Is the microwave oven in my RV safe? One can’t help but wonder if all that shaking, rattling and rolling will lead to a malfunction. How many RVers have purchased a small, inexpensive microwave at the local discount store and then carried it on a shelf as they bounced from one destination to the next?
When we install a microwave which is not specifically designed for RV use—no matter its quality—are we creating a fire, electrical or other safety hazard we ought to know about? We decided to make a few calls to find out.
As to the fire hazard, Brad Reiners, marketing manager for Dometic, says, “There’s probably no danger of fire, but that off-brand microwave you buy at a discount store may not be built to withstand the rigors of RVing.”
Reiners points out that Dometic builds microwaves only for mobile uses, and that they come with anchoring brackets, stronger door latches and provisions for proper venting. The company’s products are tested to ensure they can take the shaking, bouncing and the fluctuating voltage common to RV use. He adds, too, that Dometic units are warranted for use in RVs, whereas use of some other brands in an RV may void the factory warranty.
We contacted Panasonic, Sharp and Samsung, who all assured us that their units were suitable for use in RVs, though Sharp Electronics was the only company other than Dometic that makes a model designed specifically for RV use.
As to anchoring, we learned that it is up to the RV manufacturer to provide a trim kit to hold the oven in place. These manufacturers all agree that properly using their products in an RV would not void the warranty.
However, users of any microwave in a mobile situation are cautioned not to store items in the unit because this can put stress on the door or damage the interior of the unit while on the road. And be sure that the unit is carried in such a way that it can’t become a projectile during a sudden stop or in case of accident.
If you are using a free-standing microwave and can’t properly anchor it to its shelf, take it down and wedge it into a corner of the sofa or in the under-bed storage area in such a way that a sudden stop won’t send it rolling.
When asked about the future of microwaves, Reiners says Dometic continues to aim for increased power in the same size package, an obvious benefit to RVers. They’re now up to 1,100 watts in a 1.2-cubic-foot oven. Also, microwaves are becoming more stylish and more colorful. Dometic offers a dozen choices, including a convection model and others that come in silver, stainless steel and various colors.
Asked the same question, Bob Cross, a customer service representative at Sharp, says the company recently came out with a combination range and high-speed microwave oven.
You can get away with using a regular microwave oven in your RV if you make sure it’s tied down or if you carry it in a safe place. We’d recommend you purchase a name brand, such as those mentioned above. If you want the peace of mind that comes with a unit specifically designed for RV use, then check out the Dometic products, which are available at Camping World. For other brands, be sure to check the fine print of the warranty to be sure it isn’t void if used in an RV, and don’t forget to bolt it down safely and securely.