The new Makita microwave (MW001GZ 40‑volt Max XGT) is one of the more unique cordless tools out there; none of the other tool brands out there seem to sell one.
As a microwave, it works great. With one 40-volt battery, you get about eight minutes at its full 500-watt capacity. Or you can use two 40-volt batteries and get about double that. Though its max power is about half that of a conventional microwave, it’s still plenty of power to warm up last night’s stew; it’ll just take a bit longer to get hot. Other than leftovers, the one thing tradespeople are interested in heating up is their cup of coffee. For that, you are going to need a regular-size microwaveable cup to fit in the unit.
For what seems like a large enough appliance, it has a small oven: 10 by 9 1/2 by 4 inches. That’s just big enough for a frozen microwavable meal and short containers.
Features include a USB port for charging other devices; a low-battery alert; a sensor to turn off the microwave if it tips; a simple-to-clean interior; and an LCD display with easy-to-use controls. The fold-flat carry handle makes the microwave easy to move around; it weighs about 20 pounds without batteries.
Having the unit on site certainly got a lot of attention. Everyone who saw it had questions and wanted to give it a try. For around $800, it’s a pricey conversation starter. For me, it doesn’t solve a problem that I couldn’t fix with a cheap, second-hand microwave. While it is innovative and was fun to try, I can’t justify putting it on my wish list.
However, if you are running the 40-volt line of batteries and are on the road or not near a plug, this microwave could be a nice benefit for your crew. A hot meal from home on a cold day always feels like luxury on site. And, as with the rest of Makita’s lifestyle line, it could also be handy for camping or another off-grid activity.
