How to Install a Vented Microwave | Ask This Old House

[@davedube1148]

You guys lucked out with the vent installation. #1 the microwave was on an exterior wall and #2 no brick to drill through. I'm so glad to see you were able to help her and the kids.

[@cyclopsvision6370]

Yeah, a lot of new construction puts the kitchen in the middle of the house

[@imaramblins]

My thought's exactly. Or, not going up in an attic. It was pretty basic.

[@genegene2417]

Yeah, my microwave hood is on a brick wall

[@jackleung4519]

You should help me in Boston

[@johnsohn653]

Didnt realize you could do an offset like that. Solves one of my issues. The main feed for my electrial is directly behind where my microwave would vent. Someday I'll get around to doing an over the stove microwave

[@MarkAlbert]

Yeah, and last client insisted I install the electrical outlet for the new oven first, while I insisted on seeing the oven first so I could see where it might fit in the wall. Good planning, also on venting the microwave outside the house.

[@ncooty]

Love to see women in the trades. Very encouraging.

[@vishyandypurandat6208]

I hope one day my daughter emulates me in the field as an industrial electrician.

[@RealMTBAddict]

Makes a human real! I've been in the concrete trade for 15 years.

[@akivafox3588]

Kelly has a high-quality Philly accent.

[@AR-cp5dz]

Nice to see the charred backsplash and upper cabinet at 7:20 Also, the exhaust for a vent hood needs to be 6" diameter, according to almost all manufacturers.

[@TexasEngineer]

What is interesting is the retangular to round adapter they showed most likely has a 6” round duct out. I looked all over the place for another size like 5” or 4” but I could only find 6”. Their round duct looks like a 4” and they don’t explain what size holes they are using. I had to match my existing 5” duct that vents through the roof. I was not replacing the roof penetation or drilling a 6” hole through a brick wall. I had to modify the retangular to round to 5” and create an offset using 5” aluminum flexible dryer duct inside the cabinet. It was rated for vent hood applications. The 5” duct is more restrictive (like 2.5’ for every foot). Since the length is only about 5’ total, the restriction is within spec. The air velocity is high and there is more noise. The rated 300 cu ft/min really needs a much larger than a 6” to be within normal HVAC noise levels. The dumping of 300 cfm for an extended period would cause the AC to work very hard. Conclusion, only use on high speed to clear smoke or burnt fumes. Otherwise low works perfectly.

[@MP57719]

Do all of the over the range microwaves have a rectangular outlet for the vent function?

[@RamG-o3y]

Looks like 4" duct is used for venting. Is 4" dia enough?

[@TheKSGChannel886]

We literally just bought that same exact stove and we love it.

[@MegaGsizzle]

LG? Looks like mine also!

[@jmfia2391]

Im jealous

[@LearningSpanishwithDrL]

Great video!

[@jcastro7151]

I am planning to install over the range my measurement from range to top is 29”. What is the required measurement

[@1958mxt]

30” opening for the microwave. Center it over the stove

[@heroknaderi]

I enjoyed it. Keep them coming.

[@colo5220]

The worst thing you can do to your kitchen is to put a microwave hood on top of your stove. Hello! There is something called the oil grease.

[@fringelunatic]

My builder did the duct work, but never connected the vent to the microwave. Waste air just blows back in my house. Why build the vent if you are not going to connect it. I know code. Inspection missed a bunch of stuff. Builders took so many short cuts in my home. New home is really not new.

[@natersalad889]

We had a vent originally then previous owner blocked it off and installed regular vent microwave. Duct is to vent straight up through cabinet into duct in the soffit, it's rare to find top vent microwave for exterior vent they are almost all on the back of the microwave.

[@AR-cp5dz]

No, they are convertible.

[@natersalad889]

​@A R most vent in the front top on front of the cabinet (normal) and then the option to move blower cover to vent to the back of the microwave in the top. I need mine to vent on the top of the microwave on the rear like this video is. And most are only offered with the front top and the back of the microwave top (through the wall)

[@AR-cp5dz]

@@natersalad889 The exhaust port is convertible from back to top on most units. Either by moving a plate or flipping the blower assembly.

