Love to Cook? You Need a Fan. Find the Right Kind for You
Don't send budget dollars up in smoke when you need new kitchen ventilation. Here are 9 top types to consider
Ines Hanl
June 1, 2013
Finding a great range hood isn't just about style — knowing what will work best for your kitchen and the way you cook is key. Think carefully about what you need out of your kitchen ventilation system before you shop.
Range hoods come as island-mount designs over a central island and wall-mount models that sit on the wall behind a stove or cooktop. They can be mounted under upper cabinetry or become invisible when integrated into decorative cabinetry as a power pack. You also have the option of various types of downdraft models, either in the form of integrated stovetop ventilation or as separate pop-up vents.
Curious what will look best in your new kitchen? Here are some options to consider.
Range hoods come as island-mount designs over a central island and wall-mount models that sit on the wall behind a stove or cooktop. They can be mounted under upper cabinetry or become invisible when integrated into decorative cabinetry as a power pack. You also have the option of various types of downdraft models, either in the form of integrated stovetop ventilation or as separate pop-up vents.
Curious what will look best in your new kitchen? Here are some options to consider.
Island Fans
An island fan tends to be more expensive than a wall-mounted fan, simply because it needs to look good from all four sides. However, some projects have island fans used as wall-mounted models or in front of windows.
A fan like this acts like a sculpture in your kitchen, interacting with other decorative items nearby (like pendants and chandeliers). You can easily create visual clutter when these items aren't positioned and selected carefully. Give each item enough breathing space so it doesn't have to fight for attention.
An island fan tends to be more expensive than a wall-mounted fan, simply because it needs to look good from all four sides. However, some projects have island fans used as wall-mounted models or in front of windows.
A fan like this acts like a sculpture in your kitchen, interacting with other decorative items nearby (like pendants and chandeliers). You can easily create visual clutter when these items aren't positioned and selected carefully. Give each item enough breathing space so it doesn't have to fight for attention.
Wall-Mounted Fans
The stunning wall-mounted model shown here is from Zephyr. It's easy to forget that this piece of art is actually an appliance. Wall-mounted ventilation products are quiet and efficient, and they come in more than 200 RAL colors!
The stunning wall-mounted model shown here is from Zephyr. It's easy to forget that this piece of art is actually an appliance. Wall-mounted ventilation products are quiet and efficient, and they come in more than 200 RAL colors!
Measure your ceiling height carefully if you're planning to use a model with a stainless steel chimney. You might have to order an extension piece to help the chimney reach the ceiling.
If you want to avoid the seam lines that come with chimney extensions, consider running the chimney into a valance or upper cabinet instead.
If you want to avoid the seam lines that come with chimney extensions, consider running the chimney into a valance or upper cabinet instead.
Undercabinet Fans
This undercabinet fan makes a professional-looking statement. The controls for models like this one sit on the unit's face or underside. Sometimes it's necessary to oversize the hood fan to create a pleasing proportion between the range and hood fan. But for a boxier unit like this, it's totally appropriate to select the same width for range and fan.
This undercabinet fan makes a professional-looking statement. The controls for models like this one sit on the unit's face or underside. Sometimes it's necessary to oversize the hood fan to create a pleasing proportion between the range and hood fan. But for a boxier unit like this, it's totally appropriate to select the same width for range and fan.
Specialty Ventilation
Specialty units like this Broan E12000 Series fan are great options for small kitchens. Its European styling reveals just a slim 1½-inch lip. When the fan is on, this piece slides forward from the face of the upper cabinetry by about 6 inches.
Want a seamless look? Continuing a band of stainless steel in the same width all along the bottom of the upper cabinetry would make the fan disappear.
Specialty units like this Broan E12000 Series fan are great options for small kitchens. Its European styling reveals just a slim 1½-inch lip. When the fan is on, this piece slides forward from the face of the upper cabinetry by about 6 inches.
Want a seamless look? Continuing a band of stainless steel in the same width all along the bottom of the upper cabinetry would make the fan disappear.
Using a similar approach with a fan liner would require about 2 inches more depth than the previous example. This kitchen has a wide stainless steel band above the cooking zone that accentuates the space's horizontal features. To replicate this look, you'd need to have a cabinetmaker create a plywood box and have it wrapped and welded by a sheet-metal producer.
Power Packs
A power pack (also called a liner) allows you to make your own hood fan design. The power pack here is incorporated into a stone surround.
