Unvented range hoods do filter some grease and cooking odors from the air, but the general consensus is that they're nowhere near as effective. Nor do they remove heat and humidity, so they won't help keep your kitchen cool while you cook. Above: An industrial-style vent (made of ducting) draws air up and out.
A recirculating OTR microwave uses charcoal filters to neutralize air before it is pumped back into your kitchen. Ducted range hoods connect to ductwork to pump air outside your home. Compared to ductless range hoods, they are more efficient and effective at neutralizing air.
Ventless (Ductless) range hoods clear the air from the cooking fumes, grease, smoke, and odor by using a fan with charcoal filters. Unlike ducted models, these types of range hoods filter the air from odor and smoke and recirculate the clean air back into the kitchen.
Yes. A recirculating range hood works beautifully, the same way as a ducted range hood. The main difference is that rather than the air getting exhausted to the outside, it passes through a filter, and then recirculated back into the house.
Yes. A range hood keeps cooking exhaust, chemicals, and smoke out of your kitchen. It improves your indoor air quality and streamlines your cooking experience.
While over-the-range microwaves have been stylish for years, the trend is on the way out in 2018.
There is no requirement that your Over The Range (OTR) Microwave be vented to the outdoors. All OTR microwave ovens can be set up to either allow the fan to recirculate the air back into the kitchen or be vented to the outdoors.
To power your range hood, you need at least 100 CFM for every 10,000 BTUs of your stovetop. For example, a 100,000 BTU stove needs at least a 1000 CFM range hood. For electric stoves, multiply the stove width by 10. So, for a 42” electric stove you want a range hood with at least 420 CFM.
What size range hood do I need for a 30” cooktop? With a 30” range, a 36 inch range hood is your best choice.
For high-output gas ranges or cooktops, the minimum rate of 1 CFM of ventilation per 100 British thermal units (BTU) is recommended. For example, if your high-output burner output is 45,000 BTU, look for a range hood that provides 450 CFM to best clear the air. However, the higher the CFM, the louder the hood will be.
Yes! Many people replace their over the range microwave with a ducted or ductless range hood. Range hoods are the much more flexible and versatile option when it comes to ventilating your cook space, compared to microwave hoods.
Many microwave ovens are not vented to the outside. If you are willing to give up the outside venting feature, you can have a service person from the appliance dealer turn the fan around to vent inside. Remove the wall jack and insulate and seal the wall opening.
Convertible vents offer improved air quality by venting air outside of the kitchen. They can also convert into a ductless system that uses air filters. Recirculating microwave vents send your kitchen air through a series of aluminum, carbon, or charcoal filter vents.
Microwaves will be obsolete by 2027.
Among renovating homeowners, a built-in island is the most sought-after kitchen feature after pantry cabinets, according to a 2017 Houzz kitchen-trends survey of 2,707 people. She notes that as houses grew, islands, popular since the 1980s, have grown along with them.
Over-the-stove microwave ovens are mounted onto the wall above your stovetop. They are favored because they get the microwave off the countertop or island, giving you more counter space to work with and reducing the appearance of clutter in the kitchen.
Lower the front of the microwave and have a look over the top, under the cabinet. The unit will be supported at the lower rear by a bracket flange. Your microwave's vent either exhausts upward or rearward, but from right at the top rear of the unit. You'll be able to see whether there's a duct opening at that location.
You can insulate your vent hood duct, but it's not required. Insulating your vent hood duct will keep the noise down and keep your greasy kitchen air from escaping into your joists and attic.
If cold air is coming down your range hood vent, install a backdraft damper. A spring-loaded damper is the most reliable. If you already have a backdraft damper, check if it is bent or damaged. Also, make sure that the damper is grease and grime-free.
The major difference between the two is that a ductless range hood, which is more common in most kitchens, uses a fan or blower motor to pull all the grease and smoke out of the air, then recirculates it. A ducted range hood, on the other hand, vents all the bad air straight to the outside.
A range hood fan should move a minimum of 100 CFM of air for every 12 inches of stove width. This means that if you have a stove that is 30 inches wide then you need a range hood with a fan that rotates at least 250 CFM of air.