Our kitchen has one of those in-wall fans operated with a pull-cord (see image). In our kitchen renovation, what are our options for keeping this hole where it is to avoid re-siding that area and cutting a new hole only slightly higher? We’re unsure if we’re going with an over-the-range microwave or an under-cabinet range hood. Regardless, can we use the same hole through our siding on the outside and put in an elbow to send the duct slightly higher up into the wall to reach the proper height for venting a hood or microwave?
We’re not opposed to keeping the fan, as it does a good job of taking out smoky air, but it doesn’t filter grease and is currently really dirty. Is another option to get a new, cleaner fan to put in the existing hole and then use an under-cabinet range hood with a filter for grease that we would run only on the recirculate mode?
Thanks!
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We're not opposed to keeping the fan, as it does a good job of taking out smoky air, but it doesn't filter grease and is currently really dirty. Is another option to get a new, cleaner fan to put in the existing hole and then use an under-cabinet range hood with a filter for grease that we would run only on the recirculate mode?
This would be a good plan. It's always best to have an exhaust as direct as possible to the outside, which is what you now have.
You might be able to just clean up the old fan.
The re-circ "exhausts" are not nearly as effective, but it wouldn't hurt for you to have one as an adjunct to your thru-the-wall fan. They help remove grease vapors, but, by themselves they are a poor substitute for true exhaust. Their filters are just an aluminum mesh that gets cooled by fan-forced air. The cooled mesh condenses the grease vapor, which coats the mesh in short order; they must be cleaned frequently to work at all.
this type of fan is relatively easy to clean, if you do it fairly often,,,when you take the inside grill off, you'll find that the fan asembly is held into the circular housing with two screws...loosen them, and twist the fan asembly out......
I'm thinking it's (the hole) gonna be way low to work with either a hood or micro/combo. The cobbled up quick turn would increase the noise quite a bit.
What kind of siding (maybe you said already)?
A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
It's aluminum siding, not very new. We've only been in the house two years, and I don't see any extra laying around anywhere. Has aluminum siding changed much over the years? I'm great at patching drywall as far as the inside goes, but it seems a real pain to try to patch the outside, both the siding and the old clapboard or whatever might be underneath.
Usually the exposure is always just a bit different, or grain pattern if there is one.
However, if pressed, someone good with a break and cutting alum. on the hoof, can bend up a patch that you can pop rivet up under on the bottom and another bend up top (per course). If you paint the house, it semi disappears.
Maybe a hood cover outside that can cover both the new termination and the old hole. If you can direct vent straight out the back of either (which is right near the top back of the micro-the same for the hood). The hood however wouldn't need to be mounted quite so high.
Both exits would be rectangular.
Had one I've seen where they siliconed the flap door on the outside shut-cut a new hold above for the higher termination.
That there would be the easiest by far.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Great ideas! Thanks!