Can You Use Your Microwave With a Generator?

Generators are meant for running electrical appliances in the absence of urban electricity. However, microwaves aren’t like your average home appliance. As they convert electricity to thermal energy, there’s a lot of energy consumption. So, you might automatically wonder if it’s possible to run a microwave with a generator.

You can run a microwave with a generator without any issues. There are some things you should know beforehand though. But, using the right generator as well as the right setup is important here for safe usage.

There are few things to know about when buying a generator for your microwave. The power of the generator is crucial for running the microwave properly. Also, fuel efficiency is a big concern as the microwave is already power-hungry. In this article, I’ll cover all these topics so without further ado, let’s jump right in!

Issues with Running a Microwave with a Generator

There are few issues that you might face when running a microwave with generators. None of these are serious, but you should know about them. Here are some common issues with running microwave with generator:

1. Mismatched Wattage

Microwaves are manufactured keeping the home electricity in mind. So, when running on a generator, the most common issue that may arise is the mismatch of power. You will need a higher wattage generator than your microwave. Why is that I will discuss this in the latter part of this article.

If the generator wattage is too high, there’s a risk of burning the microwave. If the wattage is below, the microwave won’t properly operate. The microwave shall power on but when you try to cook something, it won’t generate proper heat.

2. Energy Cost

Generators burn fuel to generate electricity. There are different types of generators depending on the fuel like a diesel generator, propane generator, etc. 

The fuel type determines the fuel efficiency. Diesel is usually the best efficient fuel for generators, delivering 138,700 BTUs per gallon. You can learn more about fuel types here.

3. Connectivity Issues

You may need a variety of cables to connect your microwave properly with your generator. If the generator does not have proper outlets, your investment might go in vain. Always check before buying and tell the seller clearly why you are buying the generator. 

But to be frank most new generation generators will have all the proper outlets for running modern appliances. But it never hurts to double-check. 

How to Run a Microwave with a Generator 

Running a microwave with a generator isn’t the hardest thing to do in the world, but as a beginner, you will need some guidance. Here is how to run a microwave with a generator:

Step 1: Find the Wattage of the Microwave

This step is the first for obvious reasons. The right wattage shall run the microwave perfectly, lower wattage won’t run the microwave perfectly and extra wattage has the chance to burn the circuitry of the microwave. Find the wattage of your microwave from the body of the machine or the user manual.

Step 2: Make Sure your Generator has the Right Outlets

You can’t connect your microwave directly with the generator. You will need an extension cord for that. 

Not all generators have such outlets so before buying, make sure that the unit you are buying has all the right outlets to connect your microwave.

Step 3: Connect the Cables

First place the generator on a flat surface and at least 10 feet from the oven. Let the generator heat up by running it for 2-3 minutes. Get a heavy-duty 14-gauge male-to-female extension cord. 

Connect the male end of the cable to the generator outlet. Then plug the microwave power cord into the female end of the extension cable.

Step 4: Properly Disconnect all the Cables After You Are Done

If everything goes right, your microwave should work like a charm. After using the microwave, disconnect all the cables properly until next use and turn off the generator. 

First, unplug the microwave from the extension cord. Then turn off the generator and unplug the extension cord from the generator.

Picking The Right Generator for Your Microwave

When buying a generator for your microwave, there are key factors like wattage, fuel type, noise level, weight, etc. that you have to take into account.

The first thing you have to get right when buying a generator for your microwave is electric consumption. Check the wattage of your microwave and purchase a bigger generator. You can calculate the wattage by multiplying the volt with ampere.

You will need a male-to-female extension cable to run the microwave with your generator. So, make sure the generator has proper outlets to connect the extension cord. The fuel on which the generator runs is also a thing of concern because of varying fuel efficiency.

Diesel generators are the most fuel-efficient. Also, inverter technology is a great innovation to meet efficiency demands. Inverter’s generators run the engine according to power need instead of running at full power all the time.

If you are an RVer then there are two more factors you need to look for before buying a generator for your microwave. The first one is portability. Generators are generally heavier. If you need to frequently carry them, you have to go for a lighter one.

WEN portable gas-powered inverter generator can be an excellent choice for travelers. Its 4-stroke engine has clean energy, making it a highly craving unit for campers.

The second thing you need to check is the noise level. In an RV campground, running a roaring generator isn’t the nicest thing to do and I wonder if the authorities would let you do it. WEN 2000 watt portable ultra-silent generator can be just the companion you need. It’s silent, portable, energy-efficient; a complete package.

What Size Generator Do I Need to Run a Microwave?

Always purchase bigger-sized generators than your microwave wattage. Remember that operating wattage is different from cooking wattage. So, a 1500-watt generator can run a 1000-watt microwave, but that won’t be enough to cook using the microwave.

Usually, a generator can supply 1/4^th of the resistive load it can power. Resistive load converts electrical energy to heat.

This means to cook efficiently; you need four times the wattage of your microwave.

So now that you know what size generator you need to run a microwave, now you have to find the wattage of your microwave. Volt and amp should be mentioned on the body of your microwave or in the user manual. If you can’t find it, check the manufacturer’s website or call the vendor.

Multiply the volt with amp, this is the running wattage. You need at least a double-watt generator, but four times is the safe zone. Most microwaves run on 600 to 1200 watts, so a generator around 2000 watts should be the sweet spot.

Should You Run A Microwave With A Generator? 

Well, if you need to, you can. And it’s not like they will completely drain your generator in a few minutes. A 1000-watt microwave oven consumes about 1500 watts. You might think this is a matter of concern if you’re traveling and want to use your generator as efficiently as possible. 

Microwave ovens are quite power efficient because they cook food in less time. Microwave oven directly heats the food, making it up to 80% energy efficient. Electric ovens and stoves are only 20% energy efficient.

Also, microwave ovens do not run all day long. It takes very little time to cook or heat food. So, the high energy consumption only takes place for a low time so the impact on the electricity bill is less severe. Judging from all these factors, microwave ovens are very energy efficient and a must-have item for anyone, especially if you are a traveler.