Stainless Steel Range Hoods are now making a fashion statement, and odors and grease particles are running for their lives. There are more choices in kitchen ventilation hoods than most of us ever dreamed would be possible. Not only are stainless steel range hoods fashionable, but some of the most elegant varieties of them are surprisingly efficient.
What to look for in Stainless Steel Range Hoods
Remember that all range hoods need to be at least 6” larger than the stove top, to provide adequate ventilation. Take this measurement, as well as extra room for the cover, into consideration when planning the kitchen design, and ordering cabinets. Also most people who pick stainless steel range hood do not make them the centerpiece, or focal point of their kithcen but use them to accentuate the rest of their kitchen design.
There are a few things to consider when buying stainless steel range hoods beyond just how they look. Ask these questions or research them online:
Is the fan noisy?
Does the fan have multiple speeds
Are the filters easy to replace, clean an not too expensive?
Does it require ducts?
Does it have a light?
Here is a sample product description that covers the basesm helping you find all the features you need:
“ This Innovative Range Hood fits over any standard 30″ range. Available in black, white or stainless steel, this 30 range hood features a stylish design that blends seamlessly with surroundings. A heat sensor monitors temperatures and automatically adjusts the fan to provide proper ventilation. A filter change indicator reminds you to clean the dishwasher-safe filter. Advanced 3 level lighting provides bright task lighting or soft mood lighting for night. Adaptable for either dual halogen lights or two incandescent lamps. Delay off setting automatically turns fan off after ten minutes of operation. The versatile blower design allows four-way convertibility, 4 fan speeds. 3-1/4″ x 10″ (horizontal and vertical), 7″ round (vertical) and non-ducted (non-ducted charcoal filters sold separately.) Teflon coating for easy cleaning. Duct connectors are adjustable to accommodate off center ducts. 120 Volts / 60 Amps. 29.2 lbs. Assembly level/degree of difficulty: Moderate.”
Stainless steel range hoods can serve a variety of purposes, including design, function, and safety. They can be hidden in over-the-range microwave ovens or beneath an over-the-stove cabinet. The most elegant and efficient are what is known in the trade as the “wall-chimney range hood.” Obviously some models are far more practical than others though with kitchen design practicality does not always come before looks. Before you buy make sure you are honest with yourself about how much you actually cook before you go overboard as some of these stainless steel range hoods can cost a small fortune.
The kitchen range hood is an important, but often overlooked, appliance. A stainless steel range hood is a fan (blower) surrounded by an enclosure designed to capture and remove the air pollution created by the cooking process. While there are many types, shapes, and designs on the market, all range hoods have the same primary function: to keep the kitchen air clean.
During the cooking process, air pollutants such as smoke, steam, grease particles, and odors come up from the cooking surface. Gas cooktops and ranges add carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide to the mix, and grilling tops it off with volumes of greasy smoke. In addition, excess moisture from the dishwasher, escaping odors from the trash can, the lingering smell of last night’s takeout, and many other sources, together create a serious air quality problem.
Stainless steel range hoods solve this problem by removing the polluted air to the outside (ducted installation) or cleaning it with a series of filters (ductless / recirculating installation). However, besides the obvious benefit of keeping the kitchen air odor-free, range hoods offer several other, more subtle, advantages.
The hot, moist, greasy effluent stream produced by cooking is suctioned in and exhausted outside, instead of letting it blow right in your face. Any chef who spends a significant amount of time in the kitchen environment will attest to the difference between cooking in comfort, and having to endure a steam bath for several hours.
While we’re on the subject of comfortable cooking, it is worth noting that an overhead stainless steel range hood provides additional lighting, right where you need it the most. One of the considerations for selecting a range hood should be the amount of light it provides, as well as the type of lighting – halogen, fluorescent, incandescent, or a combination. Keep in mind that the bulb wattage does not need to be high, since the hood will be much closer to the cooktop than the room lights. In addition to work lights, some high-end designer range hoods offer spectacular lighting effects, and some hoods also include warming lights.
Keeping the air free of grease and excess moisture also keeps the entire kitchen cleaner. Airborne grease and moisture produced by cooking settles on kitchen surfaces, leaving a sticky film on cabinets and counters – but with a range hood, those pollutants are removed, making kitchen cleanup much easier and faster. The more advanced range hood models even offer a feature that keeps the hood running on a 10-15 minute timer after you’re done cooking, in order to clean the last traces of odor and then quietly turn off.
By forcing the polluted air outside, the stainless steel range hood creates negative pressure, which causes the clean outdoor air to enter the house, improving the air quality throughout the residence, not just in the kitchen. Removing harmful chemicals, promoting good airflow, and eliminating moisture & grease creates a healthier environment, which is especially important for anyone suffering from allergies, asthma, COPD, and other respiratory problems.
Range hoods also promote creativity in cooking. Having an effective kitchen ventilation solution lets the adventurous chef experiment with exotic foods that may otherwise not be considered due to strong odors. Curries, Kimchi, natto, Roquefort cheese, Durian and jack fruit, sardines and caviar, and many other pungent ingredients – all become much more appealing once you don’t need to worry about their smell lingering in the kitchen and settling into soft furnishings throughout the house. Even roasted salmon and garlic are not a challenge for a powerful, properly installed and ducted, overhead range hood.
Of course, just because an appliance is functional does not mean it can’t look good. A designer range hood can add the perfect finishing touch to the kitchen space, expressing the owner’s unique sense of taste and defining the cooking area as the heart of the kitchen. There are literally hundreds of designer range hood models on the market, with styles ranging from antique to the ultra-modern. Whether the kitchen design calls for a large angular “pro-style” hood, or a sleek Italian beauty with curved glass, or a classic hood with wood trim, there is a perfect design out there to match any kitchen.
As you can see, there are plenty of reasons to install a range hood in your kitchen. Start your search by determining what type of hood you’ll need – wall-mount or island-mount, as well as the size – at least as wide as the range/cooktop, and style that fits your kitchen design and personal taste. Price-wise, range hoods vary from bargain-basement specials for under $ 200, to luxury designer units with price tags from $ 1500 to $ 5000, to outrageous custom hoods that can run into tens of thousands of dollars.
