Most kitchen vent hoods are designed to remove grease from cooking fumes.

Author: Ingrid

Mar. 07, 2024

Home Appliances

Most kitchen vent hoods are designed to remove grease from cooking fumes.

Having a vent hood in your kitchen has many advantages. First and foremost, it will decrease the possibility of a leak of the dangerous chemical carbon monoxide.

Additionally, vent hoods will improve the quality of the air within the structure.

This installation is designed to protect against grease fires. It will make cooking healthier and save you money. Another reason to get a vent hood is that it's highly aesthetically pleasing in kitchens.

If you're not sure whether or not you need a kitchen vent hood, then read on.

Do You Need a Kitchen Vent Hood?

A vent hood pulls smoke and odors away from the area and pushes air into the kitchen to keep it clean and free of harmful gases. Unfortunately, you'll be subjected to daily inhalation of those foul odors if you don't install one.

The best way to find out if you need a kitchen vent is to check your local building codes. Some states require that all kitchens have them installed or at least adhere to the proper ventilation requirements. Other states only need them for commercial kitchens.

In some areas, you can get an exemption if you prove that you already have a ventilation system.

Kitchen vent hoods come in two basic types:

1) The exhaust type: These are used when there's no other source of fresh air available. They pull smoke and odors outside through ductwork.

2) The recirculation type: This kind of hood uses fans to push air back into the room where it was generated. It doesn't use ductwork to move air around.

Both kinds of hoods are suitable for removing odors and toxins. Still, they each come with their own set of benefits and drawbacks. Let's take a deeper look at each type.

Exhaust-type kitchen vents

These types of hoods are usually found in restaurants and large commercial kitchens. They're also known as "ducted" vents because they use ducting to carry the fumes outside.

Advantages:

  • They're easy to install.
  • They're inexpensive.

Disadvantages:

  • They can be noisy.
  • They could be unable to tolerate very greasy conditions.

Recirculation-type kitchen vents

These types of hoods are typically found in smaller homes and apartments. They're also called "fan-assisted" vents because they use fans to circulate air throughout the kitchen.

Advantages :

  • They're quiet.
  • They're more efficient than exhaust-type hoods.
  • They can handle higher levels of grease.

Disadvantage:

  • They're difficult to install.

How Do Kitchen Vent Hoods Work?

Kitchen vent hoods use fans to pull air through filters. Grease and other pollutants are trapped by the filters and then released back into the area. This makes them much safer than traditional exhaust systems.

But how does this actually happen?

It creates smoke when you cook with oil, grease, or fat. Smoke contains tiny droplets of water vapor. These droplets condense when they hit cold surfaces. That means they form tiny drops of water in your kitchen.

When these droplets fall onto the floor, they create puddles. So long as there's sufficient moisture in the air, these puddles will eventually evaporate. But the puddles will stay around forever if there isn't enough humidity.

That's where kitchen vent hoods come in. They draw air through their filters and release it outside. Then they push fresh air back into the kitchen. So, you'll be breathing in cleaner air instead of breathing in the smoke.

Is There Any Advantage to Using a Kitchen Vent Hood?

A range hood improves air quality and reduces grease buildup in kitchens. Cooking fumes are removed from the air and captured before they enter the home.

As a result, grease and moisture buildup on surfaces such as the stovetop, oven door, and countertops are easily cleaned off.

Here are more benefits of installing kitchen vent hoods listed below:

  • Improves Air Quality
  • Reduces Grease Build Up
  • Protects Against Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
  • Prevents Fires From Starting
  • Makes Cooking Healthier
  • Saves Money
  • Looks Great
  • Helps Prevent Odor Problems
  • Keeps Your Home Cleaner

Kitchen Ventilation Requirements

Some states require kitchen vent hoods or range hoods to be installed to meet ventilation requirements. Others allow exemptions based on existing ventilation systems. If you live in one of those states, make sure you know about the laws regarding kitchen ventilation.

If your local area does not require kitchen vents, you may still want to install one.

The cost of installing a kitchen vent hood varies depending on the size of your kitchen and how much work you plan to do yourself.

