range hoods

Whisk away smoke and odors with a new ventilation system that matches or exceeds your cooktop’s requirements. Here’s what you need to know before choosing a model.

Vent Fan Capacity

Vent fan capacity is rated by how many cubic feet of air per minute (cfm) a fan removes. If you use the vent fan once or twice a day and cook on a conventional electric range, you need a fan rated at 160–200 cfm. For similar use with a conventional gas range, choose a vent fan with a capacity of 200–300 cfm. If you do lots of cooking on a professional- or semiprofessional-style gas range, you’ll need as much as 1,500 cfm.

Fan Sound Level

The sound level is measured in sones. Lower numbers designate quieter units. One sone, for example, is similar to the sound of a quiet refrigerator in a quiet room. Doubling the sone rating is the same as doubling the sound level of the appliance.

Hood Width

The width of the ventilation hood should never be less than the width of the cooking surface. In most cases, it should be wider than the cooking surface to help trap more smoke, grease, and odors.

Mounting Height

It’s crucial that your ventilation hood be the proper distance above your cooking surface. The recommended installation height for conventional hoods is usually 18–24 inches above the cooking surface and 24–30 inches for high-performance hoods. Refer to the installation manuals for your hood and your cooktop or range for specific instructions.

Design Options

Several different types of range hoods are available to fit your installation needs.

Undercabinet: These hoods work well with ranges or cooktops that produce few BTUs. They mount to the wall or to the bottom of a wall cabinet, through which ductwork can be routed outside.

Chimney Hoods: These models work where there are no cabinets directly above the range or cooktop, bottom left. They mount with a decorative cover that hides the ductwork, offering a stylish focal point in a kitchen.

Island Hoods: As their name implies, these models are used above islands, bottom middle; they’re mounted to the ceiling and vented through ductwork above. An island hood should be wider than the cooktop—ideally by 3 inches on both sides.

Custom Inserts: A custom insert offers unlimited design choices. The guts of the ventilation are hidden in a surround, so these inserts can be hidden in cabinetry that matches the rest of your kitchen.

Downdrafts: These ventilation fans, bottom right, draw out air through ductwork under the floor. Downdraft ventilation offers space efficiency and a sleek look; they can be a good choice in kitchens with a cathedral ceiling or where a traditional hood would block the view.