Microwaves for HGV trucks in the UK, Powering a microwave oven with an inverter. The title of this article could not be more fitting – microwaves are never an easy option when you’re on the go or traveling! Luckily there is a solution that will make your life easier: powering your microwave oven with an inverter.
This trucking article will provide you with all of the information and tips to help you find out what type of power inverters work well in these types of situations, what microwaves are available for use in HGV trucks, and even some helpful hints about using them effectively.
Can you use a microwave in a truck?
Microwave ovens are a great option for those looking to heat up their food quickly and efficiently while they’re on the go.
However, when you need to use one in an HGV truck, it can be difficult because of limited kitchen space and power outlets.
Thankfully there is a solution that will make your life easier – using microwaves with inverters!
So the answer to the question is yes it is possible to use a microwave oven in a truck to heat your food or drinks.
There are a few things that need to be covered before using a microwave in your truck, we have outlined them below.
Why use a microwave oven in a Truck?
There are many reasons why someone would use a microwave in their truck, including:
Convenience – it is one of the quickest methods for heating up your food and drinks while you’re on the go. You can even make instant soups or hot chocolate in just a few seconds.
Practicality – Truck drivers are not always able to stop at a service area due to tachograph rules, they may have to park in the layby on the side of the road which will have no provision for food or hot drinks. A microwave in the truck cab will allow you to eat a decent hot meal just about anywhere when on long journeys.
Safety – The weather in Britain is never great, during winter months truck drivers have been known to be stranded in their vehicles for long periods of time, having a microwave oven in your truck along with a good supply of ready-meals or food in your trucks fridge will ensure you have food in any situation.
How to choose a microwave for HGV trucks in the UK
There are a number of things to consider when choosing the right microwave oven for your truck. The first thing is what you plan on using it for, if you want something that will take up less space in your cab and only be used occasionally then one of the smaller microwaves may suit – typically these have around 500w to 600w power output, which is a great option for cooking in your truck cab.
Microwaves Suitable for an HGV
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How to Power a Microwave Oven in a Truck
Powering a microwave oven in a truck can be achieved by using a pure sine wave inverter.
It is important to use pure sign wave inverters with a microwave so that the power doesn’t fluctuate and damage the microwave oven.
The size of the inverter required to power a microwave is determined by the wattage of the oven itself, but it is good practice to double the wattage of the inverter to ensure constant power is maintained whilst using the microwave oven.
For example: if you have a 600w microwave oven then a 1200w or higher pure sine wave power inverter would be a recommended choice.
Pure Sine Wave Power Inverters for Trucks
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How to cook using a Microwave Oven in a Truck
A microwave oven will put a lot of load on the truck’s electrical system so it is important to remember these important tips.
- Tip 1 – Always have the truck’s engine started and increase the revs slightly to about 1500 RPM when cooking.
- Tip 2- Connect your power inverter by wiring to the batteries on the truck, do not use the 24v socket in the cab as it could blow your fuse due to ampage.
- Tip 3 – Only power the microwave from the inverter when cooking, and unplug or switch off anything else you possibly can that is running off the truck’s electrical power system, such as radio, CB, SatNav, DashCam, etc.
- Tip 4 – Only cook one item at a time, this will allow your truck to put some charge back into the battery system before cooking your pudding!
- Tip 5 – Always unplug your microwave from the power inverter once you have finished cooking, and allow your truck’s engine to replenish the batteries for a short time before switching off the motor.
Microwave ovens and their benefits
Microwaves are used to cook food quickly and evenly. Microwave ovens use microwave energy that is produced by a magnetron in the appliance, which creates electromagnetic waves of radiation at about 12 inches from the metal surface where it’s being generated.
The microwaves bounce off this metallic surface and heat up the other objects within its vicinity.
A microwave can be powered in two ways: through an external electric outlet or with an inverter plugged into your truck’s power system (while cooking).
If you want to take full advantage of all features of your microwave, we also recommend using a portable generator for powering appliances such as microwaves, as this will have no impact on your truck’s electricity supply, although they can be difficult to store in your truck due to size.
Microwave ovens with low wattage are a great way for truck drivers cooking meals in their trucks.
The importance of choosing a high-quality microwave oven
Microwaves are the perfect appliances for anyone on the move. They take up little space and can be powered by either electricity or battery power inverters. But if you’re not careful in your selection of a microwave oven, it might end up taking more time than any other appliance in your truck to cook food properly – which is why we wrote this guide!
The circuitry in a recognized brand will be of a high standard and this will make a difference when powering it through an inverter.
Also having a good quality microwave will ensure longevity which is important especially if you have gone to the trouble of mounting the microwave oven in your truck as a permanent fixture.
How to Clean a Microwave Oven
Cleaning a microwave oven is not as difficult as people think! this simple step-by-step process will ensure a microwave oven is always kept in tip-top condition.
- Half fill a microwave safe bowl with water.
- Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda to the water in the bowl and stir.
- Place the bowl into the microwave oven and heat it for about four minutes.
- Remove the bowl from the microwave carefully as the water will be piping hot.
- Wipe the interior of the microwave oven with a clean cloth.
This process will loosen any stubborn food splashes allowing you to easily clean the microwave.
Additional Items to use with a microwave oven
Microwave Food Containers
![[10 Pack] 1 Compartment BPA Free Reusable Meal Prep Containers - Plastic Food Storage Trays with...](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ox-Nr18aL.jpg)
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Microwave Soup Containers
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Portable Utensils for Eating
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Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed this article about microwaves for HGV trucks in the UK, Powering a microwave oven with an inverter. If so please feel free to share it on social media and with your friends. Thank you!
One of the most important pieces of information that we learned from testing different types of microwaves was how much power they draw or need to operate properly. This is vital because running any appliance off an inverter can be tricky if not done right – especially when powering something like a powerful microwave oven that draws at least 600 to 700 watts.
Having a powerful enough inverter and having your engine running whilst cooking will help to protect the truck’s electrical system from damage.
We also found that microwaves with inverters are more expensive but have the advantage of being able to operate at lower wattage – which means they won’t drain as much power from your batteries and risk damaging other parts in the truck.
Thank you for reading this British Trucking article “Microwaves for HGV Trucks in the UK, Powering a Microwave with an inverter” we hope you found it useful for setting up a microwave oven in your truck.
