Hey all,<br>I'm researching what type of cooking I can do in my future van. For starters, I don't plan on using propane/butane for cooking. I plan on using a simple alcohol stove using denatured alcohol for some simple heating of water, precooked foods and maybe some simple egg dishes. Perhaps sandwiches at other times.<br><br>However, since that will get old, I would still love a nice broiled chicken or steak now and again. Anyone know of any low wattage microwaves or toaster ovens out there? Thanks.<br><br>
Low wattage microwave or toaster oven?
- Thread starter yamsack
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Wild_E
Well-known member
You might want to check out Butternut's blog, she seems dedicated to no cook or low maint type of cooking.
stude53
Well-known member
To answer your question, yamsack, I first need to ask one. Why are you against using a propane stovetop?<br><br>One other solution for those days when you long for something different:<br>Most grocery stores like Food Lion or Walmart have a deli section where you can buy precooked like roast chicken and other main course meats that you can supplement with your own fresh or canned veggies for side dishes or they also sell complete takeout dinners.<br><br>Bob (aka stude53)<br>
VanTrekker
Well-known member
<p style="margin: 0px;">I started with a microwave and then added a toaster oven. Though it's possible to run either from the inverter, I try to only use shore power or generator.</p><p style="margin: 0px;"> </p><p style="margin: 0px;">The microwave works okay but just doesn't give you the same flavor as food baked in the toaster oven. I use the toaster oven more than the microwave...</p>
I do know there are 12 volt microwaves available, but I don't know anything about them, except that they cost far more than an 800 watt $49 walmart special. I have been told to double the wattage fo use an inverter, as in, a 1500w inverter for a 800 w microwave, and it is best to run the engine while it is running so as to not draw the battery down to much or too too quickly. My wife loves her toaster oven, but I don't use it. You may want to check out the " stoves" sticky thread to see what others are doing, and recommend.<img src="/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">
Yes and 15w for one hour is 900 watts. Which is less than 700w per minute. Since you're battery bank is measured in <EM>amp hours</EM> 700w / 12v = 58.33 amps per hour / 60 = .97 amps per minute. A 15w light bulb uses 1.25 amps per hour. Basic stuff here.<BR><BR><A href="http://rvsolarshop.com/rv_solar_kit_sizing_worksheet.pdf" target=_blank target=_blank>http://rvsolarshop.com/rv_solar_kit_sizing_worksheet.pdf</A><BR><BR><BR>
VanTrekker
Well-known member
<p style="margin: 0px;">For the record, Ped is correct in terms of total power consumption over time but a microwave does work the batteries a lot harder for that brief minute.</p><p style="margin: 0px;"> </p><p style="margin: 0px;">One more thing to consider... That 700 watt micro is actually going to use even more like a continuous 1050-1100 watts load due to the inefficiencies of microwave ovens. </p><p style="margin: 0px;"> </p><p style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microwave_oven" target=_blank>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microwave_oven</a></p><p style="margin: 0px;"> </p><p style="margin: 0px;">You also should add in the inverter inefficiencies on top of that... (maybe another 13% or so)...</p><p style="margin: 0px;"> </p><p style="margin: 0px;"> </p><p style="margin: 0px;"> </p><p style="margin: 0px;">Is it very hard on your batteries to run a microwave? Maybe, maybe not. </p><p style="margin: 0px;"> </p><p style="margin: 0px;">A person needs a pretty robust battery bank if you want to run a micro and/or a cooler. I recommend 400 amp hours or more. Too small and the battery life can be shortened... Also, the inverter can simply shut down if the battery voltage drops while under a heavy load.</p><p style="margin: 0px;"> </p><p style="margin: 0px;">Not all expenditures of power are created equal. Excessively heavy current demands on too small of a battery even for a short time can be harder on the the battery than a constant, stable 1.5 amp pull even if the total power used is the same. </p><p style="margin: 0px;"> </p><p style="margin: 0px;">Nonetheless, it's nice to have one on board. They really come in handy!</p><p style="margin: 0px;"> </p>
VanTrekker
Well-known member
<p style="margin: 0px;">Don't know but I'm sure you wouldn't be pleased with the results. It would turn to shoe leather first, wouldn't it? I doubt it would ever brown.</p><p style="margin: 0px;"> </p><p style="margin: 0px;">One thing I didn't mention before is to get a big enough microwave to do the job. If an inverter and battery bank can handle it, get a larger micro that can actually warm stuff up fast. My little 600 watt is slower than heck, really stretching out that current load for a few minutes. </p>
This is my first time on this website and I am looking for the answer to the above question. I'm looking for knowledge on "low wattage microwaves or toaster ovens". I'm incredibly disappointed by nearly every single comment underneath this thread. It was the first result on google and I will not be on this site anymore after this if the next thing I look at is as poorly conducted as this one.
