Can All Over The Range Microwaves Vent Outside

If rectangular ducting please note.

Can all over the range microwaves vent outside.

Remove the access plate on the top of the unit in order to reach the motor. Over the range microwaves have a light and fan built into the bottom of the appliance. Microwaves over the range otr typically vent in two different ways. This eliminates smoke cooking odors moisture and hot air from remaining in the kitchen.

Microwaves that vent to the outside force the air through duct work to the outdoors. If you have an over the range microwave it should have an exhaust fan that vents to the outdoors. Over the range microwaves can vent to the outside or can recirculate the air. For this reason vent ducts are the only choice.

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. When a microwave is replacing a standard range hood it is usually best to use the existing venting method. Ultimately the goal of the vent is to pull the air from the microwave and deposit it to the outside. 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.

Many times an over the range microwave that recirculates cooking fumes can be converted to exhaust to the outside. 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.