Microwaves are an essential kitchen appliance in the majority of homes due to the convenience they provide when preparing food. This is why they also play such an integral part in a caravan kitchen. When going on an outdoor camping trip, you will probably find yourself having to use a microwave more than you would at home, since people often choose easy microwavable meals to take with them on their trip rather than using the stove and cooking from scratch. Since the microwave plays such an important role in caravan kitchens, this blog post will cover some of the best microwaves that are suitable for use in a caravan, and things to consider when selecting a microwave to purchase for your caravan.
I have looked at and used several microwaves that could be considered for use in a caravan. After testing several, there are 5 I love to recommend for various reasons:
| Microwave name | Price | Best feature | What I didn’t like | Overall score | Place to purchase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharp R20DKM | £55.00 | Stays within the recommended power usage limit while ensuring it heats up food well. | The main thing that holds this microwave back is its appearance. It looks quite dull, and unexciting. | 10 | ao.com |
| Hotpoint COOK 20 MWH 101 B | £63.00 | Uses an ideal amount of power to ensure it doesn’t consume too much power from the campsite. | Ultra-low power consumption may result to it not being as effective as others in this list. | 9 | ao.com |
| Samsung MW5000T | £134.00 | This microwave is super stylish – it looks great in any caravan. | A lot more expensive than other recommendations and may not fit everyone’s budget. | 8 | ao.com |
| Sharp R220SLM | £60.00 | Very stylish for an excellent price point. By far the most contemporary of my recommendations. | Slightly larger in size than some of the other recommendations and will require a bit more space. | 10 | ao.com |
| Hisense H25MOBS7HUK | £79.00 | Great value for money, especially when compared to other big name brands. | May use too much power for your campsite. | 9 | ao.com |
All prices are correct at the time of writing. If you do purchase a microwave using one of our links, we earn a little commission at no extra cost to you. Every purchase helps us if you like our recommendations.
Now I’ve gone over my recommendations, I’m going to look at each of them in more depth, while also explaining why I’ve made the recommendations above. I’ll also explain the full criteria that I’ve judged these microwaves on.
In the blog post below I will cover the following:
- Why you need a microwave in your caravan
- Things to be aware of when selecting a microwave for your caravan
- Five of the best microwaves for caravans
- Conclusion
Why you need a microwave in your caravan
Since electric hook-ups have become a standard feature at most caravan sites, microwaves have also become an essential item for caravans. Although the majority of newer caravan models now come with microwaves pre-fitted, you can easily buy one separately if this isn’t the case for your caravan.
As briefly mentioned previously, you may even find that while you are using you caravan outdoors, you may tend to gravitate more towards using your microwave than preparing meals on the stove. This may be because of convenience but also because of the lack of space, as cooking a meal from scratch may seem like a really big task while using you caravan kitchen. This is where you microwave comes in to good use. Not only can it heat up previously cooked foods, but the majority of microwaves have become multifunctional. You can use them to cook rice, pasta, fish, or even use them to defrost food just by selecting the correct setting on the dial.
For caravan, campervan or even motorhome users, a microwave is a fantastic alternative to using the stove for people who prefer to keep their food preparation time to a minimum while being out on a trip.
Things to be aware of when selecting a microwave for your caravan
When using a microwaves, whether in your kitchen at home of your caravan kitchen, it’s important to remember that they are designed to be placed and used on a stable surface which is heat resistant and allows enough air circulation. This is why it is vital to consider if the space limitations of your caravan meet all requirements relating to the use of microwaves in you caravan. You should ensure that the kitchen unit in your caravan is robust enough to cope with the motion of a caravan. It’s also important to check the weight of the microwave before you purchase it and make sure that your caravan has sufficient payload to carry it.
As well as the weight of the microwave, the size of the microwave also needs to be considered. Unlike the majority of kitchens in houses, a caravan kitchen is much smaller and therefore may not have the space available to fit in a larger sized microwave like you have a home. for this reason, you may have to consider getting a much smaller microwave that is suitable for fitting in smaller loads.
Another main factor to consider when purchasing a microwave for caravan use is the power consumption. The more powerful the microwave is, the more likely it is to use up the power that is supplied by the campsite. This could result in a power cut, not only for you but for all the caravan connected to that campsite. To avoid excessive power consumption, it is vital to ensure that the microwave you purchase uses more no than 800W.
