What are the different microwave vent types?
Recirculating Vent (ductless) Ducted Vent (through roof or wall) Island Mounted Microwave Hood.
What is a recirculating vent microwave?
Over the Range Microwave Venting Options “Recirculate” means that when the exhaust fan is turned on the air will be drawn in through filters in the bottom of the OTR microwave and then blown out into the kitchen through an exhaust vent on the top of the OTR microwave oven.
Where is the whirlpool hidden oven vent located?
It is in the same location at the top of the microwave. Hopefully this information is beneficial to you. Thank you for your inquiry regarding our Whirlpool appliances!
Does a microwave have to vent outside?
It is not a requirement that an OTR microwave should be vented outside. Some homeowners prefer it, but no harm can come from recirculating the air into your kitchen or elsewhere (provided you're not dealing with smoke or harmful fumes).
Is a hood vent better than a microwave vent?
Even a powerful OTR microwave won't clean the air efficiently enough. They generally max out at around 300 to 400 CFM. So, the most effective option will always be a vent hood.
How do I know if I have a recirculating microwave?
How to know if your microwave is recirculating or not? If you're wondering what is a recirculating vent on a microwave, it's simple to figure out. First, turn on your microwave vent hood and feel for air on your face or hand. If you feel air coming back towards you, it isn't an external vent microwave.
Where should microwave hood vents be placed?
A microwave with a range hood should be placed right above the range cooker. Microwaves with a range hood have the intakes placed in the front and the bottom. The exhaust can be at the back or the top of the microwave. Microwaves with hood ranges are great space savers in small kitchens.
How do I clean my Whirlpool oven vent?
Cleaning Method: Turn off the downdraft ventilation system before removing the filter. Remove burner grates, then vent grate and lift the filter out of the vent chamber. Clean the filter in the sink with affresh® Kitchen and Appliance Cleaner, warm water and detergent, or in the dishwasher. Replace the filter.
Why is there a vent under my oven?
They allow for proper convection. If the oven was completely sealed it would get hotter but take longer to cook because the heat doesn't circulate.
Why can't you stand in front of the microwave?
Microwave radiation leaks are hard to detect because you can't smell or see microwaves. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates radiation-emitting products such as microwave ovens, advises against standing directly in front of or up against the oven while it is operating.
Does a microwave in a cabinet need to be vented?
Adequate ventilation, especially if the microwave is built into a wall of cabinetry, is a must.
What happens if a microwave is not properly vented?
Microwave ovens have air vents to stop them overheating. The air inside, and the food, gets hot. If you block the vents, they overheat and stop working.
How does a recirculating vent work?
These hoods operate by filtering the air they suck in and then blowing it back out into the room, necessarily using a recirculation procedure. The filter contains carbon and charcoal which eliminate odor and smoke particles from the air, which can be recirculated back through the kitchen.
What is the difference between a convertible and recirculating vent on a microwave?
1-3 of 3 Answers Convertible means it can vent through the wall or ceiling using a duct, or can be converted to non-venting (filters the air and blows it back into the kitchen) with Recirculation Kit Part Number W10294733 which is available from your dealer or an authorized parts distributor.
Do recirculating range hoods really work?
Yes. However, they are not as efficient as ducted range hoods that vent kitchen air to the outside of your home. Ductless range hoods use charcoal filters which trap some grease and odors but are not as effective as the stainless steel baffle and mesh filters of ducted range hoods.
What is a recirculating ventilation system?
A recirculating ventilation system reuses air from the range after filtering to ensure that reintroduced air is clean. Because the system uses air that is already cooled or heated, these systems require less energy to function. Recirculating systems can be set up to remove humidity from the range.
How to remove grille from microwave?
Disconnect power at the main fuse/circuit breaker or unplug from the outlet. Remove the screws (two or three) on the top of the microwave oven near the front. Slide the grille slightly to the left. Note: Opening the microwave oven door makes it easier to remove the grille. Pull the grille away from the microwave oven.
Where is the charcoal filter located on a vent fan?
Remove the old filter and insert the new filter. NOTE: The charcoal filter sits loosely in the filter compartment area behind the vent cover. While most are installed at an angle, some lay flat and the filter is unsecured in the filter compartment. They are designed to have freedom of movement until the vent fan is turned on which then holds the filter in place. The filter can be smaller than the filter compartment and may not cover the entire vent opening. This is normal.
Do you need to replace a charcoal filter?
Charcoal filters are model specific, so it is important to replace the charcoal filter with the correct filter for your model. The charcoal filter is listed in each model's product specifications or in their Installation Instructions.
How does an OTR vent work?
In the first example, the microwave over the range (OTR) will vent through the manufacturer installed grease or carbon filter, then directly through an exhaust port that is ducted to the outside of the structure. Typically there might be a cabinet installed over the microwave and inside that cabinet will be duct work or a soffit above ...
What is the cabinet over the microwave?
Typically there might be a cabinet installed over the microwave and inside that cabinet will be duct work or a soffit above the microwave, or a direct wall exhaust. Normally, this type of microwave over the range (OTR) will have a full frame door, with no panel above it, as depicted here.
Where is the vent on a microwave?
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. In either example, the cooking by-products are filtered through the filter medium, which is important.
