Heat your food anywhere with this mini microwave

Gone are the days when microwaves were relegated to the kitchen -- or even the house. Startup Wayv, in partnership withNXP Semiconductors, has created the $199/£135/AU$275 Wayv Adventurer, a handheld cooker that can go anywhere you go.

Intended for use during outdoor activities, as a backup cooker for busy parents in transit and even for defense and humanitarian purposes, the 200W thermos-esque Adventurer is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and is supposed to work for 30 minutes or more on a single charge. Wayv claims the Adventurer can work with solar energy, too.

While the team hasn't shared details on availability just yet, this $199 gadget has caught my interest. As someone who occasionally camps in areas where fires are banned, a device like this could really come in handy.

Weight is a slight concern, though. At 2.6 pounds (1.2 kilograms), I certainly wouldn't consider it an essential for a long-distance thru-hike, but it would probably be fine for a shorter trek.

And with just 200W of power, it will likely take longer than a regular microwave to heat up food or a drink (a traditional microwave typically has 600 to 1,200W; check out my microwave buying guidefor more details). That makes the 30-minute battery limit seem a little low. Still, I'm definitely interested in taking one on the road to see just how well it works.