[@natersalad889]

​@A R hmmmm. Maybe the I have is different owners manual only says it'll vent out the back if playe is swapped, and then looking a specifications on say lowes website or home depot, they all say rear vent

[@AR-cp5dz]

@@natersalad889 What's the make and model?

[@addzach7123]

4” or 6” tubing ?

[@ggarciacota]

Great video and great job guys!! Thank you for sharing!!

[@mateof3552]

I don’t think they noted that some of these venting microwaves now require you to remove and reorient the direction of the vent flow to accommodate either external venting or internal recirculation. It’s worth a look at the instructions to be certain.

[@imaramblins]

They glossed over a LOT, regarding the microwave install.

[@whatsthedileo]

My microwave is on an interior wall and I've been trying to figure out the best way to vent it without having to go through the roof. I'm thinking I can run the duct out the soffit but I don't know if it will work.

[@roberthaselwood8737]

Venting it out of the roof is the way I’m going to do mine because if you have soffit vents that vented air can be pulled right back in.

[@TheMistashmoe]

With the soffit you have to make sure it’s the right vent. Pointing away from the house. Also might want to close up the soffit near by so it doesn’t go back up.

[@mob9672]

Is there a rule of thumb for when to use Teflon tape and pipe dope?

[@WilliamHaggerty]

Flare connections don't need it as the mating surfaces are not the threads.

[@mob9672]

@@WilliamHaggerty Ah. Thank you.

[@Guillotines_For_Globalists]

My Father had a home build in 2018. I asked him to specify to the builder that he wanted to have the microwave ducted to the exterior - which they did (up the wall and through the roof.) But when we went to install the microwave, I found that the cabinet designers didn't take this into account, and the ductwork for the microwave vent was NOT centered in the wall cavity where the microwave mounted due to the measurements and positioning of the cabinets on the wall for the range/oven and the microwave above it. So, all of that pre-planning was a total waste, as we had to install the microwave with the vent recirculating the air rather than use the un-centered vent in the wall. Buffoons!

[@antaholics]

you should definitely be able to modify the vent to fit your microwave to it if it's just a bit offset. Even if it's a whole cabinet over

[@Guillotines_For_Globalists]

@@antaholics There is a stud in the way - didn't want to play with that, so we just patched the hole and installed the microwave with the vent setup to recirculate.

[@Guillotines_For_Globalists]

@@antaholics I should have mentioned that this is a 20 foot vaulted ceiling here, and the run for the vent duct was up a column that went out the roof versus through the wall. I suppose we could have done something like they did here by venting UP and cutting a huge hole in to the cabinet and then offsetting the duct work with some sort of a takeoff into the steel duct in the wall. But that would have required extensive surgery. I'm not even sure how we would have gone about installing a takeoff collar onto the duct in the wall, didn't even think about it at the time - I assumed we would have been venting straight back into the wall duct, but like I said, a stud was in the way and the ductwork was offset by at least 6" or so. So we just said "Fuggid" and installed it in recirculation mode. He doesn't cook anyway. The vent was MY recommendation but the builders and/or drywallers and/or cabinet makers obviously didn't communicate with one another at all, sigh.

[@John-ih2ig]

My microwave doesn’t seem to expel cooking odors out the vent.

[@curtiskelly1242]

Quite refreshing seeing a woman who is really part of the trades, not just the token female

[@jhersk]

I haven't had good luck with microwaves over stoves. The last one failed after 2 years. I think the heat and steam did it in.

[@BigRW]

I've had the same one over my stove for 20 years.

[@AR-cp5dz]

@@BigRW You won't get 20 years out of ANY new appliance.

[@BigRW]

@@AR-cp5dz The one I have is 20 years old.

[@AR-cp5dz]

@@BigRW So it's not new? If you buy a new one, you won't get 20 years out of it.

[@BigRW]

@@AR-cp5dz Maybe I will, maybe I won't.

[@RandomTechWZ]

Okay now do this with a microwave that isnt on an exterior wall.

[@AdamOmidpanah]

Vent through the ceiling if you have attic access.

[@age_of_reason]

Amazing that newer appliances require any modification to existing gas plumbing.

[@kejerf69]

So much wrong there. Wrong adapter so the damper will not open all the way or get stuck. Duct needs to be 6" round or 3- 1/4" x 10" .

[@willdogsdroid]

Most microwave exhausts call for 6 inch round exhaust piping, they only used 4 inch. Restricted airflow.

