The best kind of RV microwaves can cook and reheat anything, including meat and munchies and the leftovers from a night’s dinner. We have included a full list of factors in our buying guide on the best RV microwaves. If you are in a hurry, this is all you need to know now.
Capacity: RV microwaves come with various capacities. They typically start from 0.7 cu.ft and can go up to 1.1 cu. ft. If you have one to two people living in an RV a 0.7 cu. ft might be sufficient for reheating foods, defrosting frozen meats, and preparing snacks. However, if you have more people, you will need something with a higher capacity. Go for at least 1 cu. ft capacity. They will have more cooking options and controls. You can also opt for a convection microwave if you wish to grill and bake your favourite chicken steak, turkey, pork, cakes, and muffins. Auto-cook options: The second thing you might want to look at is auto-cook options. Having auto-cook options in an RV makes cooking more convenient for you. There can be auto-cook options such as pasta, pizza, popcorn, and baked potato in a solo microwave. At the same time, you can get roasting and baking options like roasted whole chicken, pork breast, cakes, cookies, and muffins in a convection microwave. Having a microwave with automatic functions makes cooking faster and easier. The size: Most online sellers specify both the internal and external measurements of their RV microwaves. The exterior dimension tells you how much space the microwave will need on the countertop or where you plan to house it. The interior dimensions will let you know if the microwave can accommodate your dinner plates and soup bowls while allowing the turntable to spin effectively.
Choosing the right RV microwave can be challenging with so many options out there in the market. In this article, we are enlisting the best of the best RV microwaves of different capacities, sizes, and price tag and also added a “Buying Guide” so as to help you in your buying process. Before you jump straight to the reviews, know that there are a few things you need to consider while purchasing the best RV microwave.
Best RV Microwaves Chart
Best RV Microwaves Reviews
1. BLACK+DECKER RV Microwave
This 0.7 Cu.ft microwave oven from Black+Decker is perfect for two people on a motorhome. It’s a 700 Watt power microwave with 10 power levels that can cook anything and everything you like. The small and simple microwave has six pre-programmed buttons for cooking Pizza, popcorn, fries, frozen veggies, and beverages. The sensor heating technology will give you perfect reheating results every time. For defrosting, you have two options, weight defrost and time defrost. Again, the sensors will heat just the right amount. It even features a 30 seconds express cooking option. The larger LED display comes with a clock function and an easy-to-read control panel for your convenience. Inside, you get a 10” large turntable which is removable. Therefore, cleaning is hassle-free. The interior is spacious, and the best part is it comes with a child-safety lock. You get 1 year of limited warranty on this product. This model has five variations of sizes, so everyone can find something suitable for their RV life. Best Features:
7 cubic feet capacity 10 power levels 6 pre-set buttons 10” removable turntable Large LED display with easy-to-read control panel
Pros:
A push button door 30-sec express cooking Child safety lock Plenty of pre-set functions
Cons:
The small control panel is hard to read
2. TOSHIBA RV Microwave
This is a 1.5 Cu.ft convection style microwave that has enough capacity to meals for 4 or more people living an RV lifestyle. It’s a 1000 Watt power large-size microwave oven with 13 auto menus and plenty of features to impress you. Firstly, it has 4 auto bake menus which include muffins, biscuits, bread sticks, rolls, frozen pizza, and frozen fries, plus 4 auto roast menu, which allows you to roast beef, whole chicken, pork, and turkey breast by just pressing a button. A warm hold function will keep your food heated at a ready-to-serve temperature for up to 99 minutes. It’s the most interesting fact about this microwave. The Toshiba microwave oven has come up with humidity detection sensors that automatically adjust the time and temperature of cooking depending on the humidity levels inside. The interior is fully stainless-steel made; hence, cleaning is a breeze with a damp cloth. We love the sturdy build quality and the large LED display with large control buttons. There’s also a power-saving low-temperature cooking mode called ‘Eco mode’ that will save 50% of the consumed power. Best Features:
