8 Types of Range Hoods

There are different types of range hoods, all with the primary purpose of controlling the smoke, smells, or heat from your culinary space and protecting the splendor of your kitchen. We think you’re ready to blow off some steam, so let’s examine the range of hood varieties to help you select the one you’ll be happy with. 

In order to come up with the very specific design ideas, we create most designs with the assistance of state-of-the-art AI interior design software.

With the development of a kitchen range, I’d safely say that something else could have been done to maximize how we cooked meals in our kitchens. But the range hood was an effective addition; it allowed us to use our stove without worrying about leaving smoke or smells behind.

Whether you’re in the middle of completing a kitchen remodel or simply updating some old appliances, a range hood is one item you shouldn’t neglect.

The range hood, also known as extractor hood, was invented in the mid-20th century. The first hood was manufactured by Vent-a-Hood around 1937 in a house with a dirt floor in Dallas, Texas.

The design and concept of a range hood have remained the same throughout the years, but the styles and options have branched out in many ways. Today, range hoods come in different materials, configurations, styles, and designs.

The question is, how do you want your hood vented and unwanted vapors dispersed? All this probably depends on your kitchen structure, the size of your cooktop or range, and your personal preferences.  

Short Answer: Types of Range Hoods Include:

• Wall-Mounted Range Hood
• Under-Cabinet Range Hood 
• Island or Ceiling Mounted Range Hoods
• Downdraft Range Hood 
• Cabinet Insert Hoods 
• Ventilator Power Pack Hoods

What is a Range Hoods?

Before we get down to the different types, let’s briefly discuss what a range hood is and what it does.

A range hood is one of the handy kitchen appliances. It’s made up of a canopy or some kind of capture area, and a blower motor or a fan meant to extract contaminated air produced by cooking. Any ventilation unit is designed to regulate and disperse steam, smoke, and oil or grease related odors out of your kitchen. A range hood comes in to collect and transfer these unhealthy vapors, preventing your cooking from fogging your kitchen.  

As it does its part in improving the air quality in your home, the vent hood also plays a role in preserving the beauty and structure of your walls, kitchen cabinets, and backsplash.

Just remember, regardless of the range variety you choose, it should meet your ventilation needs and do what it’s equipped to do. If you’re eager for a breath of fresh air, read on to discover different kinds of range hoods and the features that’ll make your cooking space stand out.  

Range Hood Venting Options

Besides their features and physical shape, range hoods can still be categorized according to whether they excerpt the air to the outside of the house or recirculate it back into the room.

Based on the classification, a range hood can be ducted, also called vented or ductless, also known as recirculating.

1. Ductless Range Hoods

A ductless range hood doesn’t evacuate the air from your cooktop area to the outside of your home. Instead, it tries to clean the air through some kind of filter. The most efficient ductless hoods use a charcoal filter to give additional filtering of the air. Though, they aren’t as effective as ducted range hoods.

2. Ducted Range Hoods

A ducted range hood filters air contaminants and grease to the outside of your home through ductwork. The ductwork can be installed in your ceiling for island hoods or other hood types on your wall. The range hood is the most recommended option by professionals to keep the air in your kitchen fresh.

Types of Range Hoods

There’re different range hoods on the market. Where do you begin? Here’s an overview of the basic types of range hoods — their features, capabilities, and how they’re installed.

3. Wall-Mounted Range Hood

The wall-mounted range hood is a range hood that helps preserve space in your cooking space. It’s mounted to the wall directly above your range.

 In some new kitchen designs, the hood is typically installed instead of having a cabinet in the space over the stove. But for installations with existing cabinetry, one cabinet piece may need to remove one cabinet piece to make way for the hood.

This variety of range hoods is sometimes known as chimney hoods. Their ventilation structure resembles a household chimney, serving as a design element that adds a distinctive look to your kitchen space.

The hood vent lets smoke and odors from your kitchen to the outdoor through an exterior wall behind them. You may end up paying a little bit more for this appliance, as it adds more than just function to your cooking space.

4. Under-Cabinet Range Hood

The under-cabinet range hood is popular in most modern kitchens for its compact design and appealing structure. As the name would propose, this range hood is installed underneath cabinets positioned directly above your cooktop.  

Its required venting system design is mostly simple and versatile enough to go with any kitchen style. The under-cabinet range hood can be ducted or ductless, offering a flexible option for your kitchen.

The hood’s ductwork can be placed behind the hood out of an exterior wall or up through the cabinet above the hood to provide ventilation. This takes away any storage you may want to utilize in your cabinet, but for the most part, the range hood ends up saving a little bit of wall space.

5. Island or Ceiling Mounted Range Hoods

Kitchens with a range positioned on an island or not against a wall may need to be harmonized with an island or ceiling-mounted hood. A ceiling-mounted hood can handle the additional output from the extra cooking burners and tools for bigger or specialized style cooktops.

