Microwave vent

[Scott K]

My microwave vents to the outside. When its cold and windy out, there is a real good draft coming out of the fan area under the microwave. Inside of the microwave is outside tempeture. Sometimes when it is real cold outside, and I use the microwave and when it first kicks on and cycles it sounds like it is working real hard, and I have had it kick the circuit breaker. Is this suppose to have cold air blowing through it? I havent ever seen or heard anyone else complaining about this. There is a little flap on the outside of the house, with a screen on it, I try to close it all the way, but there isnt anything on it to keep the flap down, to prevent wind from blowing right through it. How should this be set up, or is this a normal thing?

[King Canada]

What you're really saying is this an over the range Microwave that takes the place of the range hood. Most of the new ones can be installed with or without the outside venting. You could take it apart and make it nonventing or get a better exterior vent cap that seals better. Your house is negatively pressurized and will draw air in anywhere it can. Do you live in town?

[walleyeseeker]

If it was installed correctly, there should be a one way flap that opens when the fan starts up and closes when it is off. This prevents air from flowing back into the house. Check to see if it is installed correct before going any further.

[Scott K]

Yes this is the over the range, and I do live in town. This flap you talk about, do I need to remove the assy from the wall to get at it? It is about 8 years old, if I pull it off maybe it would be best just to replace it. But everything else has been working except for the air blowing through it.