At a Glance:
Understanding the Benefits of a Range Hood
What Size Range Hood Do I Need?
Trying new recipes in the kitchen is a great way to discover delicious meals while bonding with your family. However, sometimes your cooking can fill your kitchen with smoke, grease, and odors that linger long after your meal is complete. On the surface, these byproducts might seem harmless, but in reality, these fumes can make breathing difficult for everyone in your home and are particularly dangerous for people who have sensitivities like asthma or COPD.
Fortunately, you can explore new recipes while keeping everyone in your household safe. All you need is a range hood. Learn more about these ventilation appliances and how to choose the right size model for your home.
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Whenever you cook, fumes and smoke fill the air. This is especially true if you have a gas range, which creates byproducts like nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide.
A range hood kitchen ventilation system filters dirty air, either conditioning it or removing the fumes from your house through a system of ducts. Even if you have an electric or induction stovetop, you can still benefit from adding a range hood to your home, but the good news is you won’t need a model with too much air filtration to get the job done.
Understanding the Benefits of a Range Hood
There are several reasons to add a range hood to your kitchen. First, having a range hood helps improve kitchen air quality by preventing smoke and odors from escaping the kitchen into bedrooms and other living spaces. In fact, it’s one of the most effective ways we recommend to homeowners who ask us how to remove indoor air pollution.
On top of purifying air, a range hood can also help clean up in other ways. For instance, a quality hood can prevent oil and grease from building up on walls and countertops, which limits the amount of scrubbing you need to do when it calls for kitchen maintenance.
One often overlooked benefit is that a ducted range hood will also keep your kitchen cooler. Installing air filtration in the kitchen removes hot air and replaces it with cool, fresh air can. This makes cooking more comfortable and can impact your electric bill.
How to Measure a Range Hood
The key to clean kitchen air is to buy a range hood that matches the demands of our cooking appliances. There are two ways to measure range hoods: size and filtration power. 4
First, your range hood should be six inches wider than your stove. For example, if you have a 30-inch cooktop, then you will need a 36-inch hood. This meets standard kitchen ventilation requirements by allowing the hood to thoroughly capture fumes as they rise. However, in some cases, it’s okay to have a range hood that is equal in width to your stove if you don’t have much space. Any ventilation is better than no ventilation.
Along with looking into range hood sizes, you also need to factor in height clearance. Generally, a range hood should be 18 to 24 inches above your cooktop. If it is higher, gases and odors can spread into your home and the ventilation system won’t be as effective, but it will work better than not having a filtration system.
What Size Range Hood Do I Need
Here’s a deeper dive into the differences between common range sizes. After measuring your kitchen space and cutout, the following models represent what to look for when it comes to a quality range hood in each size.
24” Range Hoods
A 24” range hood is an optimal choice for a tiny kitchen. While manufacturers encourage homeowners to buy wider hoods than their stoves, that’s not always possible. These range hoods can be placed above a 24-inch cooktop, but nothing bigger, and models in this size are better suited for electric or induction cooking appliances that don’t produce as much heat byproduct.
We Recommend: GE® Series 24" Stainless Steel Under The Cabinet Hood
This is an optimal hood for a small kitchen, equipped with two fan speeds at maximum fan rating of 200 CFM. The advantage to the smaller build of this range hood is its discreet design, which slips right under cabinets for a sleek look that doesn’t hog the center of attention. Best of all, users can set this range hood up for external or internal ventilation for greater flexbility.
★ Featured GE JVX3240SJSS Review:
“The only company who makes a 24" vent! Perfect for my tiny kitchen. Thanks GE!”
30” Range Hoods
A 30” range hood is considered standard in the kitchen appliance industry. One can be installed over a 30-inch stove in a tight kitchen and is more than enough for a 24” range or cooktop. If you have a range that is built into your cabinetry, chances are you have enough space for a 30-inch vent.
We Recommend: GE Profile™ 30" Stainless Steel Wall Mounted Range Hood
Shop This GE Profile Range Hood
This range hood by GE Profile fits right between your cabinets for a modern look reminiscent of professional kitchens. With a powerful 450-CFM fan in various speeds, plus overhead lighting, this workhorse puts in the performance to keep cooking conditions comfortable.
★ Featured GE Profile PV976NSS Review:
“In a new build this range hood makes a statement! It is flanked by two white upper cabinets and the tile behind the hood is white… it also does a great job with the exhaust.”
36” Range Hoods
Most households will have a 36” range hood in their kitchens together with a 30-inch or 36-inch range. The good news is that it’s easy to find 36-inch range hoods across a variety of brands and in stock, so along with 30” models, buyers get their biggest bang for the buck shopping in this category.
