Unlike countertop models, OTR microwaves are not portable, and they boast a higher price tag: However, they also have built in exhaust fans, which serve as a stove-top ventilation system to eliminate smoke, steam, and cooking odors.
All over-the-range microwaves have hoods with fans that vent to either the interior or exterior of the home. These hoods feature charcoal filters for removing smoke and grease from the air before it is recirculated into the room or sent out an external vent.
All over-the-range microwaves can be vented to the outside using an equivalent total of 140 feet of rigid 3 1/4" x 10" rectangular or rigid 6" round ducting.
Over-the-range microwaves have a light and fan built into the bottom of the appliance. After the smoke and steam are removed, the filtered fan vents the air outside your home or cleans it before releasing it back into the kitchen.
Some over-the-range microwaves have exhaust fans that vent kitchen air out of the house through ductwork in the wall. Some don't and instead filter, then push it back out into the kitchen. Many will come with the ability to do either, so you must choose which one and set it up before installing.
Hood Vents Provide Better Capture
Microwaves are designed to tuck right into the space between your cabinets. This means that the front burners of your stove are not usually covered by the vent. A significant amount of smoke or fumes may escape.
You will simply improve the air quality of your home by venting fumes outdoors. ProTip Takeaway: A vented to the outside range hood provides better air filtration to keep the air in your home fresh and odor-free. "A hood is the absolute best way to go.
You can tell if it's the case by going outside and looking at the wall to see if there's a wall cap. This allows the escape or exit of vented air from the kitchen. Naturally, the range hood probably won't be vented outdoors if it isn't mounted on an outside wall.
Range hoods do not have to be vented to the outside. You can purchase hoods without ductwork called ductless hoods. But, ducted range hoods are almost always preferred over ductless hoods.
They do a better job of extracting toxins and smoke (although not at the same level as a range hood). A vented option will remove these fumes and vent them to the exterior of your home. A recirculating OTR microwave uses charcoal filters to neutralize air before it is pumped back into your kitchen.
For an external exhaust the vent is located on the back of the top of the microwave to vent out the roof. If you are venting back into the room it appears to come out of the top at the front.
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.
Yes, microwave ovens need ventilation. However, the venting needs differ according to the model and design. Proper clearance and ventilation are necessary for efficient operation and safety reasons. Adequate external ventilation is a must for microwave ovens without built-in ventilation systems.
According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association, the bottom of the microwave should be no higher than 54 inches above the floor, which would allow for 18 inches of clearance between the microwave and the typical cooktop height of 36 inches.
All current over the range microwaves and Advantium ovens can be installed over gas cooking products up to and including 5 burner stoves. As long as the 66" minimum from the floor to the top of the unit is followed there will be no performance or warranty concerns.
Do I need a range hood for a gas stove? Yes. Gas stoves produce intense heat and smoke, so you need a kitchen fan that can vent heavy cooking exhaust outside your home.
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 ductless recirculating vent pulls air through a filter and exhausts the air back into the kitchen. Some units are equipped with a charcoal filter that traps some particulate matter and odors, but most of the heat and moisture, along with some types of particles, stay in the house.
When your microwave is in a cabinet, you'll still need a place to plug it in for it to work. If there is a power outlet in the back of your cabinet, you can plug it in there; otherwise, you'll need to cut a small hole in the side of your cabinet to pass the plug through and plug it in at the nearest power outlet.
Purpose. As nearly all building codes require a ventilation system, it usually has a light to brighten the stovetop and a fan removing steam and smoke from the air. Microwaves that go on top of the range usually have a fan and light built into the underside of the microwave.
Place the countertop microwave in the built-in hole. Adjust it so each vent area has at least 1 inch of space in front of it. Do not push the microwave all the way against the back panel of the cabinet, and do not force the microwave into the cabinet space if the side panels do not provide enough space for the vents.
Do not cover or block any openings around your microwave, as they are important for allowing proper air and heat circulation.
“A properly installed range hood has two metal dampers to stop outside air from coming in. One is at the top of the hood, where it connects to the duct, and the other is at the wall or roof cap where the duct exhausts its air.