Portable Microwave

Wow great find. I've been packing around a Sharp Half Pint microwave that's just to heavy and cumbersome. I hope Santa sees this advertisement.
 
I recommend doing some on-line searches for reviews. I can't link them now but they were not flattering--complaints about taking a very long time to heat anything and then very uneven (no rotating platter). Caveat Emptor.
 
Oly":2g9tbb4j said:
I recommend doing some on-line searches for reviews. I can't link them now but they were not flattering--complaints about taking a very long time to heat anything and then very uneven (no rotating platter). Caveat Emptor.
Click to expand...

Good points! I've read several reviews, and

1. anything below 600 watts is very slow, and

2. the smaller microwaves often have very small cooking spaces, and

3. the lack of a turntable makes even cooking and heating difficult, and

4. as a result, many meals and dishes cannot be cooked in them.

The difference between a super compact 15 lb microwave and the typical 600-800 watt compact version (@~ 25 lbs.) is only about 10 lbs, and in a 3000-9000 lb CD-22 to a Tomcat 255, or an even heavier Ranger Tug 25, it would not be noticeable or worth switching out.

On the other hand, in a CD-16 a CD-19, or a Ranger Tug 21, with very limited galley space, there would be a good case for the smaller oven.

If one has the battery power, inverter, and/or larger generator, opting for an 1100-1500 watt unit might well be a good choice to enable shorter cooking times and larger space consuming culinary offerings.

Just my 2¢!

As usual, YMMV!

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
This is what is great about this site, all the diffrent points of view. I had not looked into the microwave when I posted the topic. As I can see there are good and bad points. Thanks for all your thoughts, I just posted the topic because I had never seen something like this before, and like a lot of us who use this site, we learn about new things that might work, or are really need for our boats. Have a happy holiday.
 
Galvez (?) microwave at Wallyworld--$39--the lunch box at half the size @ $199...The Galvez will run off a Honda 1000, or a 1000 watt inverter, and cooks well. If the lunch box will run well of 12 volts--it may be worth the cost.
 
Hi Folks,

This is why C-Brats site is so good.

When I first saw the Ad for a portable Microwave, I was ready to order it on the spot. I then kept reading the answers, and realized that what the manufacture was saying was to good to be true, A lot like Madoff's returns.

It pays to take your time and research any items, in fact anything, before buying.

I have been going through the process to buy a new, to me , vehicle. The more I research, the more I get disappointed in the offerings. But, I know that sooner or later, the best choice for me will be obvious.

Thank you,

Fred
 
In Careful Shopping and Wisely Spending Your Money:

There are no substitutes for-

1.. Good Information and Research.

2. Careful Examination and Comparison Shopping.

3. Patience and Time for a Good Buy to Occur.


Impuslsive Buying Often Leads to Disappointment.

Some Purchases Require Thoughtful Pre-Planning and Execution.

Thrifty and Discerning as Always!

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
Again a great thing about our site here. They can make anything and everything look and sound good in modern day advertising, but, I still enjoy being able to run things thru the C-Brat filter for candid, straight out thoughts, ideas and some....we have done the research work.

Yes, lugging a big ol microwave is a bit of a hassle on the boat, particuarly when it does not have "it's permanant home/space/spot" on the boat..... but then too.... on short 3-7 days cruises, it sure makes pre-cooking meals and things an option to having to do it all on the boat. This also lends itself to easier clean up on the boats due to the generally small size of the sinks. A great place to wash your hands, not made for pots-n-pans. Another advantage for microwave re-heats....and crockpots... and blenders too!!

Byrdman


Byrdman
 
Grin.... :teeth Well Bill....great to have yall back in the States again. I was wondering how long it would take you.... I almost made the post for you..... :mrgreen:

Byrdman
 
El and Bill":3lvqler4 said:
I sure agree with Sea Wolf Joe's list of considerations before buying. We would, however, add one more:

Do I really need this thing at all?
Click to expand...

Bill-

Nice addition!

One of the payoffs of time and patience is that it allows you to reflect and reconsider your needs and the worth and final value of the purchase item while you wait to find the knockout deal!

Another purchase consideration strategy is to stop, cool down, and think about how you'll feel after you purchase the item for the cost quoted or asked for. Use your logic and intuition to guide you here in whether you're going to feel good about it all afterwards.

All of this is just simple common sense, but it's just too darned easy (for SOME of us, anyway) to get all fired up about something and buy before we think twice, or for that matter, much more than twice about it!

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
Leaving aside the argument about whether anyone needs a microwave or not, here is an option for those who do choose to have one. I saw an ad in PC World for the i Cube microwave, about a cubic foot in size (10.5" x 12" x 10"). No price was given but one web site lists it as about $130. It is 110 volt which means having a suitable inverter but the main reason for the high price of the "12 volt" one is because it has a built in inverter and I'd rather choose my own and use it for more than a microwave, if I go this route.

I didn't spend much time looking for independent reviews and I suspect it hasn't been out there long enough to have much consumer experience. I see it doesn't have a turntable which is a major drawback on a microwave, at least for anything more than a cup of water. It apparently has cooked a package of popcorn which is a good sign but there was no analysis of the burned kernels to old maids ratio.

The inventor needed to have hot wash towels in his bathroom so he made this microwave. I suspect he isn't a boater.

Here is the link for a detailed description: http://the-gadgeteer.com/2008/03/19/iwa ... microwave/

More: http://www.cleveland.com/brightideas/in ... ke_mi.html

The article says it was being marketed by Sharper Image which is now in bankruptcy (I doubt there is a connection) but i Cube does have a full page color ad in December's PC World (page 69) so I assume they are still in business. They list their web site: www.iwavecube.com.

For the record, I have no connection to the company and had never heard of them until I saw the ad.

A cheaper option: Has anyone used one of those little "coil" heaters I had in college in the '60s to make hot water for my instant soup? I don't see them in the stores anymore but I have to believe they exist somewhere. I did see a 12 volt plug in version for $10 at a truck stop. How well will that work for heating water; the primary purpose of a quick and easy heater for me? I understand that watts converts directly to BTUs (or calories if you are metric) and I know what can be put through a "cigarette lighter" is pretty limited. The advantage to microwave heating is efficiency--little heat is wasted; no pot or cook top needs heating as well. However, an electric heating element directly immersed in water should be about as efficient as one could get as well without the cost, size, and complexity of a microwave.

The truck stop also sold a small water pot with the 12 volt heating element already built in. I had to rush out, my wife wasn't as keen as me about spending time in a truck stop retail establishment, so I didn't see how many watts these items were and they didn't make it readily clear.

Experience?
 
I have owned one of the 12 volt pots--about a pint volume. It would heat up in about 10 minutes for a cup of tea or coffee--used mostly in cars and RV's. The power requirement was not enough to blow the cigarette lighter fuse, but I have never measured the current draw.
 
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