Unsure which hood to buy for your cooktop ? Here ’s a agile guide to kitchen ventilation options and factors to consider .
Annie Schlechter
Kitchens can get smoky , smelly , and live . right ventilation allows comfortable employment of your kitchen , regardless of what ’s on the computer menu . Range hood are intact to common kitchen ventilation organisation . They work toremove smoke , airborne grease , and heat from cooktops . They can also enhance the esthetic of your space by add up a dramatic focal dot .

Credit:Annie Schlechter
Types of range hoods include wall canopy , under - cabinet , and island canopy hood . The good hood for your kitchen will depend on numerous factors , including size , layout , make preference , and cost . This templet to the different types of range bonnet on the market can help you make an informed decision about which is good for your home .
Types of Range Hoods
There are many types of range , release , and stave hoods that filtrate out undesirable kitchen heat , smoke , and odors . usual type of ambit hoods include :
Wall-Mount Canopy Range Hoods
These range hoods are typically mounted against the kitchen wall . They tend to be large enough to form for residential and commercial kitchens . The ideal distance between the bottom of the hood and the cooktop is between 28"–36 " to capture the cooking exhaust fumes without damaging the range hood .
Under-Cabinet Range Hoods
Under - cabinet range hoods are installed under kitchen wall cabinet . These hoods have distance - save benefits . They are less bulky and can be seamlessly integrated into any kitchen design . They use a lover to draw in and dribble cheating air , then vent the line outside through an exhaust fumes fan . Some can recirculate fair air travel back into the kitchen . They are easy to instal and price - effectual . Some manikin come with a brightness level and energy - efficient capabilities . The downside is that they have limited ventilation power and can be quite noisy . Also , these types of hood may not be very compatible with larger cooktops .
Chimney or Island Range Hoods
These stove hood are typically set up on the cap , directly above a kitchen stove orcooktop build into a kitchen island . These strong-armer offer a flexible kitchen pattern . Compared to ducted island compass hood , the ductless ones are gentle and inexpensive to install .
Over-the-Range Hoods or Micro Hoods
These range lens hood are built into the microwave oven . They areplaced above the kitchen range or cooktopand act as a range hood . This type of hood can either be ducted or ductless . However , it requires at least 16 vertical inches between the bottom of the microwave and the top of the stove or cooktop .
Downdrafts
Downdrafts are ideal for kitchens that can not spare upper cabinet or ceiling infinite . They commonly rest hidden , integrated into the kitchen range , or instal separately . pot and aroma are sucked downwards and give vent out through ductwork beneath the storey . Recirculating or ductless kits are also uncommitted .
Laurie Black
Factors to Consider When Choosing Kitchen Ventilation
Venting Strength (CFM Rating)
chain of mountains hoods come in various shapes , sizes , and venting powers . The lastingness of venting is measure out in cubic metrical unit per minute ( CFM ) , which represents the book of air in cubic feet that the devotee can take away from the kitchen each minute . Cooktops are measured by the British thermal units ( BTU ) of energy they farm . The general rule of quarter round is that for every 100 BTU , you need 1 CFM . Cooktop manufacturer typically specify the CFM each scope hood should have . However , a ventilation system with a eminent CFM military rating is always a good idea , as cooking styles and frequencies can vary greatly .
Venting Options
After prefer the type of range hood , you ’ll need to select the venting selection : external ( ducted),recirculating ( ductless ) , orconvertible ventilation . Ducted hoods lick by pushing gentle wind out of the house through ductwork in the wall or ceiling . Ductless hoods pass gentle wind through a filter before recirculating it back into the room . A convertible range hood is a loan-blend with extraneous venting and recirculating capability .
Size and Fit
The breadth of your vent hood should be slightly larger than your stovetop . Rather than an exact match , you ’ll need the cowling to be 3 in orotund on each side for complete coverage and optimal venting .
Installation
By definition , any kind of ductless range hood is easier to install than any ducted whole , which requires professional facility . For DIYers , ductless hoods , such as canopy and microwave bonnet , are simple to install .
Filtration System
Mesh filter consist of bed of stacked metal interlock . They are hard to scavenge and can deteriorate chop-chop over the long - condition . Slow origin and loud noises indicate that the filter is n’t fully light . Baffle filter are normally made with a gamy - quality metal , such as stainless steel , mild steel , or aluminum . charcoal gray filtersdo not necessitate to be cleaned but require transposition after about 120 hours of cooking or every 3 to 6 month .
Cost
For a limited budget , one - speed recirculating canopy units offer a great note value at as minuscule as $ 50 . The price can go up to $ 6,000 for artisan - grade , riveted , and forge copper range of mountains cowling . Every price point in between can offer featues that determine noise stage , styles , flexibility of hood inserts , material used , automatic speed horizontal surface adaption , and illuminate .

Credit:Laurie Black