At a Glance:
Understanding CFM And Why it is Important
CFM and Your Kitchen: Making the Right Match
In every kitchen, one appliance often overlooked but incredibly essential is the range hood. It's more than just another kitchen gadget, and it serves a vital function in preserving a hygienic, refreshing, and health-oriented atmosphere.
Explore Range Hoods at Arnold's
Looking for a range hood for your kitchen? Discover ventilation options from top brands like Vent-a-Hood, Bosch, Thermador, and more at Arnold's Appliance today!
Shop Range HoodsWhat are Range Hoods For?
A range hood works by eliminating airborne grease, combustion products, odors, and steam generated during cooking, dramatically improving the air quality in your home. This effective ventilation helps reduce indoor pollution and creates a safer, more comfortable space for cooking and dining.
A range hood provides a dash of style to your kitchen and does some heavy lifting. It helps maintain a cooler cooking environment, especially during those epic meal prep sessions. Plus, it's great at reducing unwanted moisture, preventing mold and bacteria from turning your kitchen into its own little hotspot.
So, for anyone mindful about maintaining a healthier home, investing in a solid range hood is more of a necessity than just a nice-to-have.
Types of Range Hoods
To begin understanding range hoods and CFM, let's first discuss the various types of range hoods on the market.
Under the Cabinet Range Hood
The under the cabinet range hood is a classic choice for kitchens with a focus on space optimization. Installed directly under your cabinetry, it provides a neat look while efficiently tackling smoke and odors.
These hoods are a testament to how compact size and high functionality can coexist, making them an excellent option for smaller kitchens or for those desiring a non-intrusive, clean look.
Wall Mounted Range Hood
For kitchens without upper cabinets or those embracing a contemporary aesthetic, the wall mounted range hood is a match made in heaven. These models are mounted on the wall, taking center stage above your stove.
Known for their effective ventilation and stylish designs, they often become a kitchen's standout feature, lending both utility and visual appeal.
Island Range Hood
An island range hood hangs with grace from the kitchen ceiling, designed to work seamlessly with island cooktops. Providing powerful ventilation, it simultaneously amplifies your kitchen's design language.
Its commanding presence often turns into a centerpiece, especially in open-concept kitchens, contributing significantly to both aesthetics and air quality.
Insert Range Hood
The insert range hood, often known as a power pack, is designed for seamless integration into custom cabinetry. It offers potent ventilation while remaining subtly concealed.
With this range hood type, you gain a high degree of design flexibility, enabling your custom cabinetry to take center stage, underpinned by reliable functionality.
Downdraft Range Hood
The innovative downdraft range hood is built directly into the cooktop, pulling steam and fumes downwards and away. This configuration is particularly advantageous in kitchens with limited overhead space or when maintaining an unobstructed view is paramount.
With its sleek design, it ensures effective ventilation while maintaining a clean visual line.
Understanding CFM And Why it is Important
CFM, which stands for Cubic Feet per Minute, is an essential measure to consider when choosing your range hood. It refers to the volume of air that the range hood can remove in a minute. The CFM rating of a range hood is significant because it determines how effectively the unit can ventilate your kitchen. Here are the reasons why:
- Performance: The higher the CFM, the more powerful the range hood is at removing smoke, steam, and odors. A good range hood CFM depends on the size of your kitchen, the type of stove, and how frequently and intensely you cook. Generally, for every foot of your range's width, you need 100 CFM.
- Efficiency: A range hood with a sufficient CFM ensures that your kitchen remains clear and free of unwanted fumes during and after cooking. It helps maintain a comfortable cooking environment and aids in protecting the rest of your home from the effects of cooking.
- Health: A high CFM range hood can help remove harmful pollutants and prevent them from spreading throughout your home, which can be beneficial to your health.
- Regulation compliance: Depending on where you live, local building codes might have guidelines on minimum CFM requirements for range hoods. Sticking to these instructions is essential in guaranteeing a secure and effective operation for a good CFM for range hood.
Also, the height of the range hood installation affects the CFM requirement. The proximity of the hood to the cooktop directly influences the required CFM - a closer hood needs less CFM, while a more distant one necessitates a higher CFM. Therefore, understanding CFM is crucial to get the best performance from your range hood.
CFM and Your Kitchen: Making the Right Match
Selecting the appropriate CFM for your range hood might seem intimidating, but it's more straightforward than it appears. Here's a simple guide to assist you in making the right decision:
➤ Measure your kitchen: The size of your kitchen directly impacts the CFM you'll need. A larger kitchen needs a range hood with a higher CFM to efficiently remove cooking fumes and smoke.
➤ Evaluate your cooking habits: Are you an avid home cook who uses the stove and oven frequently, or do you lean more towards take-out? The more you cook, especially if you fry or grill often, the higher the CFM you should consider.
➤ Consider your stove's heat output: Stoves with higher BTU (British Thermal Unit) outputs require a range hood with a higher CFM. An easy rule of thumb is for every 10,000 BTUs your stove outputs, you need 100 CFM.
➤ Account for the range hood height: The height at which your range hood is installed also impacts the CFM required. If your hood is installed higher than the standard 30 inches above the cooktop, you'll need a hood with a higher CFM.
➤ Check your ductwork: If you have long ducts or many bends in your ductwork, you might need a higher CFM to maintain efficient airflow.
➤ Think about your kitchen design: When brainstorming range hood ideas, consider the position of your stove. For island stoves, you might need a higher CFM since there's no wall to guide fumes towards the hood.
➤ Consider venting options: Range hoods can either vent outdoors or recirculate air. Ducted hoods that vent outside are typically more efficient and require less CFM than ductless models that recirculate air.
