Have you shopped for a new RV lately? If not, you’ll be surprised at the number of new rigs that now have RV microwave convection ovens instead of the usual propane-powered oven.
This appliance gives RVers a better cooking experience in the great outdoors, but many people are still reluctant to try this new-fangled gadget. To help clear up the confusion, let’s debunk the three big myths about RV microwave convection ovens.
A microwave/convection oven found in the Winnebago Sunova. Photo courtesy Winnebago Industries.
Myth 1: Microwave convection ovens are complicated
RV microwave convection ovens are two appliances in one. Choose the microwave setting and you can utilize microwave cooking as you normally would for reheating food, beverages, etc. Or select the convection setting and the unit works just like a standard kitchen oven, with one big exception.
Instead of merely blasting heat into the oven cavity, a convection oven takes that heat and circulates it with fans. Heat moves around, under and over the food to cook it faster and more evenly than a typical oven.
“I really like that it’s two appliances in one,” says Tracy Morrow, a full-time RVer for the last five years. “Mine has a combination setting, so it can microwave and do the convection process with one meal, which cooks things a lot quicker.”
Like most people, Tracy didn’t automatically love her microwave convection oven. This technology required her to do things differently before she got it, but her comfort level grew over time. Reading the manual was the first step to understanding the appliance. Temperature and time settings differ between units so keeping the book nearby will help newbies get comfortable with the differences.
Myth 2: Food doesn’t taste as good as oven-baked meals.
Cooking with RV microwave convection ovens means making a few minor adaptations to your favorite recipes. Much like making dietary changes to your daily menu, you’ll get familiar with your appliance over time. Soon your favorite meals will cook and taste consistently once you get to know the quirks of microwave convection oven cooking times and settings.
With practice, any food you make, from cakes to turkey to casseroles, will turn out as tasty as ever. A good cookbook helps.
However, keep in mind that the lack of a direct flame source on food means you won’t usually get that familiar “charbroil” texture on top. Tracy says that even though her RV microwave convection oven has a “Broil” setting, the end result isn’t as good as a standard oven. “It’s not broiling like we know it. It just can’t crisp things up the way I like it,” she says.
Myth 3: You need special cookware.
Many people mistakenly believe that you can’t use metal cookware in an RV microwave convection oven. That’s only partially true. You just can’t use metal while the unit is in microwave mode. Lots of cool new bakeware can be used in this appliance, like silicone cookie trays and cupcake pans.
This appliance is one of the best ways to enjoy your favorite foods.
Remember, “They flop around, so you need to set it atop a cookie sheet or some other support before you fill it, and move the support with the bakeware,” says iRV2 member wa8yxm.
Depending on which RVers you talk to about convection ovens, this device has many other advantages. As a two-in-one appliance you get to utilize the oven area for storage space.
About the only downside is that microwave convection ovens use lots of electricity, so if you enjoy boondocking on solar power you’ll have to ensure you have an adequate system. On the bright side, you’ll save on propane costs because microwave convection ovens unit don’t use any.
When we’re on the road, most of us would rather be having fun outside than slaving away inside our RV kitchens. Forget those common myths about RV microwave convection ovens that you’ve heard. This appliance is one of the best ways to enjoy your favorite foods and make the most of your time in the great outdoors.
See also: 6 Tips For Successful Baking In Your RV Oven
Rene Agredano and her husband, Jim Nelson, became full-time RVers in 2007 and have been touring the country ever since. In her blog, Rene chronicles the ins and outs of the full-timing life and brings readers along to meet the fascinating people and amazing places they visit on the road. Her road trip adventures are chronicled in her blog at LiveWorkDream.com.
Nice thorough article but I’m not using mine much yet. Not quite convinced on how wonderful it is. Maybe in time. I keep a nice toaster oven that’s awesome.
I think like any new gadget, it takes practice. I felt the same way about my pressure cooker until I learned what it could do. Now I can’t live without it.
Great info! Thank you!
You are very welcome. Thank you for reading!
The biggest down side I see is that while convect baking, I have no microwave and have to wait for cool down to use Themistocles wave! I am very happy to have a stove with an oven again, as well as sconce toon microwave! Just can’t do without both!!!
I think I’m with you on that Marlene. I know lots of folks who are happy with just one but I’m not sure I would be.
Our new RV has a micro/convection oven combo. I was happy to see this article. It helped me feel less overwhelmed about “one more thing”…..(newbie to RVing here) Also, you had a great reminder about getting a cookbook on the topic. Great idea! I see them in thrift shops all the time. Also, I didn’t know that I won’t be able to use the thing while boondocking unless I have a solar power system up and running. Looking forward to my new adventure and appreciate all the great articles. Thanks.! Just love web info 🙂
Hi Kodi thanks for reading, I’m so glad you found this (and RV Life) useful in planning your great adventure! Keep in mind you can certainly use your convection oven when boondocking, you’ll just need to run your generator. It’s not the ideal solution if you want to cook big things like a roast or something, but it’s possible. Let us know how it works out for you!
