The right RV microwave is going to make life on the open road a whole lot more enjoyable, particularly when it comes to preparing and cooking meals on the go.
The wrong RV microwave, however, is going to make your life on the open road almost always 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 are looking at other major appliances with a closer eye before they pull the trigger on an RV purchase, the quality of life upgrade 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 important 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, and while some people have been able to make do with traditional microwaves you’ll soon learn just how incompatible these two technologies really 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!
Comparison Table
IMAGE
PRODUCT
DETAILS
SHOP
SMART Technology
TOSHIBA EM131A5C-BS Countertop Microwave...
- Offering 1100 W of power while only consuming 0.6 ft.³ of space
- One of the most energy-efficient and powerful
Relatively Lightweight
Whirlpool WMC10007AW 0.7 Cu. Ft. White...
- Measuring in at 1.6 ft.³ of space
- It comes in at 1200 W of juice, six different adjustable temperature settings
Compact Unit
Danby DMW7700BLDB 0.7 cu. ft. Microwave Oven...
- This unit is ridiculously energy-efficient
- Own independent power source, running off of batteries, or tied into your generator.
Infinite Power Adjustment
Advent MW912BWDK Black Built-in Microwave...
- It has 900 W of power available at any point in time
- The installation process is pretty simple and straightforward
Powerful
- Offering up 0.9 ft.³ of cooking space
- Installation is simple and straightforward
The Top RV Microwave Options Today
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 available counter space or mounting space you have available but how – and how often – you plan on using your microwave as well.
You see, a lot of people look at their kitchenette inside of 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 ends up regretting the decision sooner rather than later.
Instead what you want to do with 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) thinking 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 are going to want to get their hands on an RV microwave so that they can pop popcorn, heat up snacks, or 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.
In fact, almost any old microwave will get the job done if this is the bulk of the heavy lifting you anticipate your new set up 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 every 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 easily help you tackle preparing more elaborate meals than just heating up 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 Really Matters
Only after figuring out how you expected to use your microwave on a regular basis from here on out will you be able to determine how large of a microwave you really need – and that’s going to inform where and how to install or mount your new microwave set up.
Again, if you expect to anticipate only needing a compact microwave every now and again you can get your hands on top of the counter and under mount microwaves for next to nothing. These little space savers are perfect for installing pretty much anywhere and everywhere in your kitchenette and aren’t going to give you any a real headache or hassle as far as set up and mounting is concerned.
On the flipside, if you’re looking for a much larger RV microwave with a lot of extra flexibility, you’re going to really need to look for a little bit of extra space you may need to “steal” for your microwave.
You might have to borrow space from counter cabinets, you might have to mount your microwave outside of your kitchenette, or you may have to reconfigure the way that your kitchenette is set up and established right now to accommodate this new appliance. That’s inevitably going to add a little bit of extra expense to this investment, but if your microwave is going to be a big piece of the puzzle when it comes time to cook in your nomadic travel wagon it’s always going to be money well spent!
Power Is Key, But So Is Energy Efficiency
Most of the best RV microwave solutions are plenty powerful enough to handle any of the heavy lifting you might throw at them when you want to prepare, cook, or warm-up meals or snacks – but not all of them are going to be as energy-efficient as the rest of the pack.
Energy efficiency is key especially if you’re going to want to use your new microwave when you are on the move and away from standardized electrical hookups. Some of the more powerful microwaves available are going to run 1200 W or higher, demanding quite a bit of electricity – and potentially overloading your generator, especially if you have other appliances that are tapping into that power source at the same time.
Others are going to use energy-efficient technology to deliver the kind of power and heating capabilities you’re after without drawing down on your generator or batteries much, and others still can take advantage of completely separate power banks dedicated to this appliance and this appliance alone to practically guarantee that you’re able to use your microwave to prepare or cook meals even if everything else in your RV is without power.
