Convection microwave as only oven?

[m.hony]

I have used my convection microwave 3 times.
1. Toast
2. Peanut butter cookies
3. Biscuits

While cooking bacon and sausage on an electric griddle- some folks that camp with us do bacon in the microwave-

[aquinob]

One thing to keep in mind about convection ovens is that you really shouldn't use the convection for baking cakes. The dry air will tend to overcook the top while the rest undercooks. And don't take my word for it, this comes from the folks at Americas test kitchen.

And as others have mentioned, it draws quite a bit of power as any electric oven does. I use a convection oven at home and I really like it for browning meats. My '73 overlander has the original gas oven and I'm keeping it since it does a good job for baking and I am installing a mid sized microwave to supplement it.

[Jack46]

Our 30' FC came outfitted the same way. We try to cook outside as much as possible and in any event don't do much oven cooking on the road anyway. So, we don't miss the oven.

[rodsterinfl]

It really depends on how you plan to camp and the foods you like.

I usually prefer warm food over cold cuts, etc., so I cook. As far as situations go, others have already posted the main weakness with only a micro/convection- electric required. If you get a generator, then you are covered. As for using an inverter to run it, I would not plan on that unless you had a large bank of batteries or are only heating up something- it is just too limiting for cooking at high wattages- at least for very long. That said...when camping in a campground with hookups that you are paying for, why burn propane for cooking? Here is how I outfitted:

Outdoor cooking:
Coleman Roadtrip XL propane grill (truckbed storage)
Billy Bob Campfire set and Lodge Dutch Oven, charcoal
Duxtop Electric Induction burner (when elec is avail.)
Panasonic Flash Oven (when elec is avail. indoor/outdoor)

Indoor Cooking:
Amana Range
Microwave


This covers most any cooking need. The cumbersome parts are the iron campfire set, the dutch oven and the Coleman grill. Everything else is lightweight and fairly small. The campfire set allows for pan cooking over a fire- basically a rod with swinging arms and a table surface. As to your question, I believe it is a great option you have and if it covers your needs that may be all you need. The electric cooktop has been the latest boon for me. Induction will boil water super fast. Another option would be the electric griddle like M.Hony. You might just get a generator and a griddle! Ironically, I prefer bacon in the microwave using that weird wave side stacker thing.

[Ahab]

Originally Posted by FCloud9

Ahab,
Noticed you have a Safari 22' & interested in what capacity generator you use. Currently researching alternatives for our Flying Cloud 20' which also has convection/microwave oven. Expect we will boondock & we love to cook!
Also interested in others experiences with the 1000 watt inverter.

We use a Honda 2000i. It has no problem running the convection/micro but that's all you can run at one time. Don't waste your money on a 1000 watt inverter.

[FCloud9]

Success with baking Trader Joes Biscuits in convection oven to go with French press coffee after first night boondocking in our backyard with our new Airstream....only "continental breakfast" ...but happy with results!
And did not set off smoke alarm )

[m.hony]

Toast, cookies, and biscuits-

[gregth]

A little skeptical at first....boldly placed the blackberry cobbler in the convection micro on our maiden voyage.....impressed!

[Ahab]

Originally Posted by FCloud9

Ahab,
Noticed you have a Safari 22' & interested in what capacity generator you use. Currently researching alternatives for our Flying Cloud 20' which also has convection/microwave oven. Expect we will boondock & we love to cook!
Also interested in others experiences with the 1000 watt inverter.

We use a Honda 2000i. Works great with the Micro Convection Oven.

[truxpin]

I have a question for those of you that ARE happy with this "Micro/Convec Oven".... What setting are you'all using to bake with?

We fulltime in our '34 Limited and have the Sharp R 620BK-F
(as a matter of fact, it's brand new. The original had a burnt out LED display and I ordered an IDENTICAL new unit from Sears on-line! I was surprised to see the same model was still being manufactured)

At first mostly it was used as a microwave, then as we settled in to our new home we were feeling more comfortable and started "experimenting" with the Micro/Oven and I'll be honest, it DESTROYS everything we attempt to cook in it. Whats really scarry is we use the cookbook and direstions that came with the unit. We were advised that there was a learning curve to adjust to, but MAN! we just cannot figure this thing out. It seems like the top element just over powers the whole process.
Every once in a while, we make another attempt at it, but usually with the same outcome. A dish thats uncooked on the bottom and in the middle , and BURNT on top!
So, we've made up our minds. This thing has got to go!
Now were looking foreward to the extra 2 foot of usable countertop space were going to gain now that I've removed the "appliance garage", and soon we'll remove the bulky cabinet enclosed microwave! BAM! 30% more countertop space!
Below our cooktop there are the standard 3 usable drawers. Those are coming out and I'm going to build just a single flat shelf and relocate some shore power over there to accomodate a small "dorm like" microwave.

