A range hood is essential for removing smoke, grease, steam, and odors from your kitchen. Whether you're upgrading an existing hood or installing one for the first time, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about selecting the right range hood for your kitchen.

Why You Need a Range Hood

Range hoods provide three critical functions:

• Air Quality – Removes cooking fumes, smoke, and airborne grease particles
• Moisture Control – Prevents steam buildup that can cause mold and damage cabinets
• Odor Elimination – Vents cooking smells outside or filters them with charcoal

Homes without proper kitchen ventilation experience faster cabinet deterioration, increased indoor air pollution, and lingering cooking odors.

Types of Range Hoods

Wall-Mount (Chimney) Hoods

Wall-mount hoods install against the wall above your cooktop with an exposed chimney extending to the ceiling. They make a design statement and typically offer powerful ventilation (600-1200 CFM).

Under-Cabinet Hoods

The most common type, under-cabinet hoods mount beneath wall cabinets. They're space-efficient and available in ducted or ductless configurations. Broan-NuTone offers an extensive line of under-cabinet hoods.

Island Hoods

Designed for cooktops in kitchen islands, these hoods hang from the ceiling and vent upward. They require more CFM than wall-mount hoods since they capture air from all sides.

Downdraft Hoods

Downdraft systems rise from behind the cooktop and pull air downward. They're ideal for islands where overhead hoods aren't desired, though they're less effective than overhead options.

Insert/Liner Hoods

Insert hoods mount inside custom cabinetry for a built-in look. You get the ventilation power you choose while matching your kitchen's cabinet style.

CFM: Understanding Airflow Power

CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) measures how much air the hood moves. The right CFM depends on your cooking habits and stove type:

CFM Guidelines by Stove Type

CFM for Heavy Cooking

If you frequently stir-fry, grill, or cook with high heat, add 100-200 CFM to the baseline recommendation. Wok cooking and indoor grilling generate significant smoke and grease.

Ducted vs. Ductless

Ducted (Vented) Hoods

Ducted hoods exhaust air outside through ductwork. They're significantly more effective at removing heat, moisture, and odors. Ductwork should be as short and straight as possible with a 6-8 inch diameter for optimal airflow.

Ductless (Recirculating) Hoods

Ductless hoods filter air through charcoal filters and recirculate it back into the kitchen. They're easier to install but don't remove heat or moisture—only grease and some odors. Charcoal filters need replacement every 3-6 months.

Recommendation: Always choose ducted installation when possible. The ventilation effectiveness is substantially better.

Sone Ratings: Noise Level

Sones measure perceived loudness. Lower sone ratings mean quieter operation:

• 0.5-1.0 sones – Very quiet (like a refrigerator hum)
• 1.0-3.0 sones – Moderate (normal conversation level)
• 3.0-6.0 sones – Noticeable (may need to raise voice)
• 6.0+ sones – Loud (difficult to converse)

Many hoods have variable speed settings with lower sone ratings at lower speeds. Broan-NuTone offers models as quiet as 0.3 sones on low settings.

Key Features to Consider

Lighting

Most hoods include task lighting for the cooktop. LED lights are energy-efficient, long-lasting, and produce less heat than halogen bulbs.

Filter Types

• Baffle Filters – Professional-grade, dishwasher-safe stainless steel. Most effective for grease capture.
• Mesh Filters – Aluminum mesh, dishwasher-safe, less expensive. Adequate for most home cooking.
• Charcoal Filters – Required for ductless hoods to absorb odors. Replace every 3-6 months.

Heat Sensors

Some hoods automatically turn on when they detect heat from the cooktop—useful if you forget to turn on the hood while cooking.

Delay Shutoff

Continues running for 5-15 minutes after you turn it off to clear residual smoke and odors.

Installation Considerations

Height Above Cooktop

• Electric cooktops: 20-24 inches above cooking surface
• Gas cooktops: 24-30 inches above cooking surface

Installing too high reduces effectiveness; too low creates a fire hazard.

Ductwork Best Practices

• Use rigid metal ductwork (not flexible)
• Keep duct runs short and straight
• Use 6-8 inch diameter for adequate airflow
• Install damper to prevent backdrafts when hood is off

Top Range Hood Brands

We carry a wide selection of range hoods from trusted manufacturers:

• Broan-NuTone – America's leading ventilation brand with options for every budget
• ZEPHYR – Premium designer hoods with innovative features
• ZLINE – Professional-style hoods at accessible prices

Related Resources

• Bathroom Fan Buying Guide – Similar CFM and sone concepts
• Home Improvement Glossary – Definitions of CFM, sones, BTU, and more
• FAQ – Shipping, returns, and ordering questions