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Small Cabin Forum / General Forum / Microwave Watts
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paulz
Member
# Posted: 1 Jan 2022 11:35
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I'm trying out a nuker I bought for the cabin months ago and never used. It was advertised as 700 watts I think. It works off my new pure sine inverter but the inverter says it's cranking out 1,350. I checked the decal on the back and indeed it does say 700 output watts, 1,100 input. I'm testing with a 20' extension cord, maybe that ups the watts? My inverter and battery bank are good for it, just curious. And stupid me, I figured nukers were advertised as input watts.

ICC
Member
# Posted: 1 Jan 2022 11:55
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Quoting: paulz
figured nukers were advertised as input watts


Nope, but you are far from being alone in thinking that.

The watts difference could be cord or could be cheap or poorly calibrated meters. I have found that many meters built into devices are inaccurate when I compare with my Fluke meter.

gcrank1
Member
# Posted: 1 Jan 2022 12:11 - Edited by: gcrank1
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We ran a 700w mw for a while last year off the Champion 1700/2000 inv/gen just fine. The gen would spool up but didnt sound like it maxed out, and for the quick and easy stuff we did it was dandy (ie, easy for my wife to make us a quick meal w/o slaving over cooking). The mw was too much for our little pv bat system; and I'm used to starting the gen for any high-draw stuff so the pv gets the light duty.
Then I found an low uses old dorm mw, 450w? for $10. It takes up about 1/3 less counter space (important for us). Weve been using it since, its understandably not as fast and takes about 2x as long to cook as the 700. Overall I think the 700 is likely the better unit but entertain the thought that at some point I may have enough lfp to power the 450 for start-up.
Btw, we can actually run the 450 and toaster at the same time! Great for home made morning bacon/sausage, egg & cheese bagels.

travellerw
Member
# Posted: 1 Jan 2022 13:37
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Microwaves are rated for output watts and are about %55 efficient. So those numbers aren't way off!

Depending on what you are trying to do an induction HOB is more efficient and usually better suited for a solar setup. Of course its not as convenient as a microwave though. You can buy a 1500W one at Ikea for like $50 nowadays.

Another thing we used to use all the time was a Sous Vide. If you wrapped a towel around the pot, they are pretty darn efficient. and.. you get a pot of hot water for washing up later! A Sous Vide steak that was seared after is one of the best steaks I have ever eaten!

ICC
Member
# Posted: 1 Jan 2022 14:17
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Sous vide cooking is wonderful. But as it is the exact opposite or microwaving (timewise) it does not appeal to many. The circulator/heater 'wands' that are now available do make it easier to safely try it though. Search Instant Pot Sous Vide, to find dxamples.

gcrank1
Member
# Posted: 1 Jan 2022 14:26 - Edited by: gcrank1
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Sous vide is great for making average store cuts of beef like steak house. Mention of it made me think of
our 'water heater',an old alum cyl 30 cup coffee perc ($5 at Re-Store). With the perc stuff out it makes all the hot we need for a day when only half full. It doesnt take long for it to heat up either (1000 w?), I turn it on when we are done nuking while the gen is still running. Not as mindless as turning on a tap, and we do dip it out with a ladle, but way nice for simple cabin livin.

paulz
Member
# Posted: 1 Jan 2022 15:44
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Quoting: travellerw
Depending on what you are trying to do an induction HOB


Hmm interesting. I'm not sure why we really even need a micowave at the cabin. I do all the cooking with LP. My wife does not use it, it's dangerous with one shakey hand. She does nuke stuff back at the city house, and might do so here, like a frozen pot pie or something. But the HOA sounds interesting and safe.

ICC
Member
# Posted: 1 Jan 2022 15:52 - Edited by: ICC
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Induction cooktops are great too! They may require the purchase of compatible (magnetic) cookware. Very energy efficient which is the reason I put an LG induction cooktop in the new place. I still use a microwave a lot for heating up this or that quickly... like a cup of coffee or tea gone cold, or a bowl of lunch soup.

travellerw
Member
# Posted: 1 Jan 2022 16:25
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We used an induction hob on our boat when it was sunny to save on propane (propane can be a lot of work to get in the Caribbean). Honestly I couldn’t tell the difference between the hob and propane. Reaction times were almost the same. However, I missed the dial. I hated pushing a button to adjust the temp.

As to cookware.. most everything we had just worked. Some things like our thin stainless kettle didn’t work awesome, but worked. We had an aluminum frying pan that didn’t’t work. But that was about it.

Trying to cook on solar really means you have to adjust your cooking habits. We actually never missed the microwave. But at our cabin I will just use propane. It’s cheap, easy and a delight to cook with. We do plan to build an outdoor kitchen with a proper wood stove and oven though… eventually..

Steve_S
Member
# Posted: 2 Jan 2022 18:06
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I have a Panasonic 1200W Inverter Microwave. 110V/60Hz. It pulls 72A from my 24V system when running. That is of course through my Inverter.

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