I need some advice. Just returned from our first lengthy trip. Twenty-five miles from home, we totaled our lovely new 5th wheel. Now we think we will just use the older one we had previously since it hasn't sold. Two questions:
1) I got to really love the convection microwave in the new unit. Old one has only a microwave. Has anyone had experience with swapping out a microwave with a convection microwave? Problems?
2) I read a brief comment on another site where the writer suggested ditching the rv oven and putting in a regular propane gas stove instead. I see that it is easy to find apartment size gas ranges that would fit the space. I'm wondering if this might solve some of the issues of uneven heat, etc. If I had a decent oven, I could probably live without the convection microwave. Anyone ever tried anything like this?
Thanks for any help you can give. You folks are terrific. You gave me the courage to get out on the road in the first place!
Pam
GENECOP said
10:51 PM Mar 15, 2012
Pam, I would go for the BUILT IN Microwave/ Convection oven. A regular apt size gas stove would need to be secured for travel, they are usually free standing and could easily tip over. Also the convection might require a larger Circuit breaker....not sure but I think a microwave uses less power than a convection....G
arkypam said
11:08 PM Mar 15, 2012
Thanks for the reply! Hubby was thinking he could secure a gas stove to the floor with a steel band when he installed it. But, yes, I am thinking the convection microwave is a better way to go. I just can't seem to find anyone by searching the internet who has replaced a microwave with a convection microwave. I would ask Camping World about it but they don't even seem to sell convection microwaves. . .
TXRVr said
12:01 AM Mar 16, 2012
This is probably one of those topics where personal preference dictates and it's yours to decide.
The propane oven in our MH looks brand new because the DW and I have rarely use it except for pots/pan storage. When I say rarely, I mean once a year for five years. We have a convection/microwave, indoor grill, slow cooker, and a good sized toaster oven - which for two people serves the purpose exceptionally well and they are multi-functional.
If you or your DH is a bit handy, then I suspect that you could do some cabinet work to accomandate a convection/microwave. They will be larger and heavier than a normal RV micorwave. Then, as GeneCop stated, the electrical circuits need to be able to handle the power draw.
The cost of the appliance is going to be in the $400-500 range for a good one. Do your research on cubic feet and power wattage.
The way I look at RVing is that I want the same conveniences in the rig that I have at home. If that weren't true, then I'd just go buy a tent and a Coleman lantern.
arkypam said
12:45 AM Mar 16, 2012
Thanks, I agree with your philosophy. DH is pretty handy but I sure don't want to screw up the cabinets. We looked today around our area for someone who could help us modify a couple of our other cabinets but found no one who would do the job (we live in rural Arkansas). We just returned from four months in TX and didn't use the propane oven once. I did everything with the microwave/convection oven. It will be hard to go back to just having a microwave - if I have to. Thanks for the input.
Terry and Jo said
01:53 PM Mar 16, 2012
Sorry to hear of the loss of your new fifth wheel.
I can understand your appreciation of the microwave/convection oven as Jo likes ours as well. However, there are some things that Jo insists on doing in a regular oven, so our fifth wheel was ordered with one. For instance, her roasts are done so well that you just peel the meat off with a fork.
And for me, I think chocolate chip cookies baked in an oven are "to die for." Well, at least Jo's are.
And I am a connoisseur with chocolate chip cookies.
Terry
HomeSweetRV said
12:50 AM Mar 26, 2012
Definitely would go with the convection/microwave, does everything my oven does and better with very little heat to the interior. So sorry to hear your misfortune.
I need some advice. Just returned from our first lengthy trip. Twenty-five miles from home, we totaled our lovely new 5th wheel.
Now we think we will just use the older one we had previously since it hasn't sold. Two questions:
1) I got to really love the convection microwave in the new unit. Old one has only a microwave. Has anyone had experience with swapping out a microwave with a convection microwave? Problems?
2) I read a brief comment on another site where the writer suggested ditching the rv oven and putting in a regular propane gas stove instead. I see that it is easy to find apartment size gas ranges that would fit the space. I'm wondering if this might solve some of the issues of uneven heat, etc. If I had a decent oven, I could probably live without the convection microwave. Anyone ever tried anything like this?
Thanks for any help you can give. You folks are terrific. You gave me the courage to get out on the road in the first place!
Pam
This is probably one of those topics where personal preference dictates and it's yours to decide.
The propane oven in our MH looks brand new because the DW and I have rarely use it except for pots/pan storage. When I say rarely, I mean once a year for five years. We have a convection/microwave, indoor grill, slow cooker, and a good sized toaster oven - which for two people serves the purpose exceptionally well and they are multi-functional.
If you or your DH is a bit handy, then I suspect that you could do some cabinet work to accomandate a convection/microwave. They will be larger and heavier than a normal RV micorwave. Then, as GeneCop stated, the electrical circuits need to be able to handle the power draw.
The cost of the appliance is going to be in the $400-500 range for a good one. Do your research on cubic feet and power wattage.
The way I look at RVing is that I want the same conveniences in the rig that I have at home. If that weren't true, then I'd just go buy a tent and a Coleman lantern.
Sorry to hear of the loss of your new fifth wheel.
I can understand your appreciation of the microwave/convection oven as Jo likes ours as well. However, there are some things that Jo insists on doing in a regular oven, so our fifth wheel was ordered with one. For instance, her roasts are done so well that you just peel the meat off with a fork.
And for me, I think chocolate chip cookies baked in an oven are "to die for." Well, at least Jo's are.
And I am a connoisseur with chocolate chip cookies.
Terry
So sorry to hear your misfortune.