Community Forums

jpainter01 · 01-19-2013, 08:12 AM

I'm considering replacing our "over the stove" microwave with a combination convection/microwave unit. Size 40" wide X 30" tall

I was surprised not to see any such units on the Camping World web site. When I google, I find quite a few at traditional appliance stores for under $500. I've been told that the ones for RVs are several thousand dollars. Where do you find these and what makes them different than a traditional model?

Are there certain features I should be looking for?

Thanks for any help.

MaverickBBD · 01-19-2013, 09:07 AM

If you have an inverter and/or generator you want to make certain the electronics can tolerate a modified and/or a quasi sine wave .

MaverickBBD · 01-19-2013, 09:08 AM

Oh and B.T.W. welcome to the forum.

mikebreeze · 01-19-2013, 10:17 AM

I have a micro-convction unit in my RV and have never used the convection part. From what I've read, the convection part cooks more like a conventional oven but in less time. I think that these combo units were popular back in the late 90's early 2000's but have fallen out of favor lately.

Gorlininc · 01-19-2013, 10:27 AM

We use our convection oven all the time. For bacon and eggs to a roast. My DW learned how to cook with this thing so I had to buy one for the house. They are great once you know how to use them.

vsheetz · 01-19-2013, 10:51 AM

They work very well. My DW uses ours often. Go to Walmart.con and search on convection and you will see many in the $300-$500 range. Sharp, Panasonic, etc. for brands.

I had a Sharp die and replaced it with a Half Time brand - about the same size so fit the existing hole and cheaper. Works well.

Half Time Microwave Oven, Convection, Stainless Steel - Walmart.com

ChileRick · 01-19-2013, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikebreeze

I have a micro-convction unit in my RV and have never used the convection part.......

We have one as well, and have never used the propane oven!

ga traveler · 01-19-2013, 11:28 AM

We bought a 1985 Airstream 345 with a micro./conv. oven. I told my wife how all my customers loved them and several had bought another one for their house. The conv. would burn the outside of the food and the inside would be raw. When we got our 1998 Pace Arrow it also had a combination micro. This was a new ballgame. It worked better than our home oven. We both love it. I have replaced a couple of microwaves in customers units, but the price was only about eighty to one hundred dollars over a home unit. I asked a micro. factory rep., why the difference in price. He said it is because the rv ovens are built in and not counter top. They have to have better cooling than a counter top.

srh · 01-19-2013, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gorlininc

We use our convection oven all the time. For bacon and eggs to a roast. My DW learned how to cook with this thing so I had to buy one for the house. They are great once you know how to use them.

This may call for a new thread, but what are the secrets for using a convection oven?
Thanks,

docj · 01-19-2013, 11:56 AM

Last year we replaced our "builder quality" Sharp microwave/convection oven with a GE Profile over-the-stove unit. It was like night and day. The new one is easy to clean stainless, inside and out, and holds temperature far better than the old one did.

Using a convection oven is really no different than using any other oven; there's so little difference in using them it isn't worth worrying about. Some things will cook a bit faster, but not enough to make huge changes in your recipes.

You definitely don't need to pay extra money just to buy one sold by an RV store, unless you simply like wasting your money. We don't worry about the inverter/modified sine wave issue; if we want to use the oven and aren't hooked up to shore power we fire up the generator. However, no matter what brand you consider, make sure you select an over-the-stove unit designed to be built in. There have been a number of posts here and other forums by people who have tried to use counter-top ovens only to find their vents are in the back or top which complicates the installation.

LindaH · 01-19-2013, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikebreeze

I think that these combo units were popular back in the late 90's early 2000's but have fallen out of favor lately.

I would disagree with that statement. Our 2007 fifth wheel has a microwave/convection oven and we use the convection part quite a bit. I would imagine that most "all electric" motorhomes have microwave/convection ovens.

goffrobert · 01-19-2013, 12:17 PM

Convection oven side not heating properly. Told heater box not working properly. Have GS EWS. do they cover replacement or repair and is Apollo a recommended unit.

mollyabby · 01-19-2013, 12:18 PM

We have a convection/microwave and love it! I have one at home so I am used to that kind of baking. At home I have a button that says convection convert. I put the time and temp in and it changes to time and temp of regular oven. I have figured out that it is about 2/3rds of the time and temp in our motorhome convection oven. I think that the convection oven is more even cooking. The air circulates and takes less time. Once I got used to it I like the results much better.

PyrateSilly · 01-20-2013, 08:59 PM

The one thing I would definitely make sure of (which the previous owners did not) is that if you have an inverter/converter/charger of any kind that you make sure that it has the power to be able to run it correctly or you might find you need either a new inverter or a new microwave or both.
Our old inverter was modified sine 1500 watts while the micro/convection is 1.6 kWz. Our new inverter is now not only 3000 watts but also pure sine. Here's hoping that we don't also have to replace the micro/convection.
But as for the having the microwave/convection oven - I love it and cook and bake in it quite a bit.