Kitchen cabinet vents: where they are needed and which size to use

A sealed kitchen cabinet traps moisture from the sink and heat from the stove. Over time the boards swell, hinges rust, and a musty smell or mould appears. A cabinet vent is a grilled opening that lets air inside the cabinet change without spoiling the look.

Cabinets that need a vent

• The cabinet holding a gas cylinder. This matters most. LPG is heavier than air and settles low, so fit a vent at the bottom of the cabinet so a small leak cannot collect.
• The cabinet under the sink, the dampest spot because of pipes and splashes.
• Cabinets around the stove, oven and water dispenser, which give off heat.
• Shoe cabinets and dry food storage.

A vent helps air move, but it does not replace regular checks of the gas hose and regulator.

Choosing 50mm or 80mm

Both are rust-free anodised aluminium, in silver or black. Match the colour to your handles or kitchen accents so the vent looks intended rather than patched in.

Where to place it

• Fit two openings where you can, one low and one high, so air can flow through.
• The kickboard under the cabinets is the most hidden spot and still works well.
• For a gas cylinder cabinet, put the opening low.
• Avoid placing a vent right in the splash zone of the sink.

How to fit it

1. Measure the back of the vent, the part that goes into the hole, not the front frame.
2. Draw that rectangle on the board.
3. Drill a hole in each corner to start the saw blade.
4. Cut along the lines with a jigsaw, then sand the edges smooth.
5. Push the vent in and fix it with small screws. Do not overtighten, or the aluminium frame will bend.

For production runs, make one template from thin plywood with the exact hole size. Every hole comes out the same and goes faster.

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