How to Install a Cooktop Air Vent

The cooktop is a great piece of kitchen furniture, but in order to prevent cooking odors from lingering in the kitchen, and prevent the buildup of grease and damp, it is vital to install an air vent. You can install through the roof or though the wall, depending on what is available. Both installation methods are complicated.

The following guide will help you install a cooktop air vent through your roof. If you need to install the air vent through your wall, you can simply make a in the wall instead of the roof.

Installing Through the Roof

Step 1 - Measure

You will need to measure carefully. Mark the area, and then follow the path of the mark up through the wall and into the roof. Make another mark to indicate where cutting should begin as well.

Step 2 - Fit the Hood

Remove everything from inside the hood: fan, light fittings, and electrical housing. Put the hood above the cooktop, and screw the hood into position. Put the cable clamp through the knockout hole in the side of the hood. Feed electrical cable through the underside of the hood.

Step 3 - Fit the Duct

Place duct from the hood up into the roof, making holes where necessary. Tape any joins with the duct tape, and then fit on the duct straps, so that the whole thing is held in position. Caulk around the edges of the duct as it enters the roof.

On the roof, cut a hole under the roof where the duct will emerge, and then carry the ducting up into the roof. Put the duct flashing over the hole you have made, and then use roofing tar to seal the duct into the roof.  Top off the duct pipe with a vent cap.

Step 4 - Finishing the Air Vent

When this has been done, go back to the kitchen, and assemble all the pieces that you have earlier removed from the hood, including the fan, lights and the air filter. Connect the electrical wires to either a plug, or through the cooker into the mains. Once the wires are connected, seal them with wire nuts, and finish with electrical housing. Try using the range hood to ensure that the hood, ducting and air vent all work.

Installing through the Wall

If you wish to install your cooktop air vent through the wall, rather than the roof, when you are marking out your hood range, draw the outline onto the wall, and include a space below the hood for the duct. Once you have screwed your hood in, knock through the lower part of the wall, and install the duct. Attach it to the wall cap, and then screw the cap onto the outside wall. Apply caulking to seal duct into the wall.