Power packs have controls on the bottom panel, but they can also be wired to a wall-mounted control box. Some manufacturers also offer wireless remote controls. The standard power pack unit requires a structure that extends at least 21 inches from the wall.
Most power packs include LED or low-voltage halogen spotlighting, too. Take a good look at the positioning of your lights. Depending on the manufacturer, they can be mounted on the front or back of the unit. Some install at a tilt. Based on my experience, a model with front-mounted lights that tilt toward the back or lights that face straight down work better than lights mounted at the back of the unit.
A power pack (also called a liner) allows you to make your own hood fan design. The power pack here is incorporated into a stone surround.
Power packs have controls on the bottom panel, but they can also be wired to a wall-mounted control box. Some manufacturers also offer wireless remote controls. The standard power pack unit requires a structure that extends at least 21 inches from the wall.
Most power packs include LED or low-voltage halogen spotlighting, too. Take a good look at the positioning of your lights. Depending on the manufacturer, they can be mounted on the front or back of the unit. Some install at a tilt. Based on my experience, a model with front-mounted lights that tilt toward the back or lights that face straight down work better than lights mounted at the back of the unit.
This soft modern kitchen has a narrow power pack hidden within the upper cabinetry. Several companies, including Broan and Nu Tone, offer extremely narrow power packs that can fit into a standard upper cabinet depth. This is often combined with an electric or induction cooktop, since the fan wouldn't reach over the front burners of a gas unit's open flame.
This power pack has been combined with an external or remote blower. The external blower isn't visible here, which is a beautiful solution with the simple face and wood trim.
A custom unit above a sealed gas-powered stove typically requires 42 inches of clearance to combustible surfaces. A regular gas stove requires 36 inches of distance to the hood. Since a lot of decorative covers are designed to extend on either side of the range's width, they'll also have a bottom panel where the power pack is installed. You'll need to either choose a noncombustible material for the bottom panel or move the hood fan up accordingly.
A custom unit above a sealed gas-powered stove typically requires 42 inches of clearance to combustible surfaces. A regular gas stove requires 36 inches of distance to the hood. Since a lot of decorative covers are designed to extend on either side of the range's width, they'll also have a bottom panel where the power pack is installed. You'll need to either choose a noncombustible material for the bottom panel or move the hood fan up accordingly.
This image shows ventilation grilles installed into a dropped ceiling above the kitchen area. A liner or a small power pack combined with an inline or external blower would work for this look.
If you want an even more streamlined design — maybe with long, narrow ventilation strips — work with an HVAC expert. But this application will definitely require a dropped ceiling.
Note: The higher a fan sits, the more powerful it has to be, which may result in a draft when you're standing under it. Kitchen fans also are designed to trap grease and steam as close to the source as possible. The higher the fan, the easier it is for vapors to dissipate throughout the room.
If you want an even more streamlined design — maybe with long, narrow ventilation strips — work with an HVAC expert. But this application will definitely require a dropped ceiling.
Note: The higher a fan sits, the more powerful it has to be, which may result in a draft when you're standing under it. Kitchen fans also are designed to trap grease and steam as close to the source as possible. The higher the fan, the easier it is for vapors to dissipate throughout the room.
Microwave and Hood Fan Combinations
You can also integrate a combination appliance for kitchen ventilation. There are pros and cons to this option, and it's a matter of personal preference.
For many homeowners, a microwave is a no-brainer. However, the accurate positioning of a microwave can be challenging — particularly in a small kitchen — since it often takes up valuable counter or shelf space. Using a combination microwave hood fan above the range puts it out of the way, into a spot that would've been used by a vent anyway. It often strengthens the concept of the stove area as the main feature in the kitchen too, without the visual clutter of other appliances. It's definitely worth considering in small to midsize kitchens.
However, this location also makes the microwave very difficult to reach, since you have to lean over a potentially hot surface. I would never install a unit like this over a gas range — the open flame could become very dangerous.
You can also integrate a combination appliance for kitchen ventilation. There are pros and cons to this option, and it's a matter of personal preference.
For many homeowners, a microwave is a no-brainer. However, the accurate positioning of a microwave can be challenging — particularly in a small kitchen — since it often takes up valuable counter or shelf space. Using a combination microwave hood fan above the range puts it out of the way, into a spot that would've been used by a vent anyway. It often strengthens the concept of the stove area as the main feature in the kitchen too, without the visual clutter of other appliances. It's definitely worth considering in small to midsize kitchens.
However, this location also makes the microwave very difficult to reach, since you have to lean over a potentially hot surface. I would never install a unit like this over a gas range — the open flame could become very dangerous.
