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

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