House detective Marion Peeples takes us to the Piedmont region of North Carolina to inspect a 1965 Ranch-style home, where it's discovered a kitchen exhaust fan that had been installed incorrectly. Doesn't sound too serious, but good kitchen ventilation can be key to cooking comfort.
The main purpose of a kitchen exhaust fan is to help draw heat, smoke, and odor out of the cooking area. On an island cook top, you'll often see a downdraft vent. But the most common type of kitchen exhaust is the good ol' range hood. But in many cases, range hoods conceal a little secret--they don't ventilate anything at all. That's because frequently, they're not hooked to a duct; they just re-circulate the warm moist air back into the kitchen. Examine yours to be sure.
- If your kitchen exhaust does have a vent, make sure the line runs all the way to the outside of the house. Check the ductwork annually to make sure grease hasn 't built up on the inside. That can be a fire hazard.
- Clean the hood and fan regularly. The aluminum mesh screen can be run through the dishwasher.
- Some range hoods also have an activated charcoal filter. It can't be cleaned, and should be replaced once a year.
Guests Marion Peeples
Building Inspector, ProSpect Inspections
Greensboro, NC
Phone: 336-382-1593
E-mail:
Marion@ProSpectinspections.com
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