Hello everyone. I'm a long time "lurker" here on the forums, but this is my first post. I've been amazed at the amount of helpful information to be found here. Early last year my wife and I purchased a 1985 Hunter 31, which we love, and have been using often. In fitting it out to our needs/desires, I find I would like to have a microwave aboard to use while we are pierside (either at our marina or while we are visiting another). I plan to only plug it in while it is being used (I've read enough posts in the archives on that topic to keep that in my thoughts). My questions to my fellow Hunter 31 owners are these: What make/model of microwave have you installed aboard? Where did you install it? Any pictures of said installations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help. Bruce Broseker
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microwave
The previous owner of our 1985 H31 had installed a microwave on top of the hanging locker opposite the head. It wasn't very convenient there; I wanted it in the galley where it belongs. My solution was to remove the alcohol stove completely (how often do you really use that anyway?) and attach a piece of counter top to the stove mounts. This created an eclosed cube-shaped area perfect for a small microwave. I cut slots in the "floor" of this compartment and wrapped a piece of 2" black nylon webbing over the top of the microwave and through the slots, and fastened it with an adjustable nylon buckle (much like a battery tie-down). (The advantage of this is that it stays in place even when heeled over but is easily removable if needed.) Drill a hole in the counter top to pass the plug through and you can plug it into the outlet directly above it when you're at the dock. Also, when I need a stove-top burner, I use a portable single burner stove that uses butane canisters. It's very compact and I simply place it on top of the counter when I need it and store it under the sink when we're sailing. This arrangement works great for us, since we rarely cook while we're under way, so the alcohol stove was just unnecessary weight. Tom Madura s/v Good Vices
The previous owner of our 1985 H31 had installed a microwave on top of the hanging locker opposite the head. It wasn't very convenient there; I wanted it in the galley where it belongs. My solution was to remove the alcohol stove completely (how often do you really use that anyway?) and attach a piece of counter top to the stove mounts. This created an eclosed cube-shaped area perfect for a small microwave. I cut slots in the "floor" of this compartment and wrapped a piece of 2" black nylon webbing over the top of the microwave and through the slots, and fastened it with an adjustable nylon buckle (much like a battery tie-down). (The advantage of this is that it stays in place even when heeled over but is easily removable if needed.) Drill a hole in the counter top to pass the plug through and you can plug it into the outlet directly above it when you're at the dock. Also, when I need a stove-top burner, I use a portable single burner stove that uses butane canisters. It's very compact and I simply place it on top of the counter when I need it and store it under the sink when we're sailing. This arrangement works great for us, since we rarely cook while we're under way, so the alcohol stove was just unnecessary weight. Tom Madura s/v Good Vices
unlike Tom.....
Bruce: Unlike Tom, we use our stove every weekend. Sometimes we just boil water to make coffee. Sometimes we heat bread in the oven or even cook a roast. The only practical place that I have found to mount a microwave in the H31 would be over the locker, just aft of the chart table. The key is to find one that is small enough to fit in that area. You may find that you will need to remove some of the teak rail on top of the cabinet to make it fit. I do not think that the brand makes much difference. If you could find one with a S.S. exterior, it would help to prevent rust, but other than that I would not worry. You can purchase one from anywhere around $50-130. If it goes south on you in a couple of years, who cares.
Bruce: Unlike Tom, we use our stove every weekend. Sometimes we just boil water to make coffee. Sometimes we heat bread in the oven or even cook a roast. The only practical place that I have found to mount a microwave in the H31 would be over the locker, just aft of the chart table. The key is to find one that is small enough to fit in that area. You may find that you will need to remove some of the teak rail on top of the cabinet to make it fit. I do not think that the brand makes much difference. If you could find one with a S.S. exterior, it would help to prevent rust, but other than that I would not worry. You can purchase one from anywhere around $50-130. If it goes south on you in a couple of years, who cares.
Previous owner had one...
mounted on the locker aft of the chart table, but he did not remove the rail. He just screwed a couple of 1"X 1" boards to raise the microwave above the rail. By the way, I use my stove A LOT!
mounted on the locker aft of the chart table, but he did not remove the rail. He just screwed a couple of 1"X 1" boards to raise the microwave above the rail. By the way, I use my stove A LOT!
