Buying a range hood for your kitchen is not a straightforward as you may think. Sure, most range hoods will do the job of extracting heat from your kitchen during cooking. However, there are plenty of other considerations such as ventilation power, smart functions, safety features, and so much more that can make your range hood the best decision you’ve ever made – if you know what to look for.

At Appliance Palace, we want you to be certain that the appliance you choose will live up to your expectations before you buy it. So we’ve picked our experts’ brains to learn everything our customers should know about range hoods before browsing our vast inventory of high-quality appliances. That way, you’ll be able to quickly and efficiently narrow down your search to the features and functions you need – or didn’t know that you needed.

Before You Buy

The last thing you want on delivery day is to find out you can’t use your new range hood. Let’s go through some basic housekeeping tips to determine which models are compatible with both your preferences and your installation space.

-       For Ducted Range Hoods: Double check local ordinances and building codes regarding range hood installation. Certain codes require specific duct sizes, materials, and maximum blower speed regardless of whether more powerful blower options are available.

-       Optimal Sizes: To ensure efficient air capture, the range hood you purchase should be equal or greater than the width of your cooktop.

-       Optimal Heights: To prevent damage to your hood, there are recommended height clearances for both gas and electric/induction cooktops. Range hoods should be approximately 24”-30” over a gas setup due to their higher heat levels and 20”-24” over an electric surface since they produce less ambient heat. Some professional-grade ranges/rangetops can require up to 36” of height clearance because of their commercial-grade heat outputs, but always check the manufacturer’s specifications to confirm optimal height clearances.

-       Optimal Power: A range hood’s power is measure in CFM, or cubic feet per minute. Since different cooktops release different heat levels, you should choose a hood that can match your unit’s output. To calculate an appropriate CFM, use the following:

• For Gas Cooktops: Add 100 CFM for every 10,000 BTUs of your cooktop burners’ combined heat output.
• For Electric Cooktops: Add 34 CFM for every 1,000 Watts of your cooktop elements’ combined heat output.

Configuration Types

Configuration refers to the ventilation style of your range hood. When deciding on a configuration, it is important to first consider where you intend to install it and what ductwork is available to you. Let’s go through the basics of each to narrow down your selection.

-       Ducted Range Hoods: Most range hoods expel air outside of your home. To do this, the hood needs to be connected to your kitchen’s available ductwork. Ducted hoods cannot be installed in kitchens where no connecting ductwork is available.

-       Non-Ducted Range Hoods: Select range hoods can be installed in a kitchen, even if it does not have ductwork. These configuration types recirculate air back into your kitchen after removing grease and odors, but unlike ducted models, they do not remove heat, steam, or combustion gases. Therefore, they are only recommended for kitchens where light cooking will be done or extra ventilation options are available, like windows.

-       Convertible Range Hoods: Convertible hoods are appliances that are compatible with every type of kitchen, whether or not they have ducting. However, you will often have to buy a separate recirculation kit accessory to use them as non-ducted units.

Installation Types

When referring to a range hood, “installation type” is associated with two factors – its appearance and the spot in which you intend for it to go. Even if you find a hood you like, your cabinetry and cooktop placement may not be able to accommodate it without remodeling. Let’s go through a rundown of the various range hoods installation types so you can get an idea which kitchen setups they are best suited for.

Wall Mount Range Hoods

Wall mount designs are the most common installation types for kitchens. Their wide canopies and unobstructed chimneys divide cabinetry, creating a visual focal point above your cooktop or range. Canopy shapes vary, with some being rounded and others being trapezoidal. Select high-end models can include glass canopies that lend a luxury look to your kitchen.

Under Cabinet Range Hoods

Most under cabinet hoods have large canopies similar to wall mount units. However, they do not have a visible chimney. This is concealed inside cabinetry placed above the hood, giving it a more integrated appearance without sacrificing very much storage space. Low-profile variations come with a slide-out canopy, maintaining a minimalist aesthetic while enabling efficient air capture.

Island Mount Range Hoods

Island hoods are designed specifically for cooktops installed on a kitchen island. Their appearance is nearly identical to a wall hood, the only difference being that the chimney is centered over the center of the canopy for a symmetrical design. Their physical size creates a visual focal point in the center of your kitchen.