Even with a solar power system, cooking with an electric oven is not likely practical. The oven will use at least 10 amps at 120 volts, or 100 amps at 12 volts, and you can’t cook much in less than half an hour, so say that’s 50 amp-hours for a single use… more energy than most RV solar power systems collect in an entire day. It;s like using a microwave oven, but for much longer times. In a campsite serviced with power, it’s a great thing; off-grid, not so much.
Running a generator every time you cook is not always an option, depending on where you camp.
We cook with electricity, using a microwave oven, electric kettle, induction cooker, and toaster oven… but only where shore power is available or the generator is reasonable to use. I wouldn’t want to depend on having lots of electrical power available.
Hello,
I am new to this RViing
Can I use the microwave oven with the generator off ? Why do my eletrical sockets only work with the generator on ?
Thanks,
Dora, I’m not an electrical expert either but here’s my basic understanding: your microwave and electrical sockets require A/C power. Shore power, a generator or solar electric power system with an inverter are needed to supply A/C power to your RV. Your batteries cannot do that because they supply D/C power.
Does anyone have a link for the Highpoint micro/convection oven installed in the 2016 Sunova? If so, please post…our new Sunova came without a manual to give us even basic directions.
Thanks!
I don’t know your model number but I did find our manual online Google highpoint microwave onvetion oven manuals and look for your model number
I thought maybe a microwave (sans camera 🙂 ) and a toaster oven might work well; I LOVE my Breville toaster oven and would hate to leave it behind! Any thoughts on this? Also I hear the Coleman camper oven works well over a gas burner.
Chris, our microwave and oven broiler is all we’ve needed for 10 years on the road. I’m not an expert but I would think a typical toaster oven would pull a lot of power for the RV, making it a risky appliance. I know our panini grill will trip breakers sometimes.
A toaster oven draws no more power than a microwave or microwave/convection oven, and is designed for use on a 15-amp circuit. If your microwave oven doesn’t have the convection feature, a toaster oven can reasonably fill in that capability. It is no more risky in an RV than it is in your house.
If your panini grill is causing the breaker to trip, either the breaker is defective or there is something else (probably something substantial) running on the same circuit.
We have tried using ours a few times, but have noticed it takes quite a while to cook compared to normal oven times. Is this normal?
Thanks for this page and the video from the Wynns. Perfect bit of clarification and encouragement for me to try out the one in our RV.
We have been fulltiming now for 2+ yrs, so I can say that we’ve given the Whorlpool combo microwave/convection oven a good workout. My final assessment is that the microwave is fine but the convection oven just doesn’t cut it. If you need more time while using the convection oven, in many instances you can’t easily add more time without it cooling down first. Our MW/C oven doesn’t have a browning function. The height from the shelf to the top of the oven doesn’t give you much clearance and often prevents me from roasting meats or poultry that stand tall.
I spoke to the customer service rep for RV customers (I can’t recall the department’s name) at Whirlpool who informed me that the oven itself weighs approx 75 lbs and that with the way it’s installed, it is inadvisable to use a cast iron/ceramic Dutch oven in it (even if there was enough clearance above the shelf for one), as they add too much weight to the supporting load tolerance. I checked with a mobile RV service company and they said that a regular oven couldn’t be installed below our stove because of the way that Forest River constructed the electrical and propane lines. ????
We had to replace the micro/convection combo oven in our RV and the repair shop “had trouble finding one to replace it with” so we have one that is a bit too big for the space. It sticks out further and makes one cupboard harder to open. I can deal with that, but then it started opening while driving and the glass tray fell out. It does not latch tight and stay closed. So now we have to take the tray out and since it turns the blower on when open, We have to unplug it when driving. All this is inconvenient!! I would like a list of those ovens that are rated for travel with a door that actually locks or at least stays closed until yanked open!!! Can anyone help Please?
Karen,
We have the same problem. We need to replace our microwave/convection oven too. Have you gotten any response/help/suggestions? Also, do you know if it has to be replaced with one that is made specifically for an RV?
We appreciate you sharing ideas and suggestion.
I replaced our Hamilton Beach Microwave with a High Pointe Convection Microwave in our travel trailer. I had to cut out the opening larger to accommodate the larger size unit. I also had to have a 1 inch thick spacer around the opening to accommodate the depth requirement of the new unit. All said and done, it looks like a good fit, we’re still learning how to use this unit but I like it so far. Many features for a small unit but so far, so good. BTW, we have convection microwave in our 5th wheel, park model and our travel trailer.
I have had the combo microwave/convection for 7 years, and I still do not care for it. Would much rather have the oven and micro separate. Too much planning on what to microwave and then let sit when I use oven, or other way around. It does not do cakes, brownies etc, well, and pizza is not good either. Do not like to use generator that much when boondocking. Give me my propane oven back!! Also, do no like the way the RV ndustry is heading towards electric on refrigerators.
These can work really well, they just take a little practice figuring out cooking times and temps. It provides a second oven in our rig when hooked to shore power. I would not want one as your only oven because of the need to run a generator when boondocking.
Very helpful article,! My microwave/convection oven inour RV runs for one minute & stops. I have to hit the start button every minute even if I set it for longer. Any suggestions?
