Do I need a Stove Hood?
Did you ask that? 'Cause that is a really great question that I have been asking too.
Do I need a kitchen stove hood?
A question I have spent a lot of time researching as we are creating a whole new kitchen during our renovation.
Because so many of you have, will be, or plan to someday remodel a kitchen, I put together all I have learned about stove hoods for you.
Ask no more - look no further - I have the answer for you.
Bottom line ~ we all need a good hood vent!
Read on for a list of features you will want in your stove hood. Armed with my list, you can wow them at the appliance store with your knowledge, as well as make the right hood choice.
I need a hood for my 1928 Reliable.
Any hoods included here would blow my mind partnered with it.
Pictured here is the before of my stove. As in before being refurbished & fitted with modern safety components. And BEFORE the kitchen remodel
( Links below or click thru images for sources )
Ok, without further ventilation, I mean hesitation, let's shoot the breeze on stove hoods & vents...
Kitchen Hoods 101
What does a stove hood do?
This may seem obvious, but I like to be thorough. The main function of a stove/range hood is to improve air quality by eliminating the products of combustion, odors and moisture from the air. And you thought it was just whirling away the bacon smell. A range/stove hood is the only appliance in your kitchen that protects your home.
Is a hood required by code?
Generally no, but it doesn't hurt to check with your local municipality if you are remodeling.
What types of hoods are there?
- Updraft that vent outside
- recirculating hoods with charcoal filters
- microwave over the stove with vent
- downdraft vents
If at all possible install a updraft hood that vents outside. The others are fairly useless if you are an avid cook.
If you don't cook often you can manage with one of the other type of hood if it is already in place. But don't remodel with a hood other than an updraft outside vent.
Re-circulating range hoods have a charcoal filter that generally clogs with grease within 30 days of installation and stops filtering odors (which it doesn't do well anyway). The only good things that re-circulation hoods do is provide a metal fire shield, collect some grease and give you a light on the stove.
If you have an over-the-stove microwave hood, make sure it vents outside. The primary problem with microwave hoods are that they don't extend out far enough from the wall to capture the bulk of the cooking output. Hoods are recommended to be 20" deep (i.e. the distance from the back wall to the front) and most of these units are only 15" deep.
Downdrafts just really don't work as a hood should. Heat rises so capturing it effectively is virtually impossible. Better than nothing if it is what is installed, but don't choose this option.
Size of hood and placement?
A hood needs to be the same width as an electric cooktop and if you have gas must extend 3 inches on either side. So a 30 inch electric range needs a 30 inch wide hood. A 30 inch gas stove needs a 36 inch wide hood.
As far as height above the the cook top, each hood has its own installation guide. The range is usually 18 - 30 inches above. Somewhere mid range is usually most effective & comfortable for the cook.
Code says any flammable material needs to be 30 inches above the source of heat. So a for a hood with cabinets above, the cabinets can start at 30 inches with hood between.
How powerful should a hood be?
The strength of a hood is measured in CFM. CFM stands for cubic feet per minute. It is a measure of how much air the vent hood moves every minute.
The minimum CFM for a cook top is 100 CFM per lineal foot of cooking surface. ( width ). So a 30 inch or 2 1/2 foot cook top needs the minimum of a 250 CFM fan. This is the MINIMUM. It is recommended that you have at least 150 CFM per lineal foot . So for a 30 inch cook top 400 CFM.
I told you I did a lot of research!
These are the Features you Need in a Kitchen Hood
What you NEED in a hood vent:
- Vent outside & updraft
- highest CFM you can afford - more CFM the better the vent
- variable speed
- "squirrel cage" blower rather than paddle fan - higher CFM & quieter
- an exterior fan at the end of ducting - most powerful & quietest
- adjustable lighting
Now you have all you need to know about kitchen vent hoods for your stove or range.
Stove or range? Interchangeable ~ like sofa or couch? Purse or handbag?
Thanks for letting me "vent"...
How do you vent?
** Kelly **
If you liked this post & like knowing about stuff in your house - have a seat & read all about low-flow toilets.