Microwave
Thanks to everyone for thier replies so far. We do use our stove/oven, so removing that wouldn't really be an option for us. I was thinking that over the locker aft of the chart table was going to be the place to put it (especially considering the availability of a plug right there). The reason that I asked about specific makes/models is that in the last year of looking, I have yet to find one that will fit in that spot. I had the same idea as Gil's previous owner of using 1"x to "boost" it so that the rail wouldn't have to be cut. I just have a real aversion to cutting/modifing the fantastic wood work on this boat. Thanks Again, Bruce
Thanks to everyone for thier replies so far. We do use our stove/oven, so removing that wouldn't really be an option for us. I was thinking that over the locker aft of the chart table was going to be the place to put it (especially considering the availability of a plug right there). The reason that I asked about specific makes/models is that in the last year of looking, I have yet to find one that will fit in that spot. I had the same idea as Gil's previous owner of using 1"x to "boost" it so that the rail wouldn't have to be cut. I just have a real aversion to cutting/modifing the fantastic wood work on this boat. Thanks Again, Bruce
You guys have ovens??
All I have is a two burner Origo. Is the oven alcohol also or is your whole set up propane?
All I have is a two burner Origo. Is the oven alcohol also or is your whole set up propane?
Ovens
Yes, my setup is a single gimbaled unit with the two burner stove on top and an oven below it. All three are alcohol. Thanks, Bruce
Yes, my setup is a single gimbaled unit with the two burner stove on top and an oven below it. All three are alcohol. Thanks, Bruce
We're in same boat (no pun intended)
Greetings Bruce, We bought our 1985 Hunter 31 in September last year. Straightaway we decided we wanted a microwave (we have a stove/oven also)because of the convenience and ease of use. We want to place it aft of the nav. station too. I would not remove any of the teak to accomplish installation because I do not want to change the look of the cabin negatively. Putting a piece of 1 by to get allow the door to go over the rail is the solution for me, but haven't been able to find the right size microwave. We are continuing our search and will share what it is when we find it. David Gray
Greetings Bruce, We bought our 1985 Hunter 31 in September last year. Straightaway we decided we wanted a microwave (we have a stove/oven also)because of the convenience and ease of use. We want to place it aft of the nav. station too. I would not remove any of the teak to accomplish installation because I do not want to change the look of the cabin negatively. Putting a piece of 1 by to get allow the door to go over the rail is the solution for me, but haven't been able to find the right size microwave. We are continuing our search and will share what it is when we find it. David Gray
2 more cents worth
Just to clarify, we cook on board every weekend, but for me it was all about saving space. I figured a microwave and an alcohol oven were redundant, because 90% of the actual cooking we do on board is at the dock anyway. Boiling water or cooking a roast can be done in a microwave as long as you're plugged in. The single burner Kenyon Butane stove works great for those times away from the dock, and there's no alcohol to screw around with, just a small butane cartridge. A 4-cup 12V coffee maker helps, too. All this stuff (except the microwave) easily stores under the sink while under way. Here's a link for the Kenyon portable burner if you're interested. Of course, all things, considered, I'd rather be sailing than cooking anyway
Tom Madura s/v Good Vices (eagerly awaiting spring launch, despite the fact that it snowed yesterday!)
Just to clarify, we cook on board every weekend, but for me it was all about saving space. I figured a microwave and an alcohol oven were redundant, because 90% of the actual cooking we do on board is at the dock anyway. Boiling water or cooking a roast can be done in a microwave as long as you're plugged in. The single burner Kenyon Butane stove works great for those times away from the dock, and there's no alcohol to screw around with, just a small butane cartridge. A 4-cup 12V coffee maker helps, too. All this stuff (except the microwave) easily stores under the sink while under way. Here's a link for the Kenyon portable burner if you're interested. Of course, all things, considered, I'd rather be sailing than cooking anyway
Tom Madura s/v Good Vices (eagerly awaiting spring launch, despite the fact that it snowed yesterday!)Thanks
Thanks for all of the responses to date. It's interesting to hear that others are in the same situation as us in looking for a microwave. I'll continue to keep an eye out for one that fits, and post if/when I find it. Thanks Again, Bruce
Thanks for all of the responses to date. It's interesting to hear that others are in the same situation as us in looking for a microwave. I'll continue to keep an eye out for one that fits, and post if/when I find it. Thanks Again, Bruce
An Extra Two Cents Worth . . .
