Our over-the-range microwave has a built-in vent fan which I'd like to make vent to the outdoors (rather than back into the kitchen, as that is perhaps the most useless feature ever conceived of in an appliance...).
My problem relates to the location of the 2x4 studs in the exterior wall I need to install the ductwork through. The red boxes in the attached picture approximately show the location of the studs, while the blue box shows where I need to install the ductwork (a 3"x10" rectangle).
Somehow, I need to cut that middle stud and reframe the wall. Is there an easy way to do this that doesn't involve ripping down much sheetrock and/or removing any cabinets?
I presume the answer is "no", so my backup plan is to duct the air up into that upper cabinet, transition to a round duct, and make a hole in the back of the upper cabinet to the right of the center stud. That involves sacrificing a lot of cabinet space, though, so I just wanted to see if anyone had any better ideas.