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Save This PageFRESNO, Calif. Alittle embarrassed that you burned dinner again? It's time to turn on the range hood to suck out the bad smell, one of the obvious signs of your kitchen misadventure.
But if the odor lingers hours later, maybe it's time to take a look at your range hood to see whether a new one might be better.
Range hoods remove bad odors and steam from the kitchen. Without hoods, the steam, grease and grime caused by cooking can eventually damage nearby cabinetry.
The hood you choose depends on your situation and whether you're starting fresh, either with a remodeling project or a newly constructed kitchen. Range hoods can be basic or sleek in style and have fancy features. Here are some choices:
Wall-chimney and island hoods can cost $500 to $5,000, with higher-end models starting at about $2,000.
Facades: One trend that's growing, particularly in custom-built homes, is to cover the range hood with a decorative facade. How expensive these ranges can get depends on what material you use for the facade.
Downdraft units: These are alternatives to the above-range hoods. They are typically in the center of ranges, or are retractable telescoping hoods behind the stove top.
You often see those types in island situations. You might pick them if you don't have room for the duct above, or if you don't want anything overhead to obstruct your view. Either of the types cost about $1,500 to $1,700.
Note: It's natural for steam and smoke to go up, and with these hoods, you're forcing them to go down. An updraft range hood often is a better way to go.
Features: Hoods typically have lights and several fan speeds. Optional features, often on higher-end hoods, can include heating lamps and automatic venting settings.
Most range hoods have blowers to remove the air. The blowers can be part of the range hood or be separate -- usually either in the attic or on the roof. The external blowers tend to be quieter. However, hoods with internal blowers can be easier to work on or to replace.
Upkeep: Hood filters should be cleaned or changed every few months. If you cook a lot, then clean them more often. Many of the filters can be put in the dishwasher.
Before you buy: When you're out shopping for a range hood, take the measurements of the old one with you. You also will want to know how many cubic feet per minute (CFM) of airflow the range hood needs to provide, appliance experts say. Generally, the more airflow the hood can move, the faster it can ventilate.
To find out, you'll need to know how many BTUs (British Thermal Units) each of the burners or cooking elements uses. Add the BTUs of all the burners, then divide the total by 100.
However, don't rely heavily on the CFM number, says Bob Markovich, the home and yard editor for Consumer Reports magazine. In 2006, the magazine tested and rated range hoods.
"Our tests showed [the CFM numbers] don't mean a lot," he said. The numbers didn't correlate to actual performance in capturing and venting out smoke, heat and steam, he said.
Instead, when shopping, make sure the hood is at least as wide as the range or cooktop and that it sticks out far enough to cover the front burners or elements, Markovich said.
Several appliance experts recommend that the hood be at least 3 to 6 inches wider on both sides.
Regardless how you might feel about the CFM numbers, you don't need to spend an extravagant amount of money on a hood.
"People overspend," said Farshid Assemi, co-owner of Central Distributing in Fresno. "You can get a nice kitchen range [hood] for $400. If you like to cook, go for $600."