5 cu.ft capacity 13 auto-cook menu Stainless steel interior Large display Intelligent humidity sensors Eco-mode
Pros:
Warm-hold function holds your food warm Sturdy build quality Easy to clean Large capacity
Cons:
The size can be an issue
3. Commercial Chef RV Microwave
The Commercial Chef countertop microwave is the simplest type of microwave with a small compact design that will easily fit into any corner. It’s a 0.6 cu.ft microwave that can cook dinner for 1 to 2 people. It’s a great little oven for reheating your last night’s leftovers, preparing snacks, and defrosting veggies and meats. There are 6 power levels with a defrost button and a timer that you can set for a maximum of 30 minutes. All you need to do is set the power level and the timer and wait for your dinner to cook. The simple mechanical rotary dials are great for someone looking for a basic operating microwave or someone who is looking for an alternative to today’s electronic controls. Besides its simple design, the unit is also easy to clean and requires very little maintenance. The glass turntable is removable and can go in the dishwasher. Besides, there are no electronic controls to malfunction. If you lead a simple RV lifestyle and want to keep it minimal, this should suffice your needs. Best Features:
Capacity 0.6 cu.ft 6 power levels Defrost button Removable glass turntable Easy to grip handle
Pros:
No confusing control buttons Simple to use Can fit into any corner The turntable can go in the dishwasher
Cons:
No pre-set buttons or menus Very basic
4. Panasonic RV Microwave
The Panasonic microwave comes with smart inverter technology which generates a steady stream of microwave power at all temperature settings. It simmers foods evenly from side to center and prevents overcooking. It’s a 0.8 cu. ft and 900-watt power oven with a 11-¼ inch turntable that provides more space to accommodate dinner, after-school snacks, and appetizers. It comes with inverter turbo defrost technology that delivers continuous microwave power to thaw frozen meats and vegetables quickly and evenly. There’s even an auto cook option that automatically adjusts the time and temperature based on different food items. You can cook your favorite appetizers like pasta, pizza, soup, and more with the auto cook setting. That’s not all, there are also features like ‘Keep Warm’ which maintains a steady temperature to keep your foods like soup, sauces, vegetables, and desserts warm in the oven until they are ready for serving. Other features include a child safety lock, delay start, and quick-timer that let you set the timer at single-minute intervals. Best Features:
8 cu.ft capacity 900 Watt power Smart inverter technology Turbo defrost Child safety lock
Pros:
The keep warm feature is very convenient to have Made from solid stainless steel Innovative technology Spacious interior
Cons:
Repairing is expensive
5. RecPro RV Microwave
The RecPro microwave for RV has always been a popular choice among rig owners. It’s because of its features and design that it is simple and quick to fix inside any solid base. The RV-compatible unit comes with 1 cu.ft generous capacity and 900-watt power that’s more than enough for 2 people and sufficient for 3 to 4 members of a family. It comes with a trim kit that allows you to easily integrate the unit in your kitchen cabinet. The unit is very easy to install and takes barely 10 minutes. Coming straight to features, the unit comes with 8 auto cook options which include pizza, popcorn, frozen vegetables, and more. The dinner plate option is our favourite since it allows us to reheat last night’s leftovers with just a simple push of a button. It also has weight and time defrost options. The microwave has touchpad controls which are very convenient to use, a push-and-release door paddle, and a child-safety lock to keep your kids and pets at bay. Best Features:
1 cu.ft capacity 900 Watt power Trim kit 8 auto cook options Weight and time defrost option Child safety lock
Pros:
Can be built inside a kitchen cabinet Big cooking space Powerful and sufficient for a 2-3 member family Very easy to install
Cons:
Build quality can be better.
