Buying a new range hood can be confusing and frustrating if you don’t know what to look for.
It’s important to size your range hood correctly to avoid poor performance and difficult installation.
Installing the right size range hood will allow for proper moisture and heat dissipation along with being a remedy for cooking grease.
This article will explain what size range hood you will need for your range or cooktop.
Determining the proper range hood size
When choosing a new range hood, you need to ensure it’s the same width as the range or cooktop. It is best to have it sized 3 inches longer on both sides.
Range hoods are generally available between 30 and 36 inches wide. To get the best performance out of the range hood, install it 20 to 24 inches away from an electric cooktop and 24 to 30 inches from a gas cooktop.
Always refer to the owner’s manual for height requirements and mounting procedures.
What is the purpose of a range hood?
Range hoods are kitchen appliances that are mounted above your cooktop to improve the air quality in your kitchen.
It does this by using fans to remove odors, smoke, grease, and any other pollutant that can be in the air when cooking.
Not only do range hoods look great, but they are also very effective in filtering the air and removing unwanted contaminants.
How high should my range hood be mounted?
A typical range hood should be mounted 20 – 24″ above an electric cooktop. If you are using a gas cooktop, you should mount the hood between 24 – 30″ above it.
These numbers are the normal height to mount your range hood but check the manufacturer’s recommendation before installing.
6 things to consider before buying a range hood?
Not all range hoods are the same. Some are designed differently and there are a wide range of them to choose from. You will have several options and choosing the right one for you can be difficult.
Here are a few important things to consider before buying your range hood.
- Size
- Noise
- Mounting options
- Ventilation
- Power
- Filters
The size of the range hood is important. As mentioned, you should buy one that is sized according to your cooktop size. It should be at least the same width and if possible up to 3″ wider.
Noise is something that is a concern for most people. Some range hoods can be louder than others. They will all make noise but some are worse than others. The fan blower noise can be fairly loud on some models so it’s something you should consider.
Range hoods are available with several different mounting options. They can be mounted in cabinets, above kitchen islands, or along the wall. Choose the mounting option that works for you.
One of the most important decisions to make is how the range hood will be ventilated. Vented or ducted range hoods is preferred as the air is redirected to the outside.
Non vented range hoods pull air through a filter and then redirects the air back into the kitchen area.
Convertible range hoods allow for a ducted or non-ducted setup.
The amount of power from your range hood is measured in CFM or cubic foot per minute. Depending on the type of cooking you will be doing, choose the strength accordingly.
For example, if you like to do plenty of heavy cooking that requires strong ventilation, choose a range hood that has at least 350 CFM.
If you have a gas cooktop, you can use a range hood that is 1 CFM per 100 BTU as a guide. For example, if your gas cooktop is 36,000 BTU, choose a range hood that is at least 360 CFM.
You will also have the option of different filters for your range hood. Depending on the type of range hood you are using, choose the filters designed for it.
Keeping the filters cleaned will improve performance and save money. Some filters are washable while others are not. Some you will need to replace over time.
Other range hood features to consider
As mentioned, not all range hoods are the same. Some may have different features than others.
On top of choosing the proper sized range hood, some other features to consider include:
- Lighting
- Digital clock and timer
- Auto shut off for the fan
- Heat sensors
- Indicator lights for filter changes
- Wifi capability
Yes, it is possible to control your range hood through wifi connection with your smartphone.
Summary
Choosing the right-sized range hood is important and there are many different things to consider. Keep in mind that the hood you choose should be at least the same width as your cooktop and 3 inches wider on each side if possible.
If you do this and keep the other considerations mentioned here in mind, you are well on your way to choosing the right range hood for your current home.