Have a microwave vented to the outside - can i replace w/ range hood?

[Phokus]

Hey guys,

I have a microwave mounted to the wall (underneath the cabinet) that vents directly to the outside through an opening in the wall.

I want to replace it with a range hood because the microwave doesn't do a good enough job of venting out the smoke. Basically something like this:

Can i just replace the microwave with the range hood without much work, or do i need to change the size/shape of the opening in the wall or do any other stuff to make it work? Thanks!

 

[NuclearNed]

Good luck getting the vent holes to line up.

 

[MongGrel]

Hey guys,

I have a microwave mounted to the wall (underneath the cabinet) that vents directly to the outside through an opening in the wall.

I want to replace it with a range hood because the microwave doesn't do a good enough job of venting out the smoke. Basically something like this:

Can i just replace the microwave with the range hood without much work, or do i need to change the size/shape of the opening in the wall or do any other stuff to make it work? Thanks!

I wouldn't see why not.

Our microwave is mounted over the stove with a two speed fan and it vents straight to the roof, but if you're going to do that I'd put a damper in there to keep water and losing Heat/AC out when it's not running.

Nutone CVLD6 Duct Damper, w/Sleeve - 6"

http://www.westsidewholesale.com/nu...ferralID=ddac6622-3f9b-11e5-9ef7-005056941669


Or something similar.

 

[NutBucket]

Short answer, yes. The real variable is the size of the duct. You may find a 6" duct can't accommodate the airflow you want/need.

And yes, hopefully there is enough room to get the ducts connected.

 

[skyking]

they typically use a 3x10 vent through the wall. I just installed one a few weeks ago.
It is a zephyr and it is fantastic.
Edit: pictured here in this post:
http://forums.anandtech.com/showpost.php?p=37617834&postcount=34

I paid less at a local vendor:

http://www.amazon.com/Zephyr-AK2100AS-Internal-Controls-Stainless/dp/B000Y8SRD0

Available from 30" to 48" width

http://zephyronline.com/products/essentials_power/typhoon_under_cabinet

 

[Phokus]

Ok thanks guys!

 

[BoomerD]

Without pictures of how your current microwave vents, the only accurate answers are "Maybe," and "Probably."

You SHOULD be able to do it fairly easily...but...

 

[Phokus]

Without pictures of how your current microwave vents, the only accurate answers are "Maybe," and "Probably."

You SHOULD be able to do it fairly easily...but...

The only thing i can say is that the microwave vents directly to the back (it doesn't go up into the cabinet above or anything) and i THINK the vent is a small rectangular shape...

 

[sdifox]

find out the vent diameter then find a range hood that uses that diameter.

 

[Phokus]

Ah ok, so i did a bit of digging and my microwave has a 3 1/4" x 10" duct and the Range Hood has the same size duct, so i guess i'm good?

Edit:

find out the vent diameter then find a range hood that uses that diameter.

Cool, ty

 

[sdifox]

Ah ok, so i did a bit of digging and my microwave has a 3 1/4" x 10" duct and the Range Hood has the same size duct, so i guess i'm good?

Edit:





Cool, ty

also, depending on what kind of cooking you do, you might want an Asian hood range for lots of cfm

 

[quikah]

BTW, if you want to go strictly by building code, you might need to install some sort of makeup air system when adding a powerful range hood (400+ cfm).

 

[skyking]

I'd pull out the old stuff and take some measurements, then go to the installation PDFs of the hoods to see how much fun you are going to have. It might make a huge difference on which one you order.

 

[BoomerD]

Ah ok, so i did a bit of digging and my microwave has a 3 1/4" x 10" duct and the Range Hood has the same size duct, so i guess i'm good?

I'd pull out the old stuff and take some measurements, then go to the installation PDFs of the hoods to see how much fun you are going to have. It might make a huge difference on which one you order.

There seems to be no "standard" for vent placement...you COULD end up with having a vent that doesn't quite line up with your existing vent.

When we remodeled our kitchen, the old range hood vented straight through the wall...and of course, the new cabinets and range hood didn't match up...so I had to cut a new hole through the wall. (along with all the mandatory framing, insulating, etc. Since there was no chance in hell of matching the existing siding...I left the old exterior vent cover in place...and just filled the hole with insulation and used a piece of plywood under the vent cover to close it up. You can't see it...so it's all good. :awe:

 

[skyking]

^ what I did too. Vent moved over due to remodel.

 

[NutBucket]

also, depending on what kind of cooking you do, you might want an Asian hood range for lots of cfm

There's plenty of American ones that are high CFM and don't look cheesy. Don't know what it is but all the Asian ones scream cheesy to me.

 

[sdifox]

There's plenty of American ones that are high CFM and don't look cheesy. Don't know what it is but all the Asian ones scream cheesy to me.

That is because you are not looking at the right ones.

 

[Matthiasa]

Yeah as long as it actually vents outside, the one shown in the picture does not...

 

[BoomerD]

Yeah as long as it actually vents outside, the one shown in the picture does not...

Actually...it might. Lots of range hoods have the option to be recirculating (AKA non-ducted) or venting hoods...and venting can be the rectangular 3x10 or 6" round.