Shallow microwave?

[ToBoldlyGo]

I am finding it very difficult to source a microwave that is not very deep, front to back.

Say for example I search on 'caravan microwave' I get a hit that leads to a microwave with dimensions 32.4L x 44W x 25.8H.

My cupboard depth is just under 30 cm, so 32.4 (what they call length in this example) is too big.

 

[shrek snr]

We bought a Russell Hobbs 600w from Robert Dyas 69.00.

 

[ToBoldlyGo]

Too deep. ive just looked at that and these are its dimensions:

• Dimensions: H22.4 x W42.4 x D31.3cm

It is really easy to find a microwave 31.n deep, but asI say impossible so far to find one under 30cm. I even found a thread on Fun from 2012 with someone asking the same thing.

 

[Janine]

I saw a Daewoo QT in Cash Coverters last week - it looked very small!

 

[Diabalo]

Go on Amazon and do a search for small microwaves and it will list them with the dimensions on the righthand side, you can easily trundle through them to see if ones fits the bill.

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[Itsmcb]

I saw a Daewoo QT in Cash Coverters last week - it looked very small!

I fitted a Daewoo QT into my van couple of years ago, excellent little thing. Only 32cms deep. I couldn't find anything smaller so I removed the cupboard door and fitted a shelf above the microwave. 600watt output so only around the 1000w input. Ideal to use with an inverter.

 

[cyberyacht]

I fitted a Russell Hobbs 600w into my moho. You're only talking a projection of less than 1". Is the depth that critical because you wish to have a locker door closing on it?

 

[Richard n Ann]

This one is 20% shallower..

Broken Link Removed

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

We fitted a small Tesco 700w wave to a previous van but had to leave the door to the overhead locker off.it was a good fit otherwise.
Make sure you leave a space at the back to stop it overheating.ideally you need gaps on all sides.

 

[ToBoldlyGo]

Go on Amazon and do a search for small microwaves and it will list them with the dimensions on the righthand side, you can easily trundle through them to see if ones fits the bill.

No it doesn't actually, it gives the width and height but oddly, not the depth. Honest, if it were that easy I'd have done it by now .

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[ToBoldlyGo]

We fitted a small Tesco 700w wave to a previous van but had to leave the door to the overhead locker off.it was a good fit otherwise.
Make sure you leave a space at the back to stop it overheating.ideally you need gaps on all sides.

Thanks Jim. If I ever source a slim one, then I plan on having it on particleboard with kitchen drawer type rails.

 

[ToBoldlyGo]

I fitted a Russell Hobbs 600w into my moho. You're only talking a projection of less than 1". Is the depth that critical because you wish to have a locker door closing on it?

That's right, yes. I'm starting to wonder if I'll have to take the door off . On my Autotrail Tribute (which is an entry-level/basic kind of motorhome) there is one cupboard with a 13a socket in it, and I assume on more upmarket models that would be where the microwave would live.

 

[ToBoldlyGo]

This one is 20% shallower..

The old n% better / cheaper marketing ploy. It may be 20% shallower but it's still much deeper than I can fit!

 

[Itsmcb]

The problem is they have to be a certain minimum size otherwise a dinner plate won't fit on the turntable and that would be unusable to most people.

 

[Diabalo]

No it doesn't actually, it gives the width and height but oddly, not the depth. Honest, if it were that easy I'd have done it by now .

That's strange as it does when I do it.

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[Kannon Fodda]

That's right, yes. I'm starting to wonder if I'll have to take the door off . On my Autotrail Tribute (which is an entry-level/basic kind of motorhome) there is one cupboard with a 13a socket in it, and I assume on more upmarket models that would be where the microwave would live.

If you look at the Autotrail panel van conversions, and the handbooks from a couple of years ago when they put wiring diagrams in the back, you can see regardless of model, the wiring was similar. they just don't fit and connect the accessories. A bit like cars that it's easier to make up one size fits all wiring looms and then decide what they will or won't connect. So yes in one of the overhead lockers, probably over the passenger side bench seat close to the cooker there would be a 13A 240V socket. If you then look at the photos of many of the "upmarket" Autotrail PVCs where the microwave is installed over the cooker hob area you'll see the housing cupboard is quite a bit larger, and definitely deeper than the standard overhead locker units. There is no cupboard door to what is effectively a big shelf unit so the microwave front sit's flush with the cabinet housing edge. A Russell Hobbs microwave is the standard appliance.

Personally for the limited time I spend on hookup the microwave is the accessory I can manage without. Furthermore, being fitted at eye level it is I think a potential hazard when you try and lift out your heated food, in such a confined space, ready to tip it all over you.

 

[Richard n Ann]

ready to tip it all over you.

