Range Hoods

An extractor hood (U.K.) or range hood (U.S.), also known as a kitchen hood, stove hood, exhaust hood, cooker hood, extraction hood, cooking canopy, ventilation hood, extractor fan or electric chimney, is a device containing a fan that hangs above the stove in the kitchen. more...

It is used to remove airborne grease, combustion products, smoke, odors, heat, and steam from the air by a combination of filtration and evacuation of the air.

An extractor hood consists of three main components: a skirt or capture panel to contain the rising gases (also known as the "effluent plume"), one or more grease filters, and a fan or tangential blower for forced ventilation.

There are 2 major applications of extractor hoods: ducted (or vented) application, and ductless (or recirculating) application. In a ducted application, the output collar of the extractor hood's blower motor is attached to a duct system, which terminates outside of the residence. In a ductless application, a filter containing activated charcoal is used to remove odor and smoke particles from the air, before releasing the cleaned air back into the kitchen environment.

A ducted application is generally preferable, since it allows for removal of all forms of airborne contamination, while ductless application recirculates heat and moisture into the kitchen environment. In addition, a ducted application eliminates the need for replacing the activated charcoal filters on a regular basis, and avoids the airflow restriction caused by activated charcoal filter placement. However, some kitchen environments do not allow ducted application, due to lack of space or ability to install a duct system, make-up air requirements, or the additional cost of heating/cooling the make-up air.

Some range hood designs allow for both types of applications, and are typically noted as such in the manufacturer's product literature.

Exhaust hoods almost always include built-in lighting (incandescent, fluorescent, or halogen) to illuminate the cooking surface. In addition, some manufacturers offer matching accessories, such as: backsplash panels, shelf units, dish racks, and other attachments, allowing a greater flexibility of design.

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