Microwave

PaulK · May 19, 2014

RV's seem to have 12-volt ones that aren't too big. They may take longer than 110v ones to heat things up, but you won't have to run the generator or be plugged in.

kloudie1 · May 19, 2014

I've been looking for a while and these two are the best compact candidates I've located.
http://www.amazon.com/Whirlpool-WMC...1400553095&sr=8-3&keywords=smallest+microwave
Or
http://www.amazon.com/Sunbeam-SGS90...1400553095&sr=8-2&keywords=smallest+microwave

They may be available at places like Wally World or Best Buy

Benny17441 · May 19, 2014

It seems the real small ones come at a premium and yet really lack the interior space to heat basic plates of food. Walmart has an Oster .7cf 700W for $59.99. Those can run at anchor with an inverter to heat up things.

Chief RA · May 20, 2014

I just bought the Sunbeam unit from Amazon. It seems to be a good unit. Chief

Ron20324 · May 20, 2014

Be aware sometimes the watts is COOKING power, not AC draw.

twdevore · May 20, 2014

I've been looking at this one. Having the pizza drawer seems like a good option. I'm taking out the oven so will have room. It is a bit large.
http://www.amazon.com/LG-LCSP1110ST...=8-1&keywords=microwave+with+pizza+oven+combo

bananabender56 · May 20, 2014

Also using a modified sine wave inverter may damage some microwave controls.

Chief RA · May 20, 2014

Bananabende56 is right on with his caution and I will also add that it really isn't a good idea to run a microwave on an inverter unless you have a full sinewave 2k or more inverter. Rons input is good also since a 700w m/w actually draws 1050 watts! Thats over 80 amps DC draw for an inverter counting its own 10% draw factor added in. Run them on shore power or a good generator is best.
Chief

Rick D · May 20, 2014

Probably, but...

Chief RA said:
Bananabende56 is right on with his caution and I will also add that it really isn't a good idea to run a microwave on an inverter unless you have a full sinewave 2k or more inverter. Rons input is good also since a 700w m/w actually draws 1050 watts! Thats over 80 amps DC draw for an inverter counting its own 10% draw factor added in. Run them on shore power or a good generator is best.
Chief

...All good advice. I will say I have run a 700 watt microwave for 15 years with a non-sine wave Heart 2500 inverter without consequences. Of course, now that I mention it, it will likely dump...

Chief RA · May 20, 2014

Rick, you sure that Heart's a square wave? I would be surprised if it is as I would think one of that size is at least a modified square wave. That thing can draw 25 amps with nothing even plugged into it! Chief

Stu Jackson · May 20, 2014

Chief, he said "non-sine wave" NOT square wave. Big difference. The older Freedom units were modified sine wave. We have a F15, he has a F25. Our microwave is still working just fine 15 years later, too.

alexco38 · May 20, 2014

The least used equipment in our gallery is the microwave.
Electric is harder and longest to replace. Propane is readily available.
Boiling water took 1.5 minutes per cup in microwave or 3 minutes on stove top.
Reheat lunch took 2-3 minutes, or 5-6 minutes in the oven including pre-heat.
Can't use microwave under sail because it's not gimball. Food slide off the turntable.
Almost need 30A draw on the battery for the inverter.
So, it is a nice looking food storage now.

Stu Jackson · May 20, 2014

We are so grateful that our PO installed a microwave. Of course we don't use it when sailing, but I don't use our gimballed stove or oven when sailing either. The short amount of time it runs (or needs to run), even at a 30A load, is easily plugged into our energy budget and easily replaced in the house bank. We boil water for coffee on the stove and cook on the stove. But for reheats or heating sandwiches or frozen foods, it's priceless. If we didn't have it, we wouldn't have missed it, but we're sure glad it's there.

Your boat, your choice.

There may be a good reason that builders are including them as basic equipment these days, not only for "marina queens."

seadaddler · May 20, 2014

My Microwave that HUNTER installs in most new boats just a month ago went crazy and stopped working.
I replaced it with a microwave we got at sears I think and it had to be a size
that will fit in the cabinet made for it at the factory.
I run it off my 2500 freedom inverter/charger with no problems and have 2-6 volt golf cart house bank with 2-195 solar panels.
We would be lost with out it and even wanted to remove the stove oven and install a larger microwave but too much trouble to add 2 burner stove top but may remove the oven at a later date,using the microwave is way better than using the oven herein mostly Hot Florida.
Most microwaves use lots of power when not at shore power and need good size
house bank.
Nick

Chief RA · May 20, 2014

So Stu, what concept does a non sinewave work on if its not a square wave? I'm sure you are aware that a square wave is not a sinewave either? Chief

Stu Jackson · May 20, 2014

Oh, c'mon, Chief. Modified sine wave isn't pure sine wave, yes it's square, but the microwaves still work. That's all.

Chief RA · May 20, 2014

Its good that the m/w work on a square wave output as many appliances do not, including some m/w. Chief

Stu Jackson · May 20, 2014

Chief, I've read some anecdotal material that suggests

1) smaller microwaves work on non pure sine

2) older ones do, too

Ours is both small and old (at least 1995).

Could also be the smaller ones are still made for RVs and are designed for less demanding input.

Dunno for sure.

Chief RA · May 21, 2014

Stu, I only said some work, some do not. Most of us do not have 15 year old m/w and the newer large inverters are sinewave and work fine with all appliances. Chief