The Counters Blog

Do not push the microwave all the way against the back panel of the cabinet, and do not force the microwave into the cabinet space if the side panels do not provide enough space for the vents. If there is an electrical outlet in the back of the cabinet panel, simply insert the cord there. In addition, the cabinet’s panels prevent the dust from flying out of the cabinet completely, so that it will not clean out automatically. These vents cannot be covered in the built-in hole, as it may cause the microwave to overheat or malfunction. Adjust it so each vent area has at least 1 inch of space in front of it.If the outlet is present on a nearby wall, make a small cut in the cabinet’s side panel so the cord fits through. Use a damp cloth when the microwave is turned off to remove obvious dust and particles from the vents.

Best Downdraft Ventilation by galttech.com

The venting system in your kitchen works to reduce those cooking by-products and extract them to the exterior through proper venting. My wife cooks almost daily with her catering business and we have trouble keeping things like window sills free of grease yet they are 15 feet from the cooktop area. Health concerns are another reason why you should want a good ventilation system in your kitchen.
Equipex Sa Vent Overview | Duration 4 Minutes 50 Seconds Downdraft vents are used most often when overhead hoods or venting is not a practical solution. The two types of ventilation are flush-mount and telescoping. They carry vapors and fumes downward, out through the base of the cabinet and out the ducting. You would rather not have the heat “pulled away” from the cooktop, but whatever works. They extend into the air (only when needed) and then disappear behind the cooktop when not in use. We can’t imagine anything being any noisier than our current downdraft ventilation, but we will see once it’s in place. Overhead hoods will probably cost you more plus you may need to reconfigure your ceiling or ducting to get them in place properly. They tend to come with high end cooktop units which feature stainless steel materials. Get one with multiple speed controls so that you can have the blower perform at the right level. Sears had recommended that we use their install crews, but part of our deal with the countertop company was that they would install the cooktop and vent system as part of the total fee. If it’s against a wall, then you can probably look into range hoods. Talk with your local kitchen shop and they can give you some estimates. Many people don’t realize that kitchens needs a good source of ventilation. If you like to cook in your kitchen, then having a downdraft system is essential. A kitchen ventilation system will trap things like cooking grease and grim and keep it away from any nearby furniture. You would be surprised how those things can travel through the air unnoticed. Ultra-fine particles that are released into the air during the cooking process can harm your body if you are exposed to them non-stop. As in our case, if you have a kitchen island with a cooktop, you are probably going to have to get a downdraft system unless you already have a hood system in place. Experts say that the flush mount vents are less efficient than the telescoping or overhead models. The telescoping downdraft ventilation systems are what you see in many homes, especially those with gas 6 burner cooktops located in the middle of the kitchen. The one drawback to the telescoping vents is that they take up space in your cabinet below the cooktop and some people say they are noisy. With our kitchen remodel, we are having a local countertop company lead the project and they have an electrician who will be doing the downdraft ventilation installation. I will update this review after we have had it installed for a few months and see how things are working out. Range hoods create a grand feel to any kitchen but they are not always practical given your kitchen configuration. It all comes down to where your cooktop/range is located in your kitchen. It will be more costly if your house is not already setup for the range hood system.

About Cooktop Ventilation Systems by bhg.com

Surface cooking releases heat, steam, grease, and odors that you don’t want floating around your kitchen. An updraft system consists of a range hood that hangs over the cooktop and sucks up steam and odors, venting them outside or recirculating them. Updraft systems are more efficient because hot air rises naturally, but they aren’t always convenient. If your cooktop is on an island, a downdraft system may be more desirable. Ductless (or recirculating) range hoods filter soot and some odors emitted from cooktops, but most pollutants are recirculated right back into the room. More efficient blowers suck air without causing as much turbulence, reducing air drag inside the duct.

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Retractable Countertop Vent Fan. | Duration 42 Seconds Your choices in ventilation are updraft and downdraft systems, and ducted and ductless systems. Microwave/hood combinations have become popular because they save space, but they aren’t recommended for professional-style ranges. A downdraft system pulls air down through vents built flush with the cooktop or, more commonly, built into the back of it. If you have a duct system, above all, be sure the ventilator is ducted outside. Propeller-style fans twist air up the exhaust duct, causing the air to drag against its sides and reducing the exhaust output. To choose a hood, measure the cooking surface to make sure the hood will cover all the burners.