6.Sharp RV Microwave
If you and your entire family are living in a motorhome, you need a big capacity microwave and hence the Sharp R1874T comes to the rescue. It’s a huge 1.1 cu.ft capacity microwave with 850-watt power that can cook anything at any time you want. The Sharp RV microwave has nicely laid programs. The modes between microwave and convection cooking are marked differently. It has 12 convection cooking options which include broiling, roasting, and baking your favorite dishes like hamburgers, steak, chicken, turkey, pork and cake, brownies, and french fries. Plus, 8 sensory microwave options, reheat options, and defrost options too. It basically includes all types of auto-cook options for the most delectable food items. It allows you to alternate between microwave and convection cooking. Oh! and there’s also a popcorn setting. Other than this, the stainless interior and exterior are worth the praise as it seamlessly blends with the kitchen interior. The best thing about this model is having two racks for cooking/reheating two items at the same time. Lastly, it has a superior vent system which lets the smoke out of your RV without leaving any odor. Best Features:
1 cu.ft capacity 850-watt power Convection style microwave 12 convection cooking programs 8 autocook options Defrost by tie/weight
Pros:
Two racks for cooking two items at same time Stainless steel interior and exterior Easy to install Multiple auto-cook options
Cons:
On the expensive side The control panel may seem complicated
7. Greystone RV Microwave
This microwave from Greystone has a 0.9 cu. ft capacity. If you want a built-in microwave this is another popular choice among RV owners. It comes with 1350 Watt power supply, which is higher than any other option on the list as well as most of the compact RV microwaves you see online. This is going to help you prepare, cook and eat any time of the day without any hassle. You can easily install this microwave in a kitchen cabinet and utilize the space. It comes with a trim kit for a clean and smooth finished look that compliments your motorhome kitchen. The microwave oven comes with 6 autocook settings which include popcorn, pizza, baked potato, and more. There are 10 power levels to choose from along with a defrost and reheat option. As far as the construction is concerned, the Greystone microwave has a stainless steel interior and exterior which requires very little cleaning effort. It comes with a 42 inches long power cord which means you can plug it in and power it on from great distances. The touch control panel comes with a child-lock safety feature to prevent accidental use. You can choose from two color options which are stainless steel and black. Best Features:
9 cu. ft capacity 10 power levels with defrost and reheat option 900 watts of power 42 inches long power cord for better usability 6 autocook settings Child safety lock feature
Pros:
Easy to install Easy to operate Quiet operation, beeps only 5 times after the time runs out
Cons:
On the expensive side
8. Dometic RV Microwave
The Dometic DCM11BF is a 1.1 cu.ft grill convection microwave with 100-watt power. It’s a standard-sized microwave that will cook food sufficiently for 1-3 people and doesn’t occupy much space on the counter. It also comes with a trim kit and exhaust kit, so you can also clamp it inside your kitchen cabinet. The convection microwave and roast or back most delectable foods like chicken, turkey, and bake cakes and cookies. It comes with 10 power levels which deliver perfectly cooked food every time. There are also weight defrost options and 1-touch automatic cooking options for potato, popcorn, pizza, beverages, and more. Like any other RV microwave, this one also has reheat functions, digital timer, and digital clock. Moreover, there’s a chic safety lock to prevent unattended accidents. Best Features:
1 cu.ft capacity 1000 watt power Convection microwave 10 power levels Automatic cooking options
Pros:
Convection style microwave can both roast and bake Comes with trim kit and exhaust kit Has child-safety lock
Cons:
Control panel is a little complicated
Best RV Microwave Buying Guide
Buying a new microwave for RV can be quite challenging as there are plenty of options available in the market. There are some fundamental factors to consider when it comes to buying the best RV microwave. Without considering these factors, you might end up choosing something that’s not content for long use. So, for first-time buyers, here’s what you need to consider before buying an RV microwave.
1. Capacity
RV microwaves come in all shapes sizes, but the capacity should depend on your use. Usually, the capacity for a microwave starts from 0.7 and can go up to 1.1 cu.ft for itself to be considered as an RV microwave. 0.7 cu.ft can suffice the needs of 1 to 2 people. It can still accommodate small dinner plates, soup bowls, pizza, popcorn, etc. However, to roast a whole chicken or pork breast, you will need at least 1 cu.ft of capacity. The cooking capacity is also dependent on the space available in your RV kitchen. And hence, deciding on the capacity is all up to you.
2. Auto-Cook Options
One of the most important factors is the auto-cook settings. The best kind of RV microwave includes various types of auto-cook options for your convenience and comfort. These auto-cook options allow you to cook your favourite dishes with just a push of a button. For example, you are most likely to find auto-cook functions for specific food items such as:
Defrosting Popcorn Pasta Baked potato Frozen food Reheating
These are only a few auto-cook options that an RV microwave can provide, but there can be more. For instance, the convection type of microwave has automatic settings for roasting, baking, and boiling. These might include:
Whole chicken Turkey Pork belly Cookies Muffins
Having a microwave with automatic functions makes cooking faster and easier. After all, nobody wants to spoil their time by guessing how much time their food is going to need. These auto-settings will take the guesswork out.
