Why does my microwave oven and hood combo suck in air from the top?
I have a 12 year old Whirlpool Microwave and vent hood combo (model GMH5205XVS-1). As far as I know, it should be configured to vent outside (via vent on an exterior wall). If I open the cabinets in the picture, there is a large vent and I can often smell cooking smells outside when the fan is on.
However, the suction above the cooktop is weak, even on the highest fan setting. Yesterday, I noticed there is a big vent at the top of the oven that is also sucking in air. I temporarily blocked it off and noticed it increased suction above the stove.
Is this supposed to be blocked off if the fan is configured to vent to the outside? Or does having suction at the top of the oven provide some other value?
Both the owner's manual and installation manual make no mention of this.
Question from user James at stackexchange.
Answer:
The unit is working as designed: major air movement from below, as is fitting for a "range hood", and minor air flow from the room and around the microwave cabinet to vent moisture/odors. Cabinet-installed microwave ovens require venting of some sort. The horrible open cavities exposed on top of the unit must surely mean there is a missing screen panel of some kind.
Answer from user kreemoweet at stackexchange.
I have a 12 year old Whirlpool Microwave and vent hood combo (model GMH5205XVS-1). As far as I know, it should be configured to vent outside (via vent on an exterior wall). If I open the cabinets in the picture, there is a large vent and I can often smell cooking smells outside when the fan is on.
However, the suction above the cooktop is weak, even on the highest fan setting. Yesterday, I noticed there is a big vent at the top of the oven that is also sucking in air. I temporarily blocked it off and noticed it increased suction above the stove.
Is this supposed to be blocked off if the fan is configured to vent to the outside? Or does having suction at the top of the oven provide some other value?
Both the owner's manual and installation manual make no mention of this.
Question from user James at stackexchange.
Answer:
The unit is working as designed: major air movement from below, as is fitting for a "range hood", and minor air flow from the room and around the microwave cabinet to vent moisture/odors. Cabinet-installed microwave ovens require venting of some sort. The horrible open cavities exposed on top of the unit must surely mean there is a missing screen panel of some kind.
Answer from user kreemoweet at stackexchange.