Sunday, November 15, 2015

DISCOVER HOW GREASY FOODS CAN HARM RANGE HOODS AND DESCRIBES PREVENTATIVE MEASURES TO AVOID LONG-TERM DAMAGE

Frequent cooking leads to major grease build-up over time. Even relatively healthy and non-greasy meals can often damage range hoods and cause grease build-up around the surface and in the fiLTErs.

Not only can grease build up damage the range hood, but grease build-up in the filter of the vent hood can also cause potential health problems to individuals living around or frequenting areas that are not properly ventilated.
Despite the inevitable accumulation of grease, however, there are ways to proactively decrease grease splatter throughout the kitchen without having to take apart and clean the range hood on a weekly or daily basis.
One of the first steps to understanding how gREease can affect the kitchen is to know what types of food are likely to cause the biggest grease problems. Obviously, anything that is fried or cooked in oil is likely to create an issue with grease. Some of the major industry culprits can be foods such as burgers, pizza, tacos, and fried chicken.
If cooking greasy foods is inevitable, consider taking preventative measures to slow the spread of grease and create less of a hassle when it comes to cleaning out the range hood filters.
Use an outside grill whenever possible. This will prevent the spread of grease throughout the house and specifically on kitchen surfaces. Outside grills are often especially designed to take care of greasy foods and make the dISPosal of grease easy and convenient.
Use a splatter shield for indoor cooking where greasy foods cannot be avoided. Splatter shields are relatively cheap, conveniently located at local grocery and hardware stores, and are an easy and efficient way of decreasing the spread of grease within the home.
Use a deeper skillet or pan when one is available. For kitchens stocked with a variety of aPPliances and dishware, a simple solution can simply be to use a deeper skillet. This will stop grease from jumping out, maintaining it within the pan for easy disposal and cleaning.
Use a cooking brush to apply oil rather than letting it pool at the bottom of the dish. Using a cooking brush, whether cooking inside or outside is a great way to go, as it can prevent the spread of grease, help maintain a clean, controlled cooking environment, and lead to all-around healthier eating habits, as well.
About Range Hoods Inc.
Range Hoods Inc is an online retailer for premium range hoods and kitchen sinks. With a decade of industry experience, Range Hoods Inc has something for everyone. For more information, call us at 1-800-914-9775 or visithttp://www.rangehoodsinc.com.

Saturday, May 9, 2015

Range Hood Buying Guide - Simple Tips

An essential but often overlooked item in the kitchen is a range hood. Also known as an "exhaust hood," range hoods are generally made of metal and ventilate kitchen fumes. It’s important to ventilate fumes because breathing in smoke can be harmful to the body. Generally, over-the-range microwave ovens can not match the smoke capturing capabilities of a range hood. Not only are range hoods convenient, they have also become rather stylish in recent years. Range hoods typically come in a modern style with a commercial stainless steel finish that presents a more aesthetically pleasing kitchen. This buying guide is meant to inform consumers of the benefits of owning a range hood and will deliver details about how to order a range hood online at eBay.

Choosing Range Hoods

Range hoods are best known for containing and exhausting fumes while exchanging these fumes for fresh air. While there are many range hood styles available, the majority are stainless steel but some also feature a glass encasing for additional ambiance. Depending on the style, some are much quieter than others while ventilating. Some have great lighting while others lack in lighting or do not feature lighting at all. It is ideal to know your kitchen when deciding what type of lighting to choose in range hoods.

The kitchen layout and setup will help decide which range hood to purchase. When a hood is mounted on an exterior wall, it’s possible that additional duct work will be needed in order to properly ventilate the smoke. It’s important for the ducts to be routed to the exterior of the home, but for some models the duct will have to be routed directly out of the hood itself. In other layouts, the ductwork will have to exit through the ceiling.

Airflow

Manufacturers measure how much exhausted air is moved through cubic feet per minute and compare this information between models. Typically, more airflow means quicker ventilation, however, quicker ventilation doesn’t necessarily mean that smoke is captured or removed any better. Range hoods usually ventilate just as well despite how much airflow it claims to move. As long as airflow is present, it’s irrelevant if one model moves air faster than another.

