A range hood is a perfect appliance for your kitchen. It keeps your kitchen clean and removes cooking grease, odors, toxic smoke because of its great benefits every kitchen should have one. So, if you don’t have any range hood, you should buy one. Now you might be wondering what size range hood do I need? Don’t worry you we have demonstrated different types and sizes range hoods from various kitchen’s perspectives. We hope this guide will help to use the right size range hood for your kitchen.
What size range hood do I need?
Before we get into what size of range hood do I need? We recommend considering these key factors to choose the right size range hood for your need.
1.Range Hood Size
An Outdoor hood will need a larger size and will be more expensive than other hoods. Outdoor grills produce more. And this can cause your grill to emit more harmful toxins.
For venting out contamination, make sure that the hood is at least 6 inches wider than a cooktop.
For example, a 36″ outdoor area would have the best hood size. It should be between 48″ (12″ wider) to 60″ (24″ wider).
For Indoor hood, coverage of your cooktop is the essential factor to consider. The wall-mounted range hood should extend 3 inches beyond the cooktop. So that it maximizes its efficiency. You need to have more coverage on island hoods than you can get with your range.
The hoods should be at least 3 to 6 inches from your cooktop. This will make your kitchen air visible from all sides. You’ll need more coverage to vent grease, dirt, or other toxic substances from your home.
A 36-inch wall-mounted range hood is ideal for a range of 30 inches. It will fit the range 3 inches longer than the range on either side. It can remove any unwanted contaminants from your kitchen with high efficiency.
For island hoods that extend beyond a 30″ range, the optimal size is up to 42″, 6 inches past each side of your cooktop.
2.Strength of Range Hood
CFM refers to cubic feet per second. It measures the range hood power and air movement. For heavy cooking, such as steaming or strong odors, you should get a range hood with 300CMF to 350 CFM. It recommends that at most 1 CFM of ventilation provides for each 100 British Thermal unit. Suppose your burner output exceeds 45,000 BTU. Then you should look for a range hood that delivers 450 CFM to clear the air. For this, the hood will sound louder if it has a higher CFM.
Read Also: How to survive in a kitchen without a range hood
3.Types of Range Hoods
There are different types of range hoods
Undercabinet Hoods
These hoods attach to the underside of your range cabinets. And They are also known as wall-mount if they mount to the walls. There are many options for undercabinet Hoods. You can have them ducted or un-ducted.
Wall-Mount Hoods
These hoods look very like under cabinets hoods but mount to the wall.
Chimney Hoods
Chimneys hoods can attach to the wall above your stove or the ceiling above an island. But they have flues that reach up to the ceiling. This type of hood will not fit and work if you have cabinets above your range.
Island Hoods
The island hood hangs from the ceiling above it. There are many styles. Such as traditional hoods, curved metal hoods, and glass canopies.
Downdraft Hoods
These hoods can be hidden under the cooktop or stovetop. When in use, they open up to allow steam to pull horizontally across the range. These hoods are popular on islands. Cause they don’t need any installation, which may block lines or vision.
Range Hood Inserts
Inserts or power packs can conceal hoods. You can install above the cooktop in cabinets to allow for custom venting. There are many options. Consult a professional to learn which one would be best for your cabinets.
Pro Hoods
Pro Hoods are like the undercabinet. But they have more power and are more professional-looking. These hoods work well for those who cook a lot and appreciate the larger size. They can be non-ducted or ducted and are available in a range of styles to match the exhaust.
Custom Range Hoods
With custom range hoods you can personalize your own style, experience and you can also choose from finish, color, or performance to outfit your kitchen with a perfect range hood.
Over-the-Range Microwaves
An over-the-range microwave saves kitchen space. It is often used in conjunction or in place of a traditional range fan. Use an over-the-range microwave to replace a hood. For the best ventilation, direct the airflow outside rather than letting it circulate.
Range Hood Height
The height of your range hood is also significant. This will depend on the distance between your stovetop and your range hood. As well as the space between your ceiling to your cooktop.
Once you have calculated the distance between your stovetop and ceiling, subtract them. Below is an example that will help you to make the calculations.
- Distance between cooktop/stovetop & ceiling: 60 inches.
2. Distance between cooktops and range hoods: 30 inches.
3. 60 inches- 30 inches = 30 inches (Hood height should include the chimney).
4. As a result, the maximum height for your range hood (or chimneys) is 30″.
5. The 30″ refers to the total height of your hood. To be able to have a chimney and rangehood, you will need the chimney and rangehood together to be 30″.
Range Hood Ventilation
Range hood ventilation systems are an essential point that you should care about. Before installing or replacing a kitchen hood vent in your kitchen. You should take note of its size, shape, mounting type, and other details. The new hood should have at least three inches more width than the range or cooktop.
