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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Most microwave vent hoods are recirculating, which does not entirely remove the unwanted contaminants from your kitchen air. Instead, the air moves through charcoal filters and is recirculated back into the kitchen. So, it is important to duct to the outside when possible to keep your indoor air clean and fresh.
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.
Some microwaves have front exhaust vents that eliminate the need for duct work in the house walls. Other microwaves have a top or back vent which connects to exhaust duct work. A microwave positioned over a stove is mounted to both the back wall and the underside of the upper cabinet, regardless of vent placement.
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.
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.
Do not install within a closed cabinet or a cut-out space where the bottom is covered. These can be installed under a cabinet, even if there is not a cooking surface underneath the appliance. However, the height clearances outlined in the Installation Instructions must still be met.
They can go through your cabinetry, ceiling, or straight through the wall behind the hood. The vent exhausts outside either to an exterior wall or the rooftop. Ducted range hoods are common in commercial kitchens, homes with gas stovetops, or higher-end homes.
It increases the engine power.
Dry air that stays dense and cool tends to work better than when it is warmer and thinner. By installing channels with hood vents to deliver cold air to the engine, a vehicles performance can improve by at least 5% easily.
No, you should never vent your range hood into the attic. The excess buildup of grease and moisture in your attic will ruin it and over time may cause mold damage. Instead, vent your hood through an interior wall or through the ceiling all the way outside of your home.
You turn on the fan. The steam and grease particles get sucked up into the bottom part of the hood. Within that hood, there are honeycomb filters that trap the large grease particles. The rest of the air flows into the exhaust duct.
Kitchen range hoods have a primary purpose of removing excess hot air from the kitchen area, as well as the lingering cooking odors from the stove area when you are frying or grilling. However, whether you install a vented or unvented range hood will depend entirely on your needs in your kitchen area.
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.
When you don't have a back wall or don't want to install the microwave beneath a cabinet, add a removable shelf to the top of the countertop and place the microwave on it instead.
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.
Most major manufacturers recommend a distance of 30 inches between the top of the microwave and the surface of the oven. Depending on the height of the oven, this equates to roughly 14 or 15 inches between the underside of the microwave and the stovetop.
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.
Microwave ovens often demand dedicated circuitry, but this isn't always a necessity. The National Electrical Code requires it for all fixed equipment, so a circuit must be set aside for any built-in oven. Small or older countertop models draw less power than modern full-size units.