Yes, but depending on the height of the hood (i all likelihood higher than what you have currently), you'll most likely going to have to move or get rid of the cabinet altogether (which is probably what you're aiming to do).

Depending on how your current hood is ducted, you may have to reduct which would mean going into the wall. One way to tell is if you have any ducting in the cabinet above the hood. If there is, and the duct goes straight through from bottom to top, the installation work will be considerably easier. If there is no duct at all, it will be more difficult.

Would it be possible just to cap off the top of the hood range and redirect the air through the back of the hood range by creating and opening in the back of it? Basically creating the illusion that the air is going through the top duct?

@Luis Taveras - no, that would be a huge fire hazard, to have a small opening collecting the grease and smoke from cooking. Do not do that. This is a very bad idea.

How so if the vent behind is used instead of the top of the hood?

Can the wall mount range hoods be configured to duct straight up a short distance then 90 degree elbow to back wall to duct out side of wall/house? Or wall mount hoods only duct straight up past the whole hood setup before it can elbow to a wall?

what's the minimum height & duct height requirements for wall mount hoods compared to cabinet mounted ones? If converting from cabinet to wall mount. I'm assuming in some layouts, you might not meet the height requirements needed for wall mount?

Hello Houzz Community!

I found this thread when Googling a similar topic. I'd like to replace my under cabinet hood with a wall mounted hood, and yes I know I have to remove the cabinet above the current hood which I'm fine with (see photo).

My existing under cabinet hood vents out the wall to the side of my house - see photo, and note the vent is not blocked by those shrubs, there is space around it, you just can't tell from the angle of the photo :-)

So my question is....can a wall mounted hood be installed to vent out the existing vent in the wall, or does a vent need to be created in the ceiling?

Also, what type of professional can help answer any related questions I have about this? Would I ask the wall mounted vent manufacturer? Or a handyman?

Thank you in advance for any guidance! I am a newbie homeowner and am learning as I go, so truly appreciate you taking the time to share your knowledge with me!

@pinkshell8, for your case, I'd check the specs for the wall mount hood you want to install, and if not clear there, contact the manufacturer. They have certain height (and duct height/length) requirements for mounting. I believe wall mounts don't have to vent straight up to the roof, they can elbow out to the side for venting, but the question is whether there is a vertical length of duct upwards you need to do before you can effectively elbow duct out to the side for performance/functional spec of the hood being installed. The ducting you see that goes up on the wall mounts is simply a chimney cover for the hood's ducting, and doesn't mean it actually goes straight up the ceiling/roof.

You absolutely can use an under mount as a wall mount. This unit pictured is quite large and not your usual standard range hood but it does mimic the shape of some under mounts (except it’s taller). Like an under mount unit, a wall mount unit has venting/ducting capability via the top of the hood. Pictured here, we attached basic ducting from Home Depot for the exhaust tube, then built an opened backed box to match the cabinetry and attached it to the wall. We were selling the house so we kept it simple, but the world is your oyster on what shapes and materials you can use to create your faux chimney coming from the top of the unit. The actual exhausting ducting would be inside of that and unseen. It can be exhausted out thru the wall or the ceiling depending on your home’s architecture. I hope that helps

Hello pinkshell8,

I am in the same boat. Any progress with your project. Appreciate if you can share any info.

Yes, you can - you would just have to buy a convertible wall mount range hood...one that is non-ducted. This way you don't have to do all of the construction associated with adding a duct to the kitchen...this would allow the hood to recirculate instead of venting out.

@HU-320766533 Sorry I missed your response! I haven't made progress yet with the hood replacement, but have learned that I can buy a wall mount hood and connect it to my existing duct to keep being able to vent outside instead of just a circulating vent. I haven't decided if we will do this yet, but will keep you posted if we do.

Recirculating vents use special filters I believe which you have to replace over time. Personally, I wouldn't take that route unless out of options, regarding use of recirculating vent hoods, or I guess it is more ok if you open a kitchen window while using the recirculating vented hood.

I'm assuming in most cases, folks that run into this issue already have ducting? It's more a question whether they can retrofit around the existing ducting and cover up the ducting to look nice or not.

Missed this question earlier, RE: Also, what type of professional can help answer any related questions I have about this? Would I ask the wall mounted vent manufacturer? Or a handyman?

Probably makes the most sense to consult the manufacturer of the range hood first since you want to conform to their specifications for a valid/normal installation for warranty coverage, etc. A shop that specializes in selling range hoods could also be helpful to ask, such as: https://www.prolinerangehoods.com, or https://www.2pacific.com/en-us/ for example.

If going with handyman/contractor, I'd try to find one with expertise in ducting, HVAC, kitchen remodels, range hoods. I'm not aware what trades specialize in having good knowledge working with range hood installations, the technical (to code) aspects of it.