How about a chimney style island hood? It would not need to be mounted back against the wall, and It could be positioned directly over the cooking area. It would require you to remove the uppers, and assuming you have somewhere to exit the duct through the ceiling...Chris

First, I would note that the eye-brow type hood (we had one on a Litton Cook Center) has a very small fan. I eventually augmented ours with a NuTone upblast roof fan some years before we did our kitchen reno. Such designs have very limited capability for capture and containment, the primary functions of kitchen ventilation systems.

Most hoods that could be used with your configuration of oven and burner arrangement will be intrusive, (e.g., an island hood) and maybe not particularly effective. Your configuration is a case where I would consider a large (or even pair of large) ventilation hoods at the ceiling that overspread the area from cabinets (need to shrink the doors) to out beyond the cooking zone of the burners. And this large capture area would call for a lot of air flow rate, implying that make-up air issues would arise.

Such ceiling assemblies have come up here in the past and I forget who was the manufacturer. Of course, given sufficient room at the ceiling and above for capture and filtering and ducting, custom designs can be imagined.

Whether this is all worth it versus a newer cooktop/oven approach with more standard wall hood ventilation is another question, perhaps determined by design goals.

You may want to peruse ventilation threads on this forum for more background, and references made in My Clippings for technical information.

kas

Removing the upper cabinets is no problem. I hadn't considered an island hood. Maybe there's a way to orient one that would be an OK compromise, but I'm worried it might be too intrusive visually mostly because our kitchen layout is a wide galley. (Sorry my photos didn't show that.) The range is usually viewed from the side. Here's the kitchen as it exists, today (well, minus the 80's wallpaper!)

You can also see the dropped ceiling (with fluorescent lights) that we plan to remove.

As a result of very helpful ideas presented in this February thread in the kitchen forum, we hope to improve traffic patterns by opening up the wall at the far end (where you see the existing peekaboo window, and the framed art) and by adding a doorway to the right of the Flair (losing most of the cabinets to the right.) This would make the existing "oven wall" into an island wall, so folks would no longer be funneled directly through the work triangle in the kitchen.

Even so, the view of the Flair/hood will be mostly from the side. I worry when the burner drawer was closed, an island hood would look odd, as it might appear to be hanging down over nothing, in the main walkway? Not sure.

writersblock, thanks. I don't think I have stomped around in that website, yet. I have also found a quick fix for the clock that we might try, if we work up our courage to open up the range. It's apparently very common for the clocks in these Flairs to be stubborn.

kaseki, thanks also, for the phrase "eyebrow type hood" (I didn't know what to call them.) I had a suspicion that these might work marginally well, so I'm hesitant to search for an old one, buy it, get it here, pay to have it installed, and find out it barely helps. I don't know anyone else who has one of the Flair exhaust vents to talk to, but I'll keep looking.

Plus, there are enough parts in the old Flair that we already hold our breath about...if they fail, we are off on another part hunt, on eBay or elsewhere...so the thought of a modern vent hood is a little more comforting!

I will go through the information saved in your clippings. I'm frankly not knowledgeable about ventilation at all, so I need to do some homework.

I didn't even know that ceiling-type assemblies existed. I can see that would probably be the most attractive solution for us, but you're correct, we will have to assess whether or not that sophisticated solution is appropriate. My guess is, the cost of that kind of system is out of reach for our budget.

If this was a pedigreed Eichler home in a high-value area, it would make financial sense; but ours is a rather quirky Spanish MCM home in a so-so neighborhood, in southern NM, and we hope to not over invest too badly.

Still, that is exactly the kind of info we were looking for. We just didn't know what was even possible.

I might try visiting some of the kitchen showrooms in our area, to see if they have any suggestions. (Frankly though, I kind of expect to get a "deer in the headlights" look, when I show them the pics of the Flair.) This forum always proves to be a great place for brainstorming.

Frigidaitre Flair stoves, cooktops, and ovens are major collector's items and there's quite a bit of support for them online if you look around some. I've never had one myself though I've seen several. I would probably look into overhead ventilation units that are built into and concealed by cabinetry. Some of these have a remote fan which also reduces noise level in the kitchen when using it.

I'm not clear on whether code requires existing overhead ceiling (or wall) fans to be replaced if you renovate the kitchen. Certainly, these are still sold by Broan/NuTone and others, so somewhere they must be legal, although I suspect the vast majority are sold as replacements for existing exhaust fans in older homes. As already mentioned, these don't contain cooking exhaust nearly as well as a proper exhaust hood.

Also, there were some other companies that made exhaust hoods similar in design to the official Frigidaire unit. I don't know if any of these are still made, but I've seen several of them in 1960s homes.

Ceiling hoods are quite popular in high-end European kitchens. I'll put the link to appliancist.com in the link box - there should be US companies making them as well. A strange idea that just came to my mind: I wonder if it would be possible to install a downdraft on its side in the cabinets so that it extends not upward but forward over the burners when turned on.

