installing microwave and toaster oven

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My wife and I want to install a small microwave and toaster oven in
our Scamp 5th Wheel. I think that they can be stacked on the counter above our refrigerator.

My plan is to build a shelf up from the counter top and then to tie
it into both the top cabinet and the wrought iron support. The
Microwave, which is heavier would sit on the counter. The Toaster
oven above. Both are very small units.

I am concerned however about how to tie them in so that they do not shift during transport. I know I could rig up straps, for instance
to secure them when traveling. I also wonder about how much weight the counter is made to bear.

I am also curious about how such appliances stand up with all the
jarring these eggs do when traveling.

Any thoughts?

[Legacy Posts]

Okay, you all. We really need some ideas here. We need more brains than our little puny ones working on this. Here is the space where we want to install a shelf and "build in" the microwave and toaster oven.

<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3e9241ef6837eCounterspace.jpg/>

[Legacy Posts]

Here's what it looks like from two sides WITH the two appliances in that space. What we need are ideas of how to attach the shelves. We are leary of putting any holes in the wall of the trailer. We should not do that, right? Anyway, how would you all put these in?

Nancy

<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3e924267c3122Micro&oven1.jpg/> <img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3e92427899fa8Micro&oven2.jpg/>

[Legacy Posts]

You could try making a box to go around both units and then anchor it to the wrought Iron on the left side at the top and bottom,
then there's no holes to be drilled.

[Legacy Posts]

Our 84 16ft Scamp looks about the same in that area of the kitchen. When we bought it about 7 years ago there was a small microwave installed there. The previous owner had drilled through the twisted steel supports into the case of the microwave and used large sheetmetal screws to secure it. Then he had screwed wooden cleats through the counter-top to keep it from sliding around.

This worked alright on smooth roads (he was an older fellow who towed with a Toyota Cresida) but twice after towing on some un-paved roads in the mountains around here with our 4 X 4 the microwave was found on the floor after we stopped. It suffered a little cosmetically but still works fine.

Now we usually don't take the microwave, but when we do I stick it under the table for traveling. We also have a larger trailer with all the amenities, but find that when we decide to go, it is the Scamp that we use the most. Perhaps the reason is that less conveniencies is more convenient! (Is the grammar in that last sentence messed up?)

[Legacy Posts]

Hi
I would build a box which both units could fit in.Then attach to counter top and under top storage bins.Something like I did for mine.I installed mine under my bunk bed in my boler.

<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3e9300774d597bed.jpg/>

[Legacy Posts]

Orginally posted by Joe MacDonald

You could try making a box to go around both units and then anchor it to the wrought Iron on the left side at the top and bottom,
then there's no holes to be drilled.

:chin...and if you put doors on it then you would have a cabinet. :thumb

[Legacy Posts]

If you built the box with two shelves and they were a close fit then once you anchored the box and installed the micorwave and toaster oven you could put a small lip on the bottom of each shelf then the units couldn't slide out but would be still accessible.
You could anchor the box to the counter or to the iron rails or both.

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Not to over-extend my understanding of this but why _both_ an oven _and_ a microwave?

They do make microwaves nowadays with a browning element on top and some are pretty small even (I'm assuming you're running the 110v microwave with an inverter).

So you can use one box instead of two and mount it up top so you still have the counter-space :)

Now if this doesn't make sense then go ahead ignore me :)

I'm a newbie here BTW.

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There are a few reasons.

Yes, there are micro/convection ovens and we do have a couple of people on the board that use them. They are great from what I hear.

I suppose the primary reason is cost. You can get both a micro and a toaster for under a hundred. But I think that the cheapest convection/mirco I have seen is over $200.

Since Nancy's is open and apparently large enough a convection combo would work well (cost aside). However, others do not have the room for one and if they do, it is difficult to have adequate ventilation (they get hotter). A toaster oven can be used on an open table and stored away.

At least that's my take on it. Of course, I'm one of those who hasn't gotten either one yet because I don't want to give up any space. :o

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Bill, I'm the other half-owner of this trailer and this is why we decided on both. First was that we wanted an oven and toaster in the trailer. The toaster-oven serves as both. One can't do toast in a microwave. Also, the things that I have cooked in a microwave don't taste the same as the things I bake in the oven. I was afraid that it would be the same with a browning-type microwave. The last reason was the cost. We had the space so we decided to go with both.

Nancy

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Nancy,

Thanks for the explanation.

<<<the things that I have cooked in a microwave don't taste the same as the things I bake in the oven. I was afraid that it would be the same with a browning-type microwave.>>>

The 'browning element' in a microwave works exactly the same as in the large ovens at home. They get red hot. So shouldn't be different from a toaster oven in that respect (I'm guessing you're thinking soggy hot instead of crispy hot :) ).

But I hear ya about the cost. Microwaves with browning elements are still too expensive (more than $200).

Meanwhile I'm considering the possibilities. Baked petit-fours in the afternoon with high tea? Hmmm :)