To the following: Thank you for giving actual advice and something added to the conversation: VanTrekker, Les H
To the rest of you:
How is that helpful? I googled "butternut's blog" and a baking blog with recipes came up that didn't look at all in life with rv and power conscious living.
No, you don't. It really doesn't matter at all why someone is against propane for recommendations on toaster ovens and microwaves. It helps you give a more complete answer to have more knowledge, but you said nothing useful and what was effectively "why no propane" and "buy pre-cooked meat then".
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landyachtman
To the following: Thank you for giving actual advice and something added to the conversation: VanTrekker, Les H
To the rest of you:
Wild_E said:
How is that helpful? I googled "butternut's blog" and a baking blog with recipes came up that didn't look at all in life with rv and power conscious living.
stude53 said:
No, you don't. It really doesn't matter at all why someone is against propane for recommendations on toaster ovens and microwaves. It helps you give a more complete answer to have more knowledge, but you said nothing useful and what was effectively "why no propane" and "buy pre-cooked meat then".
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Before you presume to post in this manner, please follow the rules and create a thread in the Newcomer's Corner to introduce yourself.
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landyachtman
Freelander
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[font=Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]xvp87552[/font]
This is my first time on this website and I am looking for the answer to the above question. I'm looking for knowledge on "low wattage microwaves or toaster ovens". I'm incredibly disappointed by nearly every single comment underneath this thread. It was the first result on google and I will not be on this site anymore after this if the next thing I look at is as poorly conducted as this one.
To begin with this thread is at least 8 years old, so why are you replying to it?
When ever you join a new forum, its always best yo look and see how old the last post is, I general wont even reply to a thread more 2 months old.
This is my first time on this website and I am looking for the answer to the above question. I'm looking for knowledge on "low wattage microwaves or toaster ovens". I'm incredibly disappointed by nearly every single comment underneath this thread. It was the first result on google and I will not be on this site anymore after this if the next thing I look at is as poorly conducted as this one.
To begin with this thread is at least 8 years old, so why are you replying to it?
When ever you join a new forum, its always best yo look and see how old the last post is, I general wont even reply to a thread more 2 months old.
Freelander
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xvp87552 said:
xvp87552 said:
Dang...we will sure miss you and all of your positive, helpful, courteous posts.
Oh wait, there are none.
vanbrat
Well-known member
Not to hear or answer any pro or cons.
But I do a lot of my cooking in the microwave. And it is yummy. That said there are somethings that are best NOT cooked in the microwave. I can make some really good casserole's and rice dishes in the micro and I heat things up. There are some things that are cooked partly in the micro and partly not, egg sandwiches are good. Eggs and sausages cook up yummy. Bacon, home or road, is cooked in the microwave. It takes some practice, but a lot of good stuff can come out. I prefer cakes breads etc. to be baked in a regular oven, but that stuff is usually just as cheap and good bought. Some veggies I like better zapped, some better roasted. I can make puddings and sauces and soups yummy in the microwave, but some I prefer slow cooked. Meatloaf can be ok, but never a chicken or steak or hunk of any kind of meat. Small chopped up chicken and ground beef in salsa works good for burritos or nachos. Mostly, just takes practice.
I have not done much with a toaster oven, I never had one. I feel it would limit what I can do. Maybe I would just need to practice, but at this stage of my cooking 'career' I'm going to stick with what I know. Maybe that should be the answer for you, just figure out what you use most now. We have a tinny BBQ my mom gave us, an induction burner and a microwave in our van. So far we have been able to do either cold dinners, sandwiches and salads when no power, and cooked goodies when we have power. But now we are looking into solar batteries for when there is no power. We had planned on the gas generator for power, but the real need for that went away for now, so we are looking in to something else.