Like a wall-mounted hood, the appliance adds a distinctive look to your space, though an island range hood is suspended from the ceiling and located above the cooktop. Also, instead of a duct behind the hood, a ceiling duct vents all odors and polluted air from your kitchen to the airspace outside your home.

Some are designed in a selection of modern materials like copper, glass, and ceramic — which are all attractive options for kitchen design themes. This variety may be installed slightly higher than other types to keep the sight line through the kitchen from being blocked by the hoos. And to keep up with the demands of your cooktop’s exhaust, you may need to acquire a larger capacity island range hood.

6. Downdraft Range Hood 

If you’re searching for a discrete ventilation system or have a kitchen with limited overhead space, the downdraft range hood is your ideal model. The downdraft hood tucks away behind your cooktop until you’re ready to use it, offering a clean, unobtrusive look to complement your kitchen layout.

Unlike some other hoods that extract fumes toward the ceiling, downdraft hoods pull any rising steam or smoke downward and away from your cooking point and vent it through the ducts underneath the floor. It works perfectly for stoves that are part of a kitchen island or alongside the wall.

7. Insert Hoods or Cabinet Insert Hoods

A cabinet insert hood or insert hood provides a modified approach for modern kitchen designs. You can have it installed within the cabinetry above the cooktop or stove.

This type doesn’t come with a fully functional ventilation system like other range hoods but it has the standard range hood features, including speed controls, blowers, and lighting systems.

Thanks to its skeleton and all the base features you’d need for a good ventilation appliance, it’s best used as the anchor for custom-designed hoods. The direction also lets you design a vent system that seamlessly matches your culinary space layout. 

8. Ventilator Power Pack Hoods

If the look of some of the more common range hoods like the wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted hood varieties isn’t appealing enough to you, the ventilator power pack is a more seamless style to consider.

You can easily add a ventilator power pack to existing cabinetry without taking up all the available storage space. You won’t need to take out any cabinets or adjust the appearance of your kitchen with a power pack design since it’s compact and continuous within the parts of your kitchen.

But keep in mind that if you decide to use a power pack, you may need to work with your contractor to have a custom fit into your existing kitchen setup.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Having known about the types of range hoods and what each variety has to offer, you might still have a few questions regarding range hoods, their sizes, distinct differences from model to model and additional features. Here’s a brief recap of some most frequently asked questions when it comes to the range hoods.  

Why do I need a range hood?

If you ever had to clean a kitchen used regularly, you know it’s quite a hassle to get rid of sticky films covering all cabinets and countertops, mainly next to the cooking area. One great benefit of a range hood is filtering out airborne grease before it has a chance to settle everywhere in your kitchen.  

Heat, steam, smoke and being blown right in your face can also try your patience — unless there’s a prevailing range hood giving suction and sustaining a steady flow of fresh air. Also, the vent hood enhances the outlook of your kitchen area.

What are the different sizes of range hoods? 

Range hood sizes vary depending on the model and installation requirements. But the two common sizes are 30 and 36 inches. A hood should be fitted 20 to 24 inches away from an electric range and 24 to 30 inches from a gas range for optimum venting performance.  

Do I need a 30- or 36-inch range hood? 

Many factors may determine your range hood size. You should consider your mounting location, height, filters, size of your cooking appliance, CFM and duct system. For a frame of reference, remember that your hood should extend three to six inches past the cooktop.

What is the difference between an island range hood and a wall-mount range hood?  

As we had mentioned earlier, an island range hood isn’t fixed against the wall. Island hoods are placed on the ceiling and need a more powerful blower for maximum efficiency and blowing unwanted air out of your kitchen.   

What is the difference between range hood insert and an under-cabinet hood? 

An under-cabinet hood refers to a full-service ventilation system situated beneath your kitchen cabinets. In contrast, an insert hood is a customizable piece with a fan, control panel, and lights, but it doesn’t have the full ventilation capabilities.  

What is the range hood’s, CFM range?

Range hood CFM stands for cubic feet per minute. It’s a measure of the movement at which air flows in and out of your cooking space or airflow rate for all kitchen ventilation systems. The CFM of your range hood depends on the type of your cooktop – gas or electric.

Do range hoods have auto turn off timer?

Some range hoods come with an auto shut off timer, a great feature for those who forget to turn off their range hoods. This allows you to multitask, do what you do best and be the cook at the same time.

Key Takeaways

When renovating or upgrading your kitchen, you also need to think about getting a new range hood — it’s just as important as any other appliance. A system that keeps your cooking space air free from lingering odors, smoke and other annoying cooking remnants can help maintain a healthy and pleasant atmosphere throughout your home.

With the variety of range hood brands, styles, and installation options currently available, there’s no limitations to finding something that’ll satisfy your taste. The small addition can make a great difference in the landscape of your kitchen, the functionality of your cooking space, and the success of your home design.  

Only remember to take accurate measurements and refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations to ensure you have plenty of clearance for a range hood installation. Not all hoods have the proper clearance to accurately vent through your ceiling.