Fan Speed

Another aspect to consider when choosing a range hood is the fan speed. Many range hoods offer between three and six fan speeds. Certain styles even offer an automatic variation of speeds. It’s suggested to find a model that gives off at least two speeds, some will measure numerically while others may express only two speeds: low and high. The high speed is suggested while cooking and the low speed is intended more for wrapping up a meal or cleaning the kitchen. Ranges with over three speeds are a bit unnecessary for most homeowners as two to three can suit their needs.

Styles of Range Hoods

The kitchen layout will help decide the style of range hood to purchase. Five styles are featured below. Some styles are meant to move fumes through the ceiling while others ventilate the fumes through the wall. Styles include under-cabinet hoods, wall-chimney hoods, island hoods, downdraft hoods, and ductless hoods. The following will detail specifics about each style.

Under-Cabinet Hoods

Mounted underneath a wall cabinet, under-cabinet models feature ductwork inside adjoining walls, soffit, chase, or ceiling in order to push the smoke outside. Generally, a shallow hood slides from the upper cabinet in the kitchen when needed. Since most kitchen cabinets only extend halfway across the stove, this extension helps collect smoke and keep it from damaging the cabinets and ceiling. While this design takes away cabinet space, it is often the only option for homeowners who can not reach the recommended stove-to-hood width ratio with a standard model.

Wall-Chimney Hoods

Wall-chimney hoods work well when there is limited cabinet space available. They simply mount over the range like a large, exposed vent stack. Like other models, they usually vent outside. Chimney hoods do not require cabinets as they are mounted through vents in the wall and go through ventilation in the ceiling. Because these styles do not have a cabinet to help funnel fumes, they should be about 6 inches larger than the counter to ensure all the fumes and smoke are properly ventilated. Make sure the range hood is at least as wide as the cooking surface above which it will be installed. Avoid downdraft hoods whenever possible as they are not as effective in proper ventilation.

Island Hoods

Mounted to the ceiling, island hoods cover kitchen islands and peninsulas. These models lack the necessary wall or cabinet space so they must connect to the exterior through the ceiling ductwork. With these models it is important to remember that the hood must be larger than the cooking space in order to properly funnel all the fumes out of the area. An ideal size would be 6 inches larger than the counter.

Downdraft Hoods

Different from the other models, downdraft hoods actually try to reverse the rising smoke and exhaust the fumes through ducts that run underneath the floor. These models are usually less effective than other models as they are attempting a much more difficult task. Downdraft hoods can be used anywhere in the kitchen and are mainly used in islands where other ductwork is difficult or impossible to place into the ceiling or cabinets.

Ductless Hoods

An option to use in coordination with under-cabinet, island, or wall-chimney hoods, ductless hoods direct steam away from the stovetop however, it does not remove it from the kitchen. Generally, this style only traps oil and grease into the area above the range and uses a carbon filter to reduce odors. Ductless hoods, however, are the least effective in getting the smoke out of the home since they essentially circulate smoke and odor around the kitchen.

Installation and Maintenance

For proper ventilation, it’s vital to read the instructions thoroughly and important to install the range hood properly. As a guideline, manufacturers recommend installing the range hood approximately 18 to 30 inches above the cooking surface. In this amount of space there will be enough room to work comfortably and steam will still travel toward the vent rather than escape on either side. It’s ideal to vent the fumes to the exterior of the house and use a large, solid, smooth metal duct that fits securely onto the range hood and the exterior vent. In order to maximize airflow, it’s recommended to use short ducts and try to avoid bends in the vent. A roof cap or exterior wall on the outside will also help in preventing any form of backdraft. Finally, it’s important to wash or completely replace the filters every three months or monthly if cooking often.

How to Buy Range Hoods on eBay

While range hoods are available for purchase in several brick and mortar locations, they are also available online at websites like eBay. By simply using eBay’s search feature, it’s as simple as keying in the phrase "range hood" to find thousands of results. For those who know exactly which style they are looking for, it's best to key in the entire description or model name. For homeowners who aren't sure which style to purchase, eBay offers categories to help potential customers filter the results. When searching for range hoods, some of the categories include Home & Garden, eBay Motors, and Major Appliances. After finding the ideal range hood, it’s time to research the sellers.

On eBay, every seller has feedback from previous customers to inform new customers of that particular seller’s reliability. This is important when making any purchase online to make sure a seller is reputable. In addition to being able to read feedback, potential buyers can also message the seller any questions about the product. This is very useful in situations where limited information is available in the picture or within the description. Once the ideal range hood has been chosen and a seller has been researched, it’s as simple as registering for free on eBay to buy a product. After filling out registration information, buyers can order items with a few simple clicks of the mouse and have those items shipped directly to their home.

