I believe the issue with flex vent piping is that grease collects in all the creases, which can be a serious fire hazard. Unless that flex vent is somehow lined with smooth metal then I would say the issue still exists....of course I'm no expert but that is my understanding of the problem.

Thanks, dcward. I'm seeing conflicting stuff Online, on reputable sites. Many say something to the effect of "use only metal flexible or rigid ducting. Do not use vinyl..."

I looked up my county's new code and mine says " Range hoods shall discharge to the out doors. The duct serving the hood shall have a smooth interior surface, be air tight, and equipped with a backdraft damper. Ducts shall be galvanized steel, stainless steel or copper. Listed and labeled ductless range hoods are not required to discharge to the out doors"

I showed it to the GC and we had no argument after. I would look up your code instead of the manufacturer recommendation.

Thanks, Lenzai. I wonder if a hood is considered the same as a microwave in this context. Also, do you know how to look up code?

Start with your county/city website and permitting services. I also googled "my county name and then residential kitchen venting". I don't know about micro specific things, but if it vents grease then it's a hood :)

Why didn't it go straight out the back?

Lenzai - thanks. Unfortunately, after spending quite a bit of time on Google and the city's website, I can't find anything that specifies what type of duct material.

AnnkH - You see that white, wide, vertical thing in the middle of the below photo? That's my heat duct. It's also where the microwave was to be placed... We didn't know it was there until it was really too late to re-design.

So, GC had his son pick up the new parts, so, it looks like it will be switched out. I just hope that I was being reasonable and made the right call...

Yikes! I'm glad you had room on one side to go around!

The outlet of my under-cabinet range hood was perfectly centered on a stud, so my carpenter had to frame around the hole. Tough to do that with a vent!

I don't see any down side to putting in a rigid vent pipe.

You were being reasonable, it's a fire hazard with grease etc!

Grrr. So, nobody's happy right now. The rigid elbows & straight piece they bought to replace the flex won't fit in the tight corner that was allowed. GC is not here, but his son & one other worker are. Other worker was working on the rigid and said "no way. It's not going to work, not gonna fit."

I've tried really hard to not bring stuff up w/ GC in the presence of the others, or to criticize GC to the others in any way, but this time, I said "the flex is not to code" (which I did find out) "due to a potential fire hazard." I don't know what they're going to do. Worker is (I think) on the phone w/ GC right now - out of earshot.

Good for you for standing up and getting it done right!

The worst is they take the cabinet down and open the wall back up. As is that tight corner is too tight and wouldn't do a good job venting anyway flex or rigid. Maybe they can make the turn into the cabinet a little higher to give them space to maneuver or go higher and then through a neighboring cabinet a little bit and back into the wall.

There's code on how many turns one should have in a stretch too :)

So frustrating. And that cabinet above the microwave was supposed to be open shelving... I actually have plenty of cabinet storage, so don't mind losing some storage but was hoping to have a few shelves for books & display.

Good news. It looks like contractor just found a solution. He was calling back & forth w/ worker for exact measurements, etc, and I believe contractor was at Home Depot looking at options. Seems he found some kind of elbow(s) and rigid duct pieces that will work using the current outdoor vent hole. I am soooo relieved! Thank you all so much for your help & support! So grateful!

These are the zillion decisions that the gc and subs make that the homeowner usually only finds out because something goes wrong later...you are lucky once again to get it resolved now.

If Carrie is still checking this forum I would love to have more information. We are dealing with this issue right now.

Hi pamelamacleod - Just saw email notification of your comment! It's working, but not *really* sure it was done to code or just rigged...

Carrie, can you post a pic of the final ductwork job? I have a similar situation where I can’t go straight thru the back of my wall to vent due to a stud being in the way. Looking to do a “jog” in the ductwork up thru my cabinet like you. Thanks!