microwave

[1977dodge]

would like some recommendations for a smallish microwave usually will only need to cook for one person but am always open to finding the space for slightly larger if perhaps i could shelf mount it
Thanks
Roy

 

[MikeRuth]

Look at reviews, amazon etc. personally I'm going with an el cheapo at about $60.00. Amazing they even have a carousel these days. All I need to do is heat a frozen package or liquid.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Danby-0-...less-Steel-DMW077BLSDD/203218773?N=5yc1vZc3ok
http://www.target.com/p/daewoo-0-9c...ontrol-white/-/A-15440323#prodSlot=medium_1_4

couple of examples with good user reviews.

 

[akrvbob]

I too have been looking for small microwaves. I have the power but not the room for one. This is the smallest I've found but it's not very small, it does have rounded corners so it might fit in a bettter space:
http://www.amazon.com/Whirlpool-WMC20005YD-Stainless-Countertop-Microwave/dp/B005GSZB7I

I did find a smaller one but its over $300 and no way am I going to pay that.
Bob

 

[Canine]

While this one is no longer available, this is the one I own. I snagged it from a clearance rack for $30 five years ago. The mechanical dial was probably cheaper to make than digital, so that is what it has. For a lower wattage microwave a dial is perfect. I've never cooked with it. While it is an el cheapo, it has worked fantastic! Normally, I can't stand cheap crap, but this turned out to be a superb product.

It has lower wattage than many others, and I have no problem heating things up or cooking popcorn, etc. I'm picky and can't stand burnt popcorn, yet don't want to have a bunch of wasted kernels. This microwave does the trick. I have no desire for a higher wattage unit. The power hasn't faded either. I don't use it a bunch, but it definitely gets used. I've seen on reviews people complaining that it takes 2 or 3 minutes to heat a cup of coffee. Boo hoo. Lol. They must be addicted to caffeine. Hope this helps as a reference point in figuring out power needed to heat.

I still see scratch-and-dent deals, so maybe that would help you for price as well.

http://www.amazon.com/Haier-MWM6600...rowave/dp/B002OYGSXS/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

 

[LeeRevell]

This one.... http://www.amazon.com/Westinghouse-...m_sbs_k_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=0JYSFYJPJ7ETAGSDY3MQ ...... might do the trick. Mechanical dials are more expensive to make than digital. Digital is dirt cheap these days. This one is still available too.
If the dial types run better on MSW than digital that would be a plus too, but I don't know.....?

 

[ccbreder]

I would worry about radiation leaking from the cheapest microwave's door seals, especially after rattling in a van.

 

[Canine]

I would worry about radiation leaking from the cheapest microwave's door seals, especially after rattling in a van.

Non-ionizing radiation drops off precipitously with distance. The energy being released at two inches compared to twenty inches is about 100 times less. If you do have a bit of leakage, then standing a few feet away will keep you safe while it works its magic.

 

[AuricTech]

Non-ionizing radiation drops off precipitously with distance.

Inverse-square: It's not just a good idea. It's the law.

As for the original poster's question, a lot depends on what your source of power is. Someone relying on a battery bank for power (regardless of how it's recharged) may need a lower-power microwave oven, to reduce the Amp draw on the battery bank. Meanwhile, someone with shore power available could simply look for microwave ovens designed for RV use, such as this Dometic convection microwave oven.

Since I'm still in the planning stages of full-time vehicle living, I don't have any recommendations from personal experience.

 

[Canine]

This one.... http://www.amazon.com/Westinghouse-...m_sbs_k_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=0JYSFYJPJ7ETAGSDY3MQ ...... might do the trick. Mechanical dials are more expensive to make than digital. Digital is dirt cheap these days. This one is still available too.
If the dial types run better on MSW than digital that would be a plus too, but I don't know.....?

The more I thought about this reply, the more it made sense. Digital alarm clocks won't work with a MSW, so that would cause problems with a digital microwave where a mechanical dial would be fine.

However, variable power devices tend to need a PSW to work better. I bet a microwave with a dial would still work better with a PSW. This is mostly guessing, though, as I don't know specifically how waves work with regard to microwaves.

I like microwaves- they are my friends.

 

[akrvbob]

Microwaves want very clean power. I used one with a MSW and it worked very, very badly. You'll need at least a 1500 watt Pure Sine Wave inverter.
Bob

 

[ccbreder]

Non-ionizing radiation drops off precipitously with distance. The energy being released at two inches compared to twenty inches is about 100 times less. If you do have a bit of leakage, then standing a few feet away will keep you safe while it works its magic.

Really easy to be close while in a van. I just wanted to urge every one to be careful.

 

[Canine]

Really easy to be close while in a van. I just wanted to urge every one to be careful.

For sure! Especially your eyeballs. My understanding is that your eyes are quite sensitive to the radiation, so watching your food cook would be a bad deal. I wonder how much I've looked at my food waiting for it to cook? I hope not too much. I'm getting old enough that I'll probable find out pretty soon! Lol!