Differences Between Venting & Non-venting Gas Stoves

Humidity

• As most foods cook on the stove top or in the oven of your gas stove, they release evaporating water in the form of steam. This moisture travels up with the rising heat from the cooking surface and enters the air of the home. Vented stove units blow this extra humidity outside the home, while non-vented models do little to remove air humidity from cooking according to Custom Range Hoods. The stove without exterior venting simply recycles the humid air back into the home.

Installation

• One reason non-vented gas stoves have become popular despite their limitations is the simple installation process. Non-vented stoves simply hang on the wall and are self-enclosed. Vented models require you to cut holes in the interior and exterior wall of your kitchen and run a duct through it, says Creative Homeowner. Sealing this opening properly is key to preventing rot and damage to the wall. This usually requires a professional contractor, which can raise installation costs substantially.

Maintenance

• Ventless gas stoves use filters contained in the range hood above it to trap grease, smoke and odors generated by cooking. These filters need to be cleaned or replaced regularly or they fail to function, according to Build.com. While vented models also use filters, the air will still exit the home if the filter is dirty, preventing most of the odor from lingering in the kitchen after cooking a strongly scented dish like fried fish.

Carbon Monoxide

• All combustion creates carbon monoxide, including the gas burned in many stoves. A properly used ventilation system helps draw carbon monoxide and other dangerous fumes out of the air in the home. Carbon monoxide causes serious health problems including drowsiness, headaches and death, says PropEx.com. Other sources of ventilation, such as open windows, used during cooking help mitigate the risks of this gas building up to dangerous levels.