Five of the best microwaves for caravans
The more modern microwaves are designed to have multiple functionalities that include cooking and defrosting food rather than just heating it up. However, since there are so many factors to consider before selecting one to use in your caravan, it is important to research and find out more about microwaves that are safe and suitable to use in your caravan. Below I have listed 5 of the best microwaves for caravans. These have been listed in no particular order as the best microwave for you will depend on what functionalities require from your microwave and how much power and weight your caravan can carry. I have listed some of the best microwaves for caravans and what each model has to offer.
Select the microwave you want to read about to be taken to the relevant information:
Sharp R20DKM
Below, I have set up a table including the price, power, size and capacity of the microwave, as well as what I would rate the microwave out of 10 for each of these features.
| Microwave Model | Price | Power | Size | Capacity | Rating out of 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharp R20DKM | £55.00 | 800W | Width: 44.0cm Height: 25.8cm | 20 Litres | 10 |
This Sharp microwave features 800 Watts of cooking power and has a 20-litre size which is what makes it so perfect for using in a caravan. Although this microwave has been designed for use in smaller households, and the 25.5cm turntable can accommodate medium-sized plates. In addition to its perfect size for a caravan, it comes with eight pre-programmed settings, which means you no longer nee to guess how long to cook or how much power to use for everything that goes into your microwave.
Another useful feature of this Sharp microwave is that if you forgot to defrost the chicken (or any other kind of frozen meat) for dinner, you can just put it into the microwave and choose the thaw function. This brings your meat to room temperature for safe cooking. It also has a minute minder that will let you know when your food is ready, so you don’t need to keep checking on it yourself.
One factor that may be considered as another benefit of this microwave is the amount of power it uses. It is ideal for use in a caravan as it’s not likely to exceed the power usage limit of the campsite. Using 800W of power means it has the ability to heat up larger plates of food well, while ensuring that it stays within the recommended limit for use in a caravan.
The Sharp R20DKM is available on ao.com. You can learn more about this particular microwave and purchase it here.
Hotpoint COOK 20 MWH 101 B
Below, I have set up a table including the price, power, size and capacity of the microwave, as well as what I would rate the microwave out of 10 for each of these features.
| Microwave Model | Price | Power | Size | Capacity | Rating out of 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hotpoint COOK 20 MWH 101 B | £63.00 | 700W | Width: 45.2cm Height: 26.2cm | 20 Litres | 9 |
Whether you use it for ready meals or nutritious soups, this Hotpoint microwave is ideal if you’re looking for a microwave that is suitable for use in a caravan, with its 20 litre capacity and a 24cm turntable, it’s the perfect size for to carry around in your caravan. Its 700 Watt power output will cook and reheat your food really quickly, whilst giving you the choice of 6 power levels in case you need to gently defrost chicken.
This Hotpoint microwave comes with simple mechanical dials, so adding extra minutes on the timer is very easy. You won’t have to worry about the kids turning it on by mistake either, as the control panel has a clever safety lock to prevent any accidents.
Although the power this microwave uses is slightly less than the previous Sharp microwave, it still uses a decent amount of power at 700W. This is a good amount of power consumption for caravan microwaves as it stays within the safe power usage limit, while also using enough power to be able to heat and cook food properly.
The Hotpoint COOK 20 MWH 101 B is available on ao.com. You can learn more about this particular microwave and purchase it here.
Samsung MW5000T
Below, I have set up a table including the price, power, size and capacity of the microwave, as well as what I would rate the microwave out of 10 for each of these features.
| Microwave Model | Price | Power | Size | Capacity | Rating out of 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung MW5000T | £134.00 | 800W | Width: 48.9cm Height: 27.5cm | 23 Litres | 8 |
This Samsung microwave has Automatic Programmes, which select the best times and temperatures for each dish so you don’t have to. The Triple Distribution System releases waves from 3 different points, resulting in evenly cooked meals from every angle. It has an enamel interior that’s really easy to clean as well, making tidy up time in your caravan much quicker.