Conclusion

While there are various styles of range hoods, choosing the proper style depends on your kitchen. Some styles include under-cabinet hoods, wall-chimney hoods, island hoods, downdraft hoods and ductless hoods. When installing a range hood, it's important to read all instructions carefully and obtain exact measurements of the distance from burner to hood. Another important aspect to consider is making sure that the hood is slightly larger than the countertop it is covering. Airflow is another consideration involved in choosing a range hood, but studies show that it does not make any drastic changes in productivity of ventilation. The most important aspect in choosing the proper range hood is that there is airflow and at least two modes for fan speed. Range hoods are available at various locations and can even be ordered online at various websites like eBay. After registering for an account, remember to research the seller after you find the ideal range hood for your home.

Source: http://www.ebay.com/gds/Range-Hood-Buying-Guide-/10000000177630465/g.html

For more details and reviews on various Range Hoods, click here.

Top 11 Range Hoods - Choosing the right one for your kitchen.

Range hoods can be mounted directly to a wall, mounted under an existing cabinet from the top, or they can be designed to be freestanding and used over an island. The wall-mounted and island hoods are typically be ducted to pull air through filters to the exterior of the home. There are options to convert these vented hoods to recirculating hoods by adding a kit that can be purchased separately from the manufacturer.

Undercabinet hoods can be ducted or duct-free, depending on the model and the style. These systems pull the air through a charcoal filter and then recirculate it back into the room through vents at the top of the unit. While you do not need to install any venting system, you do need to change the filters to ensure that odors are effectively removed from the air.

Range hoods do more than just remove cooking odors. They trap particles of grease and moisture that are produced when cooking. Without filtering these cooking by-products out of the air, they settle on other surfaces in the kitchen and build-up over time, leaving a greasy residue. A good quality range hood prevents this problem from occurring, keep the air clean in your kitchen, and make cooking easier.

1 Golden Vantage Euro Style Range Hood

The Golden Vantage Euro Style island mount range hood is stylish and offers three different speeds, under hood lighting, and easy push button controls. Made of stainless steel with a glass canopy, it is less cumbersome and heavy-looking than the solid stainless steel models. The blower unit in the fan is much larger than many on the market and at high speed, rated at 850 CFM or Cubic Feet per Minute of air movement.

Features

* Measurements are 29.5 by 24 by 30 inches and fit most standard cooktop areas

* Weighs 68 pounds and is made of tempered glass and stainless steel

* 2W LED lights and three power settings for the fan

* Specialized flap prevents heat loss through the flue when the fan is not being used

* 3 year parts warranty from the manufacturer

2 Bosch Island Range Hood

Like the Golden Vantage, this is a modern sleek island style of range hood that is brushed stainless steel and glass. It has the added advantage of a control panel on two sides of the canopy for easy access. This is a slightly larger size, 40 inches so it is a good option for a larger cooking surface or for an in-home grill unit on the island.

Features

* 600 CRF blower for high power

* Stainless steel and glass construction for easy cleaning

* 4 power levels to select

* Extra insulation provides quiet operation even at full power

* Dual control panels for easy operation

3 Whirlpool Undercabinet Range Hood

Whirlpool brand offers a range of different styles and types of cooktop hoods, some are very economical and others that offer additional features. The Whirlpool 30 inch stainless steel undercabinet range hood offers the best of both worlds. This is a mid-price level option with additional power and lighting options. The stainless steel makes it easy to clean, maintain, and it blends well with any kitchen cabinet styles or kitchen décor.

Features

* 3 speed exhaust fan with push button controls

* Convertible exhaust so can be duct-free or ducted

* High speed offers 400 CFM air volume

* Removable grease filter for easy cleaning with ducted option

* Two halogen lights for cooking area surface lighting

4 GE Profile Downdraft Range Hood

A downdraft range hood stores out of sight when not in use and is raised up over the cooking surface when needed. A push of the remote tethered controls is all that is needed to pop this range hood up and choose a fan setting. The black color is perfect for matching with black appliances or in any kitchen cabinet design.

