Answer
Oct 08, 2025 - 09:03 AM
While all Rangehoods or Over-the-Range microwaves will have a fan for sucking out smoke or gas fumes from your cooktop, it matters whether or not that fan will recirculate that air through a filter, or pump it out of your house through a vent. Most can be configured to do either, but the vented configuration will ofcourse require installation of an external vent from your Kitchen to the outdoors. If your Kitchen uses natural gas and does not already have an external vent, it is strongly advised to add one. See What are the dangers of unvented natural gas for more details why.
Most over-the-range microwaves will have a punchout hole, from which you can duct the air to your external vent. When you buy a rangehood, check if it is convertible, or if it is "ducted" or recirculating, to ensure that you can configure it to the needs of your kitchen.
