Question from a reader:

We purchased a new rig and have never owned a convection/microwave oven before. So on our first trip, my husband and I decided to cook 3 different recipes and the results were all consistent – BAD! I don’t think it is getting hot enough. What am I doing wrong?    Signed – Carol P.

Carol – The day our manufacturers decided to include convection/microwave ovens in today’s RVs – was truly a wonderful day! Having cooked with convection ovens for many years and loving the results from that appliance, this is an area that I enjoy helping people with because it really will make your RV cooking experience even better.

Here are a few pointers …based upon the information you provided.

• #1 – Read the manuals that came with your unit – manufacturers have different products which can operate differently (even though they are basically the same). I also suggest getting online (if you have access to the internet) to search for videos by folks that have a convection/microwave like the model you have or similar. You can learn a lot of great information this way just listening to other’s experiences.
• #2 – You stated that you think your unit is not getting hot enough. – Buy an oven thermometer to test the temperature.  Sometimes, we will find that the temps are off as much as 25 degrees.  Of course, we would like it to be perfectly set, but if you know that your unit is off, you can compensate by setting the temperature higher so you can achieve the desired results.   Should you find that your temperatures are 50, 75 to 100 degrees cooler….then I would say that your unit should be checked out by a service technician – it could be a faulty thermostat which would require that part to be replaced.
• #3 – Traditionally – convection ovens in our bricks & sticks homes operate having access to strong/clean electricity.  RVs are not the case.  We are limited in how much electricity is fed to our rigs and sometimes that electricity is not strong nor clean. The wattage that this oven requires is not very high so the heating and cooking process is slower.  Sometimes, a recipe that requires 25 minutes at 325 degrees will actually need 30 minutes at a higher degree – like 350.  This will be something that you will need to tweak with your own unit to find the ‘sweet spot’ in regards to length of cooking time and right temperature.

UPDATE:  From Carol – I took you’re suggestion about purchasing an oven thermometer and found our convection oven was 100 degrees off.  So, I called the RV dealer and they arranged for a service technician to check it out. He found that the thermostat needed to be replaced. All problems resolved and we love using this appliance. Thank you for your helpful suggestions.

I LOVE a happy ending!   Happy RVing – Lady E Cooper

RV Kitchen – Questions & Answers

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