Pop-Up Downdraft Fans
The flexible pop-up downdraft is one of my favorite vent options. These vents rise from the counter at the touch of a button. When the vent is resting, all that's visible is a 1½-inch-wide stainless steel bar. The guts are hidden within the base cabinet — it takes up about 12 inches in depth and most of the cabinet's height. However, it still leaves about 10 to 12 inches of shelf depth for pots and pans.
The flexible pop-up downdraft is one of my favorite vent options. These vents rise from the counter at the touch of a button. When the vent is resting, all that's visible is a 1½-inch-wide stainless steel bar. The guts are hidden within the base cabinet — it takes up about 12 inches in depth and most of the cabinet's height. However, it still leaves about 10 to 12 inches of shelf depth for pots and pans.
This photo shows a pop-up downdraft in the middle of its ascent. Note how the steam from the pot is already traveling to the fan grill, even though it's not fully extended yet.
If your cooking zone is positioned against an exterior wall, rather than in an island, your venting can go right through the wall to the outside. If used on an island, the venting duct has to be brought down between the floor joists and toward an exterior wall. This option requires the duct to go parallel with the floor joists (otherwise it could weaken the load-bearing system), so the duct run could get very long, and you might have to consider the more expensive addition of a powerful exterior blower. Make sure to discuss this with your kitchen designer, contractor or heating and ventilation specialist before planning and purchasing a a pop-up downdraft model.
If your cooking zone is positioned against an exterior wall, rather than in an island, your venting can go right through the wall to the outside. If used on an island, the venting duct has to be brought down between the floor joists and toward an exterior wall. This option requires the duct to go parallel with the floor joists (otherwise it could weaken the load-bearing system), so the duct run could get very long, and you might have to consider the more expensive addition of a powerful exterior blower. Make sure to discuss this with your kitchen designer, contractor or heating and ventilation specialist before planning and purchasing a a pop-up downdraft model.
This photo shows a pop-up downdraft fully extended. You can now purchase vents that open up to about 15 inches above the counter. These are very beneficial when combined with gas tops. Previously, the standard 6- to 8-inch height of a pop-up vent would draw gas flames toward the fan, distributing heat unevenly on the gas top.
Range With Pop-Up Downdraft
Some ranges today can have a pop-up downdraft installed right behind them. Previously, you could install this vent only with a cooktop, since the blower unit and fan took up much of the cabinet space underneath, leaving little room for an oven. Today's slim designs have changed that.
The combination of range and pop-up downdraft shown here would be a very good option for a small kitchen, as it leaves the space above the range free for cabinetry or something else.
Some ranges today can have a pop-up downdraft installed right behind them. Previously, you could install this vent only with a cooktop, since the blower unit and fan took up much of the cabinet space underneath, leaving little room for an oven. Today's slim designs have changed that.
The combination of range and pop-up downdraft shown here would be a very good option for a small kitchen, as it leaves the space above the range free for cabinetry or something else.
Range With Integrated Downdraft
Jenn-Air is well known for its integrated downdraft, which is a part of its horizontal cooking surface. Rather than having to add a separate appliance — like the range with the pop-up downdraft combination — you can get a range that comes with its ventilation built in.
In my experience, homeowners tend to love or hate these appliances. Although they make for a clean look, the vent is right in your face, and you can see the grime quickly accumulating in the grille.
Jenn-Air is well known for its integrated downdraft, which is a part of its horizontal cooking surface. Rather than having to add a separate appliance — like the range with the pop-up downdraft combination — you can get a range that comes with its ventilation built in.
In my experience, homeowners tend to love or hate these appliances. Although they make for a clean look, the vent is right in your face, and you can see the grime quickly accumulating in the grille.
This shot shows a Jenn-Air downdraft vent installed in an island. This is a great example of how a downdraft venting solution lets you substitute an island fan with interesting lighting. These appliances give you more design flexibility.
Tell us: What has your experience been while shopping for kitchen ventilation? Which solution do you like best?
More: How to Choose the Right Hood Fan for Your Kitchen
Tell us: What has your experience been while shopping for kitchen ventilation? Which solution do you like best?
More: How to Choose the Right Hood Fan for Your Kitchen
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I'm having the hardest time finishing my townhouse remodel project b/c of the difficulty in choosing a recirculating hood (no exterior venting option) that will fit in the 46 1/2" space below the soffit and still allow for 30" above range. Thank you.