Kitchen islands have risen in popularity due to modern kitchens. And it's no wonder why. They free up much-needed counter space in the kitchen and create better flow in cramped spaces.
Generally, islands are built into kitchens as space savers. So it stands to reason that a range hood, which takes up considerable space, doesn't make any sense. However, it can make sense if you tailor your requirements to fit your space.
In this article, we'll look at how range hoods work, why they're important, and whether they're worth installing alongside your kitchen island.
What Is an Island Range Hood?
An island range hood is a kitchen ventilation system that helps circulate air throughout the kitchen. This prevents odors and smoke from building up around the stove and reduces cooking fumes. They are typically installed above the stove and often include a fan or blower.
The best way to choose one is to look at its features. For example, some models offer a grille filter, while others do not. Likewise, some allow you to control the airflow temperature, while others do not.
Additionally, consider the space above the stove as well, as you don't want to obstruct it too much.
Can You Cook Without a Range Hood?
If you cook on a gas stove, a range hood is absolutely essential because cooking fumes are dangerous to our health. Cooking fumes include traces of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, formaldehyde, benzene, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, and many others.
These chemicals can cause cancer, respiratory problems, headaches, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue. In fact, cooking fumes account for a large portion of harmful pollutants in our homes.
Range hoods help filter out those toxic fumes. In addition, a ventilator ensures that you breathe clean air while cooking.
What to Look for When Buying a Range Hood?
A range hood helps improve indoor air quality and reduces cooking odors. They do this by capturing grease and smoke particles, making cleaning up spills and grease easier.
There are three main types of range hoods: exhaust, extractor/extraction, and recirculation.
Exhaust range hoods use fans to pull air out of the kitchen area and send it outside. These are typically found in commercial kitchens with a lot of traffic.
Extractor/extraction range hoods work like extractor hoods, except they don't suck the air out of the room. Instead, they draw the air into the unit and filter it. Extractor hoods are best for smaller spaces such as apartments and condos.
Recirculating range hoods are similar to extractor hoods but also include a fan that pushes the filtered air back into the space. Recirculating range hoods offer the most efficient filtration through heavy-duty carbon filters.
The type of range hood you choose depends on your space, your budget and your temperature requirements.
It's important to remember that if you are looking to install a kitchen island stove, you need to make sure there is enough room for both the stove and the vent/hood combination. You don't want to block the exhaust vents.
Providing a Hood and Exhaust Fan for an Island Cooktop
The island cooktop provides a lot of cooking surface area, but there isn't much room for ventilation. This creates a problem because grease drips onto the stovetop and burns easily. You'll want to install a hood over the island cooktop to solve this issue.
A hood must be ventilated up or down, depending on your type of installation. You can buy a standard hood that attaches directly to the wall above the cooktop or one that mounts to the ceiling. Some models come with remote control, while others require manual operation.
Several types of hoods are available, including ones that mount directly to the ceiling, which we call "island hoods." These are great for kitchens with lots of counter space since they don't take up any floor space. They're also ideal for kitchens with high ceilings.
Benefits of an Island Range Hood
An island range hood is great because it allows air to flow freely around cooking appliances. This helps keep your kitchen clean of strong odors and eliminates smoke smells from stoves.
Most models are designed to fit over the stovetop, and this type of hood doesn't require mounting to walls as wall-mounted ranges do.
This comes in handy when building code requirements and landlords are involved.
Different Types of Venting
Cooktops come in many different shapes and sizes. Some are installed directly into the kitchen cabinets, while others sit above the countertops. There are even some that hang over the range hood. But what makes one better than another? And how do you choose the best vent for your particular situation?
Here are the three main venting options for kitchen islands.
The upward vent
An upward vent pulls hot air out of the cooking area and pushes it outside. This is efficient because it draws heat away from the food.
However, it does need a lot of space around the stove. The vent could blow warm air back onto the cooktop if there isn't enough space.