Check out these excellent custom range hoods that increase the home's worth and improve ventilation simultaneously. You can choose from several range hoods, some of which are made of stainless steel or copper, and you can even order custom hoods.

Why your kitchen needs ventilation

Cooking fumes can cause respiratory issues. A lack of ventilation makes kitchen environments more prone to water damage. Exhaust systems help prevent household pollutants from entering the home.

Kitchen ventilation systems remove harmful gases and aerosols from the air. This keeps them out of the home and away from people who spend time indoors.

When you cook, you create carbon monoxide (CO) gas. CO is colorless and odorless. But it's hazardous. Carbon monoxide exposure can cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, confusion, seizures, coma, and even death.

When cooking with gas stoves, exhaust fans help prevent CO from building up inside the home. The fan pulls smoke and other combustion products through ductwork and out of the house.

Exhaust fans also help prevent water damage. Smokey smells, and soot can ruin wood floors and walls. An exhaust system removes this waste from the home.

What is required, and what isn't?

In most cases, you'll need a kitchen exhaust fan if you have a gas stove.

In addition to the fan, you may also need a kitchen vent hood. If you own a commercial kitchen, however, you almost certainly will need to have some sort of vent hood or range hood.

A kitchen vent hood is required by law in many states. Some states only require a kitchen vent hood if you have a gas oven. Other states require a kitchen vent hood regardless of whether you use gas or electric appliances.

Most states require a kitchen vent connected to a chimney or exhaust to pull smoke and other combustion products out of the home.

While some states require a kitchen vent connected to the roof or ductwork. They draw the smoke and other combustion products outside the home.

FAQs

Does a pizza oven need a hood?

Standard pizza ovens don't need hoods. Pizza ovens have different types of ventilation, and some lack exhaust fans. Others feature a bottom-mounted exhaust vent. Some have an exhaust fan.

Woodfire pizza ovens usually have a chimney to vent smoke. The size of your pizza oven could determine if you need a hood. Smaller ovens don't need them. Larger ones might.

What about a steam kettle? Does it need to be under a hood?

A steam kettle doesn't have to be under a hood. Many manufacturers make kettles without a hood; some even come with a built-in venting system. If a unit doesn't have a hood, it won't emit carbon monoxide.

Do I require a vent hood for my outdoor grill?

You probably don't, as you will be barbequing outside. As a result, the smoke and grease released during cooking will go out into the atmosphere and won't be trapped indoors. However, if you have a BBQ indoors or in a commercial kitchen, you will need a ventilation hood.

If I get an induction stove, do I still need a kitchen hood?

An induction cooktop is a good choice if you don't want to use a traditional stove. A range hood will help keep cooking odors out of the home and prevent grease buildup inside the cooktop. Induction cooktops produce less smoke than gas units, so they're considered safer options and usually won't require a kitchen vent hood.

Are kitchen vent hoods a necessity when using an electric stove?

No. Electric stoves are generally safe to operate without a kitchen vent hood. However, most models include a built-in exhaust system that pulls smoke and fumes away from the appliance.

Are ductless kitchen vent hoods effective?

Ductless hoods are effective at removing smoke and gases from kitchens. They work best when installed correctly. They can be expensive, but they do offer several advantages over conventional kitchen exhaust systems, including:

  • Providing more efficient airflow. As a result, less power is needed to keep the same volume of air circulating through the system.
  • Eliminating the need for ductwork. This makes installation easier and cheaper.
  • Allowing for easy clean-up. You can easily clean the filters on these systems and replace charcoal filters in some models.
  • Reducing noise levels.

Key Takeaways

In conclusion, kitchen vent hoods aren't necessary if you have a well-designed kitchen. But if you're looking to add a little extra ventilation to your cooking space, they're definitely worth considering.

They can also save you money over time because they reduce the smoke and grease inside your home. And, when you consider that they're relatively inexpensive, they may even be a worthwhile investment.

Go to our website to have a look at our collection of range hoods we have available.

How Do Kitchen Exhaust Fans Work?

We have to vent about something… It’s your kitchen. Specifically… Your kitchen exhaust fan. Many don’t know how they work. 

