A range hood is a kitchen appliance that vents grease and smoke from your cooking to the outside. A range hood neutralizes strong cooking odors. It keeps heavy grease off your walls, cabinets, and ceiling. It is an efficient replacement for an over-the-range microwave.

What is a convertible range hood?

A convertible range hood is a ducted hood that can be installed as ductless. Convertible hoods give you the option of converting to ductless at any point with the installation of a recirculating kit.

We have a complete guide about convertible range hoods for you. 

What is a ductless range hood?

A ductless range hood vents your kitchen air through charcoal filters and back into your home. Charcoal filters catch grease and dirt and trap cooking odors. But, they do not catch grease as efficiently as baffle filters.

What is a ducted range hood?

A ducted range hood vents heavy grease and smoke from your kitchen to the outside of your home. These hoods require ductwork to move the air to the outside. You can install ductwork yourself or hire a contractor. Range hoods typically run duct through an interior wall or through the ceiling.

What is a damper on a range hood?

A damper on a range hood is a vent that keeps debris from entering your ductwork. It opens when your hood is running and closes when it’s turned off to keep your ductwork clean. A damper also prevents greasy air from moving back into your kitchen.

Related: How can range hood inserts improve your kitchen design?

Learn more about range hood dampers right here.

What is a good sone rating for a range hood?

A good sone rating for a range hood is between 5 and 7 sones. The quietest range hoods run at about 4 sones, while more powerful hoods can reach 8 or more. A variable-speed hood is most versatile since you can use it on the quieter, lower speeds.

Check out our full guide on range hoods and sones here.

What is the best distance for a hood above a range?

The best distance for a hood above a range is between 28” and 36”. For outdoor hoods, mount the hood between 36” and 42”. This keeps the intense heat and smoke out of your kitchen.

What is the most common size for a range hood?

The most common size for a range hood is 36”. Ideally, a 36” range hood belongs over a 30” range. But, you can also mount it over a 36” range too. This is the most common size for a range in today’s kitchens.

To learn more about range hood size, click here.

What is a good CFM rating for a range hood?

To vent heavy grease and smoke from your kitchen, a good CFM rating for range hoods is at least 600 CFM. If you don’t need to remove heavy grease and strong cooking odors, then use the lower speeds. With a range hood under 600 CFM, you’ll often find yourself wanting more power.

What is a baffle filter on a range hood?

A baffle filter on a range hood is a stainless steel filter that captures grease, dirt, and oils produced from your cooking. Heavy grease builds up in the baffles which keeps it from accumulating inside your ductwork. Too much grease inside your duct cuts off your airflow and reduces the life of your hood.

What is the best duct size for a range hood?

The best duct size for a range hood depends on the hood’s power, also known as cubic feet per minute (CFM). The higher the CFM, the larger the duct you’ll need. Here are the best duct sizes for range hoods:

• 600 CFM – minimum 6” duct
• 900 CFM – minimum 8” duct
• 1200+ CFM – minimum 10” duct

How important is a range hood?

A range hood benefits everyone from casual to avid cooks. But it’s most important for people who cook often, love Asian cooking, greasy food, or frying. The more you cook, the more grease and smoke you need to vent out of the kitchen. A hood is also important for gas stoves compared to electric stoves since they produce more heat.

A range hood is important because:

1. A range hood vents heavy grease and smoke from your kitchen air, keeping your kitchen smoke-free and comfortable.
2. A range hood removes harmful contaminants like carbon monoxide from your home.
3. A range hood neutralizes strong cooking odors.

How does a hood range work?

A hood range is powered typically by one or two blowers on the inside of the vent hood. They push the air through ductwork to the outside of your home. Baffle or mesh filters catch the grease and dirt as it moves to the outside. Vent hoods also have circuit boards that power the control panel and lights.

To read more about how a range hood works, check out this guide.

Do you really need a range hood?

Many homeowners wonder if they really need a range hood, especially those who don’t do a lot of cooking. Whether or not you cook a lot, a range hood can be a valuable investment for your kitchen.

Check out our full article ‘Do I need a range hood?’ to learn more.

What are the different types of range hoods?

The different types of hoods include:

• Wall mount range hoods
• Island range hoods
• Under cabinet range hoods
• Range hood inserts
• Outdoor range hoods
• Custom range hoods
• Downdraft range hoods

Wall Mount Range Hoods

A wall mount range hood mounts on your kitchen wall. Wall hoods are popular over electric and gas ranges. They are available in both ducted and ductless styles. Also, they are one of the most versatile types of hoods, available in 24”, 30”, 36”, 42”, 48”, 54”, and 60”. The most popular wall hoods are 36”.

Island Range Hoods

An island range hood mounts over a kitchen range on your island. They are available as ducted and ductless, but it’s highly recommended to use a ducted range hood. Island hoods pull your kitchen air from all sides so they need a little more power to vent cooking exhaust to the outside. Like wall hoods, island hoods are available in a wide variety of sizes from 30” to 60”.

Under Cabinet Range Hoods

An under cabinet range hood mounts under your kitchen cabinets. They are the most popular type of ductless hood, especially for those who live in an apartment or condo where they can’t install ductwork. Most under cabinet hoods are 30” and 36” wide, but some span up to 48+ inches. They have less power than most wall hoods, so you’ll often see under cabinet hoods used over electric cooktops.

Range Hood Inserts

A range hood insert is a kitchen fan that fits inside custom cabinetry. Inserts are one of the easiest hoods to install; rather than mount it on the wall or from your ceiling, all you have to do is slide it inside the custom hood.

Custom Hoods

A custom hood is a container for a range hood insert. This can sometimes be custom cabinetry or a decorative wooden structure that holds your custom hood. Not all custom hoods are wooden. Other types include stainless steel or copper hoods. To fit the range hood insert, you need to cut a hole in the bottom of your custom hood, two inches larger than the insert itself.

Inserts come in slightly different sizes than range hoods: 28”, 34”, 40”, 46”, 52”, and 58” are the six most common sizes. A 28” insert fits perfectly inside a 30” custom hood.

Outdoor Range Hoods

An outdoor range hood is a range hood for your outdoor kitchen. These hoods have to handle the intense heat and smoke produced by your grill, so the best ones have power up to 2000 CFM. Outdoor hoods also must be mounted between 36” and 42” from the cooktop. All outdoor hoods are ducted to the outside because ductless hoods don’t have the power to vent smoke and fumes from an outdoor grill.

Downdraft Range Hoods

A downdraft range hood is a vent that sits on your oven. It sucks air downward, then moves it outside your home or recirculates air back into the kitchen. Downdraft range hoods are less efficient than standard hoods because they pull your kitchen air downward. Hot air rises, so a typical range hood catches grease and oil droplets from your kitchen air more efficiently.

To learn more about each type of range hood, check out our complete guide here.

Recap

Thanks for reading our article on ‘what is a range hood?’ A hood is a beautiful and functional kitchen appliance that cleans your kitchen air. It helps all types of cooks have a smooth, comfortable experience in the kitchen.

Did we answer all your questions about range hoods? If not, check out the articles below or browse our blog to find out more about hoods.

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