Insert Hoods

Insert hoods are completely concealed in your cabinetry with no visible canopy or ductwork. Alternatively, a hood insert can be placed inside a custom canopy made from the material of your choice, such as wood. They have the potential to be as unobtrusive or as eye-catching as you like depending on which option you choose. All controls are located around the perimeter of the grille on the bottom.

Downdraft Range Hoods

Downdraft models were invented by the luxury brand, JennAir, in the 1960s. These unique hood designs are installed behind your cooktop, rising approximately 14”-18” from your counter to reach the top of even tall stockpots when in use. When you are done cooking, the entire unit retracts back into your countertops, virtually disappearing from sight. Downdraft hoods are especially useful when installed on kitchen islands since they preserve cabinet space along the walls of your kitchen and can remove themselves to make room for party platters or other items.

Ceiling Mount Range Hoods

Ceiling mount range hoods are essentially a low-profile version of an island hood. Rather than coming down from the ceiling with a chimney and canopy, a ceiling mount hood appears as a flat panel that uses perimeter suction. This ventilation style draws air and other contaminants through narrow gaps around the edge of the hood instead of a central filter. One unique advantage of this installation type is that select models can be made panel ready, allowing you to conceal most of the appliance above a custom panel that matches your ceiling paint.

Special Mention: Over-the-Range Microwaves

Select combination appliances integrate a range hood extraction fan into a microwave which can be installed under your cabinetry. Low-profile units are available for cabinetry that is installed closer to your countertops.

Filter Types

While ductwork can extract most hot air and steam, range hoods must be equipped with one or multiple types of specialized filter types to effectively remove airborne contaminants that can harm you or the integrity of your range hood.

Baffle Filters

Baffle filters are the most potent filter types. They are crafted with either stainless steel or aluminum and protect both your fan and motor from oil and grease buildup. Their angled panels force air to change direction, condensing grease particles which trickle down into a collection tray. Most baffle filters are dishwasher-safe, making them extremely easy to clean after a heavy-duty cooking session.

Mesh Filters

Mesh filters are a lightweight version of baffle filters intended for your average cooking needs. They are designed with aluminum or stainless steel mesh that traps grease but wears down and clogs quicker than baffle filters. These filter types are also dishwasher-safe.

Charcoal Filters

Charcoal filters are most often found in convertible and non-ducted hoods which recirculate air into your kitchen. Activated carbon granules absorb odors and smoke, but cannot remove grease and other contaminants without being paired with the previously mentioned filter types. Charcoal filters are not washable, so make sure to replace them every 3-6 months depending on your hood’s usage frequency.

Premium Features and Design Elements

Modern range hoods have numerous features and design elements to help you tailor ventilation to your personal needs, including:

-       Bluetooth hood synchronization from select brands automatically start and adjust range hood power based on heat detected from the cooktop surface.

-       Tunable lighting lets you precisely adjust the brightness of your hood from a gentle night light when not in use to complete illumination during a busy cooking session.

-       Remote control accessories allow you to control the hood’s functions without having to stand and reach, which accommodates to those with accessibility needs.

-       Matching color and trim options from select brands like ILVE allow you to equip your kitchen with a fully coordinated range and hood combination.

-       Smart Features and Wi-Fi Connectivity add hands-free functionality to your range hood, letting you operate it by means of a smartphone app or even your voice.

Smart Range Hoods and Wi-Fi Features

Whether it’s your phone to your Bluetooth speaker, your computer to your TV, and now even with appliances, the era of “smart” and “connected” devices is going strong. However, most people are not sure of the difference between smart appliances and connected appliances.

Smart Range Hoods

“Smart” refers to intuitive operations initiated by the range hood unit when certain sensors are triggered. An example of this is GE’s Chef Connect feature which allows select cooktop units to communicate with compatible GE range hoods. When a burner is activated, the range hood’s fan will automatically activate at comparable ventilation speeds to efficiently extract the heat being released.

Connected Range Hoods

“Connected” refers to Wi-Fi compatibility. Connected range hoods can send notifications to your smartphone, allow the manufacturer to perform remote diagnostics, let you operate the hood with your voice using a smart home manager, and so much more. One of the most impressive modern examples of this is LG’s ThinQ® app which connects to their range hoods. Using the ThinQ® app, you can turn your range hood on or off from another room in your home, so you don’t have to wait around in a hot kitchen after cooking is done.