Combination microwave and hood system

A microwave oven, comprising:

• an external enclosure having first and second sides extending between a top having a top surface and a bottom having a bottom surface, the top surface being a horizontal surface of the external enclosure defining a recirculation vent outlet between a cooling air inlet and a cooling air outlet along a front edge thereof, wherein the recirculation vent outlet, the cooling air inlet, and the cooling air outlet are defined through a horizontal plane;
• an internal enclosure having a top wall and first and second sidewalls that define a cooking cavity within the external enclosure, wherein a first air passage is defined through the first sidewall of the internal enclosure and a second air passage is defined through the top wall of the internal enclosure, wherein a cooking component area is defined between the internal enclosure and the external enclosure adjacent the first sidewall of the internal enclosure;
• a cooling fan disposed within the cooking component area, wherein the cooling fan is configured to direct air along a cooling air path, and wherein the cooling air flowing along the cooling air path is:
• directed in a first vertical direction into an interior of the external enclosure via the cooling air inlet;
• directed through the cooking component area;
• directed in a direction parallel to the bottom surface through the cooking cavity;
• and
• directed in a second vertical direction away from the bottom surface through the second air passage and the cooling air outlet to be expelled from the external enclosure;
• and
• a hood fan disposed laterally adjacent to the internal enclosure and adjacent to the bottom surfaced within the external enclosure, wherein the hood fan directs air through the external enclosure, and wherein the cooling air path is free of the air directed by the hood fan.

A microwave oven, comprising:

• an external enclosure having first and second sides, a top with a top surface, and a bottom with a bottom surface, the top surface being a horizontal surface of the external enclosure defining a cooling air inlet and a cooling air outlet through a horizontal plane, wherein the top surface defines a recirculation vent outlet between the cooling air inlet and the cooling air outlet;
• an internal enclosure including first and second sidewalls and a top wall defining a cooking cavity within the external enclosure, wherein the internal enclosure defines a first air passage through the first sidewall and a second air passage through the top wall, and wherein a cooking component area is defined between the internal enclosure and the external enclosure;
• and
• a cooling fan disposed within the cooking component area laterally adjacent to the internal enclosure, wherein the cooling fan is configured to draw air in a first vertical direction through the cooling air inlet and into the cooking component area, and wherein the cooling air is configured to be routed through the first air passage into the cooking cavity, in a second vertical direction through the second air passage, and in the second vertical direction through the cooling air outlet;
• at least one hood fan disposed within the external enclosure adjacent to the bottom surface and laterally adjacent to the internal enclosure, wherein the at least one hood fan directs air, and wherein the cooking cavity is free of the air directed by the at least one hood fan;
• and
• a door operably coupled to the external enclosure, wherein a top edge of the door is aligned with the top surface and the horizontal plane of the cooling air inlet and the cooling air outlet.