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Is ventilation necessary for gas ranges?

15 years ago

Is ventilation necessary for gas ranges? We are doing a gas range in an island, but we don't want a ventilation hood hanging from the ceiling. In our kitchen now, we do have a vent that leads outside, but our range is changing location. We looked at the downdraft vent in the range, but we don't really like the look. I talked to one appliance man who suggested putting an in-line motor in the attic for a ventialtion system. I'm kindof confused on this option. Could I use the same location of the vent leading outside and just put a cover over the opening instead of using a hood? Please I need HELP!!!

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Comments (3)

joeboldt
15 years ago
It doesn't matter if you have a gas or electric range. The hood is to remove cooking odors, grease and heat.
clinresga
15 years ago
The induction lovers argue that the absence of combustion gasses (mainly CO2) means that induction ranges need less ventilation. Not sure I agree, since for me the huge factor is what joeboldt says: it's the grease, the odors, and the heat.

I am a huge believer that all ranges should have some kind of ventilation. This is the second post in the last few days where someone has suggested that a whole-house ventilation system could somehow substitute. That seems ridiculous to me: indeed, a whole house system would be the worst idea, as what you'd be doing is forcibly sucking all the grease and fumes throughout the house.

I for one hate my clothes and bedding smelling of garlic, hate the smoke detector going off if I'm searing or stir frying, and hate finding layers of grease built up on top of my cabinets, let alone the living room furniture.

I'd do a good hood, but if the aesthetics completely rule out any type of overhead hood, then at least do a downdraft. It's much better than nothing, though it is far short of an overhead vent.
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The other thing about not venting, apart from odors, is grime. If the microscopic drops of oil (and food-laden water, e.g. pasta water full of starch) that fly up when you cook are not vented, they have to land somewhere; they will land on your walls, your cabinets, your counters, your floor, and any decorations or things left out (dishes on open shelves etc.). So they will make all those surfaces dirty AND they will create a sticky layer on those surfaces that normal household dust will stick to like glue AND that bacteria can grow in (after all the oil, starch etc. feeds the bacteria). So it's part a hygiene issue and part just a "dinge" issue. If you don't vent you will have to clean more to keep your kitchen from getting dingy (and STICKY, ick), and cleaning will be more difficult because of the layer of oil, starch etc. And surfaces, especially cabinet and wall surfaces (which are typically more porous than counters and floors), will wear out faster because of this constant cycle of grime/cleaning products/scrubbing.
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Judy - those cupcakes look yummy! I'm in your camp. The kitchen we are remodeling had a old vented hood. In the 7 years I have lived here, I think I turned it on maybe 2 or 3 times & that usually involved a toaster incident lol... I also cook plenty but like you, don't deep fry or sear/broil very often & use just small amounts of olive oil or butter when needed and not at high heat. I never had a problem with any grease build up or other gunk & I don't really find food smells offensive (well except when I was pregnant, but those days are over). This time around, I'm going with an OTR micro, b/c my counter space is limited & I hated that the big clunker was taking up so much of my precious counter space. (I'm now trying to figure out where I can hide my toaster oven for the same reason). I'm guessing I won't use the vent much this time around either - When we sell in 10-15 yrs - our kitchen will probably be getting to that "outdated" state anyway & will be redone again - the venting to outside is in place if they want to change back to a hood - but for me, this is just fine...
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We have a GE profile 36" cooktop with a down draft at the rear. It's been fine for us. It replaced a thermador that had the rear telescoping downdraft as part of the cooktop. I liked that the GE has a separate downdraft unit bc our thermador had to be replaced bc the downdraft stopped working. Bummer to replace the cooktop when it was working. We've had the GE profile cooktop for about 6yrs. No issues so far.
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@nini804, Gas fireplaces don't need pilot lights. As David Cary stated, a battery starter is included in most models. I replaced a fireplace a few years ago and everyone I researched had a battery starter. You may want to check if you insert has such a function, it may be an add on but is well worth it in my opinion. My older fireplace did have a pilot light and I always left it on because I forgot about it. It was a waste of energy. A gas lantern would never be a want for me. I prefer led exterior lighting with Dark Sky certification. Many of the exterior lights that I see don't actually provide good lighting to mark walkways and things like that so that is my focus. Good luck!
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olchik
15 years ago
Yes, you need a hood
there are some very pretty glass hoods out there

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