All Range Hoods and Downdrafts
Range hoods are an essential part of every kitchen, whether you’re an amateur chef who loves experimenting with ingredients or just a casual meal prepper. While some might think these are unnecessary, they’re a safety must-have. Proper ventilation helps to keep uninvited houseguests like grease, smoke, chemicals and odor out. That means away from your food and the people in your home—all you’re left with is aromatic recipes and clean air. And it means you’ll have an easier time cleaning up, too. Less grease in the air means fewer airborne particles to stick to surfaces like cabinetry, kitchen islands and other appliances. So whether you cook all meals from scratch or prefer to use one-pot recipes, you’ll need the right range hood or downdraft for your lifestyle. Explore our selection of classic chimneys, hidden inserts, downdrafts and more.
Ducted vs. Recirculating Air
Before falling in love with a stainless steel model that’s perfect for your home’s design, consider how your kitchen is ducted—or if it is at all. Ducting is a type of circulated piping that funnels the poor quality air up and out of your home completely. Meanwhile, recirculating systems use a fan and charcoal filtration system to pull in poor quality air, then strip it of grease, smoke and toxins before recirculating back into your home. Recirculation is not as effective as a properly vented system, though it’s a great option for homes when proper ducting isn’t feasible. Whether that’s due to lack of space, building codes or other issues, both of these range hoods and downdraft circulation options will make your home much safer.
What’s A Downdraft?
If you truly don’t think these overhead versions match your style, you can always opt for a downdraft. These appliances perform the same job that hoods do, but hide either in your range or can be installed behind or beside them. When activated, they’ll extend up about ten inches from your counter and begin pulling the air from just above your burners. These can be vented or ducted as well.
What’s CFM?
CFM stands for cubic feet per minute, and it's the amount of air that these machines can move. A higher CFM rating means that your appliance is more powerful and can quickly keep up with odor and airborne smoke. Keep in mind that higher CFM ratings generally mean louder operation, so you’re choosing between power and volume control.
What If I Need A Multitasker?
If your kitchen is small and you barely have enough room for countertop appliances, consider using an over-the-range microwave microwave instead. These come in ducted and recirculating versions as well, all while taking one more thing off your counter.
Still not sure which of these kitchen appliances is the right one for your home? You’re in the right place: our team of experts has been helping people to build their dream kitchens nationwide. Give us a call at 847-954-4100 to speak to a specialist, or head into the store to see us in person. If you’re hoping to learn more, check out our Range Hood Buying Guide.
