Buying Guide
When purchasing an island hood, there are a number of important factors to take into consideration. Because of their location, quality and price, it’s important to consider these factors before making a purchase.
First, you should take into account whether or not you wish to have a ductless or a ducted range hood. Unlike wall-based range hoods, island range hoods are built right into your ceiling. As a result, having an island range hood with a native duct can actually become quite expensive to install. The ducts would need to reach right through your ceiling. As a result, many people opt for a ductless island range hood. However, this has its own considerations. First, ductless range hoods use charcoal filters, rather than the traditional metal (aluminum or stainless steel) grease filters on a ducted hood. Second, ductless range hoods sacrifice some power in order to be made ductless, as there is less space for the air to move through.
Second, you should consider the amount of power you need in your island hood, which is measured in cubic feet per minute (CPM). This will depend to a large extent on the kind of cooking you do with your hood. If you are cooking (and especially frying) large meals, you may want to consider using a more powerful hood. On the other hand, if your cooking needs are more modest, you will be able to use a less powerful fan. Many hoods have adjustable settings, and will offer different levels of power depending on your needs at the time, saving on power and noise.
Third, you should consider the appearance of your island range hood. Unlike a wall hood, an island hood will often be the centerpiece of your kitchen. It will hang from your ceiling right in the middle of your room, and island hoods tend to be larger than walled hoods. Fortunately, island range hoods come in a number of different styles, including those styled with stainless steel, glass and even wood or stucco.
Fourth, you need to consider