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should a microwave be vented outside

by Ezekiel Ebert Published 1 year ago Updated 1 year ago
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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.

Full Answer

How to vent an over the range microwave outside?

Vent Cap Installation

  • Measure the distance from the lip of the outer wall opening to the microwave mounting plate. ...
  • Wear heavy gloves and use the tin snips to carefully trim the duct section to the required length. ...
  • Mount a tube of outdoor quality silicone sealant into a caulking gun and run a zigzag bead of silicone onto the rear-facing flange of the vent cap. ...

Do Over the range microwaves have to be vented outside?

Over-the-range microwaves install above your range or cooktop in place of a range hood. Different venting options: External venting sends the smoke through an outside exhaust vent, whereas recirculating venting microwave pulls air through a charcoal filter then vents it back into the house.

Should the outside of a microwave ever be hot?

NO….the walls may be hot due to steam coming out of the food…but microwaves have no effect on walls. The microwaves target the water molecules. The waves agitate the water molecules making them hot. That’s why it is customary to add some water to your food before microwaving it. Anything (without moisture doesn’t gets heated up in microwave.

Do all over-the-range microwaves need to be vented?

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. If you're unsure about which solution works best for your over the range microwave, you're in the right place.

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Is it better to vent microwave outside?

Venting a microwave outside is usually considered an upgrade because it's the best option to getting rid of airborne smoke, steam and grease. However, as we've explained above, there are ductless options that filter and recirculate the air back into the kitchen.

How do you vent a microwave outside?

1:3537:16How To Vent Your Microwave Outside [Over The Range Style] - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOutside you're going to have a damper. That's going to hook to the microwave in different positionsMoreOutside you're going to have a damper. That's going to hook to the microwave in different positions depending which way you're going in our example we're venting to the outside.

Does my microwave need to be vented?

While you cook food inside the microwave, lots of heat, odor, steam, and smoke is generated. All these elements need to be vented. Otherwise, odors & steam can create a stinky smell inside the still-sitting oven. This smell can gradually spread inside your kitchen too.

What happens if a microwave is not properly vented?

Ventilation: Do not block air vents. If they are blocked during operation, the oven may overheat and eventually cause oven failure. For proper ventilation, keep three inches of space between the oven's top, sides, rear and the area where the unit is to be installed.

Where do microwave vents go?

In many cases there are visible vents at the top of the microwave face frame, or a top panel that opens as a flap when the exhaust fan of the microwave is activated.

What does externally vented microwave mean?

An externally vented microwave uses a fan to draw air through the microwave's vents and into an exhaust duct leading to the exterior of the building, which means that most of the moisture, heat, odor and particulate matter generated by cooking goes directly outside.

How much ventilation do microwaves need?

3" of clearance on both sides and the top. 1" clearance in the rear. The front edge of the microwave (measured at door) should sit at least 3" or more back on the counter or shelf to avoid accidental tipping. If located on the counter near a range, we recommend locating it at least 2 ft away.

How do you vent a microwave inside?

If you want to vent a microwave that is located on an interior wall, you'll need to connect the microwave to your home's existing ductwork, if possible. If there's no ductwork nearby for you to connect to, you'll have to install a new set of ducts and probably make a new vent hole in your exterior wall.

Do you have to vent a convection microwave?

No, convection ovens do not require ventilation because they use a fan to circulate the air inside the oven to help food cook faster and more evenly.

How do countertop microwaves vent?

Countertop microwaves usually have vents either on the sides or on the top, while built-in models almost always have their vents at the back. When putting a countertop microwave into a cabinet, you'll want to ensure that there is enough space on all sides to ensure that there is adequate airflow around your microwave.

Why is air blowing out of the top of microwave?

Countertop microwave ovens have vents on the sides, bottom, or both to keep them cool while the magnetron generates heat. Therefore, it is completely normal for your countertop microwave to emit warm air, given that it is from the vents.

Can a microwave be vented into the attic?

Microwaves cannot be ducted into a common duct work. DO NOT vent into an attic or crawl space.

How much ventilation do microwaves need?

3" of clearance on both sides and the top. 1" clearance in the rear. The front edge of the microwave (measured at door) should sit at least 3" or more back on the counter or shelf to avoid accidental tipping. If located on the counter near a range, we recommend locating it at least 2 ft away.

Can you vent microwave with flex duct?

I checked my microwave's manual and it does say that flex is not recommended, and a rigid vent should be used.

How much does it cost to install a hood vent?

In general, plan on about $200 to $500 depending on the complexity of your installation. This includes the labor cost of installing a new vent hood and does not include parts, adding or modifying ductwork, or electrical work.

How do you install vent duct over stove microwave?

0:039:23How to Install a Microwave Hood with Exhaust Fan | This Old HouseYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipGreat we've already had an electrician come out and run a line through the wall up to this outlet.MoreGreat we've already had an electrician come out and run a line through the wall up to this outlet. Okay that's good then all we have to do is drill a hole in the cabinet for the plug.

How do microwaves work?

Microwaves do not need to be vented outside. This is what makes them so efficient and quick. Microwaves use microwaves, or radio waves, to cook food inside the oven. The microwaves penetrate the food and heat it up from the inside out, which is why they are so fast!

Why does my microwave still smell like something died in it?

Your microwave might still smell like something died in it because you don’t clean it very often. Though it might seem like an easy way out of scrubbing anything, using just water to wash your oven will do nothing to get rid of lingering odors. The best way to clean your oven is by wiping it down with a wet sponge and a dryer sheet after every use.

While microwaves use a mix of water, steam and air to cook your food, they can also leave food residue on the inside walls of your microwave that will cause odors

The smell of food residue in microwaves is the most common cause of odors. Though it might seem like an easy way out of having to actually scrub anything, putting food residue on the inside walls of your microwave with just water will not do anything.

Where does the smell come from?

The smell of microwaves is a common issue for most home owners. We have all been there, opening up the microwave and taking a whiff of the lingering food odor. The smells could be coming from different places in your microwave, but the most common culprits are leftover food or oil residue on the walls.

How to get rid of smells

1. Clean your microwave after every use. 2. Make sure the air vent is not obstructed. 3. Get rid of any lingering smells by wiping down your oven with a water-soaked sponge and dryer sheets after every use.

Why do you need an over the range microwave?

Over-the-range microwaves will help you save counter space for other appliances and food preparation.

Why is it awkward to use a microwave?

Awkward Location – If you can’t install the appliance at a comfortable height, using the microwave can be awkward and comfortable. The height makes it harder for short people to use the microwave.

What is external venting?

As far as ventilation quality goes, external venting is the winner hands down. The appliance pushes the kitchen air through an exhaust port to the outside environment. This results in much cleaner air when compared to microwaves with recirculating vents.

How much clearance does an over the range microwave need?

In general, over-the-range microwave ovens are designed for less clearance. A good rule of thumb is to mount the unit according to the manufacturer’s specifications. For instance, General Electric requires that the clearance between the top of the microwave and the floor is 66 inches.

What is the minimum clearance for a microwave?

If the hood or microwave is combustible, the minimum clearance should be 30 inches.

How much clearance between stove and combustible surface?

According to the International Residential Code, the clearance between the stovetop and any combustible surface should be 30 inches. Furthermore, it’s always a good idea to check your local building codes before the installation.

How many options are there when venting?

When it comes to venting options, you have two main options to choose from.

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