Microwave power

[wayne.dawn@virgin.net]

We are thinking of buying a microwave for our caravan - does anyone know what is the maximum power (in watts) for a microwave that we safely use in our caravan?

 

[Cockovan]

We have used 650watt microwaves for several years now with no problems in this country, however if you go abroad you have to know the output to your van. We often have to switch off everything to use the microwave, then switch them all back on again. If you intend to transport the microwave in teh van make sure that it is suitable for the vibration and movement encountered in a van.

 

[rob_jax]

Dawn,

You need to look at the input power drawn by the microwave - a 650 watt microwave is the output power of the magnetron that cooks the food - not the 850 watts or more that the appliance actually needs to operate.

Check the data on the side of the box when buying.

A number of French sites have a 6 amp "cap" - which is 1400 watts - so staying less than 1000 watts will be safe.

However one year we kept blowing the 6 amp trip when we plugged in our 500 watt kettle - the 6 amp trip on the power pole was faulty - and happily replaced by the camp site owner.

Robert