Range Hoods – for a smoke and odour-free kitchen

The quality of air becomes a serious problem in the kitchen while cooking because of the smoke, grease particles, odours and steam. To combat this problem, range hoods are the answer, much like bathroom exhaust fans which take care of excess moisture and foul smells.

There are so many kinds of hoods suitable for the kitchen. Some come with ducts installed on the exterior walls to remove foul air from the inside while others are ductless and use filters to keep the air within clean. Not only that, but a range hood by virtue of being able to suck in the greasy, steamy air and redirect it outside saves the chef from having this polluted air being blown into his face every time he is cooking. Anyone who spends a lot of time cooking in the kitchen will testify to the enormous difference a range hood makes in cooking comfortably. It can be compared quite similarly to bathroom ventilation fans which are so necessary in keeping the bathroom fresh-smelling. 

While selecting a range hood you must check the amount and the type of light it provides. Yes, range hoods come with lights and fall on the area where you need it the most! The light can be halogen, incandescent or fluorescent. The light wattage need not be very high because the hood light will fall much closer on the cooking top than the room light. Some premium brands come with various light effects including a warming light. The high-end ones also have an extra timer which keeps the hood running after the cooking is done to remove the last bits of the smells and smoke and which gets automatically turned off.

The quality of air improves not only in the kitchen but also throughout the house since the range hood forces polluted air outside and cleaner air inside. This creates an allergen-free atmosphere which is important if any person in the house is susceptible to allergies or respiratory problems. Hunter ceiling fans or air conditioners are not the alternatives to a range hood because the former will interfere with the cooking while the latter will not be as effective in removing smoke or steam.

A range hood can be wall-mounted or island-mounted and you must buy the size which best covers your cooking range. Plenty of designs are available ranging from antique-look to the contemporary to fit any style of the kitchen and prices vary from the budget to the super-expensive and you must also factor in the installation charges. Superior quality range hoods are always the wiser choice despite their high costs because they will last longer, need lesser maintenance and keep your kitchen fresh all the time.