Kitchen Vent Hoods - Plenty of Styles to Choose From!

When it comes to picking out a vent hood for your kitchen there is no shortage of types, styles and options to choose from. There are some factors that will play a role in the type of hood you select such as the location and size of your range or cooktop, the amount of space you have and the type of venting required.

Wall-Mount Hoods

As the name implies, wall-mount hoods are attached directly to a wall over a range or cooktop and come in two different configurations – chimney style and under cabinet style.

source: Dacor
Dacor, Model DHW361

Chimney style wall mount hoods go on a wall where there are no cabinets. These hoods tend to offer much more in terms of design and style and therefore tend to be more expensive. These models can vent out of the top through the ceiling or out the back through the wall.

source: Vent-A-Hood
Vent-A-Hood, Model NPH9

Under cabinet style hoods which are mounted under an upper cabinet, are one of the most common types of vent hoods. Ducting is concealed in the cabinet above and carried out through the ceiling or a soffit. Some models are extremely low profile and extend out of the upper cabinet only when needed.

Ceiling Mounted Hoods


source: Vent-A-Hood
Vent-A-Hood, Model CIEH9

Ceiling mounted hoods are the best choice when venting a cooktop or range that is located in an island or on a peninsula. Because there is no wall, the ducts must vent out through the ceiling. Like chimney style wall hoods – they come in a variety of stylish designs and tend to be more expensive. Installation may be more involved since the weight of these units may require some ceiling reinforcement.

Custom Designed Hood Liners

source: Wood Hollow Cabinets Wood Hollow Cabinets, Model MA-99

source: Dacor Dacor, Model IHL54

Hood liners or inserts are basically the guts of a vent hood without the exterior shell. They are meant to be installed inside custom-made hoods designed to match cabinetry or other design features. These liners include a blower system, filters and lighting and require ducting to vent through the ceiling or wall depending on location. Essentially they provide all the features of a regular hood but with ability to customize the exterior and create a one of kind focal point for your kitchen.

Microwave/Hood Combinations


source: Electrolux
Electrolux, Model EI30BM55HS

Microwave/Hood combinations combine two appliances into one - a vent hood and microwave, freeing up counter space while providing ventilation for an electric or gas cooking surface. They also provide task lighting for the cooktop below. Most are vented to the outside of your home or re-circulate cooking vapors through filters. Microwave/hood combinations are typically not as powerful as other vent hood styles and should not be used over any professional style gas cooking appliance.

Downdrafts
Downdraft ventilation systems draw fumes downward rather than up and are used when overhead venting isn’t possible or when overhead space is limited. There are two different kinds of downdrafts – flush mount and telescoping.
source: Jenn Air
Jenn Air, Model JED4536WR

Flush-mount downdraft vents are either recessed flush into the countertop or are incorporated into the actual cooktop or range top. They carry odors and vapors down and out through the base cabinet. They are less efficient than overhead vents or telescopic downdrafts because they can disrupt the cooking process by pulling heat and fumes away from the heat source and if taller pots are being used it’s harder to capture the fumes and odors.

source: Dacor
Dacor, Model PRV30

Telescoping downdraft vents extend up from the countertop when in use and retract down into the countertop, when not. They draw the air down below the cooktop and exhaust it to the outside. Because these models telescope up, they are more efficient than flush mount downdrafts because there is less disruption to the heat source and it can reach taller pots. Since the blower system and telescoping vent must be mounted in a lower cabinet these models are only feasible for cooktops, not ranges. If you have a cooktop located in an island or peninsula, a telescopic downdraft vent is a less expensive alternative to a ceiling mounted, updrafting hood but won’t be as efficient and will take up some cabinet space.

Useful Ventilation Features

Automatic Shutoff - shuts the fan off automatically after a specified period of time.

Halogen Lights and Nightlight - lights make it easier to see what you're cooking and nightlights provide soft illumination in a dark kitchen when you're searching for a midnight snack.

Electronic Touch Controls - for precise operation of your kitchen hood.

Filter Monitor and Indicator Light – an indicator light that lets you know when it’s time to replace the filter.

Variable-Speed Fan with Heat Sensors - senses when it needs to speed up to handle more heat.

Quiet Operation - additional insulation for quiet operation minimizes noise.

Optional Accessories

High Ceiling Chimney and Flu Extensions Kits - extend hoods to accommodate different ceiling heights.

Wall Controls - available for many models to provide remote light and blower controls away from the cooking area.

Ductless Kits - available for vented models to convert them to re-circulating hoods.

Pot Racks and Wire Racks/Hangers - available on some models for overhead storage of pots, pans and utensils.

Warming Shelves - available on some models to keep food warm after cooking.