John Myers
What happens if a microwave is not vented?
Blocking vents lead to microwave overheating. 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.
Is venting a microwave necessary?
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.
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.
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.
How much space do you need around a microwave for ventilation?
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.
Is it safe to put microwave in pantry?
Your microwave can sit nicely in your pantry if you are looking for a place to store it out of sight – yet still, be able to use it when needed. Of course, it is important to make sure your pantry has electrical outlets and a safe, sturdy shelf that will hold the microwave without it falling.
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.
What is a self venting microwave?
A recirculating venting microwave, or ductless range hood, is a built-in ventilation system that recycles air through the microwave vents. The recirculating ventilation pulls the air through charcoal filters or other types of filters.
Can I put a freestanding microwave in a cupboard?
You can put a countertop microwave in a cabinet instead of a built-in type, as long as you follow the necessary safety precautions (ensuring adequate ventilation, the shelf is strong enough to hold it, and proper wire management) to ensure your cabinet and microwave don’t get damaged.
Do recirculating microwaves work?
While a recirculating filter isn’t as effective as other types of microwave venting, it still clears your kitchen of the most pungent cooking odors. In addition, countertop models usually have a recirculating vent, but some built-in microwaves share the same filtration.
Do all over-the-range microwaves have exhaust fans?
Over-the-range microwaves also have exhaust hood duties. All over-the-range microwaves have hoods with fans that vent to either the interior or exterior of the home. These hoods feature charcoal filters for removing smoke and grease from the air before it is recirculated into the room or sent out an external vent.
How do over range microwaves vent?
Over-the-range microwaves have a light and fan built into the bottom of the appliance. After the smoke and steam are removed, the filtered fan vents the air outside your home or cleans it before releasing it back into the kitchen.
Where does a microwave vent?
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.
Can a microwave be enclosed in a cabinet?
A microwave oven, designed exclusively for a kitchen countertop, has vents that are built into the back of the microwave. If installed into a cabinet, these vents will be blocked and unable to release steam from the microwave. Talk about a fire hazard for your kitchen.
Can you put a microwave in a closet?
It should be safe as long as you unplug the microwave oven when not in use (or use a switched outlet). The reason for this is that there is usually much more dust and lint inside a walk-in closet than there is in a kitchen.
How high should a microwave be above the stove?
The National Kitchen and Bath Association recommends that the bottom of the microwave should be no higher than 54 inches above the floor, which would allow for 18 inches of clearance between the microwave and the typical cooktop height of 36 inches.
What kind of microwave goes in a cabinet?
Built-in microwaves can be installed into a wall or cabinet for convenient operation. With a similar capacity to other microwave styles, the built-in design has the advantages of saving counter space and being able to be installed away from the range, allowing multiple people more space to cook together.
How important is microwave clearance?
A well-designed microwave will need 3” of clearance at the top and the sides, with at least 1” at the rear. In other words, if you are asking ‘does a microwave need space around it? ‘ the answer is yes. It ensures the right level of airflow and protects the appliance.
