Do Over The Stove Microwaves Need To Be Vented

A range hood that vents to the outside is much better than a microwave that also vents and much much better than a recirculating vent.

Do over the stove microwaves need to be vented.

Over the range microwaves have a light and fan built into the bottom of the appliance. Here s how to go about it. Over the range otr mounted microwave ovens can save space in your kitchen but the exhaust fan in a microwave often just recirculates the air rather than venting it to the outside. Many times an over the range microwave that recirculates cooking fumes can be converted to exhaust to the outside.

These microwaves usually fit between adjoining wall cabinets and below a specialty upper cabinet that hides the vent connections and electrical outlet. Virtually all building codes require a ventilation system installed over the kitchen stove. An over the range microwave only needs an exhaust fan vent if it is required by code. This ventilation system has a light that illuminates the stovetop surface and a fan that removes smoke and steam from the air.

Since a range hood protrudes further it also does a better job of capturing smoke steam and cooking odors and venting them outdoors. A microwave which is designed to be mounted over the cooktop usually has equipped with some ventilation system. Learning how to install over the range microwave without vent can save you money and when done correctly it won t be difficult. If you have an over the range microwave it should have an exhaust fan that vents to the outdoors.

Furthermore the over the range microwave with vent may recirculate air back to the kitchen or may lead to an exterior vent. It should even take less than an hour and less than half an hour if you ve got some experience. A microwave oven designed to be mounted over a cooking range typically has a built in vent fan and light fixture designed to illuminate the stovetop. Remove the access plate on the top of the unit in order to reach the motor.

An over the range microwave takes the place of a range hood and almost all building codes require a venting system to be installed over a kitchen stove but keep in mind an over the range microwave. The ventilation system may lead to an exterior vent or it may simply recirculate air back into the kitchen. The best is to vent outside and the vent should be at least as wide if not a little wider than the stove top.