microwave on board

[sailorman]

They are certainly more expensive, but not better value for money - and not more efficient either. The only difference is that a 12v microwave has the inverter built-in, so they are larger than a conventional mains unit, also more expensive to fix if they go wrong. Furthermore, as already mentioned, 12v microwaves are much lower power than domestic 240v microwaves, so take longer to heat anything. If you are considering a 12v unit, don't forget the bigger cables you'll also need to buy to install it - and if considering a second-hand one, check that service support is available, as the once-popular Samsung model is now discontinued.
I've been using an 850W Tesco microwave with a 1000W inverter for a couple of seasons now, works well, total cost under £150. Just pop in the food that needs heating as you motor into your anchorage, and by the time the hook's safely in, your meal is ready to eat!

I was waiting for William H to tell us that
far better a 240v & an inverter (that has multiple uses) with short 12v cables & longer 240v ones

 

[oldgit]

I bought the cheapest lowest power no name Microwave I could find (600w ?) .It runs quite happly on my 2 x 110A cheapo no name batteries via a invertor with a name that somebody may have heard of.
It will give you enough heating power for most quick meals even an epic 20 min Lidle instant Pasta reheat episode.
Inverter is right next to batteries with 240V ext lead to microwave

 

[William_H]

I was waiting for William H to tell us that
far better a 240v & an inverter (that has multiple uses) with short 12v cables & longer 240v ones

Apparently 12v microwaves are somewhat lower powered than I thought. 450w not 700w sorry about that.
A microwave cooker uses a high voltage around 900 volts to fire the magnetron. A domestic microwave cooker has a transformer that converts the 240v AC to high voltage AC which is rectified.
An inverter converts 12v DC to Ac by switching transforms this to high voltage which is then switched to produce 50 hertz AC at 240v equivalent. Each transformation is less than 100% efficient the inverter being around 80%.
The 12v microwave cooker does not have an inverter built in but does switch the 12v rapidly and transforms directly to the high voltage needed for the magnetron. Hence higher efficiency. olewill

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

What a lot of old grumpies!

We have a microwave, fitted top left on the picture and use it just as we do at home. It gets turned on for defrosting frozen stuff, heating vegetables, zapping quick microwave meals, and reheating stuff we have let get cold.

We run it off our inverter, shore power or generator.

Yes they use a bit of power, but only for very short periods of time, so we have had no battery problems.

Depends on your boat, your kit etc. but I love ours. It doesn't get used a lot, but particularly on passage it is so much better to nuke something for two minutes than stand down below for twenty cooking.

 

[dunmor]

nice looking interior.

 

[Heckler]

What a lot of old grumpies!

We have a microwave, fitted top left on the picture and use it just as we do at home. It gets turned on for defrosting frozen stuff, heating vegetables, zapping quick microwave meals, and reheating stuff we have let get cold.

We run it off our inverter, shore power or generator.

Yes they use a bit of power, but only for very short periods of time, so we have had no battery problems.

Depends on your boat, your kit etc. but I love ours. It doesn't get used a lot, but particularly on passage it is so much better to nuke something for two minutes than stand down below for twenty cooking.

plus one on the tooth sucking grumpies!
I have a big boat, with a big bank of batteries, I like the big thing because it makes life easier! I am thinking of doing the same as you. My big boat and big batteries will make it easy!
hohum!
Stu

 

[ean_p]

Does anyone have any issues with moisture been caused by the microwave's?... do there enclosures need venting?