I don't care much for propane either we had some scary things happen with those when I was a kid so I just never really liked it. I know they are better now 50 years later, but I am what I am.
But I do a lot of my cooking in the microwave. And it is yummy. That said there are somethings that are best NOT cooked in the microwave. I can make some really good casserole's and rice dishes in the micro and I heat things up. There are some things that are cooked partly in the micro and partly not, egg sandwiches are good. Eggs and sausages cook up yummy. Bacon, home or road, is cooked in the microwave. It takes some practice, but a lot of good stuff can come out. I prefer cakes breads etc. to be baked in a regular oven, but that stuff is usually just as cheap and good bought. Some veggies I like better zapped, some better roasted. I can make puddings and sauces and soups yummy in the microwave, but some I prefer slow cooked. Meatloaf can be ok, but never a chicken or steak or hunk of any kind of meat. Small chopped up chicken and ground beef in salsa works good for burritos or nachos. Mostly, just takes practice.
I have not done much with a toaster oven, I never had one. I feel it would limit what I can do. Maybe I would just need to practice, but at this stage of my cooking 'career' I'm going to stick with what I know. Maybe that should be the answer for you, just figure out what you use most now. We have a tinny BBQ my mom gave us, an induction burner and a microwave in our van. So far we have been able to do either cold dinners, sandwiches and salads when no power, and cooked goodies when we have power. But now we are looking into solar batteries for when there is no power. We had planned on the gas generator for power, but the real need for that went away for now, so we are looking in to something else.
I don't care much for propane either we had some scary things happen with those when I was a kid so I just never really liked it. I know they are better now 50 years later, but I am what I am.
there is a different appliance that will give you what you are looking for. It makes excellent broiled chicken and steaks and lots more. They do make lower wattage versions as well as high wattage versions. They are becoming very popular this year. Those are the "air fryers". They also work fine for reheating various types of foods or cooking frozen food dinners if you have the contents in a suitable cooking container inside of the air fryer.
I was gifted one of the few years older type that used a halogen light in a glass container with a fan to circulate the hot air. I was able to make very nice broiled chicken, pizza, cornbread, biscuits, broiled hamburger patties and sweet potato fries with it. I did not bring it with me as I have a very small trailer and not a huge battery or inverter. Cant say that I miss it but I certainly had fun cooking with it.
I was gifted one of the few years older type that used a halogen light in a glass container with a fan to circulate the hot air. I was able to make very nice broiled chicken, pizza, cornbread, biscuits, broiled hamburger patties and sweet potato fries with it. I did not bring it with me as I have a very small trailer and not a huge battery or inverter. Cant say that I miss it but I certainly had fun cooking with it.
WalkaboutTed
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I built Hubby's system (540w panels, 450ah batteries) around his desire for an electric coffeemaker (800w) and 700w microwave (which takes in almost 1000w) and the compressor fridge. It works perfectly, though if he has a couple cloudy days without driving, out comes the propane stove. There's always enough power to make steel cut oatmeal in the 50w baby crockpot (it soaks overnight and gets plugged in at about 0400-0500 to be ready for breakfast). I wouldn't want to run any more than the above in order to preserve the batteries unless we have ample sun.
Due to covid-19, we're currently living in a tiny house with limited amperage. Hubby doesn't like using the camping stove inside. We have a 700w microwave, a 400w mini air fryer (he likes his roasted potatoes) and a mini frying pan (650w), a toaster (850w)and a 350w ricemaker. The ricemaker can be used for all types of food-I've even steamed clams in it.. We can use one appliance at a time if we're running the air conditioner. I found the toaster at Walmart, everything else on Amazon. I just had to do a little searching. Food makes him happy.
Ted
Due to covid-19, we're currently living in a tiny house with limited amperage. Hubby doesn't like using the camping stove inside. We have a 700w microwave, a 400w mini air fryer (he likes his roasted potatoes) and a mini frying pan (650w), a toaster (850w)and a 350w ricemaker. The ricemaker can be used for all types of food-I've even steamed clams in it.. We can use one appliance at a time if we're running the air conditioner. I found the toaster at Walmart, everything else on Amazon. I just had to do a little searching. Food makes him happy.
Ted
