Tag Archives: range hood size

Q&A: Does The Duct Size Matter

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july 14

Now, here’s one of those important questions that can get bog one down in numbers and measurements. The reason is because the ductwork that connect the range hood to the outdoors must be accurate.

If you pair ductwork that’s narrow in diameter with a big, industrial-sized range hood, you’ll immediately notice that your new range hood just doesn’t function like it’s supposed to.

Grease, odors, steam, and fumes will settle within on your kitchen’s walls and ceilings instead of being drawn up and out of your home. So, without getting too focused on numbers, let’s just say that the ductwork must match the size and power of the range hood.

Most range hoods require a 6” or 8″ opening to the outside. If you don’t have access to outside, you have to use our Ductless Recirculation Kit. Read the manufacturers recommendation before buying. If you choose a range hood that requires 8-inch ductwork, but your previous range hood only required 6-inch ductwork, you may find yourself embarking on a little, unexpected kitchen renovation.

Have questions about which size is right for your kitchen? Give us a call!

Pro Tip: Depth Matters

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june 28

If you’ve spent any time on this blog, you’ll know that the size of the range hood really does matter. It affects both the air quality inside your home and how well it vents all of those cooking odors, grease splatters, steam, and fumes. The depth of the range hood is as important as the width.

We know, deep range hoods just make bumping your head on the corner that much more likely! But, there’s a very good reason why your kitchen’s range hood must extend the whole depth of the stove.

Here’s what our experts suggest:

The depth of your range hood should ideally cover the cooking surface of your range from front to back. Our regular hoods are usually 20″; standard PROFESSIONAL wall vent models range from 24 to 27 inches deep, depending on cooking surface requirements, while our island models are a standard 27 inches depth.

The point of extending the range hood right to the edge of the stove is so that it can better suck up all of the steam and smoke that’s produced. If the range hood is not deep enough, and you’re boiling water on the front burner, you’ll see the majority of the steam produced head straight up to the ceiling. After a little while, that steam will discolor the ceiling paint, potentially cause the paint to peel, and damage the drywall underneath the paint.

Want to know more? Read: 3 Tips On Choosing The Range Hood For Your Gas Stove

Have questions about how to choose the right size range hood for your kitchen and stove? Give us a call. We love hearing from you!

How To Choose The Right Sized Range Hood For Your Kitchen

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june 26

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.

How To Match A Range Hood With Ductwork

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Photo: Pinterest

Take a look at this picture. That sure is one very large piece of ductwork that leads from the over-size range hood to the outdoors! The professional range hood look really fits this kitchen nicely, doesn’t it? But, it does make us want to talk about something that’s very important when choosing a range hood – the size of the ductwork.

I know, it doesn’t sound like the most interesting topic in kitchen design. But, let me tell you, it is absolutely one of the most important.

Here’s what our in-house experts suggest:

For maximum performance, keep the duct straight and short. Use the shortest route with the fewest turns possible. 45° turns are better than 90° turns. Be sure to use an external roof or wall cap. If in doubt, consult a qualified designer/installer who is knowledgeable in ventilation or contact us.

The main issue is that different range hood sizes require different duct sizes in order to work properly. Before shopping for range hoods, take a look at the ductwork that leads to your existing range hood. Is it 6-inches in diameter, 8-inches, or larger? Make a note of that measurement. You’re going to need to match it to your new range hood … unless you’re planning on renovating. Then, the sky’s the limit!

Professional vs Home Range Hoods

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range hoods

Anyone who’s ever renovated a kitchen will attest to the fact that there is a huge variety of range hoods from which to choose. If you’re anything like me, flipping through any kitchen design magazine will whet your appetite for all those stunning, stainless steel restaurant grade range hoods. But, do we really need one of those heavy-duty units in our home?

Restaurants cook dish after dish, hour after hour from opening to closing. They need a range hood that can pull out every bit of grease, odor, and steam from a large cooking area.

At home, the situation is considerably different. Most of us own standard-sized stoves. We also tend not to cook excessively … or at least as much as restaurants do. So, if a sales associate tries to convince you to buy a huge range hood unit, don’t do it. It will use up more space than your kitchen can probably afford to give.

There is, however, a smart way to get your professional range hood fix without actually buying and installing an actual professional range hood.

Professional range hoods made for home use are designed to be slightly deeper and wider than standard units. The larger size is better at removing the grease, odor, and steam produced during cooking. They usually come in stainless steel. But, they can also be modified according to your preference. I’ve seen professional home range hoods that are covered in stucco!

Professional range hoods designed for home use can be much more expensive than standard range hoods. With a little research, though, it is possible to find some lower priced models. Ultimately, before you choose to spend the money on a professional style range hood, you need to ask yourself some questions.

First, does the way you cook really merit a larger range hood? Do you cook with a lot of grease? Do you cook most of the week?

Second, consider your home’s value. Will installing a professional style range hood increase your home’s value significantly?

Third, will a professional style range hood make you happy? I don’t ask that flippantly. Our homes, and the stuff we fill it with, can certainly make us happy. If a professional style range hood makes you smile every time you look at it, then it’s absolutely worth the time and money.