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musty odor in kitchen from range vent

12 years ago

I have noticed that when it rains or it is particularly humid outside, there is a terrible odor in my kitchen. I have discovered that it's coming from the kitchen vent. The kitchen hood vents to the outside. What could be causing the smell? The filter right under the fan is clean. I am not sure if there are other filters that I am supposed to clean? But why is the smell (wet dog or musty odor) present only during rain or high humidity?

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Comments (5)

Laura Weller
12 years ago
Starlings? These birds have previously tried nesting in my oven vent. They can wiggle into tiny spaces, and perhaps shelter there during rain.

A bird's next doesn't smell good, at any rate.

You'll need to remove the birds, if they are there, any nest, and then prevent them from returning by caulking in a fine screen.
brickeyee
12 years ago
If you have an exterior gravity flapper vent the starlings can figure out how to flip them open to gain access.

I watched them flip open the neighbors bathroom vent.
The sound of wings on the sheet metal of the hood attracted attention initially.
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SparklingWater
12 years ago
Fungi (mold/mildew) growths can rarely occur on ducting, especially in a moist environment. Fungi can smell a little musty. Perhaps as brickeyee suggests, your exterior gravity flapper is not closing properly 100% of the time, allowing a moister than usual duct system.

Mold and mildew basically have the same goal, to thrive on and devour or break down enzymatically an organic object. Any organic cooking effluent can promote spore growths, although heat is their enemy. Take a look past the filter area for (clustered, hairly-like small protrusions on the lower galvanized ducts with a spot light. This doesn't address higher up though.

It's not like we're dirty, it's just things grow on food effluent mediums. BioClean perhaps might help eradicate any sticky organic remnants near the vent duct (check the bottle first please): I know it's good for reducing gunk in sink drains.

Just trying to think a little out of the box, given your suggestion the musty smell is coming from the vent area. Our noses are very sensitive to smell, so it's possible indeed you've hit on something. A deceased small bird carcass other small animal near the exterior vent duct could conceivably be the problem also. Good luck.
User
12 years ago
What is the route to the outside? Straight up and out? Downdraft and out? When was the last time you had the ducts cleaned?
babushka_cat
12 years ago
i would also check to be sure exterior cover to vent is still on properly. when my reno was done they discovered the old vent had lost it's top long ago!

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