condensation/ice in the vent fan over my stove?

Question

Apparently, the fan/vent above my electric stove leads outside.

This is fine, except:
- there is a draft coming from the vent
- condensation forms there and, in this weather, ice, such that when I cook things it drips water all over the stove

Any home owners with the same experience? How do I fix this?

Answer 1

There is supposed to be a pivoted cover over the outside end of that fan's exhaust tube. After a while those pivots tend to get sticky from the grease passing through. Try cleaning the pivots with a degreaser spray until they swing easily. Then when the fan stops blowing they will swing shut and keep out the cold air.

If you can't do that now while it is so cold, tape a plastic bag over the outside and don't use the exhaust fan until you can work on it.

Answer 2

Try placing aluminum foil over the opening in the house temporarily during this extreme cold. This will prevent the warm moist air in the house from condensing when it hits the very cold air.

Answer 3

The vent flapper is either stuck open, or winter winds are blowing it open, causing the problem