At a Glance
Choosing the Right Size and Capacity
Why Trust East Coast Appliance?
A kitchen range hood is invaluable for removing smoke and grease from your home while cooking.
If you have family members with smoke sensitivities, you can reduce potential respiratory distress while also making cooking easier for yourself. A quality range hood will also prevent the spread of odors, so smells from the food you make at breakfast won't linger throughout the day.
There are many factors to consider as you shop for kitchen range hoods. Learn about the types of stove hoods available and identify the right size and power levels for your kitchen.
Choose the Best Kitchen Range Hood
Enhance your kitchen with a stylish and efficient range hood from our exclusive collection at East Coast Appliance. Shop with us today and enjoy top-quality ventilation.
Shop Kitchen Range HoodsTypes of Kitchen Range Hoods
When learning to pick a range hood, the first thing to know is that multiple styles accommodate different kitchen designs.
You don't necessarily need to install a large island kitchen range hood when a simple under-cabinet model will suffice. Here are the different types of range hoods to consider:
Under-cabinet Range Hoods: These compact hoods are installed directly beneath the cabinet above your range. They are designed to minimize space usage while efficiently venting smoke and grease.
Wall Mounted Range Hoods: Ideal for larger kitchens with ample space, these hoods are mounted on the wall above your range, providing powerful ventilation and adding a sleek design element.
Island Range Hoods: Perfect for kitchens with island ranges, these hoods are installed on the ceiling and hang above the island. They offer effective smoke and odor removal while maintaining an open, airy feel.
Insert Range Hoods: Discreet and space-saving. These hoods are installed within custom cabinetry or behind the range, pulling air away from the stove without taking up additional wall or cabinet space.
Downdraft Range Hoods: These innovative hoods pull air downward into the ventilation system, effectively removing smoke and odors without the need for an overhead hood, ideal for open kitchen designs.
Under-cabinet range hoods are some of the most common models but insert, and downdraft appliances are becoming more popular in tiny kitchens.
➝ Learn More: Range Hood Installation | Everything You Need to Know
Choosing the Right Size and Capacity
Selecting the appropriate size and capacity for your kitchen range hood is crucial for optimal performance. Here’s how to measure and choose the best range hood for your needs:
- Size: Begin by measuring the width of your cooktop. Ideally, your range hood should match this width or be six inches wider. For instance, if you have a 30-inch cooktop, opt for a 36-inch range hood. This extra width ensures the hood can effectively capture and filter your cooking area's smoke, grease, and odors.
- Capacity (CFM): CFM, or cubic feet per minute, indicates the volume of air a range hood can filter per minute, directly impacting how quickly it can clear smoke from your kitchen. When choosing a range hood, consider the CFM rating based on your cooking style and cooktop type:
- Gas Cooktops: The recommended CFM for gas ranges is a one-to-100 ratio based on the cooktop's maximum BTU output. For example, a gas range with a 40,000 BTU output requires a range hood with at least 400 CFM.
- Electric Cooktops: The larger the stove, the higher the CFM you will need to ensure efficient ventilation.
While adequate ventilation is essential, there is no such thing as having too much. Ensuring your range hood has the proper size and capacity will maintain a clean, odor-free kitchen environment and provide a more enjoyable cooking experience.
➝ Learn More: Pros & Cons of Island Range Hoods
Essential Features to Consider
The next part of this range hood buying guide includes the various features of modern ventilation systems. Knowing which features are important to you can help you narrow your range of hood vent options. Here are some popular features to look out for.
- Venting Options: Identify the best power level for your kitchen based on your cooktop's performance or range.
- Fan Speeds: Some models only have one or two fan speeds, while others can reach four-speed options.
- Lighting: Consider whether halogen or LED lights underneath the range hood are important to you.
- Filters: Look for filters that are easy to remove and clean. many modern ventilation filters are dishwasher safe.
- Control Panel: Not only should your control panel be easy to use, but it might also be digital. Smart range hoods are increasingly common and can even sync with your range.
The best gas range hood cleans your air and is easy to use. Knowing what you want from a ventilation system will help narrow your search options.
➝ Learn More: 7 Under Cabinet Range Hoods the Experts Recommend
Best Kitchen Range Hoods
Once you know the type of kitchen range hood you want and the size you need, you can explore the different products on the market. Here are five of the best range hoods for gas stoves, highly rated by home cooks.
GE Series 30" Stainless Steel Under the Cabinet Hood
Shop GE Series 30" Under The Cabinet Hood
This GE under-cabinet hood would be appropriate for a 30-inch range or cooktop. It has two different fan speeds, low and high, and filters the air at 270 CFM.
This range makes it easy to light your cooktop because it has simple LED lights built underneath. It also comes with a dishwasher-safe filter.
⭐Featured GE #JVX5305SJSS Review:
"I love this vent hood! It was a replacement for the old outdated white one I had. Very sleek and stylish and it matches the rest of my appliances now."
