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Mini-Microwave Returns!
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msinabottle
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 11:41 am    Post subject: Mini-Microwave Returns! Reply with quote

I ran into a mention of this in my local newspaper's travel section.

It's a 600 Watt Mini-Microwave. I was hoping they'd make one in DC, but they do at least have one that comes with its own inverter.

Here's the URL:

http://www.iwavecube.com/products/iWavecube.aspx

One problem might be that the control panel is on the top, but a bit of room, and perhaps a mirror, might allow its use in one of the Westy cabinets. I have no complaints at all about Winston's Sharp Half-Pint, but it hasn't been made in quite a while, they're hard to find, and sooner or later they'll break. Stuff like that is good news for those of you tweaking, and for the future.

Best!
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danfromsyr
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 1:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

the Wavebox is 12volts
http://www.thewavebox.com/original.cfm
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msinabottle
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 1:19 pm    Post subject: Hmmm... Reply with quote

I wonder if the Wavebox, with its rectangular design, would fit in one of the Westy cabinets, though. Dimensions are on the page. But, good, it'd be just as easy to have a DC microwave. You lose a lot of juice going through an inverter.

The Wavebox is also 1.5x the cost of the iwavecube.

Shocked

I'm still looking for a square DC microwave.

Best!
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izzydog
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 1:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've thought about getting a Half Pint and there seem to be a half dozen on eBay every time I look but the iWave does looks cool. It does have a smaller cooking space but takes up a little less room than the Half Pint.

I've thought the best place for a Half Pint, or any microwave, would be under the sink, so having the controls on top would not be optimum for that location.

Any issues with your Half Pint? Does it pull your battery down if you cook things for a few minutes? Size of your inverter?

cheers,
Jeff
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msinabottle
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 1:30 pm    Post subject: The Half Pint Reply with quote

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I get about 20 minutes total use with the Half Pint, the Odyssey PC1200, and the 1500W inverter, if I don't drive or hook the Van up to shore power. If I had access to shore power, I could easily run an extension cord from the Microwave to one of the two interior sockets. The other thought is one of those big solar arrays.

I can manage quite well on a weekend's camping with the Half Pint. At the Rocky Mountain Westy campout, I only used it for about 7 minutes the entire weekend to heat a burrito. Did that just fine.

Best!
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izzydog
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 2:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yikes. The Half Pint eats up a lot more room than I thought - although you can store stuff inside I suppose.

Maybe what I need in the Quarter Pint. LOL.
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GreenMachineVW
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 7:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

izzydog wrote:
... Maybe what I need in the Quarter Pint. LOL.

Or just a Munchkin ...
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hiram6
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 18, 2009 8:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Anyone seen this product?

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A few details available here.

http://www.skymall.com/shopping/detail.htm?pid=102908989&c=

Description says it would not need an inverter??
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msinabottle
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 18, 2009 10:40 am    Post subject: Some Good Ideas! Reply with quote

The two DC ones are great, I hadn't been able to find any. They are EXPENSIVE, but I would think straight DC would make better use of one's battery power than having to run it through an inverter.

Am I right about that?

Best!
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 18, 2009 10:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

My half pint works well, the same as Rob's but with the later panel. Space wise, I ended up modifying the entire kitchen unit to make it and the fridge work out better for space utilization. Straight DC would be more efficient, you lose 10% or so with the inverter with efficiency loss. I wouldn't change for that amount of gain.

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PostPosted: Fri Mar 22, 2013 10:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

GreenMachineVW wrote:
izzydog wrote:
... Maybe what I need in the Quarter Pint. LOL.

Or just a Munchkin ...
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I want THAT Sharp Munchkin and they don't make it anymore! Looks like it fits with out changing/moving a single thing! Was just in that cupboard cleaning and noticed the fridge plugged in there, but for some strange reason they put only a single outlet in there. THOUGH, if the fridge and microwave were plugged in and used at the same time, it might flip the breaker, which is always a pain.

tam
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 22, 2013 10:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Iwavecube is nice but you have to have a inverter that will use pure sine wave or it will not work. I bought the Iwavecube and my inverter would not work with this microwave. I had to return it. I use the sharp Half pint also and this microwave will use modified sine wave unlike the Iwavecube. Sharp half pint has worked beautifully over the years.

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PostPosted: Fri Mar 22, 2013 10:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thank you! That's an expensive little unit, $200 on Amazon. How did you secure it? Have you ever tried putting it under the bench? And, will it work just plugged into the outlet via the shoreline?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006WNRJ/ref=s9...d_i=507846

whynotvw wrote:
Iwavecube is nice but you have to have a inverter that will use pure sine wave or it will not work. I bought the Iwavecube and my inverter would not work with this microwave. I had to return it. I use the sharp Half pint also and this microwave will use modified sine wave unlike the Iwavecube. Sharp half pint has worked beautifully over the years.

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PostPosted: Fri Mar 22, 2013 10:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

look at ebay for used units
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 22, 2013 11:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Also keep your eyes open at thrift stores/pawn shops near a college campus.

Plus there are a bunch of mini-micro install threads here on thesamba.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/search.php?search_keywords=half-pint&search_forum=20
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One more islander...
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 22, 2013 11:50 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

This Whirlpool model seems to have come out very recently--there are 2013 reviews for it on Amazon:

http://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/ajmadison/WMC20005Y.html

http://www.amazon.com/Whirlpool-In-Countertop-Black-Microwave/dp/B005GSZB3M/ref=pd_sbs_k_2/177-7990

Has anyone seen, or installed, one of these? How do its dimensions--15 3/8" wide x 14 1/8" high x 13 3/4" deep--compare with a Half-Pint?
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 22, 2013 3:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Second hand, what a great idea! Thank you! Found one and will go and try it out this weekend.

Also found another microwave thread w/ some different small units.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=479272&highlight=microwave+pint+size

Still like that munchkin one the best, found one one ebay for $150+25 for s/h. Twice what I'd pay for a second hand one that might only last one summer...

Though a convection toaster oven may be a better choice if it won't fit inside a cupboard anyway. Hoping it will fit in the back bench.

tam
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 22, 2013 3:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Pffffffft!!! Microwave ? You are C A M P I N G ! That means if you can't eat it raw or cooked over a smokey fire, you don't get to eat it! Shocked

You kids today! So soft and citified!

Wink

Dave
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 22, 2013 3:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

you might be camping and eating hot dogs on a stick. (*hope you didn't get it from the immediate perimiter of the campsite.. least not at waist height Mad )
but maybe I'm roadtripp'n and looking to have a hot meal while it's raining or snowing and I arrived after dark...

though I don't have a micro in my camper. I do own a 1/2 pint for in case.
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 22, 2013 4:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You know what happens when you assUme? LOL

I don't want it for camping. No space for a that when I pack up all my camp gear. My kids have swimming lessons twice a week at 5pm. I don't get into the city until 4pm, then have to pick them both up AND get them to the pool w/ suits on. Leaves us exactly 15min to cook/eat/clean.

I'm making my hot dogs in the microwave, on the same plate I'm going to feed it to them on! Then, I'll wash the plate and it'll be ready for the next day! Might do a can of soup too! Twisted Evil

If I use a pot on the stove, then I have to boil the water AND wash the pot, way too much work for me after working all day! LOL

And, I don't eat hotdogs on a stick while camping either. Prefer them on my BBQ. Wink

tam

djkeev wrote:
Pffffffft!!! Microwave ? You are C A M P I N G ! That means if you can't eat it raw or cooked over a smokey fire, you don't get to eat it! Shocked

You kids today! So soft and citified!

Wink

Dave

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