We Recommend: GE® 36" Stainless Steel Wall Hood
This range hood delivers 350 CFMs of power across multiple fan levels right at your fingertips. Undeniably modern in design, its features match the experience with upgrades like a remote control, dual overhead lighting, and an automatic shut-off system. We also like the dishwasher-safe filter that saves money on replacements along with saved time on maintenance.
★ Featured GE JVW5361SJSS Review:
“We haven't burned anything yet to fully test it but I'm sure my wife will make that happen soon. When she does, I'm sure this 3-speed fan will handle the job!”
42” Range Hoods
If you have a 36-inch range or cooktop, then your safest bet is a 42” range hood. A range hood in this size meets the full safety requirements that your ventilation hood should be six inches wider than your stove. These are also good options for larger kitchens or in kitchen layouts that could use an accent or anchor. It’s not easy making a range hood in this size discreet, so go big on style to really make a statement.
We Recommend: Monogram® 42" High-Performance Island Ventilation
There’s pretty much no cooking appliance on the market that matches this 42” range hood’s power with 1050 CFMs and four removable filters that safely wash in a dishwasher. Together with six fan settings and four lights, this beast is ideal in commercial-grade kitchens in a center island. Explore all your favorite cuisines with confidence knowing this powerful range hood with external ducting will make easy work of whatever grease, odor, smoke, or heat that’s part of the journey.
★ Featured Monogram ZV1050SFSS Review:
“Beautiful in appearance and style. The Monogram Hood has great features and functionality.”
48” Range Hoods
These range hoods are typically the largest models on the market before moving into serious commercial-grade range hoods. They are designed for cooktops that are 48 inches wide or smaller. Ideally, you would buy a 48” range hood if you have a 42-inch stove, but if you have an extra large range or cooktop, look into custom models starting around this size.
We Recommend: Monogram® 48" Stainless Steel Professional Hood
You can’t beat the quality of this range hood. For starters, it reaches 940 CFM and has four different lighting levels depending on your needs. On top of its winning performance, it’s also designed with stainless steel filters are dishwasher-safe and easy to remove, and forged in a beautiful hood build that will match the look of any kitchen design. Proudly hang your utensils on the integrated racks to let everyone know you’re serious about your cooking.
★ Featured Monogram ZV48SSJSS Review:
“This Monogram range hood is something you would find in some of the highest and professional kitchens. It's a beast and beautiful! Powerful venting, excellent lighting, and two big warming lights. Worth it!”
About CFMs
After determining the right range hood dimensions for your space, the next step is to calculate the right rate of air filtration. Ventilation is measured in CFM or cubic feet per minute and most range hoods have a CFM level between 200 and 400. Make sure the models you consider have filter levels that meet your needs by ensuring 100 CFMs for every 10,000 BTUs. For instance, a gas range or cooktop with a total of 50,000 BTUs of output should be paired with a range hood with at least 500 CFMs.
A small kitchen range hood can fit in your home if you have a smaller stove and don’t need high power. However, the bigger your range, the more ventilation you need.
If you are still wondering “Do I need a range hood?” then you need to get to Ken’s. Our team of kitchen appliance experts can walk you through our selection of range hoods and help you understand how they work. A range hood is your main line of defense against kitchen air pollution and it can keep your family happy. Visit Ken’s today and show the best selection of range hoods in the inland Northwest.
Why Trust Ken’s?
Ken's has been a trusted source of home furnishings in the Grand Island area since 1962. With nearly 60 years of experience in the community, customers have come to rely on us for all their home needs. We offer a wide selection of furniture, premium mattresses, and high-quality appliances. Our knowledgeable sales team will help you find the perfect items for your home. And once the sale is made, we are there for you with installation services and an experienced parts and service department.
We are routinely recognized by both the Grand Island community as well as the industry for our commitment to excellence. We are proud to be BrandSource Dealer of the Year for 2014 and Best of Grand Island for Appliances since 2022. We also received Fan Favorite in Grand Island for Mattresses in 2022. Shop local at Ken's Grand Island, NE! We look forward to servicing you and providing the quality products your home needs.
Shop Range Hoods at Ken’s
At Ken’s, we pride ourselves on being more than just a store - we are your total home solution. Having served Grand Island for so many years, it matters to us that we only provide the best products. Shop cooking appliances online or visit us today at Grand Island, NE showroom. Our experts are always available to help you purchase the right range hood for your kitchen setup, whether you call us or use our online text feature. Contact us today!
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