A GOOD HOOD
BY MARY G . PEPITONE
A range hood has both form and function in the updated hearth of a home , says Alana Busse of the National Kitchen and Bath Association ( NKBA ). “ More people want to cook like a ‘ top chef ’ at home , and invest in a big , beefy range or cooktop , instead of a traditional electric stove ,” Busse says . “ The properly ventilated range hood not only removes cooking grease , moistures and odors from the kitchen , it is required to vent gas burners .”
Before a kitchen design can get cooking , you need to plan how best to ventilate it . The style of a range hood is secondary to the substance of its performance . Busse says you must start with the home of the range . “ The size and location of the cooking source in the kitchen determines its best range hood partner ,” she says . “ A range hood ’ s performance is measured in cubic-feet-per-minute ( CFM ), so the higher a range hood ’ s CFM number , the more air it will remove .”
A large , six-burner gas range can require a hood with a maximum output of 1,200 CFMs , but Busse says the hidden ductwork is as essential as a range hood ’ s CFM number . The venting of a range hood may determine the layout of a kitchen and the configuration of appliances .
“ The chance of build-up is greater in a 20-foot run of venting ductwork , than in a 5-foot run directly vented through an exterior wall ,” she says . “ Generally , the size of a range hood should mimic the dimensions of the cooking source , but the higher it is installed from the cooktop surface , the less efficient it becomes at capturing smoke and particles .”
The typical installation distance between cooktop burners and the hood is about three feet . But a standard height installation for a range hood may not work for the tall cook , so it ’ s essential to choose a model with adequate power to remove air effectively .
If you choose a strong range hood fan , building codes may require a makeup air system in your home ’ s heating , ventilating and air conditioning ( HVAC ) system . High-powered range hoods can take out large volumes of air , and if air is not replaced at the same rate it is expelled , a vacuum effect can be created in the home .
All of the planning around the range hood is secondary if it is never pressed into service , says kitchen designer Molly Erin McCabe .
“ Range hoods are designed to remove moisture , grease and particulates from your home , and prevent these things from being breathed in and adhering to your walls , cabinets and furnishings ,” McCabe says . “ If the range hood isn ’ t used , homeowners might experience moisture-related issues , such as mold , and higher maintenance requirements for paint , wallpaper , cabinetry and furnishings .”
The time to turn on the range hood isn ’ t when water is boiling or food becomes blackened . “ Make a habit of turning on your range hood before you begin cooking ; that way , when you need it to be venting , you ’ ve already created an airflow ,” McCabe says . “ Also , don ’ t snap off the range hood as soon as you ’ re done cooking ; really allow it to clear the air , so to speak . Some range hoods even come equipped with a timer , so you don ’ t have to interrupt a meal to flip a switch .”
A range hood ’ s sound output is measured in sones -- an internationally recognized measurement of loudness -- and each is marked in a product description .
One sone is roughly equal to the sound of a refrigerator running ; while conversations take place around 4 sones . As a rule , the higher the range hood ’ s CFM rating , the louder the unit is when running . Range hood fans typically have three to six speeds ; so to mitigate noise , purchase the most powerful range hood you can afford and run it on a lower speed .
If the cooking surface is on a kitchen island , the capture area of the exhaust fan should be larger to compensate for the fact that the fan will be drawing air from an open space . But along with technical considerations , homeowners need to consider a range hood ’ s aesthetics . An island cooktop with a large hood vented to the ceiling can visually fight with hanging light fixtures , so an inconspicuous downdraft fan system might be the best solution .
Range hoods have evolved from utilitarian stainless steel to the ubercool wrapped in cabinetry , and come in all shapes and sizes : from a straight-sided box to sleek , tapered styles . “ A wall-mounted range hood can be housed in cabinetry that becomes the modern-day mantle in the kitchen ,” Busse says . “ The range area is often a focal point of the kitchen , with an eye-catching backsplash on the wall visually connected to the hood venting .”
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