Most have an optional charcoal filter that you can use if you choose the recirculation installation. In the OTR microwave we just installed, it came out of the box ready to vent out the back (for a vented application), but we had to open it up and rotate the fan so it would recirculate instead. An easy method to make sure you are getting one that can vent properly for your application is to check out the unit's dimension guide on ajmadison's website. If you see one that says "Convertible to recirculating", it likely comes ready to vent outside unless you switch the fan. As for your other question, the fan function is separate from the microwave. Just like the light function is separate. There are generally microwave controls, then under that pad you will see the buttons for the fan & light.

That's horrible Joyce. That has been my experience with Kenmore Elite (washer) and I won't buy it again. The Electrolux I said I ordered above - it was gone. I ended up going an entirely different route and bought a BlueStar range and a BlueStar electric wall oven in navy blue. Way more money (range, wall oven and exhaust hood) than originally planned and way more work (had to buy a wall oven cabinet and hubby had to install it where the pantry was, tile backsplash where the OTR microwave was, etc.), but I'm really happy with the results. I've never cooked with gas before and I like it a lot.

We splurged big time buying a 36" 6 burner Blue Star a few months ago and have been researching/agonizing over vent hoods. VAH seems like a pain to clean, DCS had too much metal (sides and by the baffles)and not enough filter, Prestige seemed a bit flimsy in the showroom (and pricey), Kenmore Elite was crap and now we are looking at a Kenmore Pro. So I have 2 questions: does anybody have feedback on these units? Also, we would like to have an in-line 1200 cfm blower but Sears only has internal and external blowers available. Does any other company make an in-line blower that can be used with this hood? Thanks for your help.

hiigl1: I ran across one of these two years ago when I had to go stove shopping and can confirm that Hollysprings is correct in saying that the Kenmore Elite and the Frigidaire are the same stove. (If you find the full model number of the Kenmore, the first three digits tell you that Sears had the stove made by Frigidaire/Electrolux.) I am curious why you want a 36" wide range. Are you maybe replacing an older (vintage) stove that was 36" (or maybe 40") wide? If so, this stove's tiny oven (3.7 cu. ft.) won't be unfamiliar to you and is likely to work significantly better. Maybe you want a slightly wider cooktop than you get with a standard 30" stove, can't fit a separate oven and cooktop, and don't care that the oven is so small? If you were hoping for a pro-style stove, you will be disappointed. Except for the stainless cladding, these are not pro-style stoves. There are other 36" ranges in the sub $2k price range but the makers, Summit and Premier, have a not-so-good reputations here. The word that comes to mind is cheap, in every sense of the term. If you really need a 36" range and don't care about the tiny oven, and aren't looking for multiple high-power burners, either Frigidaire and Kenmore would be okay. If you were looking for a "pro-style" stove, though, the small oven could be a serious drawback and you can get similar (and better) burners and a bigger and better oven in a standard 30" range such as the one that sssiwek describes. Oh, and one other thing. If you can work with a dual fuel range, Costco.com has been carrying 36" "Ancona" brand range since last fall for about $1800 delivered. It seems to be a counter-depth Euro-Style model (akin to Bertazonnis and Veronas and Ikea used to rebrand). Here is a link that might be useful: Ancona 36 This post was edited by JWVideo on Sat, May 31, 14 at 14:43