Features
* Very low profile so doesn't take up any countertop or over the cooktop space

* 390 CFM blower will pull smoke, steam and grease through the filters with ease

* 4 speed exhaust fan settings

* Requires a duct for venting

* Very futuristic looking and with remote controls all buttons are kept away from the cooking area

5 Whirlpool Gold Wall-mounted Range Hood


The Whirlpool Wall-mounted range hood offers both performance, as well as energy savings. This is one of the few ENERGY STAR approved hoods sold at a mid-range price point. It comes in stainless steel and is ducted for maximum removal of odors from the air. The grease filter is removable and can be washed by hand or in a dishwasher.

Features

* 12 month manufacturer's warranty on parts and labor

* 3 speed controls to a maximum of 300 CFM

* Centrifugal blower and fluorescent cook area lights

* Easy to clean stainless steel surface area

6  Dacor Wall-mounted Range Hood


Dacor range hoods are designed to be minimalistic, yet provide all the features that their professional lines offer. There are various sizes available from the large 47 inch models to the more standard 29 inch options.

All offer illuminated control panels and LED indicator lights as automatic on when heat is sensed on the cooktop area. They offer a delayed shutoff of up to 10 minutes to allow the fan to run without having to return to shut it off manually.

Features

* Automatic on and delayed shutoff make this brand a time and energy saving option

* Stainless steel is easy to clean and filters can be washed in a dishwasher

* Variety of sizes for any stovetop or cooking space

* Halogen lights mounted at convenient locations for easy visibility

* Automatic clean filter reminder light

7 Air King Designer Series Range Hood

Air King offers a range of undercabinet range hood models and sizes. The designer series offer the option for several different finishes from stainless steel to black, white, biscuit, and almond. Not as powerful as some of the models listed, it is capable of 200 CFM at top speed. It can be converted from ducted to a duct-free model with the conversion kit. This is a very quiet range hood and a popular option in new homes.

Features

* Lightweight at only 14.5 pounds

* Features an infinite speed control system with a maximum of 200 CFM ventilation

* Equipped with a 60 watt light that has a low and high setting

* Easy to install for the do-it-yourselfer

8 KitchenAid Wall-Mounted Stainless Range Hood

If you like the idea of a fan that knows when it is needed, then the KitchenAid wall-mounted range hood is a good match. This hood comes in a variety of sizes to fit into an existing wall-mounted range hood configuration. The entire control panel is read from an LED display that provides information from the settings and the status of the filter. This fan automatically turns on when the heat under the unit reaches a specific temperature. It has a delayed shutoff for ease of use.

Features

* Four speed fan that is easily controlled from the front panel

* LCD display includes information on the current settings and the condition of the filter

* Halogen lights can be turned on to illuminate the cooking surface

* Air volume is 600 CFM

* 1 year limited parts and labor warranty

9 Cavaliere-Euro Stainless Steel Island Mount Range Hood

Unlike other linear styles of range hoods, the Cavaliere-Euro style provides concave shape to the glass canopy that gives it a decidedly unique look. The controls feature an illuminated LED control display that is mounted under the tempered glass canopy and easy to access. The range hood offers six different speed options, all with timer functions.

Features

* Touch controls make adjustment of the fan speed and lights very intuitive and simple

* High powered 900 CFM blower

* 6 speed options with timer functions for energy saving and optimum convenience

* Unique shape adds a European style to an island and cook area

* Meets all US and Canadian electrical safety standards

10 Frigidaire Wall-mounted Range Hood

Like the Cavaliere, the Frigidaire wall-mounted range hood offers a contemporary design with a concave shape to the glass canopy. The central control panel area and the flute are stainless, providing easy cleaning options. Halogen lights and the fan speed are controlled with a push button ease. While it is sold as a ducted option, there is the option to convert it to a duct-free hood.

Features

* Unique shape of the canopy make it stylish, but not overstated

* 400 CFM internal blower

* Under canopy lighting with halogens

* Fan controls and light buttons are located just under the canopy for easy access

11 Broan Undercabinet Range Hood

This Broan 30 inch undercabinet range hood in stainless steel is compact, sleek, low cost, and built for the typical household use. It is a non-duct model so there is no need to have attic or crawlspace area to vent the system. In stainless steel, it is easy to clean, matches with any appliance colors or styles, and offers all the basic features the home cook needs. It has two speed settings, high and low, and the controls for the fan and light are conveniently located on the top right side of the hood.

