How to Vent a Kitchen Stove on an Outside Wall

Determine the closest exterior wall to the kitchen stove. You will have to run ductwork above the stovetop and to this wall. Remove exterior siding or shingles in an area the same size as the ductwork you will use. The size is generally recommended by the manufacturer of the venting or hood system.

Turn off the electricity to the kitchen stove area.

Hold the hood up to the desired position above the kitchen stove. Mark the position on the wall with a pencil where the duct will meet the wall opening. Remove the hood from the wall and set aside.

Cut a hole into the wall between framing joists where you marked the wall. Remove debris from the hole.

Extend the ductwork from the hole into the wall area leading to the outside vent. Connect lengths of the duct with duct clamps. Depending on how far the distance is to the outside wall, you may have to cut sections from other parts of the wall to secure the ductwork onto the joints with strapping and screws. These parts will have to be replaced, recovered with drywall compound and repainted.

Secure the kitchen wall vent flange to the opening with screws as recommended by the manufacturer.

Cut the hole in the exterior wall surface using a wood or masonry saw blade, avoiding the vertical joists. Clean the hole edges.

Attach the vent flange to the hole with screws. Fasten the vent cap with damper onto the exterior of the flange with screws.

Caulk around the vent flange and vent cap.

Cut and reinstall siding or shingles around the vent cap with screws or nails as needed.

Install the hood above the kitchen stove according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Restore power to the stove area and test the vent system.