[@nicktaglialavore2043]

It depends on the rated airflow of the microwave. 4" was probably okay here, but I agree 6" would have been preferred.

[@andrewebensberger235]

I disagree more with that plastic vent cover. Constant heat and grease will deteriorate the plastic and render the louvers useless.

[@xjAlbert]

A wonderful episode from my old hometown, Philadelphia ʕ•́؈•̀ʔ

[@Matt_76]

Why blur out the tool name... we all know what red tool you're using! 😉

[@hometownmedic7355]

Because Festool pays them a fortune and Milwaukee doesn’t.

[@nick4leader]

They've done it for years, I've seen Tommy use DeWalt without any blurring and then had electrical tape over a Makita in the same clip

[@benkeysor7576]

@@nick4leader That was because DeWalt was once a sponsor before Festool and Makita was not. If you want to show certain brands that are not a sponsor you have to pay them or else you can possibly face a lawsuit form that brand and possibly the brand that is a sponsor if you have a sponsor at that time.

[@nick4leader]

@@benkeysor7576 I know, that's what I was saying. whoever is sponsoring at the time wouldn't want their competitors to be blatantly shown so the blur or tape the logos

[@Mr.Pop0]

Craftsman

[@joshcowart2446]

I guess they couldn’t find a small twist bit, but I guess masonry will work in a pinch

[@montanaspring7176]

did the same thing Always vent gas stoves

[@stuart8219]

It’s funny to see all the people commenting on here that aren’t educated on gas stoves. They really think the vent is moving the gas out of the house.. it’s kinda humorous how many people commented that are going off what they hear instead of what is actually true lol!!

[@jpatrick1967]

Wait, you’re telling me you need a licensed plumber to turn off the gas, change out a simple fitting, swap out a stove and drill a hole through your wall in Pennsylvania?

[@iknownotseems]

Most places yes... I think because it's not the "homeowner" doing the work thus they want to make sure everything is insured right. Homeowners I think can do A LOT without license ppl.

[@bnasty267]

You might have noticed that union shirt she was wearing. When I helped plan conferences for a smaller company I used to work for, we always avoided Philly city limits because the unions were so ridiculous. Literally moving a laptop and plugging in to a different receptacle required a union employee to do it, at the cost of $75+/hr, minimum 2 hours. I'm sure the union(s) involved here took TOH to the cleaners for their required involvement. Not to mention Philly gov itself and their filming taxes/fees. Everywhere you turn, someone's hand is out.

[@jamedlock83]

A female plumber! Love it! Not many of them! She's pretty too

[@no_handle_required]

How does free stuff help people ?

[@JourneysTravels]

Great to finally feature a female plumber!

[@THEZEKER1964]

She's probably flush with cash.

[@jakeowens1770]

More heat loss in winter

[@alexbekjr]

So they went from a microhood that has 400cfm to a lower end 300 cfm whirlpool?

[@chrishill8550]

All otr microwaves have the option to be vented exterior. It's a matter of reversing the fan assembly.

[@MaximeLefebvre-v3u]

J’espère qu’il a tapé ses coude (joint) 😅

[@kalijasin]

The 2023 NEC per 210.8 (D) requires dishwashers, electric ranges, wall-mounted ovens, microwave ovens, and counter-mounted cooking units to be GFCI protection.

[@AR-cp5dz]

Those outlets could have been on GFCI breakers.

[@timlaureano6160]

😢

[@RealMTBAddict]

Breakers are GFCI nowadays genius

[@aletius]

That outlet could be tied to another GFCI outlet through its load port (makes it so that the tied outlet is also GFCI protected), most likely it is tied to the outlet located to the left of the stove which can be seen at 7:09.

[@bnasty267]

Philly is still on 2017 NEC.

[@ryansoo4000]

Given that using a venting microwave is probably the worst way to exhaust cooking fumes and odors, why didn't the experts install something that actually works - a proper vent hood that extends to the front of the stove and captures the fumes produced by the front burners (typically the most powerful burners on a stove)?

[@Oxatolla]

Street 90 is illegal.

[@herculesrockefeller8969]

"It's safe, but..."

[@krisdphillips]

Safe until the cancer kicks in 20 years later. Good on them for installing a vent hood. This woman's kids will be thankful for that when they're older.