Each of us uses the boat in our own ways. For me, I use the alcohol stove a lot, but only used the oven a couple of times since owning the boat. The oven unbolts from the stove top on the Origo oven/stove combination, so I took the oven off and installed the microwave where the oven went. I had to make another shelf to bolt the stove to, which is ungimbled, but I don't cook while underway anyway. Its a nice compromise and works well for me. Just a thought.
Each of us uses the boat in our own ways. For me, I use the alcohol stove a lot, but only used the oven a couple of times since owning the boat. The oven unbolts from the stove top on the Origo oven/stove combination, so I took the oven off and installed the microwave where the oven went. I had to make another shelf to bolt the stove to, which is ungimbled, but I don't cook while underway anyway. Its a nice compromise and works well for me. Just a thought.
h31 Microwave
I have a Samsung .6cu ft microwave. It sits on the aft hanging locker. I have a small peice of 1"by1" wood on the leading edge. This tilts the microwave up allowing for the door to clear the fiddle. The microwave fits in there well.
I have a Samsung .6cu ft microwave. It sits on the aft hanging locker. I have a small peice of 1"by1" wood on the leading edge. This tilts the microwave up allowing for the door to clear the fiddle. The microwave fits in there well.
I too am considering this
I have thought about this a lot also and have considered adding an overhead shelf above the counter which makes the forward wall of the galley. If you mounted a stainless pole from the end of the counter to the overhead then mounted a shelf onto that it should hold a small microwave and some other stuff this setup would be similar to the H-33. I haven't made up my mind for sure yet though. Jim
I have thought about this a lot also and have considered adding an overhead shelf above the counter which makes the forward wall of the galley. If you mounted a stainless pole from the end of the counter to the overhead then mounted a shelf onto that it should hold a small microwave and some other stuff this setup would be similar to the H-33. I haven't made up my mind for sure yet though. Jim
Model Number?
Mike McMahon, do you have the Samsung model number for the one that you have that fits? Thanks again for all of the suggestions. Bruce
Mike McMahon, do you have the Samsung model number for the one that you have that fits? Thanks again for all of the suggestions. Bruce
Hey Mike Webster
I have the Origo two buner stove also. I was thinking of mounting a microwave underneath the stove also. What type of microwave did you use (model #) and did you put a shelf in to hold it? I am using the area inder the stove for storage.
I have the Origo two buner stove also. I was thinking of mounting a microwave underneath the stove also. What type of microwave did you use (model #) and did you put a shelf in to hold it? I am using the area inder the stove for storage.
Mark, the microwave I use . . .
was purchased about 10 years ago and is no longer in production. Any small microwave should work in this location, and build shelves to match. I divided off the area that the oven used to fit into. I installed a shelf at the correct height to hold the Origo stove. I then installed another shelf to hold the microwave. I now have an addition storage area under the microwave to hold pots and pans. I also installed another partition behind the microwave, and use the area where the gimboled oven used to swing for dry goods storage. It involved a modification to my counter top for access, but its very useful storage. I've kept the original oven, thinking that a future owner may want it in place of the microwave. It can always be changed back with a little work.
was purchased about 10 years ago and is no longer in production. Any small microwave should work in this location, and build shelves to match. I divided off the area that the oven used to fit into. I installed a shelf at the correct height to hold the Origo stove. I then installed another shelf to hold the microwave. I now have an addition storage area under the microwave to hold pots and pans. I also installed another partition behind the microwave, and use the area where the gimboled oven used to swing for dry goods storage. It involved a modification to my counter top for access, but its very useful storage. I've kept the original oven, thinking that a future owner may want it in place of the microwave. It can always be changed back with a little work.
Sunbeam 7700
Just bought at Walmart for $28.95 .7 cubic " 10" high fits on top of hanging locker aft of nav station. I use a cobra 1000/2000w inverter to run it
Just bought at Walmart for $28.95 .7 cubic " 10" high fits on top of hanging locker aft of nav station. I use a cobra 1000/2000w inverter to run it
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