Can You Install a Range Hood Over an Open Fire? (Answered)

The open flame in a range hood can be dangerous. Is it safe to install a range hood over an open fire? Here is a guide to help you out.

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When it comes to cooking, there’s nothing quite like a good open fire. But should you use a range hood over an open fire or grill?

This article will teach you what range hoods are, how they work, and their benefits so you can enjoy cooking with less odor and smoke.

It is not advised to mount a range hood over an open fire. An open fire generates a lot of heat, damaging your hood. Instead, mount your hood over an outdoor propane or gas grill instead. These grills allow you to control the heat easily and are a much safer option for your outdoor kitchen.

What is a range hood?

A range hood is one of the most important kitchen appliances. It has a canopy and a fan or blower motor to remove pollution from the air caused by cooking. The range hood keeps the air in the kitchen clean and makes cleaning much easier by catching and getting rid of dirty air right at the source.

Image of an indoor fire place. Source: pixabay
Image of an indoor fire place. Source: pixabay
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My favorite range hood (at the moment):

COSMO COS-63190S Wall Mount Range Hood

Can you install a range hood over an open fire? (answered) | 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!

Advantages of a range hood over an open flame

Theres a few advantages to a vent hood over an open flame.

1. Removes smoke

The most oviosu benefit is that it will quickly expell toxic gasses adn smoke created by combustibel material. Mke and sut will be pulled out of the home.

2. Automatic turn on function

In some models (very fre) have a feature that will switch on when it senses smoke or fumes from the open fire. It will then start to capture and filter the smoke and fumes until they dissipate.

What are the disadvantages of range hoods over an open fire

Theres a few disadvantages to a vent hood over an open flame.

1. The heat can damage or the hood body

It doesn’t take long for the heat from open flames to reach dangerous levels that will damage any range hood. Fires will heat up over time, reaching 600 to 800 degrees. 600 to 800 degrees Fahrenheit is too hot for a range hood to be exposed regularly.

The average residential range can reach temperatures of around 550º F. However, unlike a stove, which you can closely monitor and control, a fire is more difficult to manage. An open fire could melt all of the internal components of your range hood at temperatures of 600º F or higher.

2. Fire is unpredictable

There is no way to control the heat produced by a fire. A fire’s heat is constantly changing. Fire is unpredictable; you can never be certain of the exact intensity of the heat it emits on any given day. As a result, you can’t always rely on your range hood to exhaust all smoke and chemicals outside your cooking area.

3. Lighing can easly get damaged

A hood will only work over a fire if its components are completely remote and the lights are explosion-proof. Although installing a hood over an open fire is not recommended, some range hoods are designed to withstand the intense heat. Control and touch panels, on the other hand, are more brittle. They must be far away from the heat, mounted on a wall. Similarly, LED and halogen lights do not tolerate heat well, so you should invest in heatproof and explosion-proof lighting.

Image of a kitchen with a stove and dining table. Source: max vakhtbovych, pexels
Image of a kitchen with a stove and a dining table. Source: max vakhtbovych, pexels

How do I select a range hood?

The new hood should be at least as wide as the range or cooktop, if not 3 inches longer on each side. 30 and 36 inches are the most common widths. Read our full buyer guide for more information.

If you want even more tips and insights, watch this video called “Kitchen Rangehood Ventilation Solutions” from the Efficiency Matrix YouTube Channel.

A video called “Kitchen Rangehood Ventilation Solutions” from the Efficiency Matrix YouTube Channel.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Do you still have questions? Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about using range hoods in open fires.

What is the significance of a range hood?

The most important function of a range hood is to improve the air quality in your kitchen. Hoods are designed to remove odors, smoke, grease, and other pollutants from the air that are released during cooking.

Are range hoods useful on the front burners?

According to Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), the capture efficiency of standard hoods on front burners is typically in the 30–40% range. It can be up to 90% on the back burner.

How far should a range hood protrude?

A range hood should extend at least half the length of your kitchen range and usually does not extend the entire length. If the upper surface is combustible (for example, cabinets), add another six inches of vertical space to achieve total clearance of 30 inches between the stove and the cabinets.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the choice is yours, but if you want a hood over an open flame, keep it at a safe distance.
This article covered range hoods, how they work on an open fire, and their benefits. Here are some key takeaways:

Key takeaways

  • The range hood maintains the air quality in the kitchen and makes cleaning much easier by capturing and eliminating contaminated air at its source.
  • Reduced fire hazard is another major benefit of range hoods.
  • Your stainless steel range hood may handle your outdoor kitchen’s ventilation but at a distance.
  • Vent hoods are ventilating systems designed to prevent fumes and smoke from escaping the kitchen by venting or sucking the air out of the space.
  • The outdoor range hood can protect your family’s health against possible lung diseases, so install ductwork above the kitchen fireplace area.

So, will you use a range hood on an open fire in your home? And did I cover everything you wanted to know? 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 in your kitchen. Thanks for reading, and stay 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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