How Many Types of Microwaves are there?
There are many factors to consider before the selection of the best microwave for your home. That is, based on a number of family members, food habits and other feathers to have in the microwave. The most important decision in the selection of microwave is to choose the type of microwave oven. Depending on the model and type you buy, a microwave can grill, roast or brown, preheat. Microwaves offer several benefits but not all the microwaves have the same features. There are various types of microwaves available in the market; each has its own distinctive features which allow you to cook food differently. Different types of microwave ovens are:
What is a convection microwave?
Convection microwave ovens are the combination of basic microwave technology with circulating hair and radiant heat which will let you grill, roast and toast the foods. Some units of this type come with the pan for cooking the bacon and crisping bread. Baking and grilling can be performed independently or together making this type as high end devises.
What type of oven is best for reheating food?
If you want the food to be grilled, toasted or roasted then grill microwave oven will be very useful. This type is also perfect for boiling the teas, reheating food, cooking noodles, grilling, toasting and roasting your favorite food like meat, kebabs, and chicken.
What are the different types of microwaves?
Different types of microwave ovens are: Solo microwave oven. Grill microwave oven. Convection microwave oven. Over the range microwave oven.
What is a microwave oven?
Microwave ovens are one of the great kitchen appliances to grill, reheat and even for baking. Microwaves are helpful in a wide range of cooking many recipes. You can cook food items like chicken grills, popcorn, muffins, pizza and even you can reheat the frozen foods. It takes only a few minutes to cook and thus saves your time and energy. Want to know Types of Microwaves? Just go through the convertible microwave vent Guide and microwave ventilation types here..
What is a grill microwave?
The grill microwave oven has heating coils which help in toast, grill, and roast. The heating coils in a grill microwave oven will transform the electricity to heat energy. This type of microwave can toast food in no time. If you want the food to be grilled, toasted or roasted then grill microwave oven will be very useful.
What is the most important decision in the selection of microwaves?
The most important decision in the selection of microwave is to choose the type of microwave oven. Depending on the model and type you buy, a microwave can grill, roast or brown, preheat. Microwaves offer several benefits but not all the microwaves have the same features. There are various types of microwaves available in the market;
How does an externally vented microwave work?
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. A ductless recirculating vent pulls air through a filter and exhausts ...
What is a recirculating vent made of?
The vent duct should be made from galvanized steel, stainless steel or copper, and it should have a smooth interior. The vent should always exhaust to the outside, not into an attic or any other interior space. In some places, local building codes may specify a minimum distance between an exterior vent and any adjacent door, window or other structure. Because recirculating vents have no exterior components, they're not subject to these requirements.
Why do microwaves have vents?
A microwave oven designed to be mounted over a cooktop is usually equipped with a ventilation system to cope with the cooking odors, smoke and moisture that rise from the cooking surface. The ventilation system may lead to an exterior vent, or it may simply recirculate air back into the kitchen.
Can you use recirculating venting on an over the range microwave?
If you want to install an over-the-range microwave and have it up and running within the hour, it's best to choose recirculating venting vs. external venting. Likewise, if you want to keep costs down, you may want to choose a microwave with recirculating venting to avoid having to pay someone to cut through the exterior wall.
Can an external vent be moved?
An external vent requires access to the outside, so it's most conveniently located on an exterior wall, but — as Apollo Heating & Air Conditioning notes — a recirculating unit can be easily installed on an interior wall, and it can be moved relatively easily too. Advertisement. If you want to install an over-the-range microwave and have it up ...
Is it cheaper to install a microwave with a vent?
Installing a microwave with a recirculating vent is generally much easier and cheaper than installing an externally vented unit, which requires the installation of ductwork and an exterior vent cap, as well as the piercing of a wall, ceiling or roof. An external vent requires access to the outside, so it's most conveniently located on an exterior ...
Do microwaves need vents?
When you install an externally vented unit, the vent needs to conform to common building standards in order to be safe and effective. Your microwave will come with vent installation instructions from the manufacturer, but these may not include specifications adhering to all of your local building codes.
How does a recirculating microwave work?
A recirculating microwave works just like a ductless range hood in which a fan draws air inside the microwave, pulls it through the charcoal filter, and the air is then given back into the kitchen.
Does a microwave need to be vented?
Yes, a microwave needs to be vented however, the venting requirements differ based on the design and model. For efficient and safety reasons, a microwave must have proper clearance and ventilation.
Do recirculating hoods really work?
Yes, recirculating hoods do work nicely in the same way as the ducted range hood. The only difference is that instead of air getting exhausted outside, it is passed through a filter and then recirculated back into the kitchen.
What is the difference between a recirculating hood and a ducted hood?
The recirculating hoods make use of charcoal filters to trap grease and odors but are not as efficient as stainless-steel and mesh filters of ductless range hoods.
What is a convertible microwave vent?
A convertible microwave vent is a microwave that either has a duct that vents through the wall or ceiling or can be converted to a non-venting microwave.
Why do microwaves have vents?
The vents in the microwave allow releasing the expanding hot air. For this reason, microwaves have vents either on the sides or top.
How long does a charcoal filter last in a microwave?
Usually, this filter works well for six to twelve months and after that, it has to be replaced. Its life span may further be reduced with frequent cooking.
