All About Range Hoods

A range of possibilities

At one time a purely functional device used to eliminate bothersome smoke and grease from cooking areas, kitchen range hoods have developed a new life as decorative centerpieces. A favorite of architects and industrial designers, kitchen range hoods inform the decor of a room, be it modern, rustic, or eclectic. 

Sculptural forms, stark lines, and bold metals create a European, modern look, while square shapes and strong angles convey a sense of the traditional.  Although stainless steel dominated for decades, contemporary range hoods come in a variety of materials from copper to wood to stone. 

Whether exposed or covered by plaster, these workhorses say as much about the tastes of the owner as his or her cooking.  All the larger appliance manufacturers produce range hoods, as do smaller, artisanal operations.

Before you buy…

Tips and considerations

Ideally, 18 to 24 inches of space should exist between the bottom edge of the range hood and the cook surface. The hood should completely cover the surface area of the cook top. The speed and volume of air a range hood can handle varies by model; be sure to choose one powerful enough to accommodate the stove.  Larger, more powerful models tend to make more noise.

In terms of venting, less is more.  The best hoods attach to the wall and feed directly to an outside vent. While hoods can be mounted under a cabinet or the overhang of some other structural element, contemporary design favors a large, substantial hood mounted directly to the wall. Duct work should take the most direct route to the outside, circumventing any extraneous turns, angles, or curves.

Hoods without a direct duct connection to the outdoors, like those that hang from the ceiling over a kitchen island or butcher block, do not perform the vital function of clearing fumes.   Rather, a fan in the unit simply circulates air, dispersing the concentration of potentially harmful agents into the room.  The filter on the unit may trap some particles, but in general, everything that passes through it makes its way back into the air.

The outside of the hood can be cleaned with mild detergent and a rag or sponge. Any filters inside must be maintained in order to keep the unit functioning.  Non-ducted range hoods use disposable filters.  Reusable filters and aluminum grease traps can often be run through the dishwasher.  Some advanced range hoods employ an electronic sensor and indicator light to signal the need for a filter change.

More information on range hoods