Installing a new range hood is exhausting, but it is not difficult. If you can do basic repairing and installing other electrical appliances in your home, then definitely you can install a hood with great ease.
However, installing an island range hood is quite difficult than the other types of hood. The reason is quite obvious – the height.
Since island range hoods are vented to the ceiling through a duct, they can be difficult to install for a professional. The placement can be a bit tricky, but not much if you pay attention.
Your query “How to install island range hood” is answered in this article with a step-by-step guide. You will learn some amazing tips for installing a hood throughout the guide. Stick to the end.
Island Range Hood
The island range hood is one of the best types of range hoods that provide excellent value to your kitchen.
These range hoods are mounted directly to the ceiling through ductwork. There is no cabinet or wall alongside the hood. Island hoods are way bigger than a normal kitchen hood. You will definitely love how aesthetically pleasing they look.
Other than that, island hoods provide super-strong ventilation and lighten the kitchen with additional lights it has.
Placement of an Island Range Hood
Island range hoods are attached to the ceiling right above the cooktop. They are wide enough to cover the whole cooking area. Installing an island hood right in the ceiling is indeed a difficult task that can be performed well by professionals. However, it is not much of an impossible thing for a nonprofessional.
Eighty centimeters above the cooktop is the best position for an island range hood. For even better placement, you should consider reading the manual once.
Island range hoods are both ducted and ductless. Anything ducted will cost more. Therefore, you have to spend a few more bucks installing a ducted island range hood. However, it is a long-term investment that you will not regret.
Ducted hoods are more advantageous as you can cook longer and they can extract heavy fumes. Ducted hoods can extract all the heavy greases and fumes effectively.
How to Install Island Range Hood – Step By Step Guide
If there is already an existing duct in the kitchen, installing an island hood would be a piece of cake for you. Ensure the right placement and just attach the hood to the ceiling with the bracket provided with the hood.
Before we step ahead, you need to check whether your hood is properly working or not. Right after taking it out of the box, ensure that all the parts of the hood are there. Plug it into an outlet to see if the fan, lights, and all other parts are working correctly.
If everything is working properly, we are ready to install our hood.
This Tools and materials will be required
- Level
- Screwdriver
- Drill
- Pencil or Pen
- Foils
- Keyhole saw
- Tapes
Step 1 – Take Measurements and Mark the Center
The first thing you need to install on the ceiling is the hood bracket. But to ensure that the hood will be installed exactly at the center of the cooktop, you need to take accurate measurements and mark it on the ceiling. You can easily find the exact center with the help of plumb bob.
Keeping the hood in the center is important. Similarly, it is necessary to place the hood somewhere between 24 to 36 inches above the cooktop.
Once you have taken the measurements, mark them with a pencil on the ceiling. Outline the bracket on the ceiling along with four holes.
For marking the outline of the bracket, you can simply place the bracket on the ceiling and mark all four sides and holes. Some hoods also come with a bracket template that can be placed on the ceiling for marking.
Step 2 – make the Hole
Now, make a hole in the ceiling. At this point, you have to make an inch or two larger than the hole you have marked. An inch bigger hole makes it easier to pass the ductwork through it.
Step 3 – Install the Ductwork
After cutting the hole, simply pull the ductwork through it. If the hole is not big enough to let the ductwork pass through, you should not force it. Instead, go back and mark an even bigger hole.
Step 4 – Install the Ceiling Bracket
After installing the ductwork, it’s time to install the ceiling bracket according to the marks and measurements made in the first step. Take out the mounting screws. Using a drill, attach the bracket to the ceiling with those screws.
If there are some supporting brackets, install them as well. You can easily mount them to the ceiling bracket on all four corners.
Step 5 – Connect the Electrical Wires
While connecting the wires, you need to make sure that the circuit breaker is off. Keep it completely closed so that none from the house opens it while you are working on wires.
Use a tester to ensure there is no current flow. After that, connect the black wire to the black one, green to the green, and the white one with the white.
Step 6 – Connect Inner and Outer Chimneys
Now you need to install the inner and outer chimneys. Simply slide the outer chimney to the supporting bracket and connect it there with the bracket. You will see a screw hole that you can use to connect the two.
Similarly, secure the other chimney sleeve.
Step 7 – Pull the Ductwork
Right before installing the hood, you need to pull the ductwork. The ductwork has to go through the chimney. The installation of the hood will become easier in this case.
Step 8 – Install the Island Range Hood
If there is a glass piece with the hood, put it from the top to the upper part of the hood before installing it. Right after this, with the help of your friend, lift the hood and attach it to the transition piece. With the help of screws, secure the hood in place.