The most common widths for hoods are between 30 and 38 inches. A hood should be installed 20-25 inches from an electrical cooktop and 25-30 inches from a gasoline cooktop to achieve optimal performance. You should always check the mounting height.
When purchasing range hood vents, it is important to decide how to duct them. There are three options for exhaust. Vented or Ducted, Non-vented, Recirculated or Duct free.
Vented, or Ducted
Ducting the range hood to the outdoors is possible. This will remove any potential irritants. The exhaust ducts of a range hood mounted to an outside wall will be shorter and thus more efficient. You should consider purchasing a larger unit. If your ducted rangehood is mounted to an indoor wall or island. Because the air needs pushed away, it will need to be shorter. Proper installation will enhance the performance and efficiency of the range hood.
Non-vented, Duct Free or Recirculated
These hoods are interchangeable. It is important to replace your filters every few weeks. So that it maintain a hood that works effectively. This option doesn’t need ducting.
Learn More: How to install a range hood through the interior wall
Range Hood Filters
There won’t be many options when it comes to the range hood filter; most models only have one type. Many ducted range hoods are available in the market with stainless steel baffles and an aluminum mesh filter. Recirculating hoods have replaceable or changeable charcoal filters.
Ducted Hoods
You can choose from stainless steel baffle or aluminum mesh filters for your duct hood.
Baffle filters are made out of stainless-steel trap grease inside baffles. This helps to keep it from traveling through your hood and into the ductwork. Aluminum mesh filters keep the grease in aluminum. You can wash these filters in the dishwasher. Outdoor hoods may be either a ductless hood or a ducted hood that uses aluminum mesh filters.
The most important thing to remember about the outdoor filters is how often they need to be cleaned. Grills produce more heat, which can cause unwanted contaminants. You will have to clean your filters more often.
Recirculating or Ductless Hoods
Recirculating Hood or Ductless hood equipped with replaceable charcoal filters. Those filters trap grease, dirt, and odors in the kitchen air.
A recirculating kit will convert your hood from ductless to stainless steel. Using either an aluminum mesh filter or a stainless-steel baffle filter. Combined with a charcoal filter.
Sound Levels
CFM will determine the noise level at your range hood. The range hood’s noise or sounds is often measured in sones.
Usually, Range Hood produces an average of 7-8 sound notes at their highest speeds. The range hood’s single and dual blowers generate most of the noise. The rest comes from kitchen air flowing into the hood via your ductwork. Local blowers will cause more noise in your hood because the blower is inside the range hood. You can install remote blowers in your ductwork to create a good atmosphere in the kitchen. Remote blowers work well with outdoor hoods. These hoods will produce more sound. Because they filter out more contaminants than your grill.
Range Hood Features
A model should be exactly the same width as the cooktop. Island mount hoods have no cabinets or walls between them to help funnel fumes. These are just a few features of range hoods to be aware of.
Airflow
Manufacturers refer to the CFM of exhausting air as cubic feet per minute. Although more airflow is better ventilation. Though it doesn’t mean that you will get better smoke capture and elimination in your kitchen. We found that hoods with less airflow vented better than those with more.
Learn More: How to install an exhaust hood through the roof
Numbers of Fan Speeds
Most hoods tested had at least three to six speeds. A minimum of two speeds should be used. A high-speed setting for cooking, followed by a low and quiet setting for eating. There are no more than three-speed settings. If the manufacturer desires to provide more speed options than just three. It should simply use a variable-speed switch that can be set by the user at any speed.
Thermostat Controller
Some models come with a temperature sensor built-in. And that turns on the fan automatically if it gets too hot below the hood. This feature is only for over-the-range microwaves. The thermostat protects the microwave electronics against damage from high temperatures. If the temperature in the microwave exceeds a certain level. The exhaust fan kicks on to pull in cool air from other areas of the kitchen. Yet, we don’t recommend using this feature on range hoods. The exhaust fan will turn on if there is oil in the pan and it starts to catch fire.
Exhaust Timer
This handy feature turns off your fan after a set time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size range of hoods will I need?
Indoor hoods must be six inches wider than your range. Outdoor hoods: Choose a hood between 6-12 ins and 12 ins.
What size range does a hood insert need to fit?
Use the same guidelines to size your rangehood. Your range hood should be 6″ wider than the original. Outdoor use can take up to 12″. There is only one difference: you must subtract 2 inches from the actual measurement. Your inserts are 2 inches smaller than regular vent hoods. So that they will fit in your custom hood.
For example, a 36-inch hood is best for a 30″ range. You can then subtract 2 inches and get 34. If you have a 30-inch range, a 34″ hood insert (or larger) is the best fit.
Outdoor applications should use an insert 2x larger than the range. A 40″ insert could use to replace a 30” outdoor grill.
What CFM range do I need for a hood ductless hood?
