
You might have thought that you already have enough on your plate trying to choose the right color and style of range hood for your kitchen. But, I’m about to complicate it a bit.
You also need to consider the size of the stove vis-à-vis the size of range hood. Very simply put, a range hood that’s smaller than the stove will not be very effective at venting all the grease, odor, smoke, steam, and fumes that cooking produces. A range hood that’s too large for the stove will be too effective at doing its job. In other words, it will waste more energy than is necessary, which may end up costing you more on your energy bill. You’ll also pay much more for a larger range hood than a smaller one. All that extra money you’re spending is basically wasted if you end up with a range hood that’s just not right for your kitchen.
So, keep these tips in mind.
Fan Size
At a minimum, don’t look at any range hood that has less than 300 CFM (What is CFM?) for an average 36-inch wide stove. Even with an electric stove, that amount of fan size just won’t be enough for average use. Look for a minimum of 750 CFM for an average 36-inch wide stove. So, the wider the stove, the wider the range hood. Also consider whether you’re cooking with electric or gas. Gas will produce more fumes than electric, and so you’ll need a hood fan that’s powerful enough to expel those fumes to the outdoors.
Room Size
The ultimate reason for having a range hood at all is to ensure the purest indoor air possible. All of our appliances, not just the stove, give off fumes, odors, steam … you name it. Allowing that polluted air to remain inside our homes can, in the long run, affect our health. So, consider how large your kitchen is when shopping for a range hood. Just like any air purifier, you’ll want a range hood that can circulate and exchange the air in the kitchen every 5 minutes or so.
Ductwork Size
Just because all or most of the ductwork sits unseen behind walls does not mean you don’t have to think about it. Consider how many times that ductwork must twist and turn before it meets the outside wall of your home. Consider also the diameter of that ductwork. The further the ductwork has to travel between the range hood and the outside wall, the larger in diameter it should be. Also, more powerful range hoods require larger ductwork.
One Further Tip
Here’s what our experts suggest:
The ideal width of your range hood should be six inches wider than your cooking surface (overhanging by three inches on either side). Having the range hood wider than the range allows for additional capture area, which allows for more efficient ventilation. Where space is restricted, the hood should be no less than the width of the cooking surface. Island units are a bit less forgiving than wall mounted units, and they require the additional 6 inches of capture area due to drafts within the room. Abiding by these recommendations will ensure optimal performance from your range hood.
If you’re not sure how to put all this information together, give us a call. We love hearing from you! You can also ask a contractor who has experience installing range hoods.