Range Hood Buying Guide

Grease buildup and airborne contaminants can be more than unpleasant in your kitchen. Properly filtering and circulating the odors naturally associated with cooking is a necessity in your home. Range hoods not only filter grease, heat and other impurities from the air, but can also become a statement piece in your kitchen. 

When shopping for a range hood for your home, there are several styles and features to consider. 

The first step in choosing a range hood is deciding on the location in your kitchen.  For the most efficient ventilation, choose a place in your kitchen where the shortest amount of ducting is necessary for proper ventilation and 90-degree bends are limited to no more than two. If you select a ducted unit, the exhaust should always be directed to the outside, never to a basement or attic.

When deciding the size of your range hood, first measure your existing or desired cooktop. The hood should be at least as wide as the range or cooktop itself.

There are several optional styles of range hoods to consider before purchase.

• Wall mount range hoods attach directly to the wall of the kitchen. They have a decorative flue that mounts flush with the ceiling or cabinets and is finished on three of the four sides to conceal unsightly exhaust piping. Many wall mount range hoods have telescoping flues to accommodate most ceiling or cabinet heights. These range hoods duct straight up for a roof exhaust, or up then horizontally for a side exhaust.




• Island mount range hoods are an easy upgrade to your kitchen. These hoods hang from the ceiling directly over an island or peninsula. Many island mount range hoods have a telescoping flue that is finished on all sides to accommodate most ceiling heights.  Ducting is similar to wall mount, where it is ducted straight up, or up and then horizontally. You may choose to hang it higher to avoid blocking views of the kitchen. To accommodate for mounting further away from the cooktop, choose a range hood that is 3” longer than the size of your range on both sides. For example, a 30” range should have a 36” hood.

 

• Under cabinet range hoods are best installed against a wall and under a small kitchen cabinet.  This versatile range hood may duct out of the back or straight up through the cabinet. These range hoods are great for saving space in the kitchen, while the cabinet above also adds convenient storage.

Choosing a material and color for your range hood is a great way to express your personal style and choose the perfect accent piece for your kitchen.

A copper range hood can add a stunning, designer look to your kitchen while traditional stainless steel range hoods bring a contemporary feel to the room. For a look that is uniquely yours, range hoods are also available with a color powdercoat such as black or white, to coordinate with your kitchen.

• Lighting – Many range hoods feature two or more halogen lights to evenly illuminate the range, making it easier to see while cooking. Some range hoods offer a dimming feature for the lights, which can be also used as a nightlight for your kitchen.

 

• CFM (Air Flow) – Cubic feet per minute measures the volume of air passing through your range hood. This number is measured when the hood is running at full speed and at zero pressure. Many installation issues may reduct a range hood's CFM, so try to minimize the distance to the outside of the home and number of bends in the duct. Gas stovetops, by design, produce more heat and therefore should be paired with a range hood with a higher CFM. 

Range hoods feature several types of filtration to accommodate your cooking needs such as aluminum, charcoal or residue cups.

Aluminum Mesh – A popular filter, aluminum mesh combines durability and dust, grease and particle-trapping capabilities into one. Many aluminum filters are dishwasher safe and easily removed for cleaning.

Charcoal – Charcoal filters are for recirculating systems and clean and eliminate chemicals in the air. Known for trapping carbon-based impurities, this type of filter minimizes cooking odor and traps grease. These filters should be replaced annually. 

Residue cups – Residue cups collect waste oil and do not allow air that contains oil to pollute the ventilation system or the kitchen. This type of filter is ideal for those who use a lot of oil while cooking. The cups are removable and provide for easy cleaning. 

Stainless Steel Baffle Filter – Grease particles collect on the stainless steel “U” shaped baffle channels and drip down into the bottom of the filter. Examine this type of filter periodically for assure that all surfaces and parts are clean. These filters can be washed with hot, soapy water.