Want to know the secret to quick and easy meals while living in an RV? Have you thought about your microwave?
When it comes to RV living, it’s important to make the most of limited space. And that’s where a good RV microwave comes in. It’s not just about finding a microwave that fits in your RV but also one that works efficiently and meets your specific needs.
An RV microwave comes in two styles. The first is the typical model found in homes: countertop and over-the-range versions that quick-cook or heat meals. The second, more common type, is convection microwaves, which work more like an oven to bake food like chicken or pizzas.
The best RV microwaves are also compact yet powerful enough to handle your cooking needs. They’re designed to be easy to use, with intuitive controls and features that make cooking on the road as simple as possible. Plus, they’re built to withstand the rigors of RV life, so they’re durable and reliable.
One of the standout features of top RV microwaves is their energy efficiency. They’re designed to work well with your RV’s power system, so you can heat up your meals without worrying about draining your battery. And this is important because less powerful compact models allow you to run the unit and another high-wattage-draw appliance like the air conditioner at the same time without blowing a fuse.
So, if you’re in the market for an RV microwave or are just interested in learning more, keep these points in mind. It’s all about finding the right balance between size, power, usability, and efficiency.
Common Reasons You Need an RV Microwave
RV microwaves allow you to cook meals quickly without the need to waste propane by turning on the oven or stovetop or pulling out and starting up the grill.
Some RVs do not come with an oven or stove, so the microwave is a convenient alternative to heat food.
To avoid the hassles of turning on the oven and warming up your entire RV, which is horrible in the summer months when most people go camping.
Microwaves reduce food waste by letting you easily reheat leftovers instead of throwing them in the trash.
A microwave requires less cleaning and cooking time for people who want more time to enjoy their trip.
Common Benefits of Using an RV Microwave
The main reason to use an RV microwave is to save space. Many RVers opt to remove their RV oven and stovetop and only use the microwave so that they can use that space for more storage.
RV microwaves are much easier to keep clean over a stovetop or oven, which requires caustic oven cleaners and lots of elbow grease to remove baked-on food.
A microwave won’t warm up your entire RV to cook a meal as an oven does, so you save money on running the A/C or the bother of opening windows to air out the rig.
Microwaves are safer to run than gas stoves as they don’t emit any fumes during use or have a chance of propane leaks from gas lines vibrating loose.
RV microwaves are easy to replace if they break while on the road, and non-convection versions are relatively inexpensive.
Top Brands With a Strong Reputation
Advent offers reliable microwaves for RVs in both standard and convection versions in over-the-range or countertop designs.
Contoure offers built-in microwave models for RVs to replace an existing unit or for new installation during a remodel.
RecPro offers compact or standard-size built-in RV microwaves that are very efficient on power, so you don’t have to worry about which appliances are running at one time.
Oh, and in the event you got the impression that we were suggesting you forgo your campground fireplace … never! But let’s be honest, sometimes being able to cook a hot sandwich in a few minutes is nice too.
Best RV Microwaves
Below are our recommendations for the top RV microwaves.
Least Expensive: SMETA Small Countertop Microwave Oven (Compact)
The SMETA Small Countertop Microwave Oven is known for its compact size and sleek design. It offers easy-to-use features and efficient operation, making it an excellent choice for RVs with limited kitchen space.
| Attributes | Details |
|---|---|
| Pros | Compact design, easy-to-use features, sleek aesthetic |
| Cons | Limited capacity due to its small size, may lack advanced features |
| Size | 18.1 x 14.2 x 11.3 inches |
| Weight | 24.5 lbs |
| Energy Consumption | 700 watts |
Mid-Range: Toshiba EM925A5A-BS Microwave Oven (Full Size)
This microwave is praised for its easy-to-use interface and powerful cooking capabilities. It also has a sleek design that fits well in most RV kitchens.
| Attributes | Details |
|---|---|
| Pros | Easy-to-use interface, powerful cooking capabilities, sleek design fits well in most RV kitchens |
| Cons | May consume more power, larger size might not fit in all RV kitchens |
| Size | 19.2 x 15.9 x 11.5 inches |
| Weight | 27 lbs |
| Energy Consumption | 900 watts |
More Power: Panasonic NN-SN686S Microwave Oven (Full Size)
This microwave is known for its inverter technology that provides even cooking and defrosting. It also has a large capacity, making it suitable for larger meals.
| Attributes | Details |
|---|---|
| Pros | Inverter technology provides even cooking and defrosting, large capacity for larger meals |
| Cons | May not fit in smaller RV kitchens due to its size, may consume more power |
| Size | 20.7 x 12.25 x 15.8 inches |
| Weight | 25.5 lbs |
| Energy Consumption | 1200 watts |
Other Popular, Recommended RV Microwaves
Conclusion
We hope our guide helped. Whether you decide on an RV microwave or prefer to keep it old-school with a campfire, we hope you’re spending your free time with good friends and family in the great outdoors.
I am looking for a microwave oven with the trim kit dimension of 21″ wide 113/4″ high plus an oven to fit please advise.