RV Microwave vs. Home Microwave: What’s the Difference?

A microwave is a workhorse of every busy home, and it’s no surprise that many households own it. It’s a kitchen must-have that reheats your food in record time.

Cooking doesn’t end at home, and that’s why manufacturers have come up with RV microwaves. These are not like the regular home microwaves, which is why you need to be specific on the model.

An RV microwave makes for a convenient heating experience on the go. With an RV microwave, your food doesn’t have to be boring. It helps you understand the range of options on the food you can bring along.

So, do RV microwaves work like home microwaves? Are there differences between the two? Which one works better?

The main difference between an RV and a home microwave is that RV microwaves are smaller and more energy-efficient than a home microwave. They are also more likely to heat using convection than radiation.

In this post, we compare RV microwaves and home microwaves to help you make a wise buying decision.

Quick Overview of RV Microwave vs. Home Microwave Key Differences

Difference	RV Microwave	Home Microwave
Heating element	Heat food via convection	Use microwaves to heat food.
Wattage	700 watts or less	700 watts or more
Size and capacity	Compact – 1.5 cubic feet maximum capacity	Large – 2.2 cubic feet maximum capacity.
Cost	Relatively expensive	Reasonably priced
Installation	Higher installation needs and cost.	Relatively easy to install
Extra features	Vibration-resistant technology, air ducts for extra ventilation, and trim kits.	Vibration resistance technology not available.
Main source of power	A generator or a large battery	Electricity

What is an RV Microwave?

An RV microwave is a motorhome accessory that helps you cook with ease on the road. It also comes in handy during camping as it helps you expand the range of food you can cook and bring when traveling.

Although compact, the microwaves boast a spacious interior to help you cook on large dinner plates. You will not have to worry about cooking space.

These microwaves can handle everything you throw into them.

The pros and cons of RV Microwaves

Pros

• Make cooking in RVs safer
• Come in a compact design
• Are energy-efficient
• Provide a convenient cooking experience on the road
• Available in different capacities

Cons

• Require extra installation costs
• Come at a lower wattage

What is a Home Microwave?

A home microwave is an oven that uses radiation to heat food. It contains a magnetron, which transforms power into electromagnetic waves.

The waves then heat water molecules in your food to generate heat.

The pros and cons of home microwave

Pros

• Heats food quickly
• Easy to clean
• Consumes less energy
• Reheats food with ease

Cons

• Can dry food

Differences Between an RV Microwave vs. Home Microwave

Heating Element

RV microwaves heat food via convection. They don’t use microwaves to transfer energy but heat up a metal element to warm the surrounding air.

The microwave then uses a built-in fan to circulate the warm air in the entire food compartment.

This heating method makes an RV microwave capable of cooking a variety of dishes. And not only heating but also reheating, baking, toasting, and broiling.

Some models even come with racks, which enable you to cook multiple items at a go.

Home microwaves, on the other hand, heat food through radiation. They boast a magnetron that takes in electricity via a transformer to produce microwaves.

These microwaves are then directed to your food compartment, bounce from wall to wall, and travel through your food. Here, they combine with water molecules making them vibrate, resulting in heat that warms up the food.

Wattage

For RV microwaves, wattage depends on the size of the unit – a larger microwave means a higher wattage. They are typically designed to work in limited power capacity to protect the breaker from tripping.

The maximum power for RV microwaves is 1,000 watts.

For home microwaves, a smaller unit means a lower wattage and vice versa. Standard units usually operate between 700 and 1200W, while most medium-size models deliver power between 1,000 to 1100W.

Size and Capacity

Home microwaves come in different sizes. For instance, the countertop models have a high capacity between 0.5 and 2.2 cubic feet. They are usually 10 to 18 inches high, 24 inches wide, and 18 to 22 inches deep.

Built-in models boast the same dimensions and capacity as countertop microwaves.

OTR microwaves are the largest of all. Their capacity can go as far as 2.2 cubic feet. You can also get over-the-range microwaves with dimensions of 30 inches high, 18 inches high, and 16 inches deep.

As aforementioned, RV microwaves boast a limited kitchen capacity. Most come with a minimum capacity of 0.5 cubic feet and a maximum of 1.5 cubic.

However, most RV models come with a capacity of 1.0 cubic feet.

Cost

RV microwaves cost slightly more than home microwaves of the same size. The price range is roughly between $100 and $500.

A small home microwave costs less than $100, while mid-size models cost somewhere around $100 to $200.

If interested in a large home microwave, you should expect to pay as much as $500. And this is especially if the unit comes with many features such as temperature sensors, automatic shut-off systems, and insertable racks.

Installation

Hiring a professional to install your home microwave will cost you between $100 and $250. RV microwaves have higher installation needs which results in high installation costs.

And to secure the placement of your microwave, you might end up purchasing an RV microwave mounting kit, which leads to additional costs.

Extra Features

RV microwaves are made to resist vibrations; home microwaves aren’t. They use vibration-resistant technology that makes them resilient against bumpy roads when traveling.

Some also feature an air duct for improved ventilation.

Which is Better, RV microwave or Home Microwave

Both models work great, and although they serve the same purpose, they are made for use in different places. A home microwave isn’t an excellent option for an RV as it uses more power, which might be unavailable when traveling.

If you have to use one in an RV, you must ensure that it has a very low wattage – 700 or less.

However, if looking for a microwave to use in your apartment or home kitchen, you’ll definitely go for a home kitchen. It cooks faster, has a larger capacity, and comes at a more affordable price.

An RV microwave is explicitly made for use in the RV. It’s the best for when you’re traveling for short-period camps and weekend trips. They are also more compact.

More Related Questions

Conclusion

RV microwave vs. home microwave helps you understand the differences between the 2 models as they share the same purpose- heating your food fast.

The RV models are more compact, energy-efficient, and cook food more evenly than home models. They are, however, a little more expensive than home microwaves.

Home microwaves cook faster and have a bigger capacity.