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installing a range vent to the outside

bayou66 | Posted in General Discussion on January 18, 2006 08:53am

I like to fry up some good Southern food. My house is equiped with a microwave that has a hood built in. Instead of being vented to the outside, the hood just recirculates the fumes. I understand that I can fit it to go to the outside. My questions:
1. Where can I get the piece that connects thru the wall? Lowes couldn’t help me.
2. There is a gas pipe (natural gas supply) that goes right up in the wall right behind the oven and microwave. I want to know if I can adapt the thru the wall piece to shield the pipe and prevent a build up of funk on the pipe, or an I better off getting a plumber to move the whole section of pipe via a few right angles or 90s.
3. Do I just forget it and let my house smell like Grandma’s did ???

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  1. Mitremike | Jan 18, 2006 10:10am | #1

    Wow---2.5 years and 9 post--

    That would fall under the Lurker catagory No?

    The microwave comes with a flap gate that is used when venting to the outside--could still be around if it was left for you or contact the maker and get another.

    That will give you a 2x10 rectangle that you can convert to round and work your way out or leave rectangle till just before you exit the house when you will have to convert to connect to the discharge cap outside.

    Most microwave exaust to the outside by discharging thru the top of the machine (into the cabinet above) in which case you can jog over with round and avoid the gas pipe all together.

    As for Q#3---your on your own there---

    Mike

    " I reject your reality and substitute my own"
    Adam Savage---Mythbusters

    1. User avater
      bayou66 | Jan 18, 2006 07:12pm | #2

      I can buy peices that will let me make that conversions from 2x10 to round, or am I making that with sheet metal? Sorry - I am real ignorant on this...

      1. User avater
        JDRHI | Jan 18, 2006 09:02pm | #4

        Stay away from the big boxes for what you need on this project. They'll not likely carry what you need....and "close" really won't cut it.

        You'll be able to find all of the ductwork peices at a good hardware store or a plumbing supply house.

        As the previous poster mentioned....you can run the exhaust up through the above cabinet and chase it to its termination within a soffet.

        Are you currently rehabbing the kitchen? If that gas line is in an exterior wall, I'd consider rerouting it to allow the exhaust to exit there. The shortest run is your best bet.

        J. D. Reynolds

        Home Improvements

        1. User avater
          bayou66 | Jan 18, 2006 09:19pm | #5

          JD - Thanks - I am going to post some pics of the situation

          1. freestate1 | Jan 18, 2006 09:34pm | #6

            You haven't entered your location in your profile, so I don't know your climate.  From your screen name I'd wager you are in a temperate climate.  But, keep in mind that through-wall outside vent for your range hood will let in an enormous amount of cold air if you live where the temps get nippy.  So, there are tradeoffs (aren't there always?).

    2. User avater
      bayou66 | Jan 18, 2006 07:14pm | #3

      No, I'm no lurker, just an architect. Started my own practice and don't have time to fix the place (till recently I got a partner) I will up the posts I think.

  2. sully13 | Jan 19, 2006 03:21am | #7

    bayou66:

    Go with JDRH!'s advice and visit a good hardware store or plumbing supply.  They should have the pieces you need.  Definitely do not try and modify the ductwork around the existing pipe, either move it or discharge the vent through the cab above.  You can redirect the exhaust by removing 1 or 2 screws on the back panel and turning the blower around; you may have to punch out a flap of sheet metal on the bracket that covers the blower, no big deal.  If you are able to move the gas line the best way would be direct vent through the back of the micro and through the wall with a wall cap, which is the piece that has the flap lid in it.  The size of the duct outlet on the micro should be 3.25" x 10", not 2 x 10, put a tape on it.  If you do xsition to round make sure to keep it 6", which should give the same air volumn as the 3.25 x 10.  One other thing, make sure that the ductwork is made from steel and not aluminum; steel will last longer if a fire erupts in the duct.

    sully

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