For Fresh Air in the Kitchen

Range Hoods

A range hood is essential for pleasant and clean air while cooking. It efficiently extracts cooking odors and fumes, filters them, and either recirculates the cleaned air back into the room (recirculation) or exhausts the used air (extraction). Depending on the kitchen layout, a different type of range hood is recommended.

The Range Hood – Clean Air, Less Odor

Range hoods are often considered secondary kitchen appliances and are unfortunately not as popular as other devices like ovens or refrigerators. However, you shouldn't do without a good range hood in the kitchen! Find out why it's worth buying one and how to choose the best range hood. We've summarized the most important criteria to help you when you need to buy a range hood (classic range hood or downdraft) because your old one is broken.

Criteria for Buying a Range Hood:

• Type & Size
• Performance & Noise Level
• Manufacturer
• Price
• Accessories

What Does a Range Hood Do?

Range hoods are often overlooked kitchen appliances but are definitely essential if you cook a lot. Installed above the cooktop (or integrated into the cooktop in a modern way), they extract cooking vapors and odors, ensuring clean air while cooking. They remove odors, steam, and moisture, preventing mold growth.

What to Consider When Choosing a Range Hood?

Before choosing a model, you should consider some features. The most important characteristics of the devices can be found on the energy label. It shows the energy consumption in kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year, the extraction capacity in cubic meters of air per hour (m³/h), and the noise level in decibels (dB). Further information, such as functions and installation conditions, can be found in the product description or user manual.

Performance

The most important criterion is the performance of a range hood. Small kitchens need a range hood with a low air capacity. For about 20 square meters, an air capacity of at least 120 m³/h is recommended. For large kitchens, the range hood should be able to exhaust about 480 m³/h. Be sure to consider factors such as high ceilings, long exhaust paths, and high cabinets that can affect the performance of the range hood.

Form & Design

Form and design are also important. The size of your kitchen space is crucial here. The type of range hood should be chosen first. Different types of range hoods vary in their dimensions. While wall and built-in hoods have classic standard widths of about 60 cm, ceiling and island hoods can sometimes be much wider (up to 120 cm). Cooktop extractors are integrated into the cooktop but usually require additional space in the base cabinet. Generally, the width of the range hood should match the width of the cooktop to effectively extract cooking vapors and odors.

The Quietest Range Hood

In addition to type, size, and performance, noise level is also a crucial factor when choosing a range hood. Integrated cooktop extractors are particularly quiet because they are not at head or ear level. On average, range hoods are about 56 to 60 dB loud, equivalent to the noise level of a normal conversation. Generally, exhaust hoods are quieter than recirculation hoods because they directly exhaust the air without converting it.

Types of Range Hoods

Range hood types primarily differ in their installation and design. Here's a brief overview:

• Wall Hood: Wall hoods are mounted on the wall above the cooktop.
• Chimney Hood: A chimney hood is a wall hood with a slanted canopy for more headroom.
• Built-In Hood: Built-in hoods are installed in the kitchen cabinet above the cooktop.
• Slide-Out Hood: A slide-out hood is a built-in hood with a flat canopy.
• Under-Cabinet Hood: Under-cabinet hoods have a flat canopy that can be extended in depth and pulled out. This way, they protrude beyond the cabinet when in use.
• Blower Insert: Blower inserts have a compact form and visually disappear into the cabinet above the cooktop.
• Island Hood: Island hoods are mounted as range hoods above the kitchen island.
• Ceiling Hood: Ceiling hoods are mounted on or built into the ceiling. A ceiling lift hood usually descends on wires and positions itself just above the cooktop.
• Cooktop Extractor: Cooktop extractors (downdraft, downdraft ventilation) are integrated into the cooktop.
• Downdraft Hood: A downdraft hood is a range hood on the cooktop that often retracts into the countertop when not in use.

Which is Better: Exhaust or Recirculation Range Hood?

Once you've decided on a type, you need to choose an extraction variant: exhaust or recirculation. Exhaust range hoods should always be the first choice because they offer several advantages. They are quieter than recirculation hoods and can extract cooking vapors more efficiently. Their downside is that they require a wall breakthrough for the used air to escape. This option is rarely available in rental apartments. In such cases, you will have to choose a recirculation range hood, which extracts, converts, and recirculates cleaned air back into the room. However, they don't handle moisture well, so you should always open a window and use the after-run function when operating them.

Which Range Hood is the Best?

Of course, a comparison of manufacturers is also necessary before buying a range hood. Depending on the model and brand, there are differences in performance, quality, and price. Which range hood is the best is always individual and depends on your specific requirements. If you value design and technology, you should opt for a Bosch or Siemens range hood. If quality and durability are important, choose a V-ZUG, Miele, or Novy range hood. Bauknecht or Privileg offer solid and straightforward options. Berbel and Bora provide design and innovation, while Gaggenau offers professional quality and Smeg offers unique designs. Bargain hunters can also find discounts and B-stock range hoods on sale. Generally, a good range hood costs from around €700.

What Range Hood Accessories Are Available?

A new range hood is one thing. Having the right accessories is another. To ensure range hoods and blowers work efficiently in the kitchen, you need aids such as suitable filters or exhaust systems.

• Filters: Range hoods have metal filters and grease filters (usually activated charcoal filters) that clean the cooking air. They need to be regularly replaced or regenerated.
• Wall Box: For exhaust range hoods, an external motor (external blower) can reduce the noise of the range hood to a whisper.
• Window Contact Switch: When operating a range hood simultaneously with a fireplace, gas boiler, or coal heating, the window contact switch prevents negative pressure that could draw toxic gases into the room.
• Conversion Kit: Some manufacturers offer conversion kits to switch from exhaust to recirculation or vice versa.