No one ever talks about kitchen vents. They seem so trivial compared to the hundreds of other things that must be considered when remodeling a kitchen; color scheme, flooring, countertop material, cabinet door replacements, drawer fronts, new appliances, paint, tables, chairs, plumbing, etc. Who cares about the vent? Apparently, we all should.
Kitchen vents are pertinent to the improvement of air quality and to keep pesky odors under control. Cooking produces an immense amount of heat, smoke, and steam. When frying foods, the grease can actually evaporate into the air and stick to the walls and ceiling of your kitchen—which leads to some unpleasant and lingering odors. Not only is that unappealing, but prolonged exposure to cooking emissions can lead to heart and respiratory problems. Luckily, this can be avoided with good kitchen ventilation.
That brings us to the next vital question: what options are there? There’s more than you’d think. Before approaching the style you desire, it is essential to decide whether you want a ducted ventilation system, or a ductless one. Ducted systems lead outside, where they empty all of the ick from the air in your kitchen. They can be expensive to install but are highly effective, especially for those of us who cook a great deal. Ductless systems, also called non-vented range hoods, are closed systems that send the air through a filter, and then recirculate it back into the kitchen. These aren’t quite as effective as the ducted vents, but they’re less expensive and more compact.
Now that we know the importance of good kitchen ventilation, it’s time to check out all the options that are available. The best option for you can depend on your space and budget, the amount of cooking you do, the size and power of your cooking surface, and your personal preference.
This microwave comes with a vent already built into the bottom of the appliance, ready to be installed above the stove. This option is a great way to save counter space.
For anyone looking to blend the vent in with the cabinets, the under-cabinet range hood style mounts beneath a cabinet above or within range of your cooking station. Be sure to take accurate measurements of available space before purchase though, otherwise, the whole process could become a royal pain.
This one goes directly on the wall near the stove. Some people even design their entire kitchens around the vent, since it can become a bit of a focal point. Wall-mounted hoods can allow for powerful ventilation, making them a good choice for large “professional” style cooking surfaces.
You guessed it. This vent is mounted on the ceiling. These are also called chimney-style hoods because of their shape, or island range hoods since they’re commonly installed over kitchen peninsulas or island cooktops. A more discreet ceiling-mounted option is a recessed vent system, a remote-controlled vent that is inset into the ceiling and ducted to the outside.
Unlike the updraft vents listed above, downdraft vents are integrated right into the cooktop or range. Some models have vents alongside the cooking surface, while pop-up downdraft vents extend from the back of the cooking surface at the push of a button and retract when not in use. This style can be preferable if you have an island cooktop, high ceilings, or want a sleek and minimal look.
More options than you’d expect, right? It can be a little overwhelming. If you need help making a decision, contact us today, or visit our showroom located at 129 Route 6, Milford, PA 18337.