Your kitchen exhaust fan is critical to the health and safety of your kitchen. It can quickly improve the indoor air quality of your home, which can ward off a variety of health issues. 

So… What is a kitchen exhaust system and how does it work? Keep reading to learn more!

What Is A Kitchen Exhaust?

Your kitchen exhaust is a fan above the stovetop that removes the airborne cooking byproducts from the air in your kitchen. These byproducts can include grease, rogue spices, fumes, smoke, steam, and heat. While critical to your home kitchen, commercial kitchen exhaust fans are a necessary safety measure – as they often include fire suppression device to vent and extinguish fires.

How Do Kitchen Fans Work?

There are two types of kitchen exhaust systems, ductless and ducted. Ducted hoods are the most common. True to their name, they have a duct that the air gets sent through. These are popular in both homes and commercial kitchens. Ductless hood suck in the air, filter it, and send it back into the room. Let’s explore both of them below:

Ducted

There are a few essential components to a ducted kitchen exhaust system. These include:

  • Hood:

    The hood is the most recognizable part of the system. This floats above the stovetop and houses the fan and filter.

  • Fan:

    Located inside the hood, the fan sucks the air through the filter and into the system

  • Honeycomb filter:

    Located inside the hood, filters grease particles and other byproducts

  • Ducts:

    Ducts are like a tunnel for the air to transfer outside the building. 

  • Ozone generator:

    Located inside of the ducts, the ozone generator cleans the air before it leaves the duct.

  • Lights:

    You can usually find these under or next to the hood to make seeing your culinary creations even easier

So let’s say that you start cooking dinner and after a while, your kitchen is warm, steamy, and smells delicious. Little do you realize, there are also hot grease particles in the air, and like heat, rises a little bit.

You turn on the fan. The steam and grease particles get sucked up into the bottom part of the hood. Within that hood, there are honeycomb filters that trap the large grease particles.  The rest of the air flows into the exhaust duct. In some commercial kitchens, an ozone generator cleans the air and an aero vent fan pulls the freshly cleaned air the rest of the way through the duct and out onto the street or rooftop. 

Ductless

A ductless kitchen exhaust system works differently than a ducted system, but they do have some similarities. Ductless systems will recirculate the air back into the kitchen instead of the outside, which is why they’re sometimes referred to as recirculating range hood. In a ductless system, a powerful motorized fan sits above the stovetop. When the switch is flipped, the fan sucks the air up through a vent and filter.

In a ducted system, a standard honeycomb grease filter will suffice. In a ductless system, the filter is usually made out of charcoal and paper. This is because a ductless system sends the air back into the kitchen and must filter the air more quickly in less space than a ducted system.  Some manufacturers have made dishwasher safe filters that can be easily washed in your dishwasher. 

Next, the air is pulled through another filter into a blower. Generally, this will be a round filter made out of charcoal. Finally, the air exits the blower and recirculates through a vent back into the kitchen.

Maintenance

Maintenance of both ductless and ducted exhaust systems is important to ensure the longevity of your exhaust system and the safety of your home. Built-up grease can even cause a fire in your exhaust system. In addition to cleaning and changing your filters, you should have a professional regularly inspect your ducts and conduct preventative maintenance. If you own a home, check out our guide for cleaning your kitchen exhaust and if you own a restaurant, you can read more about how to clean your kitchen hood in our previous blog post.

Airpro Indoor Air

When it comes to kitchens, the delicious food you create isn’t the only thing you should be concerned about. Make sure you have your system inspected and cleaned before the surfaces of the system are heavily contaminated with grease. A little bit of preventative maintenance can go a long way in keeping a kitchen running smoothly and saving you money. 

In addition to regular maintenance, the team at AIRPRO can also help with fan hinge retrofitting and installations of access panels. Learn more about how we can help with your indoor kitchen exhaust!

Kitchen Exhaust Maintenance in Hawaii

Give Us A Call For Your Hawaii HVAC Needs!

(808) 832-1178

Most kitchen vent hoods are designed to remove grease from cooking fumes.

How Do Kitchen Exhaust Fans Work?

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