I am in the middle of a kitchen remodel and I am wondering if I should add a vent for my OTR microwave. I live in a 2 story + basement colonial where the range is against an interior wall w/ about ~4ft from the distance to the exterior wall. I removed a soffit and I will be replacing it with another one that is smaller and matches the wood from the cabinets. There are two copper water supply lines ~2" above the cabinet over the microwave. Also there is a 3" waste pipe above the cabinets that is on outside wall that would prevent me from also having a clear shot. I am trying to figure out if a ductless vent is the way to go or not. None of my neighbors have a ducted vent. Also I am worried about codes and other problems that might occur from having a vent. I do live in upstate NY, so it can get pretty cold in the winter. We don't do a lot of cooking to turn on the vent, though I am wondering if the new kitchen would make us cook more often.
IMHO a range hood that doesn't vent outdoors is a complete waste of time. The ductless ones are useless. I want as much of the cooking odors to be exhausted from my home. I don't want to smell my evening dinner all night long.
I have had both systems. In my last three newly built homes, I insisted that the range hoods vent outside.
I guess I do get a little nervous when it comes to putting a hole in the side of my house. I wonder if there would be any grease on the siding and who would you call about having this installed? I am doing everything for my kitchen myself, except drywall seams and granite install. I guess I am running out of steam for wanting to learn new things.
I haven't read the whole thread, but the answer is you want to vent a microwave or simple range hood to the exterior if at all possible. Otherwise, the only use it will have is the light.
You can add carbon filters to a hood to remove odours, but venting is absolutely necessary if you want to remove heat, moisture, or exhaust from a gas stove.
For proper airflow, the pipe has to be sized correctly. Follow the manufacturer's instructions - I think most hoods need 6" hard pipe for optimal performance.
4" or flex will cripple anything which moves more than 100 cfm or so.
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