# What is this thing attached to my built in microwave? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 26, 2024, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-attached-to-my-built-in-microwave/1007726 "2024-09-26T00:13:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-attached-to-my-built-in-microwave/1007726/21 "2024-09-26T01:08:24Z")
The open-door release thingy doesn’t open the door when I push it in. I can open it by slipping something up the side of the door, but that’s not a solution. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-attached-to-my-built-in-microwave/1007726/22 "2024-09-26T01:39:16Z")
Have you tried searching for you microwave make/model “door latch replacement”? ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-attached-to-my-built-in-microwave/1007726/23 "2024-09-26T01:48:33Z")
Oh. That’s probably an easy fix. I suspect it just needs some silicone lubricant. ---
**Author:** ![Twoflower](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/twoflower/32/22_2.png) [@Twoflower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Twoflower)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-attached-to-my-built-in-microwave/1007726/24 "2024-09-26T01:58:43Z")
Is this an over-the-stove unit, with a built in “exhaust” fan? Our house came with one of those. It really just filtered the air and returned it to the kitchen. That looks like a duct that would serve that exact purpose. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-attached-to-my-built-in-microwave/1007726/25 "2024-09-26T02:06:30Z")
The door might have a spring inside that releases the “fingers” and if the spring slipped its moorings, door no open. One of ours had this problem and I was able to take off the inside plate on the back of the door and re-attach the spring. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 10:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-attached-to-my-built-in-microwave/1007726/26 "2024-09-26T10:05:15Z")
It’s not an over-the-stove unit. Apparently, there’s a plastic part that can break sometimes, leading to this problem. If the repair people come back with an estimate that’s too high, I guess I’ll try taking it apart and seeing how I can break it further, but I’m going to try appliance repair first. It certainly could be a spacer. There’s plenty of room in the space where it sits, but maybe that’s to make sure no one tried to jam it into a smaller space, blocking any venting. In the cabinet, there’s a little slot that the base slides into, with a few inches of extra space all around the unit (less where that contraption is, of course). ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-attached-to-my-built-in-microwave/1007726/27 "2024-09-26T11:13:27Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > _ **Tamper-resistant** _ Torx. Yes, from the picture it looks like maybe it has a pin in the center that would prevent normal Torx bits from going in. I’ve seen those before. I actually have a screwdriver set somewhere for a variety of those “security” screws, including Torx bits with holes in the center for those types of screws. ---
**Author:** ![Lancia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lancia/32/17174_2.png) [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-attached-to-my-built-in-microwave/1007726/28 "2024-09-26T18:07:59Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Yes, from the picture it looks like maybe it has a pin in the center that would prevent normal Torx bits from going in. I’ve seen those before. They’re quite common nowadays. I remember ~25 years ago, when I was first starting to work on my own cars, that the only place I could TR-Torx bits was Snap-On. Now they’re available everywhere. I have a set of TR-Torx bits from Lowes (Kobalt) and a cheap pair of individual screwdrivers with the same driver heads. Definitely handy tools to have around. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-attached-to-my-built-in-microwave/1007726/29 "2024-09-26T18:10:44Z")
Years ago I bought a set of screwdriver bits that included all of the security ones (torx, spanner, tri-wing, etc.) though it’s only rarely needed. ---
**Author:** ![Inferior\_Desecrator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9f8e36/32.png) [@Inferior\_Desecrator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inferior_Desecrator)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-attached-to-my-built-in-microwave/1007726/30 "2024-09-26T18:38:39Z")
Back to your original question, the attachment is the ductwork to vent the microwave out of the built in cabinet. Most people use their MV for brief periods and it proably wouldn’t be needed but an extended period of use would build up significant heat from the generator. Don’t remove or discard it, reinstall with the ducting intact. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-attached-to-my-built-in-microwave/1007726/31 "2024-09-26T19:04:03Z")
