What’s a Ducted Range Hood? Kitchen Vent Hoods (Explained)

A ducted range hood is a must-have kitchen appliance. In this article, you will learn about ducted range hoods and why you should invest in one.

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If you are considering a new range hood, you have probably heard the term “ducted” thrown around a lot. But what is a ducted range hood?

This post will cover ducted range hoods and how they work, so you can figure out if one is right for you.

Ducted range hoods (also known as ventilating hoods) are kitchen exhaust fans that vent the air outside the home instead of filtering and recirculating it. They are common in both residential and commercial kitchens.

What is a ducted vent hood?

A ducted hood, also known as a vent hood, is an exhaust fan that exhausts air outside the home via a duct. They are typically made of stainless steel and can be fitted through cabinetry, the ceiling, the wall, or even the floors.

Image of a clean kitchen with a ducted range hood. Source: sidekix media, unsplash
Image of a clean kitchen with a ducted range hood. Source: sidekix media, unsplash

It’s important to note that, depending on the architecture of your kitchen, you may be limited in where the ducting may be installed. Make sure you have the space to run it from your range hood to the outside. You can choose from various venting configurations if you have enough room.

Depending on the hood, the ducting may be horizontal or vertical. Island hoods must be vented through the ceiling, whereas wall hoods can be vented through either the wall or the ceiling.

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My favorite range hood (at the moment):

COSMO COS-63190S Wall Mount Range Hood

What's a ducted range hood? Kitchen vent hoods (explained) | 71ddmbmvgwl. Ac sl1500 | range hood homeland
My favorite range hood (at the moment):

COSMO COS-63190S Wall Mount Range Hood

This is one of the best hoods available at this price point. Reasonably strong CFM for the cost, and it has received rave reviews (over 3,800 reviews!). It looks great, and the LED lights provide a pleasant brightness. For the price, its performance and style are outstanding. Highly recommended!

How does a ducted range hood work?

A ducted range hood pulls air from the kitchen and ventilates it outside the home. This part can include smoke and grease particles. Some particles pass through a series of filters before they enter the ductwork.

How can you tell if your range hood is ducted?

Identifying whether you have a ducted hood is easy. If your home has ductwork, odds are your hood is ducted. You can also tell by removing the filters from your range hood. Finally, if you see ductwork going from your hood into the abyss, your hood is ducted.

Another way to tell is to check whether your hood blows any air back into the kitchen when it’s on. If it doesn’t, it’s likely blowing air outside your home.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of ducted range hoods?

Ducted range hoods offer a variety of benefits. However, there are some drawbacks you should consider. Below, we will discuss the pros and cons of a ducted hood.

The benefits of a ducted range hood (pros)

There are several advantages to using a ducted range hood, including:

  1. Completely remove the smoke and grease from the home.
  2. Less grease on your walls, cabinets, and ceilings.
  3. It removes smelly kitchen odors.
  4. No need to replace charcoal filters.
  5. It keeps the kitchen and home cooler.
  6. Compatible with external and inline blowers that significantly reduce notice

1. Completely remove the smoke and grease from the home

Unlike ductless hoods, which recirculate the air back into your kitchen, a ducted hood pulls smoke, oil, and unwanted particles via ductwork outside your home.

2. Less grease on your walls, cabinets, and ceilings

Your cabinets and surrounding area will stay cleaner for much longer than they would with a ductless hood because they will remove the grease and smoke before it has time to settle in your kitchen.

3. Removes smelly kitchen odors

Ducted hoods remove strong odors from your kitchen, which is especially beneficial if you prepare Asian, Indian, or fried foods.

4. No need to replace charcoal filters

You don’t need to buy charcoal filters regularly since ducted hoods use stainless steel baffle filters or mesh filters, making ventilation hoods more cost-effective in the long term.

5. Keeps the kitchen and home cooler

The heat from your burners may quickly heat the kitchen while cooking. A ducted hood can quickly and efficiently vent this hot air outside your home, keeping your kitchen cool.

