4 Range Hoods and Vents

There is no such thing as a perfect product—this truth extends even to range hoods and vents. Any consumer who wants to own one should understand the pros and cons first to know which type would work best for his or her needs.

Cabinet Range Hood

Also known as the under-cabinet range hood, this has been one of the best-loved and most reviewed hoods for several years. During the installation, the range hood is attached on to a wooden cabinet, hence the name.

Pros: It is one of the least expensive hoods in the market today, yet it is highly technological, replete with fan tray slides made of stainless steel. It does not eat up a lot of space and can work very efficiently. You can set it up yourself to avoid spending money on installation costs. More modern designs include stainless steel, making the modern under-cabinet range hoods sturdier.

Cons: You needs a cabinet first before the hood installation is possible. If the hoods are not used during cooking, the heat from the range can destroy the wood cabinet. It looks unsightly in a spic-and-span kitchen.

Island Range Hood

Island range hoods are easy to spot as they hang straight from the ceiling. They look massive or sleek, depending on the design or the material used.

Pro: If you want your kitchen to be the height of design and style, get island range hoods. They come in a wide variety of types. Minimalist homes can use stainless steel island hoods while country-style houses can pick those that are made of bricks.

Cons: It will cost you a lot, perhaps because of the size and the design. It also does not work as effectively as the other types of hoods and vents. It is too far from the kitchen walls, which is supposed to prevent the escape of heat.

Downdraft Vents

The fans of the downdraft vents are found at the cooktop surface. It has the ability to push and grease down and into the base cabinet or underneath the flooring.

Pros: One can incorporate the vents to an island installation since it is completely unobtrusive and does not interrupt in the kitchen plan. This is the ideal solution if installation of other hoods and vents are not possible in the present kitchen layout. It also comes in different types such as flush mount and countertop level.

Cons: It seldom works and costs a lot to purchase and install. There is also the tendency that light smoke and fumes do not reach the downdrafts and not pushed out. Rather, they stay in the kitchen area.

Wall-Mounted Range Hood

As its name suggests, this range hood is attached directly to the kitchen wall. It does not need any type of cabinet to hide it.

Pros: It is one of the most effective range hoods in the market today. As mentioned, one does not have to build additional cabinets, so there is no need for extra cost. Although it is very visible, there are several stylish designs available, adding more kitchen value.  

Cons: Though not as expensive as the island range hood, it still costs a lot as compared to other types of range hoods.