Question; Does the kitchen cabinet from which a range hood is going to be hung usually come without a bottom shelf? I want to install a new range hood on my 45 year old cabinet (which I can not replace). The problem is that the 45 year old Nutone hood came with the exhaust in the rear left hand corner and no bottom shelf in the left half of the cabinet so the vent could be installed and not have to have a cutout. Consequently the double door cabinet above it has a wall right in the middle and the right side is part of the next double cabinet that is over the refrigerator so how do I install a new range hood that has the exhaust in the middle. It would seem the cabinet needs to be remodeled, in place, by moving the divider to the right side of the right side cabinet and removing the existing middle shelf that is in there now along with the bottom shelf. Is this even feasible and if so, how do I go about it? The cabinet is almost plumb and defintely not level. I need advise desperately.
Newby
Edited 3/26/2003 12:31:46 PM ET by newby
Replies
can you go directly out the wall?
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That kitchen wall backs to the garage.
I can think of a couple options but that might be above your apparant skill level. Please don't take offense at that but this is going to be a custom deal with some creativity involved.
How high will the exhaust fan be above the range? If higher than normal, you could drop it four inches and elbow over without modifying the cabinet. You would have to add a valance type trim between the fan unit and the cabinet is all. You have a non typical construction and layout. It seems that the range is immediately proximate to the side of the referidgerator which is poor kitchen design. Perhaps necessary because of small size. When I hear that and the fact that the cabinetry is not level, I wonder if a kitchen remodel is a possibility in the budget.
The simplest solution would be to install it as a recycling vent with the charcoal filters instaed of venting to outside.
The through wall option has been mentioned. That is the least expensive installation for new work and does not lose cabinet space. I would go that way if this is on an outside wall and if you don't have a stud in the way.
Excellence is its own reward!
You are right about my lack of skill. My husband had it, I do not. The hood will be 24" above the cooktop. And yes, this was a very basic tract house when it was built and the kitchen is 11x17. The wall behind the cooktop backs to the garage. There already is a roof top vent so I had hoped to reuse it. And I live in earthquake country so maybe that is why nothing is quite plumb or level any more. I had new cabinets built on a third wall 20 years ago and the base cabinets are only 18" deep and they are great. If I did not have to contend with a stove, sink and dishwasher I would have them all that depth.