Using countertop microwave in View/Navion cabinet

[rprochnow]

Recently, we've researched replacing our stock Graystone with a countertop microwave/convection oven/air fryer combination - and hit an obstacle because the V/N cabinet is the small "RV" size with an opening 22.44" wide - smaller than the small "kitchen" cabinets with 24" width.

We've found one 22.44" cabinet RV combo microwave/air fryer - a Countoure model, though it doesn't appear to be much of an upgrade over the stock Graystone. The kitchen countertop microwaves appear to be a significant upgrade - with more availability (at Best Buy and other retailers), better documentation, and more features (such as a higher oven temperature).

While the small combo countertop microwaves will fit inside the cabinet, there aren't any trim kits made by those manufacturers OR the manufacturers specifically state their units are not to be used inside a cabinet.

For those units that have a trim kit, the kit includes the face trim over the front of the cabinet, vent hoods that route air circulation towards the front of the cabinet (through the trim grille), and may include a base for mounting inside the cabinet. This helps to secure the microwave inside the cabinet - plus ensure air circulation occurs through the front.

Micro-Trim makes custom trim kits that could be used to cover the cabinet face for a countertop microwave. BUT, their kits don't provide the vent hoods to adjust circulation - so much of the heat will be trapped inside the cabinet, and will likely cause the oven (and cabinet) to overheat due to the lack of circulation.

Has anyone successfully installed a countertop microwave in their V/N cabinet? If so:

• How did you secure the microwave in the cabinet?
• What did you do about the air circulation along the sides, back and top of the oven?
• Did you end up with an open faced cabinet or get a trim kit to cover the cabinet face

One option we've discussed is installing a slide out shelf in the cabinet and securing the countertop oven to that shelf. When using the microwave for short periods (a minute or two), we should be able to operate the oven inside the cabinet, since the heat generated around the oven is likely not to be high enough to cause problems. When running the convection oven (or air fryer) for longer periods, the heat would build up inside the cabinet, so we'd slide the oven out of the cabinet while it was running, to essentially make it a "countertop" microwave for extended use - and then slide it back in after cooking is over.

For now, we're probably going to stick with limitations of the Graystone that came with our 2021 View 24D.

But if there are others who have upgraded to a kitchen countertop combo oven, we'd like to learn from your experience - and reconsider doing this upgrade.

 

[Eagle5]

I don't understand what is wrong with the stock microwave/convection oven. I can see it on page 4 of the View brochure, and it looks like a good unit. Sometimes, if there is a specific task which requires air frying, perhaps a stand-alone unit that just does that job would be better.
Eagle5.

 

[rprochnow]

The stock Graystone is basic and "OK".

Our View is almost 2 years old, and we're already on our 2nd unit.

Fortunately our first unit died while we were in Lichtsinn's parking lot for our annual service, and they were able to make arrangements so we could get a replacement the next day.

The microwave/convection oven doesn't do very well cooking some items, which turn out somewhat "mushy" like french fries. So we were looking to upgrade to a combo microwave/convection/air fryer.

The other problem is the top temperature is limited to 395 - lower than recommended cooking temp for some items. Within the power constraints, we've found at least one combo countertop that will go up to 425.

We were very lucky when the original microwave died. If we hadn't been at Lichtsinn, it would have taken a while to get a replacement shipped to us (and now with supply chain issues, could take even longer).

So going with a replacement we can buy at a retail store or overnight from Amazon would give us more flexibility should the microwave fail again.

We've found the "RV" microwaves (the ones that fit into the smaller 22.44" cabinets) are pretty basic. Online, the documentation is usually a pretty poorly scanned PDF version of what ships with the microwave. And those instructions are very simple.

While the countertop (higher volume) microwaves have much better instructions, usually with explanations of how to cook various items in the different or combo modes.

It is unfortunate Winnebago (and other RV manufacturers) didn't go with a 24" cabinet opening - and then be able to use standard kitchen countertop/built-in units. In our 2021 View 24D, Winnebago could have squeezed out 1.56" from either the undersink cabinet or the kitchen undercounter drawers without losing that much space...

 

[Eagle5]

I was thinking of a $90 solution, and then you also have a backup; something like this:
Ninja AF101 Air Fryer, 4 Qt, Black/gray
There are larger units available too.

 

[rprochnow]

We talked about getting an air fryer - but that would require additional storage, and for long trips, we're pretty tight on space - which gets us back to using the existing microwave cabinet for a combo/air fryer.

 

[bgilly]

High pointe

Our 2019 View came with a High Pointe Microwave Convection oven which we use often. We've successfully baked chicken in the convection mode and everyday heating in the microwave mode. It's not a high-end unit but we've had no trouble with it. Our model is EC028BMR-B but a brief search resulted in zero stock. Either post-pandemic supply issue or the product line has been dropped. However, I noticed several other brands of microwave convection ovens are out of stock.

Bobby

 

[rprochnow]

The High Pointe is likely similar to the stock Graystone and the other RV microwaves that fit in the smaller 22.44" cabinets.

We're looking for a slightly more powerful microwave (with temps up to 425) that also includes an air fryer.

There is a Contoure RV model that has microwave, convection oven and air fryer - and that fits in the 22.44" cabinet and has a trim kit. But the documentation on that model is pretty poor - so we don't have as much confidence that it's a real upgrade vs. the small kitchen countertop models available in retail stores.

 

[bgilly]

Contoure

The Contoure was going to be my next suggestion. Maybe a Google search would provide more end user reviews from other forums. The RecPro would be a similar product but have less faith in them than Graystone.

You are looking for something that is made for RV applications so the selection is going to be much less.

As stated, we've been satisfied with our High Pointe and have not had a reason to find it unsuitable for most of our cooking needs. We mostly cook outside either on a campfire or on a portable stove/grill/griddle that I stow in the outside View compartment.

Bobby

 

[rprochnow]

I was unable to find more than a couple of reviews on the Contoure, coupled with the limited number of stores carrying it and the poor quality of the user manual - doesn't inspire a lot of confidence in spending over $600...

Wish the RV manufacturers would just use a standard 24" cabinet size (surely they could squeeze the extra 1.56" out of the adjacent cabinets) - and then open it up to using units designed for kitchen cabinets...

Especially with supply chain challenges - going with higher volume products, available from more sources, would benefit the manufacturers and customers...

 

[ImChrisD]

We talked about getting an air fryer - but that would require additional storage, and for long trips, we're pretty tight on space - which gets us back to using the existing microwave cabinet for a combo/air fryer.

We’ve got this Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 Indoor Electric Grill with Air Fry, and it’s absolutely incredible! It makes the most mouthwatering steaks and chicken, even better than most propane grills I’ve tried. The Air Fryer works great as well.

 

[Sparky19053]

rprochnow: Thanks for the tip on the custom trim kits. We have been less than impressed with the Graystone MW and have searched for an upgrade several times. Its become one of those things that we rarely use.