Sorry so long on the replies, but got a bug or something and have been laid up for DAYS. Hey Stooxie, this is how the exhausting up v down situation has been explained to me: I cannot go up because the joists are running in the wrong direction. There is no wall running so that I could duct with the joists--there is a stairwell involved as well. Is there an UP way around this, or are 3 people (from various companies) ALL wrong? I know with enough money ANYTHING can be done, however, all 3 people said that it would take something close to an act of God to make the up exhaust happen. NOW I find out that you can't duct the OTR micro down anyway--it looses whatever suck it does have, so I am back to square one. My only options: separate out the various range parts (exhaust, oven, cooktop) in order to get a telescoping downdraft exhaust that's only slightly better than a micro hood and costs a fortune and I can put the blower in the crawlspace OR If I get a hood (thank you Davidro1 for the link...very helpful) and downdraft it then I have absolutely no place for the microwave unless I put it on a micro cart--you know the carts of yore olden times! I am totally at a loss here. I honestly would not mind considering spending the $$ on the telescoping downdraft option if it worked. But according to what I've read here, they just don't. So what to do? I currently have a free-standing range now. If I split out the range into pieces parts, I end up with having to build 2 cabinets (I have a teeny kitchen with, get this, custom made cabinets -- prior owners/builders must have been sniffing glue) one for the cooktop and another one to hold the wall oven. I can't build out a wall to hold the wall oven because, again, all the walls are taken or are doorways, walkways or bay windows. Wow....what a dilemma.

Most vent hood fans are meant to discharge the exhaust immediately, not push it down a run of over 15 feet. Length and turns cause turbulance that will defeat the effective removal of fumes. You need the type of fan that is mounted at the exhaust point so it will draw the air through.

Unfortunately the Laurelhurst fans are not designed to exhaust grease. They are great looking though. You MAY be able to use a Nutone or wall fan that is acceptable for cooking areas and use a Laurelhurst Grille, which is available separately. However, even the grilles are pricey.

johnW1..I'm not an expert but in my two-story house the ductwork goes down from the vent in the microwave, behind the drywall behind the range and then travels through the crawl space under the house. It is not visible inside the house. You might be able to figure it out by removing the microwave.