Whether on a long trip or a short one with your recreational vehicle, meal preparation is always essential. While you can cook with a bonfire or bring packed food, these tasks can be tiresome. You need to find the perfect space if you choose to cook outside, and stored meals can be unsustainable. If you want to create meals anytime and anywhere, your best bet will be to get an RV microwave. This product allows you to prepare food no matter the time or place freely.
It is also beneficial to focus on a small RV microwave as saving space it key when camping. The more space you can save, the better. In addition, you can save even more space with a small spice rack for your RV and many other options.
It can be hard to find the best small RV microwaves. There is a large selection, and it may be hard to determine if the product can work with your vehicle. There are also several factors you must keep in mind. The product’s ease of set-up, heat settings, capacity, and durability are just some of the elements you need to consider.
The 5 Best Small RV Microwaves
1. RecPro RV Microwave – Best RV Built-In Microwave Replacement
If you want a compact but powerful microwave for your trailer, you should try the RecPro RV. With its size, it will easily fit anywhere in your car, and it also has a sizable inner capacity of 0.9 cubic feet. While you cannot cook an enormous feast, you can still prepare meals with decent serving sizes.
You also get two options when you install this product. You can either mount it in cabinets or place it on a counter. Installation is easy since this product comes with a trim kit. With this kit, you can ensure that your RecPro RV will keep safe wherever you place it.
This microwave comes with many cooking functions. There is an express cook option to heat meals like pizzas or dinner plates. These options allow you to prepare most food with the best heat settings. If you want to create food from scratch, you can also use the defrost option to help speed up your prep time.
Pros
- Has a child-lock feature
- Comes with a vent exhaust
- Provides easy set-up with its trim kit
- Has eight express cook options
- Defrost option shortens meal prep time
Cons
- Buttons be clunky during first use
2. Sharp R1874T Small Microwave For RV
For people who want to take their meals to the next level, the Sharp R1874T Microwave is a great purchase. With a built-in exhaust system and small size, you can fit this in most motorhomes. It also comes with convertible venting, so you can prop it no matter what your RV’s layout is. This product has powerful fans, so it will always ensure excellent ventilation no matter the direction.
With most microwaves, you can only heat your meals. However, that is not the case with this product. Aside from the regular heating options, you can also enjoy new settings. You can also bake, roast, and broil food with convection heating. This feature is a nice advantage if you want variety for your meals.
You might get a hard time picking the proper heat settings for your meals. In these cases, you can let the product handle it for you with its sensor cooking. Even though it has many cooking options, using this product is still simple. Its touchscreen comes with clear and straightforward labels. If you still get confused, you can refer to the manual.
Pros
- Comes with a sensor cooking option
- Doubles as a convection oven
- Allows you to roast and bake meals
- Has an intuitive touchscreen
- Allows different venting options
Cons
- Installation takes some time
3. Kenmore 70929 Small Camper Microwave
While the Kenmore 70929 is perfect for apartments and small kitchens, this appliance is ideal for RVs. Even though it is compact, you can enjoy a spacious 0.9 cubic feet for its inner capacity. With its outer dimensions, you will also be able to fit it on any counter or shelves on your motorhomes. It comes with a three feet power cord so you can set it up even without any nearby outlet.
One of the best features of this item is its safety lock. Even if you have kids on your trip, you do not have to worry. This appliance automatically locks, and kids will have difficulty opening it. Its steel material is also durable, and it also prevents the outer part from heating up.
With this product, you have ten power settings so you can control the heat as much as you want to. If you find it hard to input the heat manually, you can also use its presets. This microwave comes with six preset options for typical foods like pizzas and vegetables. Aside from heating meals, you can also defrost ingredients with this appliance with its two defrost options.
Pros
- Has a safety-lock feature
- Comes with two defrost options
- Has ten power levels
- Allows easy cooking with six preset settings
- Has a removable turntable
Cons
- Needs to be placed in a secure area or it can slip
4. Panasonic Countertop Microwave Oven NN-SD372S
The Panasonic NN-SD372S microwave works perfectly with any motorhome with its compact size and sturdy build. If you have a cabinet or a countertop on your vehicle, you can easily install it. This product does not consume too much energy, so it will not take too much power from your RV. It is also a safe choice if you have kids since it offers a child-lock feature.
This microwave allows you to automate various heating processes. It comes with a genius sensor that determines the proper heat settings whether you reheat or cook your meal. If you have a problem finding the right temperature, this feature can assist you. There is also a defrost option to prepare ingredients for your meals in advance.
Aside from its cooking processes, another benefit to this product is its inverter. This product ensures that any meal you cook or reheat receives even heating. If you use it to defrost, it will also make sure that your food is thoroughly defrosted. This feature also saves the microwave from burning your meals.
