Venting our microwave works well but we would like to vent it outside instead of the unvwented fan. Unfortunately we no longer have the original instructions which told how and where to cut holes for venting. Can we get another copy?

you vent fan motor may be trying to vent upwards instead of towards tthe front of the unit, you may need to rotate motor

Every over the range microwave has a vent on it that should be venting that steam. I don't know of anything you could put under there that would solve your problem as that is where then vents are and they would be blocked. It sounds to me as though your steam is not being vented properly, and this could also happen if the steam is being vented back into the room instead of outside as many OTR microwaves allow you to do. Its a little bit of work to vent it outside but I myself did that with my microwave and have never had a steam accumulation problem.

Interesting post, because I have the same problem! I have spent the better part of today researching and taking our microwave apart (partially) to inspect the top portion re: outside vent. Everytime the microwave is on, the "active vent door" (manufacturer's term, not mine!) opens. Apparently this is normal. But it also opens when you turn on the vent fan, when cooking on the stovetop. I don't like this feature, because I think it 'overrides' the outside venting system. I double checked our outside vent to ensure that when this oven was installed, the person did in fact allow the flap to be open when the fan is on (he did). So I think what 'our' problem is, is that the microwave active vent sort of interferes with the outside vent, thus more of the cooking smell being blown into the house instead of the outdoors. I was thinking of simply disconnecting the gizmo that make the active vent door open each time you use the oven and/or vent fan option however I don't think that's a good idea as apparently the main purpose of the active vent door is to keep the electronics of the microwave oven from overheating. The more I read about this version of microwave, the less impressed I am with it. Lots of electronic issues with it. I am not fussy either with having the microwave over the cooktop. Sorry I don't have a solution for your problem but I do feel your pain!!!

Yes, this microwave will vent either out through the top or the back. A damper will be needed if it was not saved when the unit was installed. A list of other items are listed in the installation instructions at this link To GE.
http://products.geappliances.com/MarketingObjectRetrieval/Dispatcher?RequestType=PDF&Name=49-40409-1.PDF

It doesn't have to vent outside. These are designed to recirculate the filtered air back into the room. If you cook without a range hood now it will work fine for you.
Eric

Hi,

The fans on an over the stove microwave can be rotated up to 180 degrees depending on how the installer intends to vent the hood. Your fan is pointed forward and venting into the kitchen through a charcoal filter. If you want to vent through the ducting and out of the kitchen, you'll have to drop the microwave down off of the mounting bracket and rotate the fans in the back, pointing the dicsharge upward for a vertical vent, or 180 degrees, if it discharges out the back (wall vent). In both cases, an adapter is necessary, and can be obtained at any hardware store.
Best regards, --W/D--

Start the fan and check the outside vent first.I have found the weatherstrip on the exterior damper can get coated with grease and will become stuck and not allow the damper to open.

Your vent flap could be taped or it could be faulty installation not allowing the vent to open. If you take the front vent cover off, you should be able to reach in above the fan unit and gently push the vent flap up, it should move freely with no binding. If it doesn't it is taped or blocked. If it is taped, gently putting upward pressure on the flap might release the tape. If that doesn't work the vent installation is blocking the flap. You might have to remove the unit from the wall (two people to do this) or disassemble the vent duct above the microwave and rework the interface for clearance.

hope this helps,

The fan pulls from the range top and either out those vents on top unless there is a vent in your upper cupboard. Then it is vented outside. Hope this helps.

"Microhood" seems to be a slang term for the "microwave hood" (hood fan or exhaust fan) which is normally part of an over-the-range microwave oven or range. But these should be available separately, as I seem to recall. I would contact home centers such as Lowe's, Home Depot (if they still exist), etc., or a local appliance store.