How to choose a range hood for your kitchen

—*Article supplied by Proline Rangehoods

*Article supplied by Proline Rangehoods

A range hood is a ventilation fan that removes unwanted contaminants from your kitchen air. 

It is a beautiful and functional appliance for any kitchen whether you’re building a new home, remodeling, or replacing your microwave.

When shopping for a range hood, some features of range hoods are more important than others; we’ll go over four of the most crucial things to consider when choosing your range hood, starting with the highest priority.

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The first thing you’ll want to consider when choosing a range hood for your kitchen is what type of range hood you need. There are several different types of range hoods: wall range hoods, island range hoods, under cabinet range hoods, outdoor hoods, downdraft hoods, and more! The three most common are wall, island, and under cabinet. Wall hoods mount on your wall, island hoods mount above your kitchen island and vent through your ceiling, and under cabinet hoods are installed under or between your kitchen cabinets. 

Often, your kitchen design will determine the type you need. For example, if your range is on the kitchen island, you’ll need an island range hood. Seems obvious, right?

But sometimes, you’ll have several options at your disposal. You may be rebuilding your kitchen, in which case you can choose where you want your range and therefore your range hood.

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The second thing to consider when choosing a range hood for your kitchen is the size of your range hood. Its size will depend on the size of your range. For wall and under cabinet hoods, purchase a range hood the same width as your range.

For island hoods, your range hood should span three inches wider than your range on each side. For example, if you have a 42” wide range on your kitchen island, you’ll want a 48” island range hood. Island hoods pull your kitchen air from all sides, so you’ll want one that is larger than your range to keep your kitchen air clean.

In today’s homes, 36” range hoods are the most popular. But residential range hoods come in sizes from 24” to 60”, so even if you have a unique kitchen, with some research you can find the right hood for your kitchen.

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Range hoods work by pulling air through filters which collect and trap grease and dirt from your kitchen air. You have two venting options: ducted and ductless.

Ducted hoods vent air to the outside of your home through ductwork. Island hoods vent through your ceiling, while wall and under cabinets can vent through your ceiling or horizontally out an exterior side wall. They clean your air with incredible efficiency, moving all the unwanted contaminants outside your home. This is the best option for removing unwanted air from your home.

You can also purchase a ductless hood, which recirculates your air through charcoal filters and back into your kitchen. A ductless hood is fantastic if you live in a place where you cannot install ductwork, like an apartment or condo.

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The last vital aspect of your range hood is its power. All range hoods are built with at least one blower unit that includes a motor. This motor is the heart of the hood; your air won’t be clean without it. 

Range hoods pull air in cubic feet per minute, or CFM. Most residential range hoods pull between 300 and 900 CFM of air. Depending on how often you cook and what type of food you cook, you may need more than 900 CFM. If you cook a lot of Asian food, greasy food, pizzas, or other high-heat foods will require more CFM – both to keep your kitchen cool and manage the heavy amount of smoke.

Most range hoods operate at multiple speeds with the lower speeds being quieter and less energy-intensive.

Pro tip: Keep your range hood on the lower speeds to conserve power and converse more easily with their family and guests while cooking!

The four factors discussed above involve either your home layout and your cooking habits. If you think through these factors carefully, you’ll be well on your way to choosing the perfect range hood for you.