3. Power Consumption
RV microwaves have a power rating that starts from 900 Watts and can go up to 1350 watts. These units use a lot more power than you can think. In fact, microwaves are one of the highest power-consuming units in an RV. And hence, you should always check if your rig’s power outlets match the microwave’s power requirements. It’s also important to check if your RV’s power outlet fits the microwave that you have shortlisted. Don’t panic, the voltage consumption of each model is always listed in the manufacturer’s product description.
4. Size
The dimensions of the microwave oven should also need to be compared with the size of your existing cookware and the space where you intend to keep or house the oven. Luckily, most online sellers specify both the interior and exterior dimensions of their microwave ovens. The exterior dimension will let you know whether your new microwave will fit in the area of your old cookware or end up taking too much space, whereas the interior dimensions will tell you if your bowls and plates will fit inside while allowing the turntable to spin.
5. Power Levels
The best kind of microwave oven also comes with multiple power settings. This gives the user more control over the microwaving process. We advise going for an option that has at least 10 power levels. This should ensure that your popcorn and pizza cook evenly and perfectly. If you cannot find yourself a microwave with 10 power settings, it might mean the oven is not able to provide adequate control over the cooking process. Chances are less that your food will be cooked to your preferred level. This also means the power levels have much higher margins between them, which can make it hard for you to find the perfect setting.
6. Additional Features
Many microwaves like the Panasonic microwave come with intelligent humidity sensors that detect the water level in your food and keep adjusting the power levels depending on it. Ultimately, you get food that is evenly cooked from all sides. These sensors can analyze when the food is sufficiently cooked and shut off the device then and there, so you get perfectly cooked food. Another important feature is a child safety lock. It locks the device door so that kids or anyone who is unfamiliar with the microwave oven can’t open the door while it’s still hot.
7. Price
Microwave ovens are not cheap, in fact, they’re quite expensive for their size. If you want to get the best, you must spend a considerable amount of money. However, the price also depends on the size you’re buying. For instance, if you are interested in a 1 cu.ft convection oven, you should expect a higher price tag. There are microwaves as expensive as $500 to $1000 dollars. And there are also microwaves, smaller in size and with fewer controls which cost around $200 to $300. Some brands which make good quality and affordable microwaves are RecPro, Toshiba, Black+Decker, Panasonic etc.
Conclusion
RV microwaves are not any less than regular microwaves. They also come in different sizes and styles. They can reheat, defrost, and even roast or bake your favorite pasta, pizza, popcorn, muffins, and whatnot. An RV microwave is going to be one of the best investments for your motorhome. The compact, convenient and economical units will make your life easier and more comfortable. Keep in mind the factors that we have discussed in our buying guide like the capacity, automatic features, power levels, dimensions, and safety features if you have kids or pets at home. All the RV microwaves that we have reviewed are good choices. We have tried to include microwaves of every price category so that everyone can buy something that suits their needs.
But if we had to choose one, we would choose the BLACK+DECKER RV Microwave which is a 0.7 cu.ft, and 700-watt powered microwave with 10 power levels and 6 pre-programmed auto-cook options. It’s compact, convenient, and packs most of the features that you would need including a child safety lock. If you have the space for a 1.5 cu.ft Dometic RV Microwave which has 13 auto-cook options. It can both roast and bake your favorite dishes like whole chicken, turkey, muffins, and cookies. It consumes 1000 Watt power and has amazing features to impress you. Like the Keep warm features and Eco-mode which saves power consumption up upto 50%. If you want an in-built microwave then we would suggest going with the RecPro RV Microwave It has 1 cu.ft capacity which is sufficient for 2-3 people leading an RV lifestyle. It’s a 900 Watt powered microwave that comes with a trim kit. It’s super easy to install and takes only 10 minutes. There are 8 auto-cook options and 10 power levels and safety lock too
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