If you've already renovated a kitchen or are just beginning the process, you know how overwhelming the details can be. Our Fittings and Material Spotlights are quick guides to basic kitchen fixtures to familiarize you with terminology, pros and cons, and relevant reader reviews. Today we look at chimney-style range hoods, both wall-mounted and island hoods.
About Range Hoods: The primary purpose of a range hood is to ventilate your kitchen to remove the smells, steam, smoke, and heat that result from frequent cooking. By doing this range hoods also help absorb and trap grease so that it doesn't build up on your cabinets and appliances.
When purchasing a range hood, you'll want to consider the speed and loudness of the hood. The speed is measured in CFM (cubic feet per minute) which determines the rate at which the hood replaces air. The higher the CFM, the more air it will move, but the louder it will be. Noise volume for range hoods is measured in sones. Other features to compare by brand, according to Consumer Reports, include food-warming capabilities, auto extend and retract, filter-maintenance indicators, halogen lights, electronic controls, and the auto start/speed heat sensor.
For more on life with and without range hoods, see this post: Do You Have a Range Hood? And Coping Without.
Range Hood Style: Chimney Hoods
Distinctive Features: Chimney hoods have a canopy (or hood) above the range with an internal fan to catch fumes, steam, and smells which are then pumped up a flue (chimney) to the ceiling and into a vent. Chimney hoods can be either wall-mounted above a range where there are no cabinets, or else installed freestanding above a kitchen island. They can be ducted or ductless.
Installation: In the absence of kitchen cabinets, wall chimney hoods mount with exposed vent stacks on the wall. Island chimney hoods mount to and vent through ductwork in the ceiling. It's particularly important for island hoods to buy one that is at least six inches wider than the cooktop, due to the fact that there are no wall cabinets alongside the hood to help funnel fumes. If you have extra high ceilings, you may have to order a custom chimney hood to account for the extra space.
Major Brands: Broan, GE, Kenmore, NuTone, Viking, Whirlpool, Vent-a-Hood, Wolf, and Zephyr.
Pros: Most stylish options available; often serve as a focal point of the kitchen.
Cons: Requires more space; usually more expensive than under-cabinet models, professional installation recommended.
Price range: Hugely variable depending on brand and style.
Related Kitchn Posts:
• Set It Free: Ranges at the Kitchen Island
• Do I Absolutely Need a Range Hood?
• New Funky Range Hoods To Spice Up Your Kitchen
• Bosch To Zanussi: Powerful Hi-Tech Range Hoods
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• All About: Under Cabinet Range Hoods
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(Images: 1. Rob Karosis for Crisp Architects via Houzz; 2. Freshome)
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I have a Best by Broan chimney hood that's vented outside. The previous owner remodeled the kitchen and installed this hood. To be honest, the renters who lived in the house prior to my purchase did not take care of the hood. The sliders got sticky and there's only low (high) and high (mega high).
No biggie for me though - the hood sucks up smells like a champ. Sure, it's loud...but my house and my clothes don't smell. Also, with the high heat cooking I do (indoor grilling, stir-fries, occasional uses of kitchen torches), the range hood really clears out the smoke and steam. As much as I love bacon, you can't smell it unless you're putting your face over the stove, which is not recommended, haha.
I love the way chimney hoods look! Maybe one day if I get my dream kitchen...
i'm debating between the chimney hood and wall cabinet style vent right now!
yes, a chimney is more expensive, but a cabinet style requires additional cabinetry to cover the duct and it's not very functional space to use.
i want something creative...
I recently installed this one and I LOVE it. It has lots of bells and whistles and got great reviews. It has good lights, controls on both sides (nice for an island), a delay off timer, 6 fan speeds, and dishwasher washable safe filter with a reminder to wash it after a certain amount of fan use. I put it in so that I could replace my dying downdraft stove with a non-downdraft model.
http://www.cavalierehoods.com/products/Cavaliere-SV218B2%252dI-Island-Mounted-Range-Hood.html