Thanks! From your user name, it seems like you know what you’re doing, but in a scary way. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-attached-to-my-built-in-microwave/1007726/32 "2024-09-26T19:55:26Z")
If you get to the DIY fix stage, I’ve had good luck getting replacement parts for various applicaes from [www.appliancepartspros.com](http://www.appliancepartspros.com). ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-attached-to-my-built-in-microwave/1007726/33 "2024-09-26T20:12:38Z")
+1 Most (all?) MW’s have some sort of motor and squirrel cage to vent the oven’s interior either back into the kitchen or to the exterior (through the wall): [![](https://good-appliance.com/cdn/shop/products/IMG_0931_1024x1024.jpg?v=1672422309) ](https://good-appliance.com/cdn/shop/products/IMG_0931_1024x1024.jpg?v=1672422309) Sometimes, the motor and fan assembly can be rotated to change from interior to exterior venting. [ETA: this will generally NOT be all that is required to make this modification] Meaning: the HVAC foil tape was the right thing to have been used in this application. You should neither monkey with this nor try to bypass or modify it if you don’t know what you’re doing. With a make and model number, we can give you a 100% answer. [I thought I replied to @Inferior_Desecrator post, but it appears I replied to @filmore post, who – IIRC – made the right call on the foil tape :-)] ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-attached-to-my-built-in-microwave/1007726/34 "2024-09-26T20:26:05Z")
+1 on that one, too. If you can get in there with a Q-tip and isopropyl alcohol, that’s probably worth doing _before_ the silicone lube. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-attached-to-my-built-in-microwave/1007726/35 "2024-09-26T20:51:41Z")
I have the make and model at home, so I’ll try to remember to post it. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2024, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-attached-to-my-built-in-microwave/1007726/36 "2024-09-27T00:36:57Z")
It’s a KitchenAid KCMS1555SSS: > **[KitchenAid KCMS1555SSS 1.5 cu. ft. Countertop Microwave Oven with 1,200...](https://www.plessers.com/kitchenaid/kcms1555sss#cart)** > > KitchenAid KCMS1555SSS 1.5 cu. ft. Countertop Microwave Oven with 1,200 Cooking Watts and Sensor Cook: Stainless Steel . I guess I could try to find another microwave with very similar dimensions and pick up one of those Tamper-Resistant-defeating Torx drivers and swap it out. Here’s what the microwave looks like in place, with the front panel off: [![](https://i.imgur.com/oBcqmVw.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/oBcqmVw.jpeg) Plenty of ventilation. The front panel has fins to let air circulate around, so I again wonder if the attachment that started this thread is meant to make sure it’s in a space at least that big. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2024, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-attached-to-my-built-in-microwave/1007726/37 "2024-09-27T01:23:13Z")
My microwave just sits in a shelf/cubby. I intentionally didn’t have it built in when I got my kitchen remodeled because I was warned not to do so by more than a few people. It’s a pain in the ass to replace. Either way, there’s no ventilation. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2024, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-attached-to-my-built-in-microwave/1007726/38 "2024-09-27T01:51:06Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > KitchenAid KCMS1555SSS It really just looks like the standard ducting configuration: > **[Microwave Oven Preparation; Bottom Duct Assembly; Side Duct And Upper Duct...](https://www.manualslib.com/manual/396228/Kitchenaid-Kcms1555sss-Countertop-Microwave-Oven.html?page=3#manual)** > > KitchenAid KCMS1555SSS - Countertop Microwave Oven Manual Online: microwave oven preparation, Bottom Duct Assembly, Side Duct And Upper Duct Assembly. 1. Unplug Microwave Oven Before Proceeding With Installation. 2. Remove Any Loose Items Inside... Other than the door latch, I’m not clear what problem, if any, you’re trying to solve. If you want to have the micro ducted to the outside, you may want to have a handyman bid the job. Otherwise, lots of microwaves just vent into the kitchen. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2024, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-attached-to-my-built-in-microwave/1007726/39 "2024-09-27T01:53:32Z")
I think the OP’s microwave just vents into the kitchen. The missing front frame almost certainly has vent slots. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2024, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-attached-to-my-built-in-microwave/1007726/40 "2024-09-27T02:09:46Z")
Yep. You can see it in the original photos, upthread. Maybe @RitterSport just needed to vent? 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-attached-to-my-built-in-microwave/1007726.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-thing-attached-to-my-built-in-microwave/1007726.md?page=3)