What is the best Microwave oven for boat?

[SeaQuinn]

Our microwave has died and was buried so we are in the market for a replacement. I would live one that works well and yet is small enough to fit the space....max 11 by 20" .

Anyone have good experience with one? Have you run it off the batteries with an inverter? thanks!

[Over40pirate]

Have not tried to run mine off inverter yet, hummmm. The best kind I can recommend is a free one! Mine came from the pool snack shop at the golf club I work at. It is an open building with a cover over it. It sat on a shelf out there for 5-6 years and still works fine. I saw it under there a few months ago and the poolm operator gave it to me as they were getting a new one (bigger). It is a Majic Chef with the old turn dial for the time (no buttons)The thing is .5 cu. ft. with turntable. Can't go wrong with free! I think they would be about $50 at Wal Mart.

[misfits]

You can run a microwave off an inverter but it's best to have the engine running when doing so. Even a 750 watt microwave can suck the life out of the batteries quickly & the surge without the engine running will probably alarm out the inverter.

That's been my experience anyway.

[DavidB.UK]

Are they not made in 12v then?

[sea_hunter]

Smallest power rating is best. We have a Magic Chef 750 watt unit a couple years old and it works fine off our Hart inverter. Keep in mind you need adequate battery Amphrs to keep it running.

[chuck53]

When we were looking for a microwave, it wasn't so much who made the best but more, what can we find that will fit the tiny space we have to squeeze it into.
We had to look around quite a bit, but finally found one that suited our space requirements and so far has done a good job.

I've never heard of a 12v unit but I'm guessing if they were available, they would not do a very good job. Much like the 12v coffeemakers that everyone who has one says they are extremely slow.

[misfits]

Originally Posted by chuck53

I've never heard of a 12v unit but I'm guessing if they were available, they would not do a very good job.

They are avaliable & your right, they do not work worth a dam.

[BubbleheadMd]

It would seem to me that small size, and lower wattage is the ideal for sailboats. With a common terrestrial household unit that draws 1200 watts, you're pulling 10 amps. If the microwave and fridge are on the same 15 amp outlet, you're approaching or exceeding the 80% safe load of the wiring and the outlet.

You're much safer with a 750, 800 or 900 watt microwave oven. (Unless you're giving it a dedicated circuit)

I'm talking about small and mid-size cruisers, who are equipped with the typical single, 30 amp service.

As for brand? Any of the well-known appliance makers should provide a long lived unit: Amana, GE, LG, etc. I'd be skeptical of any unit made by a company whose name I couldn't pronounce, and had never heard of.

[bvander66]

Not crazy about Microwaves on board, but if I did go that route would probably go with a microwave/convection oven.
This company Convection Microwave - Contoure Int, Inc.
produces small microwaves and microwave/convection ovens for boats. Check them out.

[BubbleheadMd]

Originally Posted by bvander66

Not crazy about Microwaves on board, but if I did go that route would probably go with a microwave/convection oven.
This company Convection Microwave - Contoure Int, Inc.
produces small microwaves and microwave/convection ovens for boats. Check them out.

Bummer. At least two of the models on that page have been discontinued, and at least two of them draw 1500 watts. Better have a dedicated outlet for that one...