Miele Convection Steam Oven Venting under the cabinet installation?

8 years ago

Can those who have the Miele CSO, and installed it under the cabinet, tell me about the venting they did and where the steam and heat goes?

I had mine delivered and installed by Miele (not impressed), and as they were installing, I remembered reading about venting needed in the back of the cabinet. I mentioned it to the installers, as my cabinet guy did not vent the cabinet. They said 'some people cut a vent in the back', but don't worry, as soon as we install and you sign off, your warrantee begins. My cabinet guy came back and drilled some holes in the area under the counter top (Silestone) and put a trim piece matching the cabinet to 'hide' the holes, but allows venting from the oven space. I could not believe the amount of steam and heat coming from those holes! I am concerned that the heat/steam will damage or impair the electronics on the oven, as it is expelled just above that area. I mentioned this to my kitchen cabinet guy, and he said "Heat rises. That heat will not go down as in the installation instructions for venting." There is a drawer below the CSO, and below that a 'toe kick drawer'. Behind the CSO cabinet, is another cabinet that faces into the living area (CSO is installed in a Peninsula).

I have a tendency to worry about everything, so maybe I shouldn't worry?

Please advise, especially those who installed under the counter, and those who understand venting, etc.

Thank you in advance!

Featured Answer

Chanop

7 years ago

Vent at the back is for fresh air intake. Hot, humid air inside oven cavity is vented to the front.

Please see these two videos for explanation. First one is for older generation 5000 (4000 in N.A.), in English. It shows a bit of fresh air intake at about 3.37.

Second is for 6805XL, from Miele Austria. At 2.34, it shows how fresh air is taken from the back to mix with hot and humid air from inside cavity and vent out the front. At 3.45, it shows how fresh air is fed into cavity for steam reduction.

Just follow Miele instruction for vent cut out, then you will be fine.

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Comments (13)

travel guy
7 years ago
Did you ever get an answer to this? I'm concerned about steam damaging my cabinets if I buy and install one of these. Where does all the steam go from these ovens?
Chanop
7 years ago
For cut out behind the unit as showned in Miele installation diagrams, that is mainly for fresh air intake. Miele combi steam oven vent steam and cooled down hot air to the front underneath fascia/above oven door.
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K Jackson
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Hey guys, I have the plumbed Combi Steam Oven and it was installed back in March.

I too was really worried about the venting requirement at the back of the cabinetry and had my cabinet maker drill a few holes. I talked to the installer when he was here and he said these ovens are 'zero clearance' install so really don't require the additional air flow in the back. The ovens actually designed to vent out of the front.
travel guy
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
So, why is Miele suggesting all the extra cabinet cutouts if it vents completely in the front? They also say in bold print in the manual that there can't be a finished panel behind the oven. This is also a concern for my situation as I plan to install this oven at the end of a peninsula in a base cabinet. Thoughts? I think I should call Miele; just hoping I can get to someone who actually knows the "why" on these requirements.
JSP
3 years ago
Chanop this is awesome! Thank you!
mariesonde
2 years ago
Thank you this is very helpful. So does anyone that has had this combi steam oven for a few years have any algae or mold build up? cabinet damage? any other concerns ?
future_retiree
2 years ago
Any algae or mold build up? None whatsoever in the oven itself. In the water reservoir I infrequently see some scale film build up on the sides of the container, similar to what you'll see in a bathroom glass shower door. I have a plumbed in model and only take the reservoir out when the oven gives a descale reminder. The descale removes all the buildup.

Cabinet damage? No, none whatsoever

Any other concerns ? The oven cavity and the Perfect Clean surfaces. Miele CSO ovens do not have a self-clean feature (by design). I have no doubt my oven would be perfectly clean if I followed the "PerfectClean" instructions exactly "...it is very important to clean the surfaces each time the oven is used. The surface will become harder to clean and the non-stick properties will deteriorate if soiling is not removed after each use and allowed to build up.". And I do mean follow the instructions exactly. Most of the time I'm lazy about this have tell myself I'll get to it later. What really happens is some brown spots accumulate after a few uses and every few weeks I put some time and effort into cleaning. Lesson learner, Perfect Clean surfaces do not mean you can use a wet paper towel every few months and all the soil magically wipes right off.
mariesonde
last year
Thank you very much!!! I really appreciate it!
hlarchrx
last year
Hi- so are you saying venting isnt needed? i am literally using for the first time in my brand new kitchen and realizing that the installation instructions talk about venting and i have none. im kind of oanicking…
Christina A
last year
Following - I will be installing the combi-steam and would like to ensure the millworker does the venting correctly
future_retiree
last year
last modified: last year
> Hi- so are you saying venting isn't needed?

I don't see anyone say that, and if they did I'll disagree. However if not vented I doubt your oven will have a catastrophic failure now or even many years from now.

> im kind of panicking…

Suggest you do two things to address the panic. 1- Ask whoever designed and built your kitchen if he/she followed the install specifications, specifically the rear ventilation specs. Send a copy of the spec pages from the install/operating document if you think there's any chance they are brushing you off, as in "yea, yea, yea, we followed the specs, now don't bother us anymore...", and also so you have a record. And 2- Call into Miele tech support (not the new customer design support) and ask if lack of venting per the specs will be a problem. In all likelihood miele tech support will say you shouldn't do that, but at least you will know the answer now and not five or ten years from now when your builder, contractor or kitchen designer is retired or no longer in business.

P.S: If your kitchen was designed by a professional and you find out they did not follow the specs then clearly that's a problem and you need to ask why not. Then ask yourself what your agreement was with said design professional, did you sign a contract or was it verbal, is design pro licensed and certified, etc. Getting something designed, installed and built correctly -- to manufacturer specs -- is the key (to long life, to warranty coverage, to failures), whether you are talking simple drywall, common plumbing fixtures, regular old concrete, etc., ... or multi-thousand dollar hi-tech ovens.
Michael Durda
10 months ago
For future readers - the rear vent serves as a fresh air intake and must be present so heat/steam can escape out the front of the device.

Miele Convection Steam Oven Venting under the cabinet installation?

Chanop

Comments (13)

travel guy

Chanop

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