.9 ft.³ of cooking space
- Installation is simple
Summary
While not exactly a household name brand (yet), even with those that own RVs, this company has been producing some of the best “on the move” microwaves of the last ten years.
Powerful, capable, and utilizing only the highest technology and construction materials, this is one of the most robust and reliable systems we’ve uncovered throughout our research.
This company focuses exclusively on producing appliances for RVs, giving them a significant advantage. Offering up to 0.9 ft.³ of cooking space but still maintaining a slimline and compact footprint, installation is simple.
It also takes advantage of a 1350-watt power supply – more significant than any other option on our list and certainly more extensive than any of the other compact footprint options – that will help you eat, prepare, and cook meals with zero difficulties.
One-touch features make this a breeze to use, though the power settings (of which there are more than 10, with six preconfigured) can be difficult to cycle through until you get the hang of things.
The folks at Greystone produce one of the best microwaves for RVs, and they are worth your consideration.
How Do You Plan On Using Your New RV Microwave?
One of the most important things you have to consider when you’re getting ready to purchase this appliance is how much available real estate you have to commit to a microwave, a decision that won’t just be informed by the amount of open counter space or mounting space you have available but how – and how often – you plan on using your microwave as well.
You see, many people look at their kitchenette inside the RV and try to figure out where they could slap a microwave and where they wouldn’t have to sacrifice too much under the counter or on the counter space by doing so.
Most end up pulling the trigger on any old microwave that will fit in the space available and usually regret the decision sooner rather than later.
Instead, you want to think about how you anticipate using your microwave the majority of the time you are going to be spending in your RV, then (and only then) think about how and where you’re going to put your microwave – prioritizing its functionality over the available real estate you have staring you in the face right now.
Some people will want to get their hands on an RV microwave to pop popcorn, heat snacks, warm up leftovers, or take out that they grab while they are out and about on the road.
These kinds of RV owners aren’t going to have to invest in microwaves that are all that big, all that powerful, or all that feature-rich.
Almost any old microwave will get the job done if this is the bulk of the heavy lifting you anticipate your new setup having to tackle.
On the other hand, your RV microwave can quickly become just as important – if not more important – the end the stove or oven set up you have in your microwave if you’re going to be depending on it to help you cook and prepare meals, rather than just things up now and again.
These kinds of microwaves do double duty as a makeshift convection oven, can include toaster oven capabilities built right in, and can quickly help you tackle preparing more elaborate meals than just heating something that was frozen.
These are the kinds of RV microwaves that are going to demand a little bit of extra space (though usually not too much more) and are the kinds of microwaves that will transform your quality of life just by opening up a new level of flexibility in your kitchenette that wouldn’t have existed before.
Size Matters
Only after figuring out how you expect to use your microwave regularly from here on out will you be able to determine how large of a microwave you need – and that will inform where and how to install or mount your new microwave set up.
Again, if you anticipate only needing a compact microwave now and again, you can get your hands on the counter and undermount microwaves for next to nothing.
These little space savers are perfect for installing pretty much anywhere and everywhere in your kitchenette and don’t give you any real headache or hassle as far as set up and mounting are concerned.
On the flip side, if you’re looking for a much larger RV microwave with a lot of extra flexibility, you will need to look for a little bit of extra space, which you may need to “steal” for your microwave.
You might have to borrow space from counter cabinets, mount your microwave outside your kitchenette, or reconfigure how your kitchenette is set up and established right now to accommodate this new appliance.
That will inevitably add a little bit of extra expense to this investment. Still, if your microwave will be a big piece of the puzzle when it comes time to cook in your nomadic travel wagon, it will always be money well spent!
Power Is Key, But So Is Energy Efficiency
Most of the best RV microwave solutions are powerful enough to handle any heavy lifting you throw at them when you want to prepare, cook, or warm up meals or snacks – but not all of them will be as energy-efficient as the rest of the pack.
Energy efficiency is vital, especially if you want to use your new microwave when moving away from standardized electrical hookups.
Some of the more powerful microwaves available will run 1200 W or higher, demanding quite a bit of electricity – and potentially overloading your generator, especially if you have other appliances tapping into that power source simultaneously.
Others will use energy-efficient technology to deliver the power and heating capabilities you’re after without drawing down on your generator or batteries much.
Others can still take advantage of entirely separate power banks dedicated to this appliance alone to guarantee you can use your microwave to prepare or cook meals, even if everything else in your RV is without power.
Is there a difference between an RV microwave and a regular microwave?
Yes, there is indeed a difference between an RV microwave and a regular microwave. While both types function similarly in heating food, their size sets them apart significantly.
Due to space constraints in a recreational vehicle (RV), the microwaves designed for these mobile homes are considerably smaller than their regular counterparts.
This size difference allows RV microwaves to fit comfortably within the limited kitchen space of an RV without compromising their functionality.
Final Words
In conclusion, an RV Microwave is a versatile and resourceful appliance specifically designed to accommodate the confined kitchen spaces of RVs.
It utilizes less power than traditional household microwaves, making it a more efficient and practical option for those on the go. The diverse range of features available in different RV Microwaves caters to various cooking needs and preferences.
However, when selecting an RV Microwave, it is crucial to consider the size of the kitchen area and the power availability to ensure its suitability and optimal performance.
Additionally, proper ventilation and clearance are essential for the safe installation and operation of the appliance. Regular maintenance further enhances its safety and efficiency, guaranteeing this integral RV kitchen appliance’s durable and reliable service life.
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