A microwave oven that is mounted over a cooktop has a ventilation system that helps in removing the cooking odors, moisture, and smoke that are generated from the cooking surface.
This ventilation system can either be an external vent that has a duct or may recirculate air back into the kitchen and has no duct.
A recirculating microwave is a unit that is equipped with charcoal or sometimes an aluminum filter that traps grease, heat, moisture, odors and particles generated through the cooking process. The air is then filtered and circulated back into the kitchen.
The conditioned air is not exhausted outside by the recirculating microwave with a vent instead a kitchen becomes energy-efficient. It simply draws the air through the filters and blows it back into the kitchen.
This microwave is easy to install and is cheaper as well. It is installed in the interior wall and can be moved relatively easily as compared to the microwave with an external vent. It is an ideal microwave for rentals and places where ducting is not possible.
The charcoal filter in the recirculating microwave loses its effectiveness with time and you will have to replace it. Usually, this filter works well for six to twelve months and after that, it has to be replaced. Its life span may further be reduced with frequent cooking.
On the other hand, aluminum filters have to be cleaned regularly with a degreasing detergent.
One of the drawbacks of the recirculating microwave is that air is not removed from the kitchen therefore, it will take a long time to remove odors and steam. There can be grease build-up with time and thus, cleaning is required often.
Convertible vs recirculating microwave vent
A convertible microwave vent is a microwave that either has a duct that vents through the wall or ceiling or can be converted to a non-venting microwave.
The convertible microwave is usually an external venting system that vents to outside of the home. But it can be converted into a recirculating venting system with the help of the right components like the recirculating kit. This kit can be purchased from authorized dealers.
Recirculating microwave vent, on the other hand, does not exhaust conditioned air to the outside of the home. It makes a kitchen more energy-efficient. It can not be converted into an external venting system.
How does a recirculating microwave work?
A recirculating microwave works just like a ductless range hood in which a fan draws air inside the microwave, pulls it through the charcoal filter, and the air is then given back into the kitchen.
It helps in removing odor, smoke, particulate matter, and grease from the air that are generated by the cooking processes.
The pros of using a recirculating microwave are:
- It is quieter and there is no need for a venting system to be installed in the home. This means there is no requirement of any construction for its installation.
- Since it requires no duct or vents running through the microwave, it is easy on energy usage as well.
Is recirculating microwave safe?
Yes, recirculating microwave is safe as it has a venting system that sends the exhaust air through a charcoal filter. After removing smells and particulate matter, the air is directed back into the kitchen.
The installation of a recirculating microwave is easy. It can be placed anywhere in the kitchen as it does not require access to the outside. Also, it gives you the flexibility to move the device around according to your wish as there is no exterior component of it.
Thus, for those who are looking for a quick and cheap solution, a microwave with a recirculating venting system is the best choice.
However, the efficiency of the charcoal filter used in this microwave gets lowered with continuous use. Therefore, it is required to be changed annually or after every six months. If the filter is replaced at the right time, the lifespan of the microwave is increased.
Does a microwave need to be vented?
Yes, a microwave needs to be vented however, the venting requirements differ based on the design and model. For efficient and safety reasons, a microwave must have proper clearance and ventilation.
In microwaves without built-in ventilation systems, adequate external ventilation is very essential. The microwave radiation is used by the microwaves to cook food and these radiations heat food particles and water and they vibrate rapidly.
This vibration leads to the production of heat and thus, the food gets cooked. As the food cooks, the air inside the oven expands which requires an outlet.
The vents in the microwave allow releasing the expanding hot air. For this reason, microwaves have vents either on the sides or top.
While installing a microwave, you should take care that enough clearance is provided to these vents. When airflow is proper, the operation of the microwave becomes efficient.
Do recirculating hoods really work?
Yes, recirculating hoods do work nicely in the same way as the ducted range hood. The only difference is that instead of air getting exhausted outside, it is passed through a filter and then recirculated back into the kitchen.
The vents in the recirculating hoods are present either on the top of the hood or on the side and when the range hood is turned on, you can feel that the exhausted air is returned into the room. But this air is free from odors, grease, particulate matter, and smoke.
There is a difference in the effectiveness between the recirculating hood and the ducted range hood. The recirculating hoods make use of charcoal filters to trap grease and odors but are not as efficient as stainless-steel and mesh filters of ductless range hoods.
Conclusion
I hope you understand that a recirculating microwave is a ductless unit that absorbs the air emitted by the cooking processes and traps grease, smoke, and odor from it and then recirculates the filtered air into the kitchen.
It is preferred by many people mainly because it is easy to install and requires no construction work. However, pros and cons are associated with every appliance and this too has them which are already mentioned above.