Do you need a hood over an induction cooktop?

If you have an induction cooktop, it's important to know what you need to keep your cooking environment well ventilated.

You need a range hood over an induction cooktop to vent cooking grease, oils, smoke, and strong cooking smells from your home.

A ventilation hood also keeps you and your family healthy. You don't want to breathe in all the fumes produced from your cooking. It can cause headaches, disorientation, and other similar symptoms. The EPA found that Americans spend nearly 90 percent of their time indoors, so it's even more important to improve your indoor air quality.

To learn more about range hood safety, check out our article Is it safe to cook without a range hood?

Range Hood Mounting Height Above Induction Cooktop

Your range hood should be mounted between 28 and 36 inches above an induction cooktop. This recommended height is the same installation height above an electric cooktop and gas cooktop.

You might be wondering: why is mounting height so important for proper ventilation? Well, if you mount your hood too close to the cooktop surface, then you can damage your range hood from the heat output.

Also, a hood closer to the cooking surface will let most of the greasy air escape into your kitchen. If that happens, your ventilation system isn't doing its job. You don't want that.

Think about the amount of maintenance you'd have to do. If more greasy air escapes into your cooking space, it gets on your hood, your walls, your ceiling—the list goes on. But if you mount it at the appropriate 28 to 36 inch range, it'll vent all the cooking exhaust to the outside.

What if you mount it further away, more than 36 inches? Wouldn't that solve the cleaning problem and ensure that your hood isn't damaged from the ambient heat of your range? The short answer is yes. But you need a high CFM hood to mount it 36 inches away for effective ventilation.

The same thing happens with an overhead hood too far away from the range—your kitchen air escapes back into the cooking area and your hood can't perform optimally.

The main reason people go with 36+ inches above the cooktop is if they are mounting an outdoor hood. Outdoor hoods should be mounted between 36 and 42 inches from the cooktop. You can also mount the hood further away if it has a high CFM flow rate—about 1200+. But there's no hard and fast rule for this, and ceiling height plays a role too.

Stick to 28-36 inches for hoods under 1200 CFM though. They likely won't have the power level to suck the air all the way up to your range hood and through the ductwork.

Yes, hot air rises, so you'll probably be fine if you exceed the 36 inches if necessary. But if you have the option, it's best to stay with the 28 to 36 inch range for optimal kitchen ventilation.

To learn more about range hood installation height, click here.

CFM for Induction Cooktop

Aim for at least 600 CFM for a vent hood over your induction cooktop. For cooktops above 42 inches, go with 900 or more CFM. Induction ranges are electric, so you don't need as much airflow as a hood over a gas cooktop. But it's important to have more power over a larger induction range to keep your kitchen air clean and fresh.

Induction stove tops can get quite powerful in terms of their overall wattage. High-end cooktops range between 7000 and 11000+ watts! You might be thinking that you need an incredibly high CFM range hood to vent out all the cooking exhaust.

Truthfully, while high CFM is good, induction cooktops are electric after all. This means that even though the wattage is high, you won't have to worry about combustion byproducts from gas cooking or the intense heat output of a gas stove. Induction cooking produces less heat in your cooking environment compared to gas cooktops.

That being said, the larger your inch range, the higher CFM you want for your range hood over an induction cooktop. This is true for gas and electric ranges as well. If in doubt, go with a higher CFM—measured in cubic feet per minute. This ventilation solution will save you many headaches down the road.

Imagine that you want to host a big party and you're cooking for 15 guests. Smoke fills the room and it doesn't seem to dissipate. Believe it or not, this can happen even if you have a range hood. If it's not powerful enough, the smoke and grease particles will sit in your kitchen for days.

But if you buy a hood that has more power than you need, you can enjoy clean air even while it's running at quieter fan speed settings. With induction cooking, you'll rarely need to use the max speed since the cooktop produces less heat than gas cooking.

Even if you don't use the max speed, it's nice to have it as an option for emergencies when you have to vent smoke from your kitchen in a hurry.

For your 30-inch or 36-inch ranges, check out some of the best 600 CFM range hoods here.

Or if you have a 42-inch or larger range for induction cooking, take a look at our best 900 CFM range hoods.

Best Range Hood for Induction Cooktop

The best range hood for an induction cooktop is a 600+ CFM variable speed range hood. If you buy a range hood under 600 CFM, you will find yourself wanting more power from your exhaust fan. You don't want to be in this situation since you can’t increase the max CFM of your vent hood. If you use a 42-inch range or larger for induction cooking, go with a 900 CFM vent hood.

Here's a comprehensive range hood buyer's guide to help you find the right range hood for your kitchen design.

How to Choose the Right Range Hood

You don't need to worry about a bunch of specifics when shopping for a range hood over your induction range. In fact, you consider all the same things as you would if you're shopping for a hood over an electric cooktop or gas cooktop.

Choose the Right Type of Range Hood

Most importantly, be sure to choose the right type of range hood for your kitchen layout. Over an induction stove, you'll likely either want a cabinet range hood, wall mount range hood, or an island range hood, depending on your cooking area setup. You also might see induction stoves with a custom range hood insert as well.

Size and Ducting Considerations

Beyond the type of cooktop, two of the most important things to consider are size and ducting for your ventilation system.

Buy a hood that is at least equal to the width of your induction range. If you want a little more confidence in your hood, buy one that is at least six inches larger. This way you won't have to worry about venting all the unwanted contaminants out of your kitchen. Thanks to the extra coverage of your cooking surface, your hood will capture all the cooking odors and grease particles effectively.

When it comes to ducting, you need to decide: do I need a ducted or ductless range hood?

Think about the type of cooktop you have. Induction ranges produce less heat, so you don't need as much power. Still, we recommend purchasing a ducted hood for induction ranges above 42 inches for proper ventilation. As we've said throughout the article, you don't want to be left wanting more power out of your hood.

For 30-inch and 36-inch ranges, ductless or ducted hoods are great options. Ductless hoods use charcoal filters to clean and recirculate the air. Just remember that make-up air requirements may apply for high CFM ducted systems.

Features and Design

When it comes to the filter type, lights, and range hood design, there's not one correct way to go. It's more up to your personal preference and kitchen aesthetic.

Many of the best range hoods feature LED lighting for bright, energy-efficient illumination over your cooking surface. Look for models with an intuitive control panel—some even offer remote control operation for added convenience.

Consider the overall energy efficiency of the hood and how it complements your other kitchen appliances and home appliances like wall ovens.

Finally, are you looking for some design inspiration for your dream kitchen or kitchen renovation? The possibilities are endless when it comes to range hood design—whether you're looking to deck out your home in a boho style, renovate a rustic kitchen, go with a traditional white farmhouse design, or any other kitchen style!

We have 100+ inspirational range hood ideas right here. Check them out!

Browse a wide variety of low to high-CFM ducted hoods here. FREE SHIPPING available!

Or check out our selection of professional ductless hoods at the button below. Our customer service team is happy to help you find the right range hood for your cooking experience.

Induction Cooktop FAQ