That's why I never cook when hammered. Even just eating it, it's all over the table cloth

 

[cyberyacht]

Here's a pic of mine in situ:-

 

[ToBoldlyGo]

If you look at the Autotrail panel van conversions, and the handbooks from a couple of years ago when they put wiring diagrams in the back, you can see regardless of model, the wiring was similar. they just don't fit and connect the accessories. A bit like cars that it's easier to make up one size fits all wiring looms and then decide what they will or won't connect. So yes in one of the overhead lockers, probably over the passenger side bench seat close to the cooker there would be a 13A 240V socket. If you then look at the photos of many of the "upmarket" Autotrail PVCs where the microwave is installed over the cooker hob area you'll see the housing cupboard is quite a bit larger, and definitely deeper than the standard overhead locker units. There is no cupboard door to what is effectively a big shelf unit so the microwave front sit's flush with the cabinet housing edge. A Russell Hobbs microwave is the standard appliance.

Personally for the limited time I spend on hookup the microwave is the accessory I can manage without. Furthermore, being fitted at eye level it is I think a potential hazard when you try and lift out your heated food, in such a confined space, ready to tip it all over you.

Thanks very much for all this. Hookup time is the opposite for us and one of the attractions of a microwave when on the continent is not using gas.

 

[L' Hobo]

I use ANY microwave that has multiple settings and only use the appropriate setting for power source. This gives more choice on size and cost.
The one I have has five different settings and, I think, I bought it from Tesco's about three years ago.

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[Jimbohorlicks]

Have you seen this one

Montpellier Integrated Slim Depth Microwave MWBI17-300

Get The Montpellier Integrated Slim Depth Microwave MWBI17-300. With 8 Auto Cooking Programmes & Clear LED Display. Click ‘Buy Online’ Or ‘Where To Buy’.

www.montpellier-appliances.com

 

[L' Hobo]

I use ANY microwave that has multiple settings and only use the appropriate setting for power source. This gives more choice on size and cost.
The one I have has five different settings and, I think, I bought it from Tesco's about three years ago.

Forget to mention, it's a combi and if you count those it has 8 settings.

 

[MisterB]

I am also in the process of fitting a microwave into our Adria, where the TV usually is. Yesterday I had to remove (and replace when installed) a few trims. There was a panel at the back of the cupboard I removed to see if I could run an additional cable back to an inverter and found that cables clearly identified for solar panel AND satellite dish were installed when the Moho was built! Brilliant result. Eventually decided to utilise the existing cable for the TV as it only feeds the TV socket (240v) when on hook up and install the inverter right next to the battery. Microwave is 600w and cable is 1.5mm so should cope easily !

To the OP, it's not just finding a microwave to fit, it's also about the cabling and ventilation.

 

[ToBoldlyGo]

MisterB, sorry to take quite so long to respond. I've just given up on the depth / shallow microwave requirement. I agree it's not just about space but how it installs and works.

I've just come across this site where they sell low power microwaves, and I'm probably going to go for one of their 320 watt ones as that will work off 6 amp ehu and my 2000 watt inverter.

kitchenwareonline.com

They are the online sales division for this company:

Microwave Service Company

I hadn't realised there might be the possibility of removing individual cupboard backs ill have a peer, thanks. I have mind mind making a wooden frame that the microwave will fit in so it will be firm even when jutting out slightly.

 

[autorouter]

I have mind mind making a wooden frame that the microwave will fit in so it will be firm even when jutting out slightly

The microwave I fitted has feet that are held on by screws. I cut a plywood rectangle to fit the cupboard base exactly, then marked the microwave feet locations. Then drilled holes and using longer screws fixed the microwave to the plywood. Be careful that the screws are not too long, possibly causing damage inside the microwave.

It's then a matter fo fixing the plywood to the cupboard base. I used a couple of screws. You may have access to screw through the cupboard base. I couldn't do this because it was just above the fridge.

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[ToBoldlyGo]

Thanks autorouter. I trial fitted the 320 watt microwave I just bought and it sticks out about 4 cm as I expected but visually it looks ok. I plan on taking the existing door off and making up a new one with large holes in the front, ie the new door will just be a hinged surround for the microwave.

Ive tested the microwave against a 100ah battery and a 1000 watt pure sine inverter. The microwave has medium, medium high and high settings, Ive only tried on the first 2 so far. Instructions say it requires 4 amps so fine also on a 6a ehu.

 

[Reallyretired]

The power settings on microwaves just change the on/off cycle so that max is on all the time. Because of the surge on startup a low setting may put more load on the inverter than the max one.

 

[sonar]

There is always plenty of room inside them at the back

maybe removing the back and reforming the rear cover plate will give you the extra few mm required.

however it will affect the guarantee as effectively you will not have one.

 

[ToBoldlyGo]

This is the microwave I ended up with.

The photo doesn't really show it but juts out of my particular cupboard about 4cm, which sounded a lot to me before I installed it (ie plonked it in the cupboard). I had thought of replacing the existing door with a custom one, but the hinges (huge, I don't know why cupboard hinges are so big, anyone?) foul the tip of the microwave.

 

[ToBoldlyGo]

The power settings on microwaves just change the on/off cycle so that max is on all the time. Because of the surge on startup a low setting may put more load on the inverter than the max one.

Thanks, that's very interesting, so I don't need to test on the highest setting now. The microwave has a slow or soft start btw.

sonar thanks but that's beyond my comfort level, and I'm quite happy with it's looks at the moment, I just need to get the cupboard door off and perhaps replace it with something.