New Whirlpool dishwasher side vents. How do they work?

[maytaga806]

Hello all as you remember I did get a newer Maytag dishwasher recently and the ventilation system is confusing me, there’s the side grill vents on the left of the door, but there’s no intake vent on the interior of the door? Where is the air intake vent for the interior in order for it to ventilate? I couldn’t find any information online nor in the manual for this and the only thing I can think of is that it’s at the bottom of the door which would make no sense to me as water would almost cover it while it’s filled? If anybody could explain this I would find it helpful. Thanks

 

[egress]

I believe those are air intakes for the fan assisted drying. I'm not entirely certain on how it works, but i believe theres a small fan in the door that blows into the top vent on the door.

 

[johnb300m]

For some models they are used to aid in drying ventilation. But for manufacturing simplicity, I think they just leave them on all stainless panel models. If anything, it helps reduce condensation buildup in the control cavity.

 

[DADoES]

 
Parts diagrams for model of question MDB4949SHZ0/1 doesn't show a fan or vent ducting anywhere.

A service manual I have for the MDB series, assuming it's correct for the model of question, indicates that models with fan-assist drying have the exhaust duct and fan mounted toward the front on the left side of the tub, with the intake on the side at upper-rack level and fan at the bottom near the floor.

The vent on edge of the door apparently doesn't do anything regards to drying?

 

[henene4]

You can actually see that the picture above matches the machine in the original post - just no fan assisted drying is implemented.
The spot for the drying vent is shaped, but not stamped out.

I would probably say it's just some ventilation to keep the electronics cooler.
Some ventilation is better than none...

 

[gelaundry4ever]

my dad's kenmore

My dad's Kenmore has the side vent on the left side of the door with the intake inside. It is a stainless steel model.

 

[retro-man]

I have the same model Maytag in white and it also has the side vent, so it is not just the stainless steel that has these. Never felt any heat or steam come out of it.

Jon