If you’re considering a ventilation system for your kitchen, this range hood buying guide will address several things you should consider as you get ready to shop.
Are you an avid sizzler, sauteer and griller? If so, it’s time to clear the air. Help keep your home fresh by pairing your cooking surface with the right ventilation system.
Here’s what you need to know if you are looking for a ventilation system to pair with your cooktop, range top or range cooking surface.
Table of Contents
The Basics
When it comes to choosing a ventilation system or range hood, think about your cooking needs, your space and your kitchen aesthetic.
Ventilation can help improve air quality in the kitchen. Indoor air quality is improved when using a ventilation product in your kitchen, effectively absorbing cooking by-products before they damage cabinets, countertops or fabric.
Replacing or Buying New
If you’re replacing an existing system and do not want to make changes to your layout and duct work, your options are fairly straightforward.
However if you are doing a renovation that includes a new kitchen layout, there are many different ventilation options to choose from.
Recirculating or Vented
One important thing to note is that ventilation systems come in two primary types.
Recirculating systems or non-vented systems capture cooking odors, steam and smoke and pass them through an air filter, resulting in cleaned air that can then be recirculated into the home.
The benefit of this type of system is that since it doesn’t require an external vent, you can place it almost anywhere, thus expanding your kitchen design possibilities.
If your home currently has a recirculating system, this is generally the easiest solution when upgrading to a new one.
The second type of system is more common, a vented exhaust system.
Vented exhaust systems pull smoke, steam and odors and expel them outside. Remember most ventilation products have an exterior venting option as it’s a common type of venting in the market.
Size and Capture Area
No matter what style of hood you choose, make sure it’s sized to match your cooking surface.
Ventilation hoods come in four standard widths: 24 inch, 30 inch, 36 inch and 48 inch wide, just like standard cooktops
For example, if you have a 30 inch cooktop ,choose a 30 inch ventilation system to match.
CFM Considerations
The power and capacity of a ventilation system is measured in CFM or cubic feet per minute. The volume of air a ventilation system can filter each minute.
It is important to choose a properly sized ventilation unit with the right CFM level, as a too low CFM rating may not completely clear the air in your kitchen.
If you choose a ventilation system where the CFM is too high, it can create negative pressure in the space, which means that air needs to be replenished in some other way.
This may be from undesirable sources, such as attics, crawl spaces gas, water heaters or exhaust fans.
If your cooking style includes a lot of blackening, searing and frying, you should consider a higher CFM to keep your home smelling fresh. Otherwise you may require a lower CFM.
Some manufacturers offer pairing guides to help identify which ventilation products are compatible with each cooking appliance.
Always check with the manufacturer for this information before making a purchase.
Configurations and Options
Where is your existing cooking surface located or where will you relocate it after a renovation?
These factors are important in choosing the right ventilation system for your home.
Wall Mount Hood
Wall mount hoods are mounted above the cooking surface. They pull vapor and steam from the air before it can circulate through your home.
They are available in a variety of decorating styles from rustic to industrial, creating an eye-catching professional kitchen look.
As indicated by its name, a wall mount hood is affixed to the wall not cabinetry.
There is also a selection of island hoods available in the marketplace, if your cooking system is located within an island rather than against a wall.
Under Cabinet Hoods
These hoods are installed directly below the cabinet space and directly above the cooking system against the wall.
There is also under cabinet ventilation that slides out over the cooking system. This allows your kitchen to appear more integrated when not in use.
Microwave Hood Combination
Short on space? A microwave hood may be the solution you’re looking for.
This space-saving design features a microwave with a built-in ventilation system.
They are secured against an overhead cabinet and a wall, and can be recirculating or vented.
Select manufacturers offer a low profile microwave hood combination. Whirlpool MHC features a low profile design and compresses a microwave oven and high efficiency hood into the same under cabinet space, normally occupied by a standard range hood alone.
Wall mount, island, under cabinet and microwave hood combinations can all typically be installed as vented systems or non-vented recirculating systems.
Additionally these configurations can all typically accommodate vertical roof venting or horizontal wall venting.
Sound
Sound is a key consideration when choosing a ventilation product for your home.
Sound is measured in zones and you’ll typically see ventilation products range between 1 and 10 or more zones.
Products with the low zones rating are more quiet than products with a high zones rating.
Retractable Downdraft
Retractable downdraft systems are another option.
They’re virtually invisible when not in use, remaining flush with the countertop until needed.
When in use they rise above the cooking system for efficient steam, smoke and grease capture and for effective venting.
They generally are available in 30 or 36 inch widths, and are compatible with most 36 or 30 inch cooktops of the same size, including some commercial style cooking surfaces.
These systems can generally be installed as vented systems or non-vented recirculating systems.
Vented systems can typically accommodate venting through the sides, rear or through the floor. The motor box can be installed on either side for extra design flexibility.
Custom Ventilation
Custom ventilation allows you more design flexibility for your kitchen. It features a vent system mounted on the inside of a custom cover.
The cover can be made of metal, wood, plaster or tile, with optional motors for different levels of ventilation power.
Requiring a blower and hood liner, they can be installed inside a cabinet and then placed against a wall.
There are two types of blowers, inline and internal.
Inline blowers are typically installed in the attic. They are the same motor as what could be placed in an internal hood blower as noise is not a consideration since they are installed far away from the kitchen.
Internal blowers sit directly above your cooking space. They are easy to maintain given the blower is more easily accessible.
Hood liners with overhead lining and the ability to trap grease are also available. Take a look at the industry offerings for a smoothly run kitchen ventilation system.
Perimeter Ventilation
Some ventilation products offer perimeter ventilation.
Perimeter venting concentrates the airflow in much the same way a vacuum cleaner’s crevice attachment does to improve suction.
Air accelerates as it is pulled toward and through the narrow slots around the ventilation hood’s perimeter cover.
Once inside the ventilation hood, air passes through grease filters which help remove steam, smoke and grease from the air before it’s exhausted from the kitchen.
Color and Style
Ventilation systems are often color matched to other appliances in the home and for that reason are usually available in white, black, stainless steel and black stainless steel.
Otherwise with a custom hood, you can choose from a variety of materials and paint colors, allowing you to match your cabinetry or make a statement in the kitchen with a bold color.
Cleaning Grease Filters
On vented systems filters help catch grease, steam and smoke from the air before it’s exhausted. On recirculating systems generally charcoal filters are used.
They clean the air so that it can be exhausted back into the home.
Always check the manufacturer’s use and care guide for cleaning and maintenance instructions.
Installation
Please review the manufacturer’s guide for a successful installation process.
You may need a duct extension kit to ensure you have sufficient ducts to vent to the exterior of the home.
We hope you found this range hood buying guide helpful as you plan your purchase.