Microwave venting
Does anyone think i need to vent my microwave that is located directly over my stove? i am worried about carbon monoxide. thanks
Does anyone think i need to vent my microwave that is located directly over my stove? i am worried about carbon monoxide. thanks
ohilse, a recirculating hood is useless. It basically takes the air and feeds it through a filter. Any gases will remain in the air.
There are some microwaves that are ‘over the stove’, that combine the hood and stove. This is good if you lack counter space. GE makes some.
Otherwise, get a hood that is at least 600 cfm. If you have a griddle you need at least 900 cfm.
Do those work? Our kitchen is far from the outside walls and so venting to the outside would be near impossible, so we were going to go with one of the recirculating ones.
Some microwave has a filter that is supposed to recycle the air without using the vent. However, venting is always the best way to go with a microwave over the stove. I would rather put in a real rangehood over the stove and buy a microwave to put on the counter. Did you check out the price of a microwave over the stove ? It is normally 3-400 dollars, and a decent microwave can be bought for only 100$. Adding a small motor with a filter and a vent is very lucrative…
Ronman, my microwave has a built-in exhaust fan that is ducted to the outside. It serves as the range hood. Is that what you are referring to?
If your microwave has the fan but is not ducted to the outside, it serves no purpose. If it’s not ducted out, just don’t turn the fan on. It’s nice to have it though.
Ah.
Got it.
I guess I took the statement “vent my microwave” literally.
thx
Master Plvmber, I think the OP is worried about CO from the stove below the microwave. Not necessary since the stove does not produce dangerous levels however it is nice to be able to remove the excess heat.
Carbon monoxide is produced by burning carbon-based fuels.
A microwave oven doesn’t do that.