There are various factors to consider when purchasing a range hood. The first issue is noise; you want your range hood to sound like something other than an airport. You also want a hood that is well-ventilated and silent.
The objective is to minimize cooking odors from permeating your house. Also, to keep the heat from the stove from causing damage to the surrounding walls.
While it is a straightforward operation, selecting the fitting range hood requires careful consideration of a number of factors. When shopping for a range hood, keep these 10 factors in mind.
1. Easy-to-clean filters
Filters that may be readily removed and cleaned are good. These are usually constructed of aluminum and may be removed entirely to be cleaned in the sink.
2. Lower sones number
This is the maximum volume that your range hood can produce. A quiet hood will make 1 to 3 sones of noise (40 to 60 dB)—the lower the sones, the softer your range hood fan. If you’ve ever turned on your hood fan and it sounds like a jet engine, you know your sones number is quite high.
3. Controls
Choose a range hood with a variable speed control or a multi-speed fan. This allows you to regulate the fan’s speed. A faster cooking speed is better for preparing more odorous meals. A slow pace should be enough for everyday cooking on one or two burners.
4. Air Exchange
When your hood fan is turned on, you want the air to exchange at least 15 times per hour to circulate the air appropriately.
ProTip Takeaway: To keep noise in the kitchen to a bare minimum, choose a range hood with a fan that operates at the lowest number.
5. Kitchen size
Measure the cubic feet of your kitchen to determine which range hood is best for you. Then, look for a range hood sized to fit your kitchen and will efficiently ventilate it.
6. Stove’s BTU
Before purchasing a range hood, take note of your stove’s BTU output. The amount of BTUs your stove produces is the starting point for selecting a range hood that will offer enough ventilation.
7. Non-Ducted or Ducted
Non-ducted hoods, when equipped with a clean filter, may reduce humidity, heat, smells, and grease. How much ducting is needed to link here to the outside?
8. CFM Rating
Look for a range hood that has enough ventilation. A range hood’s airflow rate is measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM).
9. Coverage
Ascertain that the range hood is installed correctly and big enough to cover the stove. It will only take up heat and scents if hung over a suitable burner. Some vent hoods cover just a piece of the cooktop, but others are meant to fit right above the range and are vented straight up into the ceiling. These are perfect for a big house.
10. Positioning
Mount the hood 28″-36″ above your stove to use its ventilation power. If it is too near, heat will build up, and ventilation will be poor. It will effectively draw heat and smells if correctly fitted.
ProTip Takeaway: Measure your kitchen before purchasing a range hood to ensure that it will appropriately ventilate.