Remember, the range hood installation process can be complex, and you might require a professional to ensure it's done correctly. Discussing your CFM requirements with a pro can help you make the best decision for your kitchen.
Top Range Hood Picks
Next, let's discuss some of the top range hoods from Arnold's Appliance.
Amana® 30" Stainless Steel Wall Mount Flat Range Hood
Shop the Amana® 30" Stainless Steel Wall Mount Flat Range Hood
Experience versatility with Amana's 30" stainless steel range hood.
Features:
- This 400 CFM range hood features LED task lighting for visibility, and a dishwasher-safe grease filter, ensuring easy cleanup.
- Its 3-speed, 400 CFM motor efficiently handles diverse ventilation needs.
- You can choose between venting odors outside or recirculating filtered air based on your kitchen's setup.
Bosch® 800 Series 36" Stainless Steel Under Cabinet Wall Ventilation
Shop the Bosch® 800 Series 36" Stainless Steel Under Cabinet Wall Ventilation
The Bosch® 800 Series 36" range hood is brushed in stainless steel, which adds a sleek touch to your kitchen.
Features:
- Its 600 CFM motor quickly and quietly eliminates smoke and odors, ensuring a fresh cooking environment.
- With its dishwasher-safe filters, maintenance is a breeze.
- This under-cabinet unit offers flexibility with vertical or horizontal venting options and a recirculation option for versatility. Compact yet powerful, this 600 CFM range hood measures 11" H x 23" D x 36" W.
Vent-A-Hood® 54" Stainless Steel Contemporary Wall Mount Range Hood
Shop the Vent-A-Hood® 54" Stainless Steel Contemporary Wall Mount Range Hood
The Vent-A-Hood® 54" wall mount range hood boasts the patented Magic Lung® Whisper Quiet Technology, an industry standard for quiet and efficient ventilation.
Features:
- Its innovative system liquefies grease and expels heat-polluted air. This 900 CFM range hood is known for low sound levels, despite its powerful performance.
- Magic Lung® multi-blower technology can amplify CFM without significantly increasing noise.
- Additionally, it offers easy cleaning as the Magic Lung® housing snaps apart for cleaning in the dishwasher or with warm, soapy water.
Thermador® Masterpiece® 36" Stainless Steel Wall Hood
Shop the Thermador® Masterpiece® 36" Stainless Steel Wall Hood
The Thermador® Masterpiece® 36" Stainless Steel Wall Hood is powered by a 1000 CFM blower, this 1000 CFM range hood syncs perfectly with Masterpiece® cooktops for optimum performance.
Features:
- Noise Control Technology™ ensures quiet operation, reducing noise by up to 35%. Its LED lights offer vivid, multi-level illumination while the Cooktop Hood
- The sync feature provides seamless integration with Freedom® induction cooktops.
- Plus, the Thermador Connected Experience by Home Connect allows for remote control and customization, adding a high-tech touch to your kitchen.
Elica Pro Series Arezzo 46" Stainless Steel Insert Range Hood
Shop the Elica Pro Series Arezzo 46" Stainless Steel Insert Range Hood
Elica's Pro Series Arezzo 1200 CFM range hood redefines efficiency with its 1200 CFM motor, perfect for high-airflow cooking.
Features:
- Notably quiet, its Hush System reduces noise by over 35%.
- Boasting stainless steel baffle filters with grease collectors, this hood is seamless and easy to maintain.
- It features LED lighting and a heat guard system, automatically adjusting blower speed during high-heat situations.
FAQs
How many CFM for range hood?
The required CFM for your range hood hinges on your stove's heat output and your kitchen size. As a general guide, you need around 100 CFM for every 10,000 BTUs of your stove's output.
How high should a range hood be?
Your range hood should typically be 24 to 30 inches above the cooktop. Nonetheless, always refer to the manufacturer's guidelines for a precise installation.
Do range hoods have to be vented outside?
Venting range hoods outside is ideal for efficient smoke and odor removal. If it's not feasible, recirculating or convertible hoods can filter and recirculate air in the kitchen.
Is 400 CFM enough for range hood?
For most home kitchens, a 400 CFM range hood suffices. But if your cooking involves high heat or your stove has a high BTU output, consider a higher CFM.
Can a GE Monogram be considered as a range hood?
Absolutely! The GE Monogram range hood series includes various models of range hoods.
Why Trust Arnold’s Appliance?
Arnold's Appliance started in the summer of 1956 when it opened its doors as Lakeshore Appliance in Redmond, Washington. John Arnold and his family have since grown the store from just a few brands to the large appliance store it is today and moved to Bellevue in 1999 in search of a larger building. Arnold’s Appliance now offers high-end innovative products from over 45 manufacturers.
In addition to extensive product knowledge, Arnold’s has been providing fine appliances to Northwest builders, remodelers, designers, architects, and developers for over 47 years. Arnold's currently supplies products and installations to many of the finest custom and spec home builders in the Pacific Northwest. Along with single-family housing, Arnold's has also supplied products for some of the largest multi-unit projects in the area. Arnold’s Now the third generation of the Arnold’s Family is dedicated to bringing the best quality products, delivery services, and installation to customers for years to come.
Shop Range Hoods at Arnold’s Appliance
Stop by Arnold’s Appliance Bellevue, WA location to see what a difference buying locally with an experienced staff can make. Or shop range hoods online! Our friendly experts are always happy to help you find a range hood today — whether you call us at 425-454-7929, use our online chat feature, or visit us in person.
→ Learn more: 3 Top 36 Inch Gas Ranges on the Market