Pros
- Comes with an inverter
- Consumes low energy
- Has a child-lock feature
- Comes with an excellent cooking sensor
- Heats and defrosts food quickly
Cons
- Vent can be noisy
5. Cuisinart AMW-60 Small RV Microwave
Two-in-one appliances are already impressive; however, a three-in-one product is even more convenient. With this Cuisinart AMW-60, you can get an item that serves as a microwave, an air fryer, and an oven. It allows you to cook your meal in any way you want, and you can heat, bake, and fry your meals with a single appliance.
The touchpad controls of this item are easy to use. The functions are divided into sections, and every button comes with a clear label. Despite having many settings, they do not appear confusing. The timer is clearly shown with its LED display, and the temperature knob is also easy to control.
You also get presets for both air fryer and microwave settings. If you do not know which temperature to choose, you can use these presets instead. It helps you heat various meal types, from popcorn to chicken wings. You can also defrost and reheat your food with this product.
Pros
- Has an easy-to-use touchpad
- Works as a microwave, air fryer, and oven
- Easy to clean
- Comes with many cooking presets and power levels
- Has a fantastic ventilation
Cons
- Turntable can be fragile
What to Look for in a Small Microwave For RV
When it comes to RV microwaves, there are several things you need to look for. It might be tempting to buy the first one you see. However, you might end up returning the product if you take this course of action. When you buy a microwave, it should be something that fits your vehicle.
If you do not know how to look for the ideal product, you can use this buying guide. It lists the different things you should consider, from the power settings to the wattage. Try to consider the various factors concerning your RV for the best results.
● Installation Type
Before buying an RV microwave, you should first consider its installation type. There are several types, including countertop, over-the-range, and mounting styles, and some products have multiple types. Even if you get a quality microwave, you cannot use it if you cannot install it in your motorhome. When choosing which type works for your RV, there are several things you need to consider. If your vehicle does not have a shelf or cabinet, you may not have a place for a mounted product. Countertop types are easy to install, but you need to place them in a secure area. Otherwise, they might slip while you are on the road.
● Power Settings
Another feature you need to consider is the available power settings for your choice. The power settings is another term for heat levels and are the range of temperature that your microwave will emit. With more power settings, you can get more control when heating food. It can be beneficial to get a product with at least eight heat settings to have a variety.
● Capacity
The capacity is the inner space of an RV microwave. You can expect a low and limited range since you are already buying a small one. Usually, you can expect a range of 0.6 cubic feet to 1.1 cubic feet. If you get any smaller than this number, it will be too small for most meals. If you get a higher capacity, you will be getting a medium or large product instead.
● Durability
While durability is not your main priority, it is still something you should keep an eye out for. If you choose products with quality material, they can last longer. It will also be safer to use your RV product with quality material. When it comes to microwaves, the best material is stainless steel.
● Wattage
One of the most important things you should look out for is the product’s wattage. When finding a product, consider how many watts are used for input and output. A lower number means that you consume less energy with this product. Lower wattages are better since they will put less load on your RV.
Small RV Microwaves Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I bake with a small RV microwave?
While you can bake with some RV microwaves, others do not have that feature. It all depends on whether your appliance allows convection heating. If you want to bake, choose products that have this heating method. Regular microwaves can only heat up and do basic cooking, while convection types let you bake, roast, and broil food.
2. Would I be able to cook two or more dishes simultaneously using a compact RV microwave?
If you want to cook multiple dishes, it will depend on the inner capacity of your microwave. Your product should be able to handle various sections. While it is common for medium to large appliances, it is rare for small RV microwaves. Since their sizes range from 0.6 to 1.1 cubic feet, you can often only fit one dish at a time.
3. Do RV microwaves heat food faster than regular microwaves?
Whether you cook with an RV microwave or a regular one, the speed depends on its heating type and power settings. Some RV products cook food faster since they use a convection method. Due to higher power settings, standard types can also heat at the same speed.
4. Can I use regular microwaves for an RV?
You can use microwaves even if they are not explicitly designed for RVs. However, you will need to research them first. Motorhomes usually have specific watt requirements, so you should not go over them. Regular ones are also less stable than RV types, so you must install them carefully.
Conclusion
If you want to save time or money, buying a microwave for your RV can be essential. It is a valuable product that can help you prepare your meals. While there are other ways to cook your food, this is the safest and quickest way. It can be beneficial if you find yourself hungry while in the middle of the road. After all, you cannot suddenly go out and build a campfire. With this list, you can find the best small RV microwaves. Each product is the best since they were picked using strict guidelines. Since this list has a variety, you can choose one depending on your need or preference. These appliances will help you cook better and faster in your RV, from power consumption to extra functions.
