Are price and warranty the only factors that differentiate kitchen range hoods? Did you know there are range hoods that don’t require an exhaust duct? Built-in range hoods save space in the kitchen, but freestanding ones are more efficient and quieter.
When renovating an old kitchen or creating a completely new one, one of the items to consider is the kitchen range hood. Like other home appliances, the price is not the only factor in deciding which model to choose. Often, the specific situation in your kitchen will determine the type of range hood needed.
Basic Types – Ducted or Recirculating Range Hoods
The most basic classification of kitchen range hoods is into recirculating and ducted, also known as ventilated. Recirculating range hoods suck in air, filter it, and return it to the room. Ducted, or ventilated, range hoods expel the sucked-in air outside through a ventilation duct. There are also range hoods that allow for both solutions, recirculating and ducted, which can be configured during installation.
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Both ducted and recirculating range hoods have their pros and cons. If you have the choice, a ducted range hood is a better solution because it is more efficient and requires less maintenance. However, often the only feasible solution is a recirculating range hood because the position of the range hood in the kitchen makes venting the air outside complicated or impossible.
This is most common in apartments, especially in older buildings. Installing recirculating filters is simpler because they don’t require a system for venting air outside.
Recirculating Range Hoods Are Easier to Install
Recirculating filters generally have two basic filters – a grease filter and an activated carbon filter. The grease filter is the first stage of filtration, protecting the range hood and its motor from grease. The activated carbon filter provides fine air purification, removing the smallest particles and, most importantly, cooking odors. Grease filters can be made of metal or synthetic materials.
Metal filters are practical because they can be washed, and if maintained properly, they can last as long as the range hood itself. They can even be washed in a dishwasher. Synthetic grease filters need to be replaced, which is an added cost but ensures a lower noise level. The activated carbon filter cannot be washed and must always be replaced.
How often you need to replace or wash the filters depends on the intensity of cooking. The replacement frequency won’t be the same in a single-person household as in a five-member family, but generally, recirculating filters need to be replaced twice a year.
Ducted Range Hoods Are a Better Solution
If your apartment allows for it, a ducted, or ventilated, range hood is a better solution. Instead of filtering and returning the air to the room, it expels it outside through a duct. This makes it much more efficient, with a higher airflow and less noise.
Additionally, it doesn’t require frequent filter changes, only cleaning the grease buildup as needed. However, installation is more complex because, unless already provided, it requires running a duct outside from the apartment.
Flexible ribbed ducts are practical for installation, but experienced installers recommend using smooth ducts. It might be more complicated initially, but it’s a one-time effort that will ensure better airflow, less dirt accumulation in the ducts, and lower noise levels for decades.
Freestanding or Built-in Range Hoods – Pros and Cons
Another important classification of kitchen range hoods is into freestanding and built-in. Freestanding range hoods are suitable for larger kitchens with ample space. They are larger, operate more quietly, and generally better at “collecting” cooking fumes. Built-in range hoods are more practical for smaller kitchens as they are mounted inside kitchen cabinets or just below them. They are much smaller, leaving enough space in the kitchen for storage.
As cooktops are larger and deeper than kitchen cabinets, modern range hoods are also designed to be retractable. The range hood itself is discreetly built into the bottom of a cabinet and looks like a larger trim. It activates by pulling it out like a drawer, covering the entire cooktop and allowing it to capture fumes.
While these solutions are practical and sometimes the only option, especially in small apartments, the best solution for kitchens where a lot of cooking is done is a freestanding ducted range hood, if technically feasible.
Range Hood Dimensions Are Also Important
Other important details to consider include dimensions. Some built-in range hoods can be extended, and freestanding ones are usually deep enough, but it’s important that the range hood is at least as wide as the cooktop to efficiently capture fumes. The most common standard widths available are 20, 24, or 36 inches.
Power Is Not the Most Important Parameter for Apartments
When choosing a range hood, those with built-in lights are a good solution because there’s never enough light in the kitchen. As for power, it’s hard to make a wrong choice nowadays, especially for home kitchens.
Most range hoods offer two or three fan speeds, so make sure the one you plan to buy has this feature. This allows you to easily adjust the suction power and noise level. Before buying, inquire about the cost of filters in the store. They need to be replaced, and some manufacturers have significantly higher prices for consumables, which can be problematic later.
Well-equipped stores also offer island range hoods. These are designed for large, American-style kitchens where the cooktop is located in the middle of the room (an island), and the range hood hangs from the ceiling. These range hoods are usually luxurious solutions and are generally much more expensive than standard ones, which are much more common in our homes.
Photo: Tesla, Zanussi, AEG, LG