Frigidaire 36" Stainless Steel Chimney Wall Ventilation
Shop Frigidaire 36" Chimney Wall Ventilation
For a stylish and powerful chimney-style ventilation solution, consider the Frigidaire wall-mounted range hood. It offers an impressive 400 CFM and three fan speed settings.
Its highest speed blows at 69.9 dBA, so you will likely still be able to converse while your range hood cleans the air. This model comes with two lights underneath the hood.
⭐Featured Frigidaire #FHWC3655LS Review:
"I really like my new hood. Installation was easy and I can't believe how much air it moves. It is pretty quiet too and the halogen lights really make my stove top pop."
Maytag 36" Stainless Steel Modern Glass Island Mount Range Hood
Shop Maytag 36" Island Mount Range Hood
Consider the Maytag island range hood for a stylish and functional ventilation solution in your home.
This sleek range hood offers three power levels and an impressive 400 CFM airflow capacity, effectively clearing smoke and odors from your kitchen.
The sound levels are pleasantly quiet at 49 dBA at low speed and reach up to 70 dBA at maximum speed, ensuring efficient performance.
⭐Featured Maytag #WVI75UC6DS Review:
"My new range hood has been wonderful. It is quiet and seems to work very well. I love the LED lights on the edge. We use them for a night light."
GE Profile 30" Stainless Steel Custom Ventilation
Shop GE Profile 30" Custom Ventilation
This GE Profile insert range hood is perfect for smart home enthusiasts.
When you increase the power on your range or cooktop, the Chef Connect system automatically adjusts the range hood power levels to match.
Additionally, you can control the kitchen range hood through the SmartHQ™ app, your Amazon Alexa device, or other virtual assistants, providing you with seamless and convenient control options.
⭐Featured GE Profile #UVC9300SLSS Review:
"Love our new vent system for our cooktop. It is efficient and takes care of heat/smoke with ease. The lighting system is also very bright. Love that it has a low/high feature."
Fisher Paykel 36" Stainless Steel Downdraft Ventilation Hood
Shop Fisher Paykel 36" Downdraft Ventilation Hood
Rounding out the list of electric stove hood options is the Fisher Paykel downdraft ventilation hood.
This innovative model fits discreetly behind your cooktop and is barely noticeable when lowered, making it an excellent choice for kitchens where installing an overhead ventilation hood is not feasible.
With a powerful 600 CFM ventilation capacity, this downdraft hood efficiently removes smoke, grease, and odors from your cooking area. It operates at a quiet 60 dBA, ensuring effective performance without excessive noise.
➝ Learn More: 6 Stainless Steel Range Hoods to Complement Your Kitchen Design
Range Hood Installation Considerations
Most range hoods require professional installation, and East Coast Appliance service technicians are experienced in handling these units daily. We can easily connect your range hood to your cabinets and ventilation system, ensuring it effectively filters the air and stays securely in place.
However, manufacturers are increasingly producing range hoods designed for homeowner installation. If you choose to DIY this project, ensure your range hood is placed near existing ductwork to maximize ventilation and close to an electrical outlet for easy connection.
Choosing the right type of kitchen range hood is crucial for your space. You need an ideal design, size, and power level for effective air cleaning. If you need assistance selecting a kitchen range hood, turn to the experts at East Coast Appliance. We can recommend top models and identify the best ventilation options for your home.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about kitchen range hoods:
What is a good CFM for a range hood?
A good CFM range for most hoods is between 300 to 600. If you have a gas cooktop, maintain a one-to-100 ratio based on your BTU power level. For example, if your range reaches 35,000 BTU, you will want a ventilation hood that reaches at least 350 CFM. That said, the more CFM you have, the better.
How to determine the size of range hood needed?
As a rule of thumb, your range hood width should be at least the length of your cooktop. Ideally, you will buy a range hood that is six inches wider. This provides extra space for increased ventilation. It is better to invest in extra ventilation than to buy a range hood that is too small and ineffective at its job.
How far out should a range hood extend?
Your range hood should extend at least to the edge of your countertops. Some range hoods are designed to stick out a few extra inches to maximize ventilation power. The depth of your range hood depends on the model that you buy. How high a range hood should be above a stove depends on whether you place it under cabinets.
Why Trust East Coast Appliance?
Locally owned and operated since 1988, East Coast Appliance is the largest independent appliance dealer in Virginia. We sell it ALL — from new name-brand appliances to scratch-and-dent appliances to our very own refurbished appliances. Aside from our huge selection of every major brand and everyday low prices, what sets us apart from our competitors is that we service what we sell and that we are locally owned and operated with factory-trained associates. And if you’re local, great news: East Coast Appliance is committed to providing the absolute lowest prices on the same available brand and model — simply bring in the ad of the local retail competitor while the lower price is in effect and you'll receive your price match.
Shop Kitchen Range Hoods at East Coast
There is a reason we are dubbed “The Discount King” — for unbeatable deals, shop range hoods online at East Coast Appliance. Our friendly associates are always happy to help you find the best range hood for your kitchen, whether you call us or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by one of our showrooms to see why we are the best appliance store in Virginia. Visit us today!