You should choose a ductless Hood that has at least 600 CFM. This will enable the charcoal filters in your kitchen. It will capture grease and dirt at their maximum efficiency.
What range hood will I need to use with a gas range?
It is best to choose a high-quality hood that produces 900 CFM (or more) for your gas range. CFM requires a greater range.
If you have a range installed against a wall, install an under-cabinet fan or a range insert. An island hood can use to cover a range located on a kitchen island.
Read Also: How does a cooker hood work
How deep should a range hood be?
It is important that you consider the depth and size of your hood. We recommend specifying a 21-inch deep hood or even a 24-inch deep hood. If the range or range top is higher than 30 inches from the back wall. Or something larger, depending on the homeowner’s cooking needs.
Should range hood be wider than cooktop?
Yes. A range hood should not be less than six inches from your cooktop or stovetop. The hood should extend to three inches beyond your kitchen range from each side. This provides more coverage. So that allows the hood to trap greasy air and smoke efficiently. It will enable you to vent the cooking exhaust out of your home more quickly. So choose a hood with the same width as your cooktop.
How far should a range hood stick out?
Your stovetop should have as much space as possible covered by a range hood. The rangehood should have a minimum of 3 inches in height. However, it cannot protrude beyond the stove’s top. A range hood that extends from the back to the front of a 30-inch stove could be 21 inches or 24 inches. You should keep in mind the range hood height. So that the hood doesn’t reach too far into your eyes or interfere with your view.
What size range hood will I need for a 24-inch range?
A 30” rangehood is perfect for a 24-inch range. Though this size range is rare in today’s kitchens.
What size range hood would you need to cover a 30” range of heights?
The popular range for our customers is the 30-inch range. The best coverage is available for a range of 30 inches. A 36-inch range hood will provide the best coverage. The most popular size for Range Hoods is 36″.
What size range hood requires for a 36” range?
A range hood that is 42 inches wide is the best alternative to a range hood that is 36 inches wide.
What size range of hoods do I need for a range of 42 inches?
A 48′” hood will cover a 42-inch cooktop better than a 42 inch one. A 54” range hood is also available depending on the style of cooking. You will need or consider a larger range hood. If your cooking style involves high heat, grilling, canning, or other forms of cooking. And that releases a lot of steak grease or smoke.
What range hood size requires for a 48-inch range?
We recommend that you choose a 54′” or 60” rangehood for 48” kitchens. You will get the coverage you want and won’t regret buying a range hood later.
Fifty-four inches will work well for vent hoods if you don’t cook often. We can assure you that 60 inches will work well for you if your cooking is intense or involves a lot more heat.
What size range of hoods do I need to fit a 54” range in my home?
We recommend either the 54” or the 60” range hood for your 54-inch kitchen ranges.
54″ and 56″ hoods produce up to 2000 CFM air. This is a lot of air! Remember the small 100 CFM units that you can purchase for the home kitchen. Besides, 60” Hoods can produce 20 times more power than our 100 CFM hoods!
What amount of ventilation do I need?
It is the measure of how much ventilation requires for a particular home.
For the purposes of this discussion. The kitchen represents the value. And that is enough to remove moisture, cooking smells, and indoor air pollutants. It all depends on the type of cooking you are doing and how well your range hood captures fumes.
The HVI states that ventilation requirements vary based on the type of cooking. And where the cooktop is located. Range hoods that are installed above the cooktop trap contaminants. Besides, it will exhaust/release with less air than downdraft exhaust systems. Downdraft exhaust systems require more air to capture and exhaust the contaminants. HVI doesn’t make any recommendations about downdraft range hoods. They ask that you consult rangehood manufacturers to get a suitable recommendation.
Range hoods need to be compatible with the exhaust rates of your cooking stove and the food you cook. A range hood that is more powerful than the least requirement will be required. If you cook at high temperatures or produce a lot of exhaust. The ducting plays a significant role in the performance of your rangehood. Bad ducting can cause range hoods to not perform to their full potential. The efficiency of your range-hood will depend on the length and shape of the ducts.
How many CFM should my rangehood consume?
The CFM of hood depends on your cooking habits. For people who only cook occasionally. And who don’t like to do too much Asian or greasy cooking, range hoods with less than 900 CFM are an excellent choice.
If you cook strong odors or do a lot with cooking or frying, range hoods that exceed 900 CFM are your best option. You can have your kitchen smelling fresher with a ducted fan hood. It pulls out all the exhaust from your cooking stove.
Checkout: our top 5 best range hood for Asian cooking
Conclusion
Choosing the right size of range hood for your kitchen is not an easy task but we hope our complete guide on what size of range hood do I need helps to decide the ideal range hood for your kitchen. Don’t forget to share your thought with us by the comment section below we would love to hear from you and if you have any questions feel free to contact us. Thank you for reading. Have a great day!