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.