Anyone here use an outdoor propane oven? We are currently researching and looking for a suitable candidate........

[m.hony]

I have become frustrated with food being overdone on top while not done in the middle or on the bottom. Also, I have to read the instructions every time. If I ever get another trailer...


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[mefly2]

Ours works great baking everything from blueberry muffins to scratch cinnamon rolls and choc chip cookies ... haven't tried a full ham or chicken, however... just their parts. We also have an aux oven (for counter top use) that now just stays at home.

[cwf]

My bride learned of her celiac disease a while back so this demands "oven" wherever we go so she can bake fresh stuff she can eat.

Our 1999 MW/convection croaked and I repaired the circuit board.

Works jes fine!

[Howard L.]

Neither Christine or I had any experience with the convection microwave. I still know as little as ever. She however has got into the instruction book and used it for everything and more a regular oven would be used for. With some things, it takes a second meal to get just right, but I'm really impressed. The extra storage drawers instead of oven in our 30 FC -- fantastic.


Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

[switz]

While our custom batteries and solar system could power either a convection microwave or plain microwave, we wanted the propane oven for when we are remote camping and baking potatoes and other food items. If we ever wanted a convection microwave, it would replace the existing current microwave only device and we still would have the propane oven. Or conversely, we could remove the existing microwave and have a slide in custom drawer arrangement made for that space. If we had selected the convection microwave at ordering time, the default is to remove the propane oven for drawers.

We seem to have adequate storage space for all the stuff the wife thinks she requires....

[rodsterinfl]

A lot of it depends on the size of oven you need. I cook and have used the standard oven every time I camp until today. If a toaster oven type device size wise would work for your oven use then consider a Panasonic flash oven. The opening is 10" wide by about 4" tall It is electric pulling 1300 watts. For example those frozen biscuits in a regular oven are 22 min @ 375. I just tossed some in the flash oven this morning 15 min @ 355 and, no preheating time. Even toaster ovens require preheating. You save energy in two ways and can get rid of the electric toaster if you have one. It may not work for you as an oven but I thought I would mention it

[BAB]

I ordered my trailer with the Sharp Convection/Microwave. I hated everything about it. The most user unfriendly electronic device, and I am an early adopter! Even when I followed the book, food was underdone or overdone. (I have a convection oven at home and use induction for my cooktop.) Eventually, I ripped out the Sharp and installed an Amana propane oven. There was room underneath for installing a Cuisinart Microwave (yes, I get on my hands and knees to use it.) I think a lot is personal preference, but my experience is that they are NOT interchangeable. At least not for me. (Oh, and I want one of the new Dometic cooktops that A/S is putting in the '15 Classic 30 I saw at JC at Alumapalooza....it is gorgeous, and I have not seen one on Dometics website...yet.)

[Msmoto]

Being out on the first venture in my new Serenity, the only options I did not get were the convection microwave and solar panels. The stove top is a better unit than my 2010 Tiffin Allegro Bus had in it. The burners light quickly, and the new top has sealed burners for much easier cleaning. I like to cook with gas and this very good especially in an RV.
The only downside is the storage space lost by the gas oven.



Ms Tommie Lauer
Greensboro, NC
2015 Serenity 30 RB

[rodsterinfl]

which one is easier to add later? If I get a unit with a traditional oven and standard microwave it seems trivial to swap that microwave for a convection unit. Just looking at what it would take to add a gas oven starts to make my head swim a little.

The microwave is much easier to add later. I checked on adding a convection microwave unit and it would require heat padding the walls and venting according to the manufacturer. This would be most easily accomplished in my unit above the refrigerator as there is already a vent to tap into but it was still more involved than a microwave. I have a gas oven already so I did not bother.

[A W Warn]

Originally Posted by phbarnhart

What's the deal? Can a convection microwave really do everything that our current one can? What are the downsides?

At first we (both of us cook) had a hard time making the adjustment to not having the propane oven and exclusively using the convection microwave in our Excella. But, now we do home made cookies, biscuits, cakes, and pies. I wish we had a propane oven and a regular microwave instead. But, I'm not going to remodel the interior and loose the three drawers under the cook top!