In some homes anomalies are obvious, like with this passive kitchen vent.
You can see that something use to be here - some sort of vent mechanism, or microwave.
But it's been removed, to leave this attractive spot on the wall!
Holding my hand up there cold air could be felt coming through the hole.
Something is going on, or used to!
Yep, for sure something is going on!
But it isn't mechanical venting!
Outdoors is a mere hole in the siding and air is just coming in.
But it is a vent!
It's a passive vent.
Technically that's a kitchen exhaust vent, right?
My recommendation: when things are labeled "technically" this or that, they probably aren't what they are touted to be. To call this a kitchen vent is odd at best. And it is ugly to be sure! The gas range is right underneath. For sure, when someone is cooking, the fumes are just whooshing right outdoors! But technically, it is a passive kitchen vent!
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC 
Based in Bristow, serving all of Northern Virginia.
Office (703) 330-6388 Cell (703) 585-7560
Hmmm seems like something needs to be fixed here, Jay.
Jay, LOL, it is ugly, and it sure would make things messy. Passive vent, LOL. It also looks like an aggressive way for cold air to get into the house to me!
Another microwave would work Ginny!
Well, at least the house isn't so tight it can't breath, right Andrea?
Good morning Jay,
As long as the wind was not blowing it could work as a vent.
Make yourself a great day.
It does Raymond! Heat seeks cold, so the heat in the house is whooshing out the vent in winter, and into the house in summer! It is a passive dollar waster!
Jay, thanks again for the post. Just a question... is the flex vent that appears to be affixed to the custom fitted jiffy-pop popcorn pan a proper application for that material? I know it is not for a dryer vent flue... it seems like it would grab grease droplets like a magnet. But maybe it is ok if you use it on a passive vent-hood ;)?
Jay, that is one ugly looking mess right there. In this case "passive" means a hole!
Looks like passive workmanship.
Bill - that is a Mylar product and you are right, not best for a greasy application. A metal vent is always superior and preferred.
Tom - in this case, if you look up "polite alternative words" in the dictionary, passive is the polite substitute for hole.
Jim - that made me laugh! The rest of the house was just as interesting (two-level Cape Cod). The people discontinued the inspection after the first floor and I wouldn't let them! I wanted to see the upstairs too!
Jay, what was the seller thinking? Then again did he think at all? Enjoy your day!
The key word is NOT Wayne!
Jay, Now ain't that one special
Energy saver +.
Speyshal fer sher Donboah.
(Southern Virginian dialect...)
Jay Markanich That seller should be embarrassed by this mess. Hope a proper fix became part of the contract terms. Good call.
Is that a flexible foil dryer vent in there? I have never seen that...lol, passive indeed!
S&N - I assure you the seller could not care less. This house is a disaster. This was on the more humorous side of the circumstances presented to my client!
Fred - it's a slinky with Mylar! That's good, right?
I would bet you got a ton of blogging material out of that baby!
I get a ton of blogging material out of all the houses "remodeled" by the local rabble, Fred.
We are overrun.
Fred should have his own DIY (do it yourself) TV show. The title would be "How not to do repairs" or something like that.....
That is whay my blogs are all about James!
Tell me there was a flap on the exterior to keep critters from coming in for dinner.
It was a small hood with a missing flap Stephen!
That is a bit wierd Jay but I guess it does vent to the outside. :)
This was one of 100 "a bit weird" things in this house Tom!