Are you tired of kitchen smoke setting off your fire alarms? Are you sensitive to smoke and other irritants? Is your kitchen covered in grease? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then it may be time to invest in a range hood.
A range hood is a device that removes airborne grease, fumes, heat, smoke, steam, and more from the air in your kitchen. It can help keep your kitchen clean, keep allergies to a minimum, stop false alarm trips, and more!
If you’re thinking about getting a range hood for your kitchen, here are four tips for choosing the right range hood.
Consider the Exhaust
You have three options when it comes to your range hood’s exhaust. The first is a vented exhaust, which connects to the outside of your home. You can also choose a non-vented exhaust system. These exhaust systems have a filter. Contaminated air flows through the filter and returns to the kitchen once clean. You need to change the filter every few months for the best results. Finally, there’s the convertible range hood. You can set these hoods up to be vented or non-vented. The choice is yours!
Consider the Look
Of course, you want your range hood to look good and be functional. You want to mount your hood 24 to 30 inches above the stovetop for optimal results. You can mount it on the wall, incorporate it into your cabinets, or even get a suspended hood that hangs from the ceiling.
Hoods come in various types and materials. Choose the one you like the look of, but don’t put too much stock in appearance—you can always remodel your range hood later! Some options for this include painting it, staining it, or paneling it. You can also use an onlay to give your range hood character.
Consider the Noise
Some range hoods are silent. Others are so loud you’ll feel like you’re living next to a train station or an airport. If you’re sensitive to sound, look for hoods that work by drawing air to the perimeter of the hood instead of the center. Look at the range hood’s sone rating, or sound rating, as well. The lower the number, the quieter the hood.
Consider the Strength
The stronger the range hood, the better it will remove irritants from the air. The unit of measurement for the power of the air movement in range hoods is cubic feet per minute (CFM). If you spend a lot of time in the kitchen, you’ll want a range hood with a rating of 350 CFM or more. However, keep in mind that the higher the CFM, the louder your range hood will be!
With these tips for choosing the right range hood, you can go shopping for one feeling more confident. Equipped with your newfound knowledge, set out to find the model that’s best for you and your kitchen.