Step 9 – Finally, Install the Filters
Reinstall the baffle filters in their place. After installing them, turn it on once to see if the hood is working properly.
Pros and Cons on Island Range Hood
Due to many reasons, an island range hood is one of the best types of hoods. They work efficiently and are a great investment. However, at the same time, the island range hood has some disadvantages. The installation of this type of hood costs a lot. It is a good long-term investment that you won’t regret. Let us dive in to see some of its benefits and disadvantages.
Pros
Best Ventilation
Since an island range hood is located right in the center of a kitchen, it works effectively at removing fumes. With the presence of this hood, you can rest assured of unwanted odors. You can also enjoy eating in the same room with your friends and family.
Other than providing amazing ventilation value, island range hoods also give a phenomenal look to the kitchen. With even better lighting and vibrant colors, island hoods provide a distinct aesthetic look to the kitchen. You can get it in a variety of colors and sizes.
More Flexible
Island range hoods are vented to the ceiling, and it is one of the main advantages of island hoods. Other hoods are attached to the wall or cabinets, which become an obstacle while cooking. You cannot freely roam around.
However, island kitchen setups give you more flexibility of cooking however you like. You can easily work there with a group of friends without annoying each other. The hood does not interfere with your work as it is hung high.
Cons
Installation Mistakes
Making wrong electrical connections is one of the worst mistakes anyone can make. This mistake might destroy your newly installed hood. If you have no idea how to make electrical connections the correct way, it is better to seek professional help.
Venting Hood to a Closed Space
All ducted hoods should end up on the outside of the house. Since an island hood also requires ductwork, do not leave it open in the attic. You might not see the consequences right away, but everything will show up in the future.
Ending the ductwork in a closed space does not let the hood function properly. It will show inefficacy in extracting fumes and greases, thus rendering the whole installation of the hood useless.
Height
The incorrect height of the hood will not let it perform the tasks effectively. In addition, this can be a major mishap since you cannot easily adjust the height of the hood.
Range Hood Size Guide
There is no point in buying an extra-wide range hood when your cooktop is too small comparatively. A range hood should be a few inches wider from all sides to work efficiently. Here is a range hood size guide according to the size of a cooktop and the size of a range hood in the table section below.
| Cooktop Size | Ideal Range Hood |
| 24″ cooktop | 30″ hood |
| 30″ cooktop | 36″ hood |
| 36″ cooktop | 42″ hood |
| 42″ cooktop | 42″ or 54″ hood |
| 48″ cooktop | 54″ or 60″ hood |
Did you know: Range hood removes up to 90 percent of carbon monoxide from your house? It involves removing this dangerous air from the kitchen and other rooms in homes, which keeps you and your family safe from carbon monoxide posioning.
Can I Install Island Range Hood without Chimneys?
Island range hood can be installed directly to the ceiling. In this case, you do not have to use chimneys. However, installing the hood this way can be a little more tricky and difficult. You have to install it by getting into the ceiling, and it should be in the attic.
Installing the island range hood this way is not recommended at all since the distance between the hood and stove will be a little too much. In addition, it is a task of professionals. An unprofessional person might end up destroying everything.
Where Should I Vent the Range Hood?
The only place to vent the range hood is the outside. Anything other than that can be harmful. For instance, some people think it is fine to vent the range hood in the attic or the wall. Such people might be unaware of the consequences.
The hood intakes all the fumes, odors, and grease to the endpoint through the ductwork. If you vent the range hood to the wall, all the grease and fumes will accumulate in the wall. This not only keeps the house warm but also has major safety hazards.
How to Select the Best Island Range Hood?
Size and CFM are the most important factors that you need to consider before purchasing a range hood. No matter what type of range hood you need, do not ignore these two factors.
CFM: island kitchens have a stove set up in the center. The air is free to circulate in the whole kitchen. To restrict the air from spreading all around, you need a more powerful hood than usual. This is why opt for a hood with CFM above 1200.
Since hoods have the control to run their fan at its minimum or maximum speed, you can easily change it every time.
Size: the range hood should always be a few inches bigger from each side. This ensures that the hood will extract fumes completely from the cooktop. Try purchasing a 56 inches hood if your cooktop is 52 inches. Install the hood right in the center for the best extraction.
In Conclusion
Island range hoods are super strong, provides the best ventilation, and at the same time give a unique look to your island kitchen setup. By following a few tips and paying attention to the crucial parts, you can install an island range hood yourself just like a professional.
Follow this guide of how to install island range hood step by step to get the task done to perfection.