Microwave - Yeh or Nay

[Gixer]

SWMBO is wanting a microwave, preferably something I can fix in place, not sure we need it but hey ho - any opinions on carrying a microwave in your MH ?

 

[coroner]

Thumbs up from us.600w microwave runs from invertor when off mains 2 x 110 amp batteries power it without any problems after all its only running for a few minutes at a time.

 

[Langtoftlad]

Why?
What can you do better in a microwave,
that can't be done by conventional cookery methods?

 

[funflair]

Changed the glass turn table type that came with our van for one of the flatbed type as they have more internal space and no glass turntable to rattle about while driving.
We use it while on EHU and so it's not wasted space, we use it as a bread bin and egg store.

We turn the turntable upside down and onto that non slip matting, no good as a bread bin though as it needs power on to open the door so might as well just keep it as a microwave, luckily we have plenty of battery power and an inverter.

 

[Lenny HB]

Think you need to work on your microwave technique Lenny.

Easier to use a saucepan, a lot easier to clean than a microwave.

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[Lenny HB]

Why?
What can you do better in a microwave,
that can't be done by conventional cookery methods?

Nothing.

 

[funflair]

Why?
What can you do better in a microwave,
that can't be done by conventional cookery methods?

Cook rice in a bag takes about 1 minute, heat 2 mugs of milk for latte, zap food that wasn't quite hot enough out of the oven, heat them bean bag things if you have a stiff neck etc etc.

 

[Tombola]

The one in my MH is better than the one at the house. Runs via my invertor, and saves me washing pans.
YAY

 

[Sunseeker 115]

wouldn't leave home without it, nagged his knibs till he fitted one yay

 

[Lenny HB]

Cook rice in a bag takes about 1 minute, heat 2 mugs of milk for latte, zap food that wasn't quite hot enough out of the oven, heat them bean bag things if you have a stiff neck etc etc.

Agree about the milk but not better just a bit quicker & no saucepan to wash up.
Rice in a bag-Yuck.

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[autorouter]

As others have said, it depends very much on your lifestyle. If you normally use the microwave a lot, then all the reasons you like a microwave apply ten times more when camping. If you're on EHU a lot, then it's not really a problem. I find an energy monitor that shows the present watts consumption helps to avoid tripping the hookup post if it's low amperage.

When not on hookup, a microwave is feasible if you have at least two leisure batteries, and a couple of hundred watts of solar. That's what you'll need to power the inverter and refill the batteries afterwards.

Appliances that use power in short bursts, like a microwave, are a reasonable load on the batteries. A microwave with input power of 1200W will take at least 1200/12 = 100A from the batteries. But to run for 6 minutes (1/10 of an hour) that's 100/10 = 10 amp-hours from the batteries. If you have 200Ah of battery, ie 100Ah usable capacity, that's reasonable, especially if your 200W of solar is making over 50Ah per day.

Rice in a bag-Yuck.

I'd agree with that, can't beat a proper rice cooker. Steams the veg as well.

 

[Chris]

How else do you dry off small dogs?

 

[Lenny HB]

Appliances that use power in short bursts, like a microwave, are a reasonable load on the batteries. A microwave with input power of 1200W will take at least 1200/12 = 100A from the batteries. But to run for 6 minutes (1/10 of an hour) that's 100/10 = 10 amp-hours from the batteries. If you have 200Ah of battery, ie 100Ah usable capacity, that's reasonable, especially if your 200W of solar is making over 50Ah per day.

But that is drawing 50 amps per battery more with inverter inefficiency although only for a short time it is still a high current draw which will shorten the batteries life. With a bank of 3 preferably 4 batteries not a problem.

 

[KiwiKampers]

It’s just a very heavy and noisy bread bin adding to my payload. The noise? The revolving plate rattles and jumps around.

 

[Onemanandhisdog]

You are supposed to stir the contents...

Get in there Lenny - the microwave that is!!

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[Langtoftlad]

Cook rice in a bag takes about 1 minute, heat 2 mugs of milk for latte, zap food that wasn't quite hot enough out of the oven, heat them bean bag things if you have a stiff neck etc etc.

Bean bag things fair enough, but its not exactly cooking.
Rice, even boil in the bag or microwave rice, can be done just as effectively in a pan.
Milk in a pan, what's the rush, you're on holiday...
Leave it in the already hot oven if not hot enough.

A microwave brings nothing to the table, especially taking into account space, weight & power considerations.

 

[Onemanandhisdog]

How else do you dry off small dogs?

Surely you meant "How else do you dry off small dogs in France" unless you have two major hates?

 

[dunnah01]

How else do you dry off small dogs?

Tumble dryer?

 

[RandallC]

Why?
What can you do better in a microwave,
that can't be done by conventional cookery methods?

Soften butter when you forgot to take it out of the fridge for sarnies AND Preheat Sue's pasta bake prior to oven cheese topping melt AND frozen peas when the hob is full AND most important, instant syrup sponge puds with lashings of fresh cream with filter coffee after a 10 mile walk.

Otherwise can't see a use, AAAH nearly forgot pocket warmer thingies

 

[Onemanandhisdog]

Soften butter when you forgot to take it out of the fridge for sarnies AND Preheat Sue's pasta bake prior to oven cheese topping melt AND frozen peas when the hob is full AND most important, instant syrup sponge puds with lashings of fresh cream with filter coffee after a 10 mile walk.

Otherwise can't see a use, AAAH nearly forgot pocket warmer thingies

Thanks for confirming, completely no use for me!

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[63720]

House Yes, van No.

 

[Tombola]

Sharwoods poppadums, speinkle with water 40 secs in a microwave, ding...poppadums no fat for dipping in a fatty curry

no I luv em with wome chopped beetroot, piccallili and onion, very healthy snack

 

[138go]

It's a no from me. I prefer proper cooking.

 

[funflair]

Bean bag things fair enough, but its not exactly cooking.
Rice, even boil in the bag or microwave rice, can be done just as effectively in a pan.
Milk in a pan, what's the rush, you're on holiday...
Leave it in the already hot oven if not hot enough.

A microwave brings nothing to the table, especially taking into account space, weight & power considerations.

But we have plenty of space payload and power just want the added convenience of a microwave.

 

[Grianan]

Dont have one either at home or in van

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[gpat]

We never used the microwave in a previous van, not for the intended purpose anyway, just as another cupboard. Not even sure why we bother to retain the one at home either, as that is very rarely used.

Yeah same with us

 

[autorouter]

But that is drawing 50 amps per battery more with inverter inefficiency although only for a short time it is still a high current draw which will shorten the batteries life. With a bank of 3 preferably 4 batteries not a problem.

Yes that's true, especially for gels which don't like high currents. 3 or 4 batteries is better, or it could be an excuse to go for lithium which can take much higher discharge currents.

 

[glenn2926]

We hardly use the microwave at home. Maybe once or twice a month. Certainly don’t need one in the van.

 

[TheAleMan]

Not for us, we hardly ever used the one when we had our house. In the van we have a portable electric oven (very good indeed), an air fryer, and a king pro electric pressure cooker..all bases covered I think

 

[TUCANO]

Gixer
Food for thought

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[Vipar]

Hi Lenny. Right here you go

3 tablespoons of dry porridge add water until you cover it don’t use milk. 2 minutes on full setting. Add milk to taste stir in until thoroughly mixed add 10 grapes gobble it. That my breakfast for 20 years plus never had and explosion. Must be adding the milk first.
I did have an explosion heating up lemonade then putting a spoon in it.