Alex

Here is a link that might be useful: Appliancist Vent Hoods

lee676, yup, I've been pounding the internet pretty hard for support for Flairs. So far the Flair group on Google seems to get the most mention, and I have posted a question to that community. And I'm still looking.

Not a bad idea to be open to a similar period exhaust hood, made by other companies, either. I will look.

We think the old 1965 AirKing fan in our ceiling used to just vent into the attic (I guess that used to be allowed?) I don't think it's been operable for the last 30 years. Maybe you can still install these ceiling fans in some areas, if they are vented to the outdoors, and have filters.

No filter in this creepy old thing. This is what you see when you remove the cover. It's gotta go, that's for sure!

Alex, thank you for the link, I'm starting to understand the ceiling ventilation concept better. I'll do more searching to see if there is any way to do something like this that isn't terrifically expensive.

I don't know if downdrafts could be installed to operate sideways, but I like strange ideas (it's a strange range, frankly.) We already know we are going to have to creatively rework some of the cabinets...so that visualization will help us to think outside of the box a bit.

Have you posted on automaticwasher.org already? They are into restoring and collecting vintage appliances as well.

Here is a link that might be useful: Example of an old (closed) Flair thread

Oh... never mind. I just read your first post - thoroughly - and saw that you have used that very thread already. D'uh!

Alex, no problem, I appreciate you looking for us!

I just found that automaticwasher.org thread a few days ago. I haven't joined that forum yet, but I probably will. DH and I will need some hand-holding to get through the burner fix. Those guys seem to have a lot of knowledge. I am guessing (from my reading) both front burners need new switches, and I'm hoping I can get someone local to install them for us, if I can buy the correct switches needed.

OK, what about something like this.
Imperial Flush Cabinet Mount 3000 Series Range Hood

It has an extension that pulls out like a drawer. The 360 CFM models, and 430 CFM models, have a 6" extension. The 635 model has a 10" extension, but I'm not sure we really need that for an electric range (?)

The Flair is 40", and the standard widths for these are 36" and 42". But custom sizes are available. One option is a stainless steel front, which should look appropriate for the Flair.

It does say "bottom of hood should be 30-36" from cooktop." cooking surface. We would need about 38", to leave room for the oven doors to open upward, so maybe that's a stretch.

Seems like something like this could be positioned at the bottom of the flat-sided hood I drew in this sketch. Any thoughts are appreciated; I'll keep looking at other options.

(Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving tomorrow.)

You have a few options for ventilation here.

1.) Using an island-mount hood, as "ctycdm" suggested - since the hood will be attached to the ceiling, you can position it as close to, or as far away from, the wall as you wish. Here's an example:

[

[Other[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/other-home-design-ideas-phbr1-bp~r_33) by Brooklyn Appliances Futuro Futuro Kitchen Range Hoods

2.) Using an undercabinet hood, after making sure it will provide sufficient airflow (500 CFM is the bare minimum, in my opinion, shoot for 700-1000) and will extend far enough in front of the cabinets to cover the front burners:

[

[Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Jersey City Design-Build Firms Brunelleschi Construction

3.) A hood "insert" built into a custom cabinet or enclosure (usually made of wood, but can be stone, metal, combination... go wild):

[

[Mediterranean Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/mediterranean-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2109) by Falls Church Kitchen & Bath Designers Cameo Kitchens, Inc.

4.) Use a "standard" wall-mount hood, and bump up its depth by using additional plywood / 2x4's behind it, which will make the hood come out further from the cabinets. Of course, this works much better if the hood is surrounded by cabinets, and the hood itself is a "box" shape, to hide the bump-out.

[

[Modern Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2105) by Seattle General Contractors Dyna Contracting

5.) A flush-mount in-ceiling hood like the Broan Cirrus or Futuro Skylight:

[

[Other[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/other-home-design-ideas-phbr1-bp~r_33) by San Diego Interior Designers & Decorators Signature Designs Kitchen & Bath

[

[Other[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/other-home-design-ideas-phbr1-bp~r_33) by Brooklyn Appliances Futuro Futuro Kitchen Range Hoods

Miele has a retractable island hood. Not that it retracts enough to not be present all the time; just enough to open the oven I think. Not the best option...

Probably a large, high, custom metal hood from Modern Aire or similar with a big retro canopy would be my choice.

but against the wall? Maybe fewer scallops. That's a pretty girly kitchen. :P

robert_sett, thanks so much for your very clear description, and photos, of the options we can consider. Your visuals are helpful, and I think we're making progress on zeroing in on a few approaches that might work.

I love the look of the flush-mount in-ceiling hoods, but our preliminary research tells us that this option is most likely beyond our budget.

Right now, I'm thinking we'll be exploring ideas involving a hood insert in a custom cabinet, or using a standard hood, and bumping it out to a greater depth, as you described.

I still can't get quite happy with the idea of an island mount hood, for our kitchen. The Flair is such an odd animal, because most of the time the drawer burner is in the closed position. I think an island mount hood, positioned to be over the burners, would look odd when the burners were missing...especially when viewed from the side. Like a hood hanging over nothing.

I should probably do a mock up with posterboard boxes on the ceiling, just to make sure I'm not crazy, though.