[@bngr_bngr]

@@krisdphillipsdepends on how small the kitchen is.

[@krisdphillips]

@@bngr_bngr For the people not cooking, sure. I'll never own a home without a vent ever again. Here in Texas it's unbearable to bake without a vent during the summer.

[@thisismagacountry1318]

​@@krisdphillipsBrownies? Magic Brownies 😂

[@krisdphillips]

@@thisismagacountry1318 ....what?

[@stuart8219]

Lol don’t even use tape nor thread locker.. talk about codes.. nor did they check for leaks.. boom!!!

[@m4stik14]

Kelly is awesome

[@ncooty]

Not sure why they bother stating a few steps. It's just enough info to make a DIYer dangerous, because they think they know enough.

[@txmade4371]

Contractors do trash work too.

[@ncooty]

@@txmade4371 Indeed, many do... though you'd hope they have more training than watching a TOH episode. (Obviously, many know even less than that.)

[@txmade4371]

@@ncooty Agreed.

[@Oxatolla]

Leak, pressure or meter test??? I would remove this video if I was you.

[@littlewink7941]

That external vent in not the middle of a decorative panel is the sketchiest bodge up !

[@jaymarking7854]

Why the change out of the OTR Microwave? It has a vent opening on top already on top.. next, you forgot to add the flapper/flange before installing it up into the cabinet.. 4" dryer pipe is not going to give a full flow..

[@juancarlostrejo6323]

The was nice

[@chibbyylol]

She’s been cooking with gas unventilated this whole time? Also wonder if the old microwave could’ve been converted to vent outside; seems to be a standard feature nowadays

[@robertbutler7745]

In Canada modifying any Gas line requires a licenced Gas fitter and i did not see you use any thread seal on your connection bad bad bad

[@codytaylor3507]

Plumbing and microwaves 😮

[@scotttovey]

You're looking at the wrong appliance. GAS stove and plumbing. Richard is licensed to do gas pipes as well as the other.

[@RoastBeefSandwich]

@@scotttovey not in the state of Pennsylvania apparently

[@codytaylor3507]

I meant more to the title of the clip not the work being done

[@scotttovey]

@@codytaylor3507 Ceiling joke.

[@volundrfrey896]

"I love to bake, my kids love baked ribs" erm wut?

[@bert1913]

"What's the first thing you want for dinner?" Answer "is water wet?"

[@pavelgrigortsevich1683]

Very poor video. All in general plan. Although the name is.... And what does the stove have to do with it? Where are the detail about connecting the mv body to the exhaust pipe? This video shouldn't have been posted!!

[@ariea.devalois1564]

These so called vents are terrible.

[@donniegreathouse72]

Tell at one point someone caught something on fire on the counter. Home owner must be proud of seeing that in t.v. then again she prob don't care

[@Guillotines_For_Globalists]

Probably cooking crack.

[@RealMTBAddict]

My vent above my stove stinks from years of grease. How do I tell my landlord to replace it?

[@peehandshihtzu]

It's probably a dead cat. :)

[@RealMTBAddict]

@@peehandshihtzu no it's grease

[@peehandshihtzu]

@@RealMTBAddict My friend has a hood cleaning business and he reeks from it, that stuff is worse than a dead cat. If only it could be so easy, LOL. Just bring it up to the land lord, the worst that could happen is nothing, I mean they won't like it but they can't respond to something they don't know about. Especially if you are a good tenant, it shows you care about the place. IDK, it's worth a try. :)

[@RealMTBAddict]

@@peehandshihtzu It was already supposed to have been replaced but it wasn't due to them fixing the leaking water heater. There is about a quarter inch of grease all over it and every time I cook it releases the smell. Just wanna take primer to the entire duct lol.

[@peehandshihtzu]

@@RealMTBAddict Eek! That's not good, can't be pleasant.

[@QuietStormX]

You can keep your cheap Gas Stove and oven. Vent outside...

[@garylawrence7547]

Imagine, Rich needs a Pennsylvania plumber to do this work. He easily has 25 years experience over her. Of course, nothing against Kelly. I just think the rules are a bit over the top.

[@ullgeologist]

Of course, TOH is trying to avoid a lawsuit.

