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With the technologies available today camping doesn’t have to be all about roughing it in nature. The right cooking appliances like the Toshiba EM131A5C- will allow you to shower your family with the true beauty of nature without sacrificing too many of today’s modern conveniences. The Toshiba would be my top pick because of its sheer convenience, capabilities, and rugged design.
How I Picked
Portability And Size
If I was going to be lugging a microwave from campsite to campsite, I wanted to make sure the task was as easy as possible. Therefore, all this year’s models will be compact with a lightweight design.
Convenience
You can really inconvenience yourself in nature if you aren’t careful. I at least want my meals to be as convenient as possible. And I made sure I chose microwaves that offer the utmost in cooking and heating conveniences.
Power
When deciding I not only had to make sure my picks offered the right amount of power for my favorite dishes, but I had to make sure the microwave was compatible with my camping setup. Power will without a doubt be one of the biggest factors.
Price
You need a bigger budget than most would assume to camp. The simple price of food alone is enough to make you want to reconsider. I made sure all my top picks wouldn’t have me running for my retirement or savings. You can find all the conveniences you need at an affordable price.
Top Pick
Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Microwave Oven
A conveniently sized machine with a moderate power rating and impressive cooking options to match.
Check Price on AmazonWith exterior dimensions of 20.5” (w) x 17.1” (d) x 12.8” (h), the Toshiba is more than portable while still offering ample interior cooking space. The sizeable 1.2 cubic feet interior won’t have a problem holding your portable camping cookware. It is rated for 60 Hz at 120 volts, so you won’t have a problem integrating this appliance with most RV’s electrical systems or generators.
The intuitive one-button controls along with the elegantly designed large display only add to the overall convenience this machine offers. 10 different power settings along with a clock and kitchen timer offer all the personalization and customizability you’ll ever need.
On top of all this, it comes backed by the well-known and reputed tech giant, Toshiba. Easily this year’s top pick for these reasons alone. The EM131A5C-BS even has more to offer.
Budget Pick
Sharp ZSMC0710BW Countertop Microwave Oven
A lightweight design that is more than rugged enough to handle the harsh elements.
Check Price on AmazonThere are lots of economical choices on this list, but the ZSMC0710BW is by far the best buy for your next camping escapade. It only weighs a little over 20 pounds and offers an extremely small footprint of 12.8” x 17.3” x 10.2”. However, the thing that really caught my attention here was the rubber feet.
The Sharp features four rubber feet that provide complete stability, even when installed in the most precarious of environments. Excellent for quick installs at remote camping sites. Don’t let the small footprint fool you either because it offers a powerful 700 watts with 0.7 cubic feet.
The user-friendly one-button controls and “+30” seconds button speeds the entire heating process right along.
Smallest Buy
Winia WOR07R3ZEL Retro Microwave
A refreshing new-looking microwave packed with your favorite cooking features and more.
Check Price on AmazonWhen you find yourself limited on space but still in need of big power for versatility, you cannot go wrong with the Winia WOR07R3ZEL Retro Microwave. This model will certainly not lead you astray with its multitude of auto-cook controls and 2-way defrost options. While the small oven only offers a footprint of 17.6” x 12.7” x 10.6”, it offers an impressive 0.7 cubic feet of interior cooking space.
The new and refreshing retro design brings something new to the table, but I liked the fact that the oven was available in a variety of color schemes. Choose between city blue, cream, mint, or red. This is a good feature for camping, as it’ll help the appliance stand out among the background. You’ll never mistakenly run off and leave it behind.
#4
Daewoo KOR-9GDEW Countertop Microwave
A simple and basic microwave full of all the essential features needed to make any camping trip more modern and convenient.
Check Price on AmazonThe Daewoo name was not one I recognized right away. However, you can tell by sleek styling and engineering that a lot of thought and hard work went into the manufacturing of this appliance. To start, it offers somewhat of a smaller footprint with dimensions of 20” x 16” x 12’5”. The lightweight of 26.4 pounds will make the appliance extremely portable.
There are only 3 one-touch cooking menus, but there are 5 auto cook menus that still offer plenty of versatility. Along with the bright LED display and accurate cooking timer, the Daewoo is a camping essential. The 4 rubber feet will help keep the appliance stable in various settings.
#5
Danby DBMW0720BBB 700 Watts Microwave Oven
Express cooking, rugged design, beautiful easy-to-read display, what’s not to love about this Danby?
Check Price on AmazonWeighing in at only slightly over 21 pounds with dimensions of 13” x 17.31” x 10.19”, the Danby DBMW0720BBB is a camping treasure. Do not let the lightweight design fool you because this bad boy is more than capable of delivering huge power with 700 heating watts.
It might not boast a stainless steel design, but it was certainly built with durability in mind. The only real downside is the push-button door control, which isn’t is easily excusable with the other features. The child control lock will help keep unwanted campers out.
#6
Amazon Basics Microwave
Amazon offers something entirely new and refreshing, while still retaining the older must-have heating features.
