Guide to Kitchen Ventilation and Range Hood Fans
Steam, gases, grease, odours, smoke – the air in our kitchens is often the main source of pollution in our homes, so it's important to keep it ventilated. A range hood, or hood fan, installed above your cooking surface will capture unwanted contaminants from the air and vent them outside.
Types of Ventilation
The type of ventilation you need usually depends on the layout of your kitchen. Here are some of the most popular types.
Chimney
These appliances are used in kitchens without cabinets above the stove. The stack is mounted to the wall, sending steam and smoke outside through a vent.
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Island
These hoods are mounted to the ceiling and should be wider than your cooking surface, as they don't have walls or cabinets to help funnel fumes.
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Under-Cabinet
If your range or cooktop has cabinets above it, these hoods might work well. They're designed to blend in, creating a seamless look throughout the cabinetry in your kitchen.
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Downdraft
These appliances reverse the direction of rising fumes, sending them outside through ducts running beneath the floor.
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Here are some features to look for when choosing ventilation for your kitchen.
How much ventilation do you need?
Ventilation, or airflow, is measured in CFM (cubic feet of air drawn per minute). The performance of a range hood depends on a few factors, but an easy guide to follow is that for every 10,000 BTU (British Thermal Units) of heat output provided by your cooktop, you need 100 CFM of ventilation. So, if you do a lot of high-heat or wok-style cooking, you'll need a more powerful hood fan.
Automation
Some hood fans will turn on automatically once they detect vapours rising from your cooktop. They can also turn themselves off as soon as the air has cleared, or adjust the speed of air flow as your cooking changes.
Quiet models
Choose a range hood with a low 'sone' rating (the amount of sound a fan makes when it's in use). Ductwork that's properly sized for the hood will also help to reduce noise.
Good to Know
Install the Right Ducting
Proper ducting will help your range hood to work more effectively, resulting in cleaner air in your kitchen. Not sure where to start? One of our Product Experts can help you choose and install the right ducting for your ventilation appliance.
Need some more help?
Speak with one of our Product Experts – we'll help you choose the right option.