6. Compatible with Inline blowers that significantly reduce notice

Inline blowers are installed inside your ductwork, located further from your kitchen, resulting in a much quieter kitchen when running the hood. 

The drawbacks of a ducted range hood (cons)

Image of a large kitchen with a ducted insert range hood inside a custom range hood. Source: enclosure neonbrand, unsplash
Image of a large kitchen with a ducted insert range hood inside a custom range hood. Source: enclosure neonbrand, unsplash

Drawbacks of ducted range hoods include:

  1. It is not possible in every kitchen.
  2. Ductwork is an extra expense.

1. It is not possible in every kitchen

If you don’t have room in your walls or ceilings for ducting, you’ll have to make room. Unfortunately, that may involve making holes in walls, ceilings, and other areas of your home, which can be time-consuming and very expensive!

2. Ductwork is an extra expense

As I said, configuring your kitchen for a ductless hood can be very expensive if you don’t already have the ducting in place. And ductwork installation service fees will also need to be factored into your budget. 

If you want even more tips and insights, check out this video called KOBE Range Hoods: What is a Ducted Range Hood? from the KOBERangeHoods YouTube Channel.

A video called KOBE Range Hoods: What is a Ducted Range Hood? from the KOBERangeHoods YouTube Channel.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Do you still have questions? Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about ducted range hoods

Do range hoods have to be vented outside?

No, ductless range hoods do not need to vent outside. However, a ductless hood with proper ducting is strongly recommended if you want to get the most out of your range hood, even if it’s more expensive.

A hood that vents outside your home will better remove smoke and smells from the kitchen. This greatly improves the quality of your indoor air and is helpful to your health and safety in the long run.

How much does it cost to install a ducted range hood?

A range hood installation typically costs between $400 and $1,500, with the average cost being $750. Installing a ductless range or a replacement range hood with existing ductwork is at the low end of the spectrum. Installing a ducted hood with new ductwork is on the expensive side.

What is the difference between vented and non-vented range hoods?

A vented hood, also known as a ducted hood, vents grease, moisture, and air through the wall or roof of your home. An unvented hood filters the air inside your kitchen with a carbon filter and recirculates it.

Conclusion

A ducted range hood is worth every penny if you’re looking for a product that will save you time and money while providing your family with healthy clean air. In addition, these hoods are efficient in clearing harmful particles without disturbing the surrounding area. So add one of these to your kitchen today.

This article covered what a ducted vent hood is, how ducted range hoods work, how you can tell if your range hood is ductless, and the pros and cons of owning one. Here are some key takeaways:

Key takeaways

  • A ducted range hood, also known as a vent hood, is an exhaust fan that exhausts air outside the home via a duct. A ducted hood can be fitted through cabinetry, the ceiling, or the wall. 
  • A ducted range hood pulls air from the kitchen and ventilates it outside the home. This part can include smoke and grease particles.
  • Identifying whether you have a ducted range hood is easy.
  • Range hoods can be installed over cooktops, ovens, or stovetops. They are used for cooking and removing smoke odors from the room.
  • Unlike ductless models, ducted hoods eliminate fumes and smoke from the stove, preventing spills on counters or when turning pots.
  • A ducted range hood is an exhaust system with a blower or fan directly connected to the cooking area.

So, are you planning on getting a ducted range hood? And did I cover everything you wanted to know? And what do you think of my list? Let me know in the comments section below (I read and reply to every comment). If you found this article helpful, check out my full blog for more tips and tricks on kitchen ventilation. Thanks for reading, and sty safe.

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Written by Roger Harris, Staff Writer

Hey there! My name is Roger, and I've been selling range hoods for over six years. I now run this blog all about range hoods and kitchen ventilation! If you're looking for a new range hood for your kitchen, this is the place for you.

Nick eggert.
Edited by Nick Eggert, Staff Editor

Nick is our staff editor and co-founder. He has a passion for writing, editing, and website development. His expertise lies in shaping content with precision and managing digital spaces with a keen eye for detail.

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