Features

* Stainless steel for easy cleaning and maintenance

* Easy to install and requires no outside venting

* Charcoal filters can be replaced as needed

* Uses a standard 75W light bulb for illumination of the cooking surface

* Two speed fan

Range Hood Accessories

Manufacturers provide different model specific accessories for many types of range hoods. It is important to order by model number to ensure the accessory will work with the unit.

Accessory
Description
Conversion Kit

Allows a range hood to be converted from requiring a duct to recycling the air without venting
Only available on specific models of vented range hoods
Charcoal Filters

Used when air is recirculated and not vented
Need to be replaced on a regular basis to maximize air cleaning
Stainless Steel Cleaner

Recommended for all stainless appliances

Cleans without leaving a residue and protects from smudges and fingerprints in the future

Buying Range Hoods on eBay


When upgrading an old range hood for a new model, it is important to carefully measure the old unit. This provides you with the specific measurements to allow you to install a new unit without additional modifications. You also need to check to see if there is ducting in place to decide what options you want to consider.
eBay makes buying new range hoods very simple. You can review the eBay listing page to find specific information from the seller. At the same time you are looking for information on the product, you should also review the   seller's feedback. This can be found on the top right hand side of the listing page under Seller Information. The number in brackets after the seller's name indicates the number of transactions completed. The positive feedback percentage is listed immediately below.

Conclusion

Upgrading to a new range hood can make a big impact on the appearance of the kitchen, as well as the quality of the air when you are cooking. New models circulate air much more efficiently, provide better filtering and venting, and even provide energy saving options. eBay has a huge choice of range hoods to choose from to meet all your kitchen needs.

Source: http://www.ebay.com/gds/Top-11-Range-Hoods-/10000000177747451/g.html

For more details and reviews on various Range Hoods, click here.



Thursday, April 30, 2015

Exhaust hood - Know more about it.

An exhaust hood, extractor hood, or range hood is a device containing a mechanical fan that hangs above the stove or cooktop in the kitchen. It removes airborne grease, combustion products, fumes, smoke, odors, heat, and steam from the air by evacuation of the air and filtration. In commercial kitchens exhaust hoods are often used in combination with fire suppression devices so that fumes from a grease fire are properly vented and the fire is put out quickly. Commercial vent hoods may also be combined with a fresh air fan that draws in exterior air, circulating it with the cooking fumes, which is then drawn out by the hood.

In most exhaust hoods, a filtration system removes grease (the grease trap) and other particles. Although many vent hoods exhaust air to the outside, some recirculate the air to the kitchen. In a recirculating system, filters may be used to remove odors in addition to the grease.

The device is known as an extractor hood in the UK, as a range hood in the United States, and as a rangehood in Australia. It is also called a kitchen, stove, exhaust, cooker, vent, or ventilation hood. Other names include cooking canopy, extractor fan, fume extractor, and electric chimney.

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 two major configurations 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 the building. In a ductless application, a filter, often containing activated charcoal, removes odor and smoke particles from the air before releasing the cleaned air back into the kitchen.

A ducted system allows for removal of all forms of airborne contamination, while a ductless one recirculates heat and moisture into the kitchen. In addition, a ducted application eliminates the need for regular replacement of the filters, and avoids the airflow restriction (and resultant loss of power) caused by them. However, ducted application can be impractical, 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.

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, pot racks, shelf units, or dish racks. The main advantage of an extractor hood is that it can easily filter the airflow, without harming the edible materials and can be easily installed if it is semi-automatic.

Extractor hoods controls are typically electronic, though some low-end models use electromechanical controls. Extractor hoods with electronic controls can offer remote control, motorized height adjustment, thermal sensor, overheat protection, boost mode, delayed shut-off, filter cleaning reminder, active noise cancellation, temperature display, user presets (memory), and so on.

Extractor hoods may be made from a variety of materials, including: stainless steel, copper, bronze, nickel silver, zinc, tempered glass, wood, aluminum, brass, heat-resistant plastics, and more.

NFPA 96 Standard for Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking says that mesh filters shall not be used. It requires that "Listed" grease filters shall be tested in accordance with UL 1046, Standard for Grease Filters for Exhaust Ducts.

For more details and reviews on various Range Hoods, click here.