5 Types of Range Hoods for Your Chef’s Kitchen
Range hoods are essential kitchen appliances and it is hard to imagine any workable kitchen not having one. They collect moisture, odors, airborne grease and smoke and remove them from your cooking area. I would go as far as to say that open house floorplans would not have become so hugely popular if there were no range hoods.
But range hoods are not all the same. Some are more powerful than others, some more aesthetically appealing (yes, design it important), and some serve special uses.
Here are some of the different types of range hoods for your kitchen:
1. Under Cabinet Hoods
When you imagine a range hood, the under cabinet variation easily comes into mind. It’s attached to the underside of your overhead kitchen cabinets. This equipment is typically ducted, which means that air is vented from the outside.
Ducted under cabinet hoods are ideal for homes and restaurants in the suburbs or places where you can get clean air from the outside. Not only do they provide you with effective removal of fumes and smoke, but they also draw fresh air into your kitchen.
You must consider two factors when installing under cabinet range hoods. First, make sure that the distance between your cabinet and stove or cooktop allows for the addition of this equipment. You don’t want to lose headspace and be uncomfortable while cooking.
Second, the measurement of your range hood must fit seamlessly right into your kitchen. This attachment requires a space of two to three inches on either side to facilitate its ventilation process.
2. Ductless Hoods
Ductless hoods are also attached to the underside of kitchen cabinets located above a stovetop. However, instead of sending smoke outside and bringing fresh air in, they clean the air through a filtering system and recirculate it back into the room.
This is ideal for restaurants in a bustling city, where you can’t get fresh air from the outside. Just make sure that you find a high-quality ductless range hood so that you can be sure that it can filter the air efficiently.
3. Wall-Chimney Hoods
You may have already seen a wall-chimney hood in the movies or your friends’ kitchen. It’s characterized by a canopy above the range. This section encases the internal fan, which captures the fumes, grease, and steam from the food you’re cooking. The fan then pumps the dirty air through a chimney and into a vent.
Wall-chimney hoods can be mounted on the wall above your range. This is ideal if you don’t like the bulkiness of overhead cabinets but enjoy cooking steak frequently.
4. Island Hoods
As the name suggests, island range hoods are installed above your standalone kitchen countertop. Similar to wall-chimney hoods, this type typically has a canopy and a flue where the air is sucked in and ventilated out.
The primary benefit of an island cooktop and range hood is the choice of location in the kitchen. This pairing offers a central hub, ideal not just for cooking but also for socializing. It’s an excellent choice if you want your home to have a cozy, warm kitchen filled with loving memories.
5. Downdraft Hoods
If you’re not feeling the bulkiness of massive under cabinet, wall-chimney, and island range hoods, then the downdraft variation is perfect for you. It usually comes installed within a stovetop, which means that they save on space.
The attachment can also be invisible if it’s not in use and rises for about eight to 10 inches with the push of a button when you need it. They’re the best option for smaller kitchens because you can reserve vertical space for overhead cabinets. These are also easier to clean than its full-range counterparts.
One downside to this variation, though, is that it may not be as effective in eliminating steam and grease, especially if you cook several dishes at a time, because their maximum height is only 10 inches.
Luxury range hoods play a significant role in making sure that you achieve your culinary goals. They eliminate fumes and smoke, keeping your kitchen conducive to cooking. Ducted under cabinet hoods are the most common ones, with a ductless variation.
Other types include wall-chimney hoods, which you mount on the wall above your stovetop, and island range hoods, which stand alone in the middle of your kitchen. Lastly, there’s the downdraft hood, which is ideal for small kitchens because of its space-saving properties.
