Fantastic! I didn't know this was already an option on mine, I thought this recirculating idea was new. I don't see screws on the top (it could be farther back where I can't see them) but the left side of the grille comes off fairly easily, I'll try to take off the rest of it and see if it's there.

It was not installed properly as there is a vent on top that goes nowhere. I found an installation manual as well, I might just have to remove it, adjust the blower fan direction, and re-mount it. Thank you so much!!

I'd put some more research into getting a vent pipe the several feet to the outside wall. This is the normal way a kitchen is set up. It will work 1000 times better than the charcoal insert you are thinking about. A hood would be preferred.

Check your user and/or installation manual if you still have the documentation, or search the model at GEAppliances.com to find .pdf copies. The documentation there indicates how to install/change the charcoal filter. I'd confirm for sure that it's doable on your specific model before ordering one. The online documentation is for several JVM1600 series models, not just your specific JVM1653.

A change of recirculating OTRs is not going to make a hill of beans difference in your experience. The filter does almost nothing. Just as the blow grease in your face OTR does almost nothing.

If you want an actual change to effectiveness, that starts with a hood, not an OTR, and a ventilation duct to the exterior, not anything recirculating.

As I said above regards to my OTR ... which is recirculating, not vented (I don't like OTRs either way) ... the airflow is pushed through the charcoal filter, not pulled through it, and some of the airflow bypasses it. My previous OTR (for 16 years) was supposed to have a charcoal odor filter but it was never installed (probably discarded by the installer or original owner of the house) ... which was all for the good because due to how the OTR was installed there was no way to access the filter location without pulling the whole thing down.

There is not much difference between what you have and the new one as far as venting but IMO a 13 yr old MW is not going to last much longer so forget hunting for the fliter. I have to say venting to the outside with a proper hood id the best choice and if at all possible that is what I would do.

It doesn't look like I can respond to specific comments, but a couple mentions of a hood, this is distinct to an OTR ducted microwave, right? In which case I'd have to see if the MW can go somewhere else.

@dan1888,

you mentioned 1000x better for a hood compared to a recirculating charcoal filter, but how would those compare to nothing, which is my current setup, or an OTR microwave with an external vent? Would be great if someone could put numbers on these. It's 5.5 feet to the wall on the inside. I got an estimate for $1200 from someone to put in a duct to connect it to the microwave, not sure how much additional cost for a hood, but a couple other ppl just advised me to go the recirculating route.

Some guys have a minimum. Sometimes, smaller things can be done more reasonably diy. An 8" by 5-foot round duct pipe $16.61 at HD. Oval sections are also available depending on your need. You'd need elbows, an exterior vent cap and supplies like sheet metal screws. You have to cut a hole. A hood with blower depends on your space and kitchen design. We recently dumped the micro for an airfryer/toaster oven. Ninja Foodi DT251 Link. Many times more versatile.