I have a question for you all. I installed a micro wave above a 4 burner gas cook top. The micro oven is 19″ above cook top. I vented the micro straight up into the attic. I used 3″ x 10″ square thru the cabinet into the attic and converted to 6″ round from there. A total of 2 90 deree elbows were used and no more than 10 ft total length of vent pipe. taped and screwed all joints. I felt good and safe. AND then someone mentioned code requires “B” type vent for this situation. He said b-vent is double walled. I never considered this let alone heard of this. Do any of you know the truth. And most important for me is if I created a dangerous situation. Thanks in advance for responses. |
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Wouldn't you want a vent to go out through the roof (like your bathroom vent etc...) or am I thinking of something else entirely.
Bobby,
1. Electronics hate heat. Be ready to replace your microwave oven soon.
2. Electronics hate moisture. Be ready to replace your microwave oven soon.
3. Heat rises. Be ready to paint the bottom of your microwave soon.
4. Microwaves don't have to be vented to the outdoors.
SamT
"
58326.3 in reply to 58326.1
Bobby,
1. Electronics hate heat. Be ready to replace your microwave oven soon.
2. Electronics hate moisture. Be ready to replace your microwave oven soon.
3. Heat rises. Be ready to paint the bottom of your microwave soon.
4. Microwaves don't have to be vented to the outdoors.
"
I'm assuming the microwave we are discussing here is one that is a combo microwave and range hood. They come with vents. You have to follow code, but I doubt this is a fire hazard. We had one of these microwaves - it lasted 6 or 7 years - I've had regular microwaves that lasted less long. I loved the location - it was very convenient and didn't take up valuable counter space.
Sam, we've had a micro/vent combo over out gas stove for 6-7 years now that hasn't even begun to show signs of such problemsprepare to park the paranoia
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Piffin,
There was nothing in the original post to indicate that he had not installed a regular countertop microwave just above the range.
Why don't you take a look at all the advice given him without azz-you-me-ing he had used the proper oven/hood combo?
I knew that he may have, and, that he may not have. If he did, in fact use a combo unit, my post would cause no harm.
If, on the other hand he had used a countertop unit, you would have burnt his house down for him.
The fact that your azz-umption happened to be correct (about his oven,) does not mean that your azz-umption about me is justified.
A little paranoia about the advice one gives to ill formed questions is, IMNSHO, warranted.
Get off your high horse, little man.
"There was nothing in the original post to indicate that he had not installed a regular countertop microwave just above the range."Now is he going to vent a "regular countertop microwave"?
ahh ... com'mon Sam ...
we've all been wrong before.
or at least I've read so ...
never being wrong myself.
no need to get ugly ... just cause Pif is 4 ft 8 ...
genetics, man ... just not his fault!
btw ... what else did ya think the guy was venting thru the attic?
Jeff
Jeff,
I was wrong in addressing my post to a countertop microwave.
No doubt about that now.
But that doesn't warrant the paranoid remark.
I have seen worse Rube Goldbergs than venting a countertop microwave into the attic.
SamT
Edit:
F*** Piffin. He doesn't like me and I don't give a shid. As long as he treats me with respect, I'll return the courtesy.
SamT
Edited 5/18/2005 8:13 am ET by SamT
I haven't got the faintest idea where you got the idea that I don't like you. Looks like this isn't the first time you might havve read something into what I was saying, or trying too, but I can't remember ever having any feelings of dislike towards you in the past.But there's always an opportunity for the future. Your choice either way.;)
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There were two things I saw in hias original that indicated this was the type designed for such a location.One is that is was being installed there. A countertop model will not levitate itself into postition. Only the ones designed for this can be so hung.The other is that he had vented it. Only those with the venting integral are the ones that can be installed theere with such a vent. It seemed to me that you were the one doing the assuming...bad day all day, or just after you read my reply?
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
B-vent not required for combo microwave-stove hoods anywhere, as far as I know....
The micro oven is 19" above cook top.
That "sounds" low to me--but it has been a while since I had to wade through any vent+MW installation destructions. I want to remember that the cabinets over the combo need to be 66" off the floor.
When you "straight into the attic" you do mean "and out through the roof," right?
B-vent would seem to be redundant for a cooktop exhaust--potentially a nightmare, too, having another space that could condense moisture out of sight and out of mind.
Check the installation instructions--they should indicate what sort of ductwork is appropriate (laong with total length, fixture count, etc.)
Min clearance for most is 13". The instructions I read last week specified that the cabinet above the stove be a min. 30" above cooking surface - 17" ht. of the microhood = 13". Now that really sounds low.It is typical to have a 12" or 15" tall wall cabinet above a micro hood which usually provides 19" or 16" clearances respectively.
30" above cooking surface
Yep, jibes with my memory, 36" + 30" = 66"
13". Now that really sounds low.
Yeah, I can't imagine getting a two gallon pot of pasta in under that (but, there'd be no worries about the "draw" <g> . . . )Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
For combustible cabs it is a 30" clearance verticle, but some manufacturers call out for down to 19"
Mine is at 24" - we use those big old lobstah pots. You all probably cook chili the same big way. The pot is 18" tall so it would fit pretty tight in some places.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
something to go with grits n cheese and okra
Woops, wrong thread <g>
we use those big old lobstah pots. You all probably cook chili the same big way
Well, actually, the big-ole-pot (3 or the 5 gal) goes on the propane burner outside <g> (that'd be the "turkey frier" size from before turkey frying was "in").
Maybe it's my paid time in kitchen perdition, but I could never countenance putting a small pot behind a larger one unless it's supposed to be unmolested.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
And most important for me is if I created a dangerous situation.
I've never heard of B-vent used for this. If it is a dangerous situation I've created dozens of them.
The only time I've heard of needing special venting is if you have a genuine commercial range hood, that has a grease trap. Then it needs to be welded stainless steel.
Unless you have some odd-ball local code, I don't see a problem.
Bowz
Thanks to ya all,
I feel better and re-read the instructions. No where is b-vent specified or recomended. And I did mean to say I vented into the attic and thru the roof. The total run and elbows is well within "or short" of instructional recomendations.
Cheers!!!
-Bobby
Not really an answer to your question, just a tale to tell. When i moved into this house, the previous owner had a gas range complete with grilling surface. No above vent needed as it vented back into the stove. Sounds OK so far, right?
The grill vented directly into the garage. Everything in that kitchen and garage was sticky and dark from vented grease.
Oh, and since he didn't need to have a hooded vent, he just stuck it under his wood cabinets... which were only about 13" from the open flame burners.
Darwin must be wrong, becuase natural selection should have taken this guy out LONG ago!
Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!