Fori, the retractable hood is an interesting idea too. I think the Miele one is too pricey for us, but I understand your thought process, and it makes sense!

Your second photo is helpful in reminding me that a large, high hood would be in keeping with the period in general. I have never considered a large hood for the space, I think because was being inflluenced by the design ethics of the Flair (designed with no hood at all, or the little "eyebrow hood" option.) More minimal, and all folded away most of the time.

I keep thinking the hood needs to feel somewhat streamlined, and not obtrusive, because we are so used to the kitchen being a major traffic artery. It's a different idea to have something large that would (visually) bump out into the walking space.

That is a girly space. I think I'd have to lose all the scallops, or DH would leave home. :-)

How about putting a hood insert into the ceiling? After all, a ceiling hood is really nothing more than that - besides having a remote control. I suppose you could leave it on high suction and just turn the whole thing on and off with a wall switch.

Best is to use a real hood in whatever mounting scheme is least objectionable. However, to add one tiny bit to the tour-de-force description of Robert_Sett, you could put one or more ventilation registers in the ceiling connected to an external roof fan. That is what my old NuTone upblast has been repurposed to do as supplemental ventilation over my oven stack.

The register cavities would be sized for standard furnace filters. The drawbacks in this case are the need for replacing the filters often (depending on cooking), need to clean the register grills at the same time, and poor initial capture (but better than the fan that has been off for 30 years). Poor initial capture implies that they have to run longer removing more house warm air, along with not performing well at capturing grease before it settles on some surface.

Your pull-out in http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k234/oldmudhouse/Miscellaneous%20stuff/OB-frigidaireflairvent_zps07ac461b.jpg looks to me like it would remain effective if the height were 38 inches, given the presence of side cabinets and back wall. Cabinet doors on the facing could be used to retain the retro look.

kas

We think both ideas have some merit -- possibly installing a hood vent insert into the ceiling, or installing a ventilation register in the ceiling, hooked up to an external roof fan. Actually this kind of thinking kind of appeals to us because it's thinking a bit outside of the box. (Thank you, Kaseki, for your clear explanation of the drawbacks; everything you said makes total sense.)

Part of our thinking about the Flair involves making it "less scary" for resale. Here in southern NM, there isn't much appreciation yet for MCM/retro, believe it or not. I think we are just behind the times; maybe we'll catch up, someday.) Adding a "real" vent hood of some type to the Flair might make it more palatable for a potential buyer who has never seen one before. So, if we keep the Flair, I think we will likely lean towards a real hood of some type, after giving all the comments here a lot of thought.

Kaseki, thanks also for your thoughts on the pull-out stainless front vent, overlayed on my drawing above. I'm still liking the looks of that one, as it seems to fit the original design intent of the Flair, and wouldn't break the bank. You're right, it would be easy to integrate the same kind of (funky 1960's moulding!) on the facing of the fabricated hood, and I think it could look like it was all original.

This thread has been super helpful. I had no idea where to start, before (I guess you could tell.)

Now, we have a number of ideas that might work, and we feel like we can talk a lot more intelligently with local companies that can help us make this happen. We'll have to get our HVAC guys involved, when we raise the ceiling, so now we can also talk to them about some of the ideas presented here, to ventilate the range.

Things may become more clear when we understand what our local building code requires, so the local HVAC guys, or other contractors, can help us fill in those blanks as well.

It's remarkable how much information you folks can share, before, during, and after, Thanksgiving dinner! We so appreciate your time and thoughts.

What a relief to find this thread, albeit a bit late! We might be in exactly the same boat as you, mudhouse - trying to find a ventilation system for our Frigidaire Flair. I'd love to hear about and see what, if anything, you've come up with since you last posted. Below are some pictures of our setup.

We're also uncomfortable about an island-style system dangling into the middle of the kitchen when the range is closed. But we do need something that extends out past the counter top.

I've been wondering if it's OK mount one of the slide-out hoods (e.g., the Imperial) 12 or more inches away from the wall, thus making it more like an island mount, so that when the drawer is extended it covers more of the fully extended range?

Also, I read online that hoods should be directly over the range. But I've seen several examples of hoods that do not extend out as far as the burners do. So, I'm wondering how in/effective it would be to have a hood that falls short of the depth of the range by a few inches?

We're thankful to everyone who posted ideas here. If you have any new or different thoughts to offer particular to our setup, we'd greatly appreciate it.

The rising effluent expands as it rises. The effectiveness (air velocity) of the air pulled into the hood rapidly drops off with transverse displacement from the hood, and with distance below the hood. Hence, front burner effluent with such a hood is likely to not be captured except eventually as the room air is replaced. This should be expected to be too late to keep grease off of surfaces. Use front burners for cooking with water and back burners for greasy cooking.

kas

Hi - any advice on removing a Flair? We have one on its last legs and need to replace it. Do they attach to the wall in some way? Or is it immovable simply because of sheer weight. Thanks.

What did you end up doing with the Air King Vent and cover? I'm assuming it's long gone, but as it turns out, I'm looking for one...