Check Price on AmazonIf you want to venture into the wilderness but not lose touch with today’s technological advances, this Amazon is your answer. Amazon offers something entirely different here with voice-activated control options. Couple the appliance with an Echo device, and you’ll be able to do some really amazing and impressive things.
The appliance certainly isn’t lacking in simplicity either. The keypad with its bright LED display is easily readable and more than intuitive. There aren’t many one-push button preset controls, but who needs all that with voice operation? The small footprint and lightweight design only even further justify this purchase for your next camping trip.
#7
COMFEE EM720CPL-PM Countertop Microwave Oven
Backed with a one-year warranty and plenty of convenient features to match.
Check Price on AmazonCOMFEE not only offers a durable, dependable appliance wrapped in a lightweight frame, but they are offering campers the option of going completely noiseless. Use the mute function to whip up late-night meals and snacks without disturbing other campers. If I was going to invest in this appliance, I knew I was getting durability and dependability thanks to the one-year limited warranty.
The model also includes a well-designed and intuitive instruction booklet that’ll turn you into a pro-operator in no time at all. All the one-touch control and auto modes don’t hurt either. The 10-inch turntable might seem a bit on the smaller side, but I found it was more than capable of handling even the more awkward of plates, bowls, and dishes.
The bright LED display will keep you well informed of your cooking heating progress. Never be left guessing.
#8
Nostalgia RM07AQ Retro Countertop Microwave
It might look like a relic, but the Nostalgia meshes today’s top heating technologies with the older essentials needed for camping.
Check Price on AmazonThis appliance could not have a better fitting name, as it brings back the classic retro style. It, however, does it in a new, refreshing, and stylish way. The rounded edges along with the grab-and-go handle make the appliance easy to handle while offering extreme durability and portability. It doesn’t hurt that the appliance also comes available in a variety of unique color schemes.
Choose between red, white, ivory, or aqua. The convenient 12 pre-programmed cooking options will provide plenty of personalization coupled with total convenience. The glass turntable was specifically designed to offer the most even cooks possible. This along with all the other simple and intuitive controls make Nostalgia a must-have for camping ventures.
The dimensions are 17.5” x 13.5” x 10.25” with the appliance only weighing in at 23.2 pounds.
#9
Commercial Chef Countertop Microwave Oven
Being specifically designed for commercial use, you know this bad boy is rugged enough for the harsh elements of nature.
Check Price on AmazonThe Commercial Chef isn’t as good a deal as the Sharp mentioned above, but it is still an easily justifiable camping buy. Its ultimately low footprint along with its lightweight 23.1 pounds makes it one of the most portable models available today. The exterior dimensions only measure to be 17.75” x 12.5” x 10.25”. While it is small and compact, it still offers a more than impressive 0.6 cubic feet of interior cooking space.
The easy-to-grip handle is not only more dependable than the traditional mechanical push-door controls, but it makes loading and unloading the microwave easier and less haphazard. There might not be a fancy, bright LED display, but the mechanical rotary dials are extremely intuitive. In addition to this, they are tried and tested. The speed and weight defrost technologies offer up a variety of versatile cooking solutions.
How Many Watts Should Your Microwave for Camping at Least Have?
By now, you’ve probably already discovered that microwaves are rated in watts. Therefore, one might assume that the highest wattage rating will offer the most power and heat.
While this might be the case, it doesn’t necessarily mean more is always better. This is especially true when it comes to camping. There are other factors that need to be considered.
Just as an example, the type of food you are heating can make a difference. The way that the microwave heats the food can also factor in. To make things even more complicated, you also must consider the power available to you at your camping site.
Are you traveling RV? Are you just straight backpacking? If this is the case, will the campsite offer a 120-volt hook-up? What kind of power is your generator rated for?
These are all things that must be taken into consideration. With all that considered, there is a middle ground or general rule of thumb. A 700-watts microwave should be more than powerful enough to handle all your family’s camping heating and cooking needs. One good thing about a camping microwave is, you don’t necessarily have to leave it powered perpetually. You can simply power the device off and one when it is needed.
What Should You Consider When Buying a Microwave for Camping?
As if planning for a camping trip wasn’t detailed enough, you now discover that there are a whole slew of other power considerations. Although a microwave will offer extreme convenience during your outdoor adventure, it will add a lot more work to the pre-camping checklist.
That being said, taking the time to weigh several factors beforehand will not only make your camping trip more nutritious, but it’ll also make it all-around more convenient.
One of the first things you’ll want to consider is the power rating. How are you camping? Are you going in an RV? Are you spending the night in a tent at a campsite? Will you have access to electrical hookups? If there are no electrical connections, are you bringing along a generator?
The goal is to make sure your electrical accesses will provide the necessary wattage and power for your microwave. Most microwaves operate using 120-volts, which is the American standard.
Chances are, if your campsite offers an electrical hook-up, you’ll have all the power access you need. Just remember because you go for bigger wattage, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re doing your family justice.
As far as wattage goes, it honestly comes down to the way the microwave heats coupled with the dishes you’ll be cooking. Take popcorn for example. Sometimes, gradual heating or multi-stage heating offers better overall results than just blasting the food with maximum power.