Another great feature of this microwave is that it has a 23 litre capacity and a 28.8cm turntable, making it ideal for large dinner plates. This is slightly larger than the previous microwaves mentioned which all have a 20 litre capacity. This is the perfect microwave for larger caravans that host a group of people as it is suitable for heating larger amounts of food than the previous microwaves mentioned.
The material that the microwave is made from is a smooth and easy to clean plastic, which means it is very low maintenance as you can easily clean it using a damp cloth to maintain its performance. This is one of the most expensive microwaves included in this blog post at £134. It has the same 800W power usage as other microwaves, meaning the difference between this Samsung microwaves and the others is the slight increase in size. For many caravan users this may not justify the large price gap.
The Samsung MW5000T is available on ao.com. You can learn more about this particular microwave and purchase it here.
Sharp R220SLM
Below, I have set up a table including the price, power, size and capacity of the microwave, as well as what I would rate the microwave out of 10 for each of these features.
| Microwave Model | Price | Power | Size | Capacity | Rating out of 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharp R220SLM | £60.00 | 800W | Width: 44.0cm Height: 25.8cm | 20 Litres | 10 |
This fantastic microwave from Sharp has a 20 litre capacity, making it a brilliant choice for caravans. One of the most impressive features about this small microwave is its clever automatic cooking programmes that set the ideal time and temperature for each dish, so you can have a delicious meal ready to eat at the touch of a button.
From all of the microwaves included in this blog post, This Sharp microwave is by far one of the most modern and unique looking microwaves. The large black boarder at the front of the microwave gives is a very sophisticated and contemporary look that the majority of microwaves of this size and price range don’t usually have. The bright silver microwave is very visually appealing and the perfect addition to modernise your caravan kitchen
Not only does this microwave look amazing, but is available at a very affordable price of £60 for a well designed microwave that looks modern, is small enough to fit into a caravan and performs well. This lightweight microwave is perfect for any caravan user who wants to buy a great modern looking microwave that fits a low budget, and is safe to use in an average size caravan. The Sharp microwave uses 800W of power which is perfect for use in a caravan, and has reasonable dimensions to make it fit in your caravan perfectly.
The Sharp R220SLM is available on ao.com. You can learn more about this particular microwave and purchase it here.
Hisense H25MOBS7HUK
Below, I have set up a table including the price, power, size and capacity of the microwave, as well as what I would rate the microwave out of 10 for each of these features.
| Microwave Model | Price | Power | Size | Capacity | Rating out of 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hisense H25MOBS7HUK | £79.00 | 900W | Width: 48.5cm Height: 29.3cm | 25 Litres | 9 |
If you’re on the hunt for a high quality microwave, then this Hisense microwave is perfect. It has a 25 litre capacity and a 28.8cm turntable that’ll easily fit larger dinner plates. And thanks to the 900 watts of power, your dishes will be quickly and evenly cooked through. One of the best features of this particular microwave is the automatic programmes and timer that make sure your food is always done perfectly. Using this model is really simple as it has easy to use touch controls.
One of the main reasons why this microwave is recommended in this blog post is because it is great value for money. The previously mentioned Samsung microwave was almost double the price of this Hisense one, yet only had 800W of power, however this microwaves had 900W. When comparing this microwave to the big brand names such as Samsung, this model offers great value while having the same features.
As I mentioned earlier, it is recommended that microwaves should use no more than 800W of power when using in a caravan. However I have still included this in this blog post as there are often camping sites that may supply more power allowing you to use this microwave. Although it may not be suitable everywhere, this is still a great microwave to consider due to how much is included at a reasonable price.
The Hisense H25MOBS7HUK is available on ao.com. You can learn more about this particular microwave and purchase it here.
Conclusion
Essentially, the function of an average microwave is to heat up pre-cooked food, however, if you want a multi functional microwave that also cooks, and defrosts food, you must ensure that you have looked into the model well and understand the different functionalities is has to offer.
Although it may seen like an obvious thing to do, measuring the space available for a microwave on your caravan kitchen counter is another vital step that is easily forgotten when purchasing a microwave for your caravan. Your microwave should slot into your kitchen well to make sure it doesn’t moves around when driving, but also to ensure the microwave itself doesn’t get damaged as microwaves need a flat and stable surface in order to work well.