If you're looking for a solution that doesn't take up much floor space, consider installing a recirculating fan unit. These units use a blower to push air down through the oven cavity, pulling the hot air back up again. They're great for small spaces.
Downward vents
A downward vent is used to pull cold air into the kitchen. Downward vents work well in kitchens with tight quarters, such as those designed with under cabinet ranges. You'll find them on gas ranges, too.
Downdraft vents
These vents pull air down through the oven. They're perfect for large kitchens with little space between the stove and the sink. Downdraft vents are usually found on commercial ranges.
How to Choose an Island Hood
While it doesn't replace a full ventilation system, an island range hood does help keep food odors out of the air and prevent buildup from grease splatters.
There are several different island range hoods to consider depending on how much cooking you do and how often. There are also customizable options to make sure you get the right for your kitchen.
A kitchen range hood is important because it helps eliminate smoke, steam, and odor from cooking areas. These appliances use fans to pull air into the unit and exhaust it outside. In addition, some models include charcoal filters, while others don't. Filters are helpful because they trap particles that could cause health problems.
The size of your kitchen plays a role in determining what kind of range hood you need. Smaller cooking spaces often require less powerful range hoods. Larger rooms call for larger models.
In short, when choosing your island range hood, consider these three things:
- Space in your kitchen
- How often do you cook
- How you would like to vent your range hood
Negatives and Positives of an Island Range Hood
There are pros and cons to installing any kitchen appliance, and making the right decision for your space can be difficult. Here is a list to help you with that.
Downsides to an island range hood:
- Usually heavier than standard models
- Require extra plumbing
- Cost more than conventional range hoods.
Upsides to an island range hood:
- Designed to fit into tight spots, making it ideal for small kitchens
- You'll save money because you won't have to buy a separate venting system
- Most models include additional features like adjustable thermostats, automatic shutoff, remote controls, and built-in timers.
Things to Consider When Installing an Island Range Hood
There are a few things to keep in mind before purchasing a kitchen range.
- CFM calculation
CFM, cubic feet per minute, measures how much air flows into the appliance. This measurement determines how well the oven heats the food and how long it takes to cook.
Cooking appliances typically come with three different CFMs: high, medium, and low.
- High CFM models heat up quickly and produce lots of steam
- Medium CFM models take longer to heat up but don't produce as much steam
- Low CFM models take the longest to heat up but don't produce as much vapor.
The best way to determine what type of CFM you need is to use a CFM calculator.
- Noise level and fan speeds
The noise level of fans in range hoods varies depending on how much air needs to flow into the room. A low-volume fan will produce less sound than one running at full speed.
When it comes to fan speeds, some models are designed to run more slowly while others are capable of high speeds.
If noise is a big issue, you can consider a duct silencer, which will help to decrease the noise level coming from your range hood.
- Ceiling Height
A range hood should be installed over the highest cooking surface. This prevents grease and smoke from being sucked into the cooking space. To provide adequate ventilation, ensure there is ample space around the hood.
Some models come with an adjustable ceiling height feature. They're great because they let you raise or lower the hood without moving the entire unit.
- Size matters
The size of the kitchen hood is important. If it doesn't fit properly, it could cause problems such as hot air escaping, smoke billowing into the room, and grease splattering onto walls and ceilings. Make sure the hood range is large enough to cover the entire cooktop surface area.
- Safety First
Make sure the hood range includes safety features like a shutoff valve, flame extinguishers, a heat sensor, and fire alarms.
A note on range hood installation
You can install a range hood yourself, but it is best left to a professional to ensure that you comply with building codes and safety regulations.
Consider installing a standard vent fan if you want something simple and inexpensive.
Conclusion
An island range hood is an absolute must-have in a kitchen, especially a small one, where ventilation is likely to be poor.
They're easy to install, cost-effective and easy on the environment.
By removing all the toxins and grease that result from cooking, an island range hood will leave your kitchen and your home cleaner. This will make your indoor environment healthier for all who live in your space.
Check out our website to see the full range of hoods we have available.