A range hood is a must-have item in any kitchen. Range hoods are not only attractive, but they also serve a practical role. They’re in charge of eliminating odors, heat, and contaminants from the air in your kitchen as you cook and, ultimately, keeping your kitchen clean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether you’re remodeling your kitchen or want to learn more about the different options, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about choosing a range hood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Range hoods remove smells, smoke, and dangerous fumes and particles from the air you breathe while cooking. The air surrounding the stove is drawn through filters or into a duct and sent out of the home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Range hoods are some of the most important appliances in your kitchen. They are responsible for keeping your home fresh and removing odors in the kitchen. Marketing manager for Broan-NuTone, Brian Wellnitz, says,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The home cooking process is the number one source of airborne pollutants in the house… The purpose of vent hoods is to capture smoke, odors, humidity, and heat at the source before they dissipate into the house.<\/p>Brian Wellnitz, Marketing manager for Broan-NuTone<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
In addition to keeping your home smelling fresh, a range hood can also:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Provide adding additional lighting for your cooktop.<\/li>
- It can help cool down your home.<\/li>
- It can help prevent grease fires.<\/li>
- It can increase the value of your home.<\/li>
- Serve as a beautiful centerpiece for your kitchen.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
What to look for when buying a range hood<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
While you might assume that all range hoods are the same, a few differences can affect how they work. Your needs and kitchen layout will determine which range hood is best for you<\/a>. Consider asking yourself the following questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- What is your budget?<\/span><\/li>
- Is noisle leve inpotant to you?<\/li>
- What features do you want?<\/li>
- Do you cook with a lot of spices? (Chinese or Indian foods)<\/li>
- Do you want the hood to blend in with the kitchen or stand out?<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
If you are ready to shop, check out our post on the best range hoods on the market<\/a>. Below are the ten things you need to consider when shopping for an insert range hood.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Mounting type<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Range hoods come in many different types, styles, and configurations. Wall-mount, under-cabinet, island, and microwave range hoods are the most popular types of range hoods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wall-mount range hoods<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Wall-mounted range hoods take the place of cabinets<\/a> above the stove on the wall. In most cases, removing a cabinet is required to install a wall-mount range hood. The appearance and feel of your kitchen may suffer if it isn’t designed with one goal in mind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can, however, buy hood covers to hide the ducts and make the appliance blend in better with the rest of your kitchen. In addition, many wall-mounted range hoods have a chimney-like shape and exposed vent stacks, lending an industrial feel to your kitchen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Under-cabinet range hoods<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Under-cabinet range hoods are range hoods that are installed beneath the cabinetry. They’re smaller than wall-mount and island-mount hoods, so they’re better for smaller kitchens<\/a>. They’re also typically ductless, which makes installation simple and usually doesn’t require professional help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Islands range hoods<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Large kitchens with kitchen islands typically use island hoods. They look great. However, smoke and grease have more room to spread because no barriers surround the cooking area. Thus, an island hood should be at least 6 inches wider than the cooktop<\/a> for optimal ventilation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additionally, island range hoods put a lot of strain on the ceiling because they have no walls to support their weight. That means you should pay special attention to the bracing and load on the ceiling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Insert range hoods<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
A range hood insert, also known as a “power pack,” is a type of range hood that is hidden and unseen beneath a decorative cover made of wood or copper. Range hood inserts are frequently used in the construction of custom kitchens. These hoods are designed to blend in with the rest of the kitchen and can even be installed<\/a> inside cabinets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Downdrafts range hoods<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Downdraft range hoods provide quiet ventilation while keeping the kitchen<\/a> looking tidy. The smoke or steam is drawn away from the cooking area and vented through ducts beneath the floor. Because they tuck under the stove when not in use, downdraft hoods are ideal for kitchens with limited overhead space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Microwaves (OTR) range hoods<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Microwave or OTR (over-the-range) hoods are range hoods attached to a microwave. Almost all over-the-range microwaves are ductless. OTR hoods typically have airflow ratings of between 300 and 400 CFM. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Ventilation type<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The first decision you must make when shopping for a range hood is whether you want a ducted or ductless model. While ducted systems are the most common, there are also ductless and convertible options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ducted<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Ducted (or vented) range hoods take air particles from your kitchen and exhaust them outside through ductwork. They do a good job of removing smoke and odors, but you must install ducts. Also, you should never exhaust your range hood into an attic or basement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Consider the location of your ductwork and the vent location on the range hood. For example, some range hoods vent only at the top, while others vent from the sides or the back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Consider installing a backdraft damper to prevent air from escaping back into the house via ductwork. Backdraft dampers are sometimes included in range hoods, or your home may already have one built into the ductwork.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Ductless<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Ductless (or recirculating) range hoods filter and circulate air back into your home. They’re not as effective at removing smoke and cooking odors, but they’re much easier to set up. They have filters that must be cleaned and replaced regularly to keep them working properly<\/a>. Ductless hoods are often significantly less expensive<\/a> than ducted models. A ductless range hood is usually easy to install and doesn’t need to be done by a professional<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Convertible<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Some buyers prefer convertible range hoods because they can be used with or without ducts. To change a ducted hood into a ductless hood, you usually have to buy a recirculating kit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Size<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Unless you completely rebuild your kitchen, your range hood will have to fit within specific dimensions, so hood size is critical. In general, your range hood should be at least as wide as your cooktop. Size is measured in width, so a 30-inch range hood is 30 inches wide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Range hoods are available in a few standard sizes. Most range hoods are available in 30 inches, 36 inches, 42 inches, and 48 inches wide<\/strong>. However, you may also find a few as small as 24 inches, 28 inches, and as large as 54 inches and 60 inches (notice how they tend to go up by six inches).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most range hoods on the market are 30 inches wide because the standard width of a kitchen range is 30 inches. This size is good for most kitchens, but people with larger stoves or a custom kitchen may want something bigger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most experts recommend a hood size larger than your range<\/a>, so if your stove is 30 inches wide, get a 36-inch hood to collect all the particles that fly around while you cook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Power (CFM)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
CFM (cubic feet per minute)is the amount of air moved each minute. This value is determined by how “powerful” your range hood is. CFM measures the rate at which air is moved<\/a> but not the efficiency with which it is removed or redistributed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can figure out how many CFM you’ll need for your kitchen by multiplying the BTU<\/a> of your stove by 100. For example, a range hood with a minimum CFM rating of 220 is required if your stove has a BTU rating of 22,000 BTUs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most kitchens with electric ranges will benefit from a CFM of at least 300, while those with gas burners will benefit from a CFM of at least 800. Range hoods with CFMs of 300 to 500 will, on average, be enough for most kitchens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Noise level<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Range hoods can get loud. The noise level of a range hood is given in sones, but some manufacturers also list the noise level in decibels (dB). The faint volume of sound produced by your refrigerator is one sone. The average conversation volume is four sones. While cooking, any noise level less than 65 dB (or 13 sones) should be acceptable. High CFM range hoods are generally noisier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use the handy chart below to help you visualize sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n