Using convection also utilizes combination of microwaving in some recipes I saw. If microwaving is reason enough to not use it then using as convection while incorporating microwave then this is not for me. I like my propane better
Love my RV convection oven. Read and educate yourself on the operation of the oven, buy a good RV convection microwave cookbook (because they’ve been there and done that!), plan your meals and practice practice practice! I’ve purchased a small pizza stone for our RV and it works perfectly. Between the convection microwave, stovetop and outdoor grill we can pretty much prepare whatever we want.
We bought our RV used and it did not have an oven. At first we were going to have one put in until we found out the price. Then we got used to having the cabinet space where the oven would have been. I researched a lot and we bought a Hamilton Beach Extra Large Capacity Countertop oven for $79.99 at Walmart. It is amazing. It has a setting for convection, regular baking, broiling, and rotisserie for roasts up to 5 pounds. I decided to try it first at home after reading the manual. We first did a rotisserie pork roast. The rotisserie self bastes and it was the best one I ever made and since I am 64 I have made a lot. We even did a 5 lb Turkey breast in the convection part last Thanksgiving. It was delicious. My s/o made a shelf with a small lip that matches our cabinets to store it on and we set it there. He placed 4 hooks that you cannot see so we strap it in with bungee cords while we travel. It is very light weight so we can take it down and set it outside when we need to use it. When I want to cook scalloped potatoes and have them brown I cook them until almost done with the regular oven part then cover the pan with tin foil to keep it warm. I pop in the roast on the rotisserie and set it to cooking time. I can even take a nap since it turns off automatically. Then I set the oven back on bake or convection bake and finish the potatoes while the roast is cooling to cut. I pop the veggies in the microwave in the trailer and dinner is done. And delicious as well. We love it. When boondocking we use the grill and our stovetop but we will eventually get a solar panel and a generator when he retires and we travel for months at a time because I need full time oxygen when I sleep. Now when we boondock we just use the large oxygen bottles for me to sleep when we don’t have electric.
I would like one of these in my little cabin but plz tell me how to use the solar power option?
I do not have solar power in my RV at this time but I think if all your electric in your cabin is using only solar power then you would just plug it in like any other electric appliance. We are working on getting solar power for the RV because I need oxygen to sleep and the consentrator is electric. When we don’t have power now I have to use the big oxygen tanks to get me through the night so I have to replace them often. None of the battery powered oxygen concentrators have a battery that will last all night. Not sure we will use the oven when we are boondocking but it sure does great when we have shore power.
Just tried our new little convection oven/micro combo and it’s AWESOME!! Did great with my cookie test and I am really liking the storage space that I have for my pans without the traditional oven eating up space.
One thing I will say is yes you can boon-dock with this oven, however you need to make sure you have enough solar/inverter/batteries to handle it. We opted for the basic off grid package on our camper so it handles it well without any issues so far. So far I really like the fact that we don’t have to have a shore line, but we do take our generator as a backup.
When I first moved to the Netherlands back in the 1990s was when I experienced using the microwave convection oven; what is called there a “combi-oven”. Houses in the Netherlands are quite small as are the kitchens. It took a bit of practice but eventually I could even cook a small turkey breast in it for Thanksgiving. (First time I had to buy turkey by the inch rather than the pound to ensure it would fit!). If you have a quality unit and take the time to learn to use them, they are great.
Can I use my cast iron paella pan in convection mode? and if so, does it have to be on the rotating turntable (without hitting the sides of the oven of course)?
I bought a new RV on a few months ago and I no often use the microwave in my RV. After I read your post I used it and I feel very satisfied with it. Thanks so much!
I bought an RV last year, I was thinking about getting a microwave for my RV for long trips, I think it’s quite necessary. Greystone P90D23AP-X3-FR03 is a good option for me, it fits in a small kitchen, it is very practical, special, and resistant to rust and vibration.
I bought this Sharp R1874T microwave to upgrade the original (1850-A) model in our RV. It took me around 15 mins to remove the old one; the 1874-T comes with a new backplate which is identical to the 1850-A one but I decided to renew it as the old one had 12 years’ worth of work supporting the relatively-heavy microwave – that was only 8 minutes and 24 screws extra. Everything worked on the run-through so I’m happy it all seems fine. Its design is thoughtful, and its functionality is spot-on without depriving other RV appliances of much-needed power.
One question for those thinking of replacing their microwave oven – is the only reason because it stopped working, or works incorrectly ? Often the problem is a door safety switch that costs less than $ 10.00 from a reputable appliance parts supplier. Watch a few Youtube videos on how to diagnose the problem on your microwave, and if the diagnosis leads to one or more door switches [there are often 3 of them], I highly recommend watching some videos on how to replace a door switch. If you are uncomfortable or unable to do the swap yourself, consider using an appliance repair technician. Since most appliance repair technicians are already “mobile”, you should not necessarily need a mobile RV technician, unless the microwave oven needs to come off the mounting plate [watch the videos to see if the door switch can be accessed “in situ” – many can be]. As many on this forum have commented before, being a handy RV owner and willing to do many repairs and upgrades makes owning an RV more affordable, and frees your RV from the backlogs at RV service.