When it comes to cooking while touring in a caravan, whether you are on the side of the road or hooked up to a site’s electricity supply, microwaves have become an essential appliance. However, if your caravan does not already feature one and you are in the market to invest in one, there are some important considerations you need to make to ensure it will be suitable.
Don’t worry though, because on this page the team at Caravan Helper are here to help you pick out a low wattage microwave for your caravan.
As well as highlighting what we feel are the best small caravan microwave ovens, that is those that are small enough, while offering a reasonable amount of functionality; we will also discuss things you need to consider when purchasing one.
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Small Microwaves Suitable For Caravans (12v Microwave UK)
The first small microwave oven that you give serious consideration for your caravan is the Daewoo QT1 14 litre, 600 watts model. Daewoo are an incredibly reputable and popular brand worldwide when it comes to both cars and electrical appliances, so you know with the Daewoo on this microwave that it means it is of high quality design and construction.
Despite its affordability and compact size, It still provides you with 7 power levels and a 35 minute dual speed timer to use when cooking and defrost a whole variety of food. You can even fit a 25 cm sized plate inside it. As it has a diamond vent, dual wave system it ensures that anything you cook or defrost in this oven is done so evenly.
Key Features
- Voltage: 220 Volts
- Power/Wattage: 600 Watts
- Capacity: 14 Litres
- Dimensions: 32 by 42 by 22.9 cm
- Weight: 9.14 Kg
- 7 Power Levels
- 35 minute Timer
The product on our list is this 17 litres model in silver. It is available for a reasonable price and despite its small size and shape, you can still cook a variety of different items inside it.
There are 5 power settings, of which defrosting is one, so it’s ideal for cooking things direct from the freezer, ready meals and warming drinks. You have the option to set the timer for up to 30 minutes each time, which is more or less standard for compact microwave ovens.
Key Features
- Voltage: 240 Volts
- Power/Wattage: 700 Watts
- Capacity: 17 Litres
- Dimensions: 43 by 25 by 29 cm
- 5 Power Levels
- 30 minute Timer
3. Mini Countertop Oven 1500W / Multifunction Cooking Grill, Bake, Toast, Rotisserie, and Convection
Next on our list is this amazing space-saving and convenient appliance that actually combines 3 different units into one machine. Space is limited in a caravan, particularly in the kitchen area, which is why it is always wise to try and find ways round it.
This MP Essentials is one way to do this, because it combines a microwave oven, with a coffee machine, grill and even has a warming plate hob. The coffee machine can make a maximum of 4 cups of coffee a time, while the oven makes use of a removable grill pan and gives you all the function of all three separate units.
Thanks to the combined low wattage of 1150 Watt, there is no need to be concerned about overloading a hook-up you might be using at a caravan park.
Key Features
- Voltage: 240 Volts
- Power/Wattage: 1150 Watts
- Dimensions: 43 by 27.8 by 27.4 cm
- Weight: 3.62 Kg
- LED Power Indicator
- 15 minute timer
- Removable grill pan
- Baking tray
- Removable non-stick hotplate
- Glass coffee pot
The last small microwave caravan oven on our list is this attractive and very functional mini oven from Quest.
With a total of 1000 Watts of power, it is capable of cooking up to 9 litres of food and has an adjustable heat setting and 60 minute timer that gives you a lot of versatility with regards to what you can cook. You can grill, cook, and even bake just about anything inside it.
There is even an automatic cut-off that stops it being overused.
Key Features
- Power/Wattage: 1000 Watts
- Capacity: 9 litres
- Dimensions: 25.2 by 36.8 by 21.7 cm
- Weight: 3.29 Kg
- 60 minute timer
- Automatic shut off
- Adjustable heat settings
Trying to look for a suitable small caravan microwave doesn’t need to be quite the head-scratchier or migraine-inducing task you may think it seems. With our guide above and a great list of products to choose from, we are sure you will find the right one for you.
Even if you don’t choose one from the above selection, we are sure at Caravan Helper that you will be on the right path. We hope that we have helped you choose a good 12 volt microwave for your caravan.
Power Use
The power rating of a microwave, for instance – 1000 Watts, 600 Watts and 750 Watts, is the power that the microwave uses for cooking and cooking alone. This actually only equates to half the power input required by the caravan. This is why it is crucial to try and determine what the full power consumption is for a unit before purchasing it.
It’s also worth noting that there is more demand for power when you first start using a microwave, which is why a site that only supplies 5 amps, or even 10 amps might not be suitable. This means if you arrive at a site and that’s the amount of power available you may have to avoid using your microwave.
As mentioned, on a 10 amp site it might still be a problem, or may mean that you at least have to keep in mind any other units or appliances you may be using while trying to use your microwave.
Generally speaking, the majority of sites in the UK provide 16 amps. Whenever you are in doubt, refer to the manufacturer or retailer for more information about whether a specific product will be suitable or not.
Use Abroad
It differs somewhat when touring in Europe because sites across Europe offer anything from 3 to 20 amps, with 6 to 10 amps being the average. Many sites will offer upgrades, so it doesn’t hurt to ask at the reception office of a site if this is possible.
Installing/Setting Up A Caravan Microwave
A lot of caravans will come with a caravan integrated microwave. If thats not the case, then all microwaves, whether full size or micro-sized are meant to be placed on a surface that is not only flat but very stable. There should also be adequate air circulation and the surface should have a reasonable amount of heat-resistance.
You need to think about the caravan microwave housing and whether they meet the criteria and requirements for safely installing a particular microwave you are interested in. You should also speak to the retailer or manufacturer about whether or not they think the microwave will be durable enough to handle the caravan’s motion when you are on the road. Further to that point, you should also check the finer details of any warranty or guarantee to see if this will be made null and void by using it in a touring vehicle. You will also want to pick a lightweight microwave as weight is important to keep down in the caravan.
Variable Power Setting Microwaves
It is understandable to assume that if a microwave has low power settings, it will be less of a problem using those than using it on full power. However, there is no 100% guarantee that it will eliminate all problems related to power supply.
Important Note About Positioning A Caravan Microwave
If you invest in a caravan that already has a mini microwave oven installed, ensure that it is not too high out of your reach that it prevents you from safely reaching up and placing and removing potentially very hot plates and dishes. The last thing you want is to have the worry of any hot food or liquid spilling out and onto you, anyone else sharing with you or the actual caravan itself.
The same advice applies if you are fitting one into the caravan yourself.
Caravan Microwave Stopped Working
Microwaves are incredibly useful appliances to have in your tourer. That is, until they stop working. This can be incredibly frustrating.
Although we are not suggesting that this happens all the time. It may never happen to you, but it’s better to be aware of what the common causes and problems are if your caravan microwave stopped working. We’ve outlined some of the most likely below.
- Electricity tripped – It could be that the electricity in your caravan has completely tripped. If this is the problem though, it will be self-evident from the fact that no other electrical items are working.
- The microwave plug or fuse could be blown – If the electricity hasn’t tripped and other electrical items are still working, it may be worth checking the plug and fuse.
- High Voltage Diode – Another problem could be that your microwave turns on but doesn’t heat up. This may be caused by problems with the high voltage diode, the component that heats up the magnetron. M
- Broken door switch – If your microwave is turning on but not heating up, your door switch could be broken.
- Broken Magnetron – Another problem is that it could have a broken magnetron. This is what heats up the food.
Although the above might suggest what’s wrong with the microwave, unless you have experience as an electrician or an electrical technician, you should find an expert to help you repair it. If it can’t be repaired, it might be time to replace it.
We hope our article has helped you choose the best small microwave caravan oven for your needs and if you still need any other appliances for your caravan then check out some of the following: