Kitchen Range Hoods

GE Monogram� Restaurant Style Hood in Stainless Steel

Features

• Fan speed - Look for models with 3 or more speed settings or one that has variable speed control.
• Light - Having your range brightly lit is ideal while cooking. Look at the number of lights and the light settings. There should be at least low and high settings for brightness. What is the recommended wattage? What type of bulbs does it use - halogen, incandescent or fluorescent? Some higher end models even have infrared warming lights to aid in keeping food warm before serving. An additional thing to look for is how visible the lights are. Are the lights recessed and only visible under the hood?
• Easy cleaning - It is helpful when you can easily snap apart the housing of your hood in order to clean it. Cleaning the blower housing should be done with soap and water or in the dishwasher. Does the model have removable filters? Are they dishwasher safe?
• Ducting - Can it be ducted through the side and the back? Which does your installation require?
• Noise Factor - Turning a deaf ear to the kids should be a matter of choice, not an appliance-induced handicap. The quieter the range hood, the better. Manufactures offer high quality lines of hoods, rated at about 600 CFM, that are very quiet. Many mid-level lines that are rated at 350 CFM are just as unobtrusive. Lower-end series hoods that are rated around 200 CFM and below are not as quiet. Again, you have to pay more for quality.
• Color - Stainless steel has become a very popular choice in all styles and is available in many models. You should match your hood to the finish and color of your other appliances. In addition to white and stainless steel, the following colors are available: almond, black, off-white brown. If you want to buy a stainless steel hood expect to pay about $100 or so above the price of an enamel hood. Although not widely available Copper is another metal finish option. This route would require custom ordering your hood from a copper craftsman.

Installation

• Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for installation, particularly the height specifications. The lower you can mount your hood, the more effective it will be.
• Ensure the range hood is in proportion to your cooking surface. If your hood doesn't cover the entire stove, steam and heat will escape. The most common widths for hoods are 30 and 36 inches. Other sizes are available. They start at 24 inches and increase in 2 inch increments.
• Make sure you have sufficient venting power. As mentioned look at the CFM rating.
• Duct work should be metal and have smooth walls. Fewer bends and joints will ensure that there is less grime buildup. Planning your kitchen with the range and hood on an outside wall allows for more direct ventilation.
• Have a back draft damper installed.

Three Things to Avoid

• Really cheap under-cabinet models that have a low CFM rating of 150 or less. In other words, they don't move a lot of air. Expect to pay at least $200 because, as the saying goes, you get what you pay for.
• Non-vented models are just going to stir up the grease and smoke from cooking without getting rid of it. So, if your kitchen does not already have existing ducting you should seriously consider getting a contractor to install it. With the ducting installed you will be able to purchase a hood that will be effective in clearing away greasy air, smoke and odors.
• Microwave ovens that do double duty over your stove have fans and can be vented outside. However, they aren't as effective as regular hoods because they don't reach far enough over your stove. As a result, very little of the smoke and heat from cooking will be captured.

Brands

• Bosch Appliances
• Broan
• Frigidaire
• GE
• GE Monogram
• Jenn-Air
• Kenmore
• Maytag
• Vent-A-Hood

Whether you are looking for a hood that is invisible, integrated into your kitchen cabinetry, or makes a dramatic, decorative statement, there is a range hood out there for your dream kitchen.

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