[@asaptilla5885]

3:13 she hits the wall with the wrench and leaves a mark😂

[@fiehlsport]

Thumbs up this comment if you think she did a great job

[@NightRaven650]

@@fiehlsport 👍

[@justayoutuber1906]

Ribs are very fattening

[@josephrapoza6453]

Rear vent your Microwave. YOU DON'T WANT TO LOSE ALL THE CABINET SPACE. WHAT A MESS.. GOOD JOB...

[@RealMTBAddict]

Couldn't clean my oven vent, burned down my house instead. Smells better!

[@Oxatolla]

Contaminants? Lol

[@jakeryanfilms6034]

So glad This Old House did not perpetuate the false claim that gas appliances are bad for your health. Ventilation is always important regardless of the fuel type you cook with.

[@krisdphillips]

Except it is bad for your health.....there are studies that say so. It's just not a big deal if you have proper venting like this.

[@xploration1437]

@@krisdphillips go whine to your boyfriend.

[@krisdphillips]

@@xploration1437 Well I'm a straight dude, so no thanks.....good job being a sexist PITA, though

[@bngr_bngr]

@@krisdphillipsso how does it one’s health?

[@krisdphillips]

@@bngr_bngr Burning open flames with Natural Gas or Propane produces soot, carbon monoxide, and Nitrogen Dioxide. NO2 can cause severe respiratory distress, especially in people with asthma, and Carbon Monoxide in deadly in high quantities. Gas stoves don't produce enough to kill you, but they do produce small amounts of it that can lead to small exposures every time you cook. Having a vented hood helps extract these things from the air while you're cooking, as well as keep the heat from entering your home (something very useful in southern states, as I can attest).

[@malanalan1]

is that video supposed to help someone? What a joke!

[@gregoryfinnnegan1415]

I’m sure you’re perfect

[@yoder-kb1kb]

I would do anything for Kelly

[@davidpearson3304]

She would hurt you. 😉

[@narlycharley]

Gas ranges will soon be illegal, as they should be.

[@kaseyc5078]

They’ve been fine for 2 centuries but all of the sudden the eco crazies want them banned. How about we ban private jets first?

[@RealMTBAddict]

No they won't Greta

[@iuyozx]

You probably fart in public

[@narlycharley]

@@RealMTBAddict It's okay, I know you're upset that I'm correct.

[@thomasp1673]

Nothing like cooking with gas. Poor little libby.

[@bobdylan6773]

Being a plumber is a MAN"S JOB!

[@krisdphillips]

Clearly this video proves otherwise, sexist.

[@willdogsdroid]

I bet men are always helping the female plumber. Must be nice

[@hometownmedic7355]

Given the opportunity I bet you'd let her service your sillcock, so let's drop the chauvinism trying to cover up your Rosie the Riveter fetish.

[@peehandshihtzu]

This video proves bad actors come in all shapes, sizes, colors and at least (and most) two genders. Clearly! :)

[@justinballard7242]

Mad that she's making more money than you 🤣

[@steve--o]

Tbh, she doesn't need to do any baking by the look of it.

[@krisdphillips]

Says the 400 lb incel.

[@RealMTBAddict]

So let her kids starve?

[@kaseyc5078]

How about some veggies in that diet?

[@RealMTBAddict]

​@@kaseyc5078 How about focus on yourself?

[@steve--o]

@@krisdphillips ik, truth hurts just by looking at your pfp. 😆

[@snicks50]

oh i cant install this here then boss the woman around that can. Well I guess what ever

[@daveklein2826]

You can't speak English either

[@spikefivefivefive]

First!

[@kbh95207]

*throws blue shell*

[@johnlebzelter4208]

@@kbh95207 thanks

[@kbh95207]

@@johnlebzelter4208 🥴 you’re welcome

[@Jeffersonville7653]

My life has totally changed since I started an investment of 78k and now earning over 152k just in 15 days

[@sammax4245]

Scammers comment and replays

[@13slot28]

No 1 cares.

[@brian-nz3jg]

​@Sam Max that's what your mom calls you? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🐀🐀👈👈

[@thisismagacountry1318]

​@adinross3991Mrs Elizabeth Graney-Reed touched my weiner

[@lunchlady2023]

I make same thing. Market is strong with street pharmacy.