Once you have the vent, use hot water and dish soap; allow it to sit for a few minutes, and then get scrubbing! If you encounter tricky grease stains, try adding some baking soda to the hot water to allow for easier scrubbing. Return the vent to the machine once it's completely dry.
For this we put 1 cup of water and 1/2 cup of vinegar in a large glass bowl and microwaved for 3-5 minutes, which will boil the water and create steam. Once the timer dings, you let it sit and let it steam in there for another few minutes.
Microwaves are shipped from the factory to vent out the top (vertically) but can also be vented out the rear (horizontally).
If you notice physical grease, the vent is no longer venting smoke, or you have a bad smell coming from the microwave, it is time to replace the grease vent. Luckily, as it needs to be done regularly, replacing the grease filter isn't hard.
If your air filter is new and clean, another DIY solution is to put a bit of baking soda in your air ducts. When we say that, we literally mean, put a dish or the whole box of baking soda in your air duct and let it sit there. (The same way that you would place a box of baking soda in an offensive-smelling fridge.)
Ducted or vented microwaves feature exhaust fans that vent air outside of the house. Recirculating, non-ducted or updraft microwaves filter air then push it back into the kitchen. Convertible microwaves give you the option to select your ventilation type.
Microwave hoods can utilize external or recirculating venting. For added flexibility when cooking on the stove, many over-the-range models have the ability to use both options.
Since microwaves generate high amounts of heat, it's important to use them safely to prevent overheating and potential fire hazards. If a microwave isn't properly vented, it can overheat or even fuse together parts of it, causing a potential fire and/or injury.
Baking soda is an effective and inexpensive way to remove microwave smells. It works by absorbing odours, leaving your microwave smelling fresh and clean.
Leave bowls of vinegar, baking soda, or coffee grounds on your counter overnight to absorb the odors. (Cat litter would probably work too, but might smell even worse than the frying oil.)
Most microwaves have two primary vents: one located above the door, and the exhaust grill underneath. These vents need to be cleaned once per month.
Run the filters under warm water to wash away the residue, then let them air dry before reinstalling them over your stove. (Or, to speed up the process, Babs recommends drying them with a microfiber cloth—it's one of her favorite inexpensive and versatile learning tools for the kitchen.) It's that easy!
Microwave charcoal filters should be replaced at the very least every six months. However, if you cook frequently, check your filter every three months or so to see the level of soil it has and replace it if necessary.
Some over-the-range microwaves come with a venting system that is as powerful as traditional range hoods. These models can effectively reduce smoke and odor in the air while you're cooking while also providing additional cooking functionality.
Why Vent Your Microwave Outside? The reason you would set up your OTR microwave venting or kitchen stove venting to push the air outside—as opposed to recirculating the air or venting it to another room—is to maintain good air quality in your home.
Countertop microwave ovens have vents on the sides, bottom, or both to keep them cool while the magnetron generates heat. Therefore, it is completely normal for your countertop microwave to emit warm air, given that it is from the vents.
Ventilation: Do not block air vents. If they are blocked during operation, the oven may overheat and eventually cause oven failure.
A microwave oven, designed exclusively for a kitchen countertop, has vents that are built into the back of the microwave. If installed into a cabinet, these vents will be blocked and unable to release steam from the microwave. Talk about a fire hazard for your kitchen.
Vinegar may smell bad, but it has two good purposes with your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. Many people already know that vinegar is great for cleaning out the drain line. But a mix of vinegar and water also is an effective way to keep the coils clean and the system humming.
Getting Rid of Musty Odors in Air Vents
For immediate relief, baking soda can be used to absorb unpleasant smells. Place baking soda in a dish and directly in the air duct. Clean or have your entire HVAC system cleaned top to bottom.
If you smell rotten eggs, you may have a gas leak. You should open the windows immediately, leave the house, and call your gas company to identify the exact location and to repair. If you smell raw sewage coming from your vents, there is one usual cause: sewage.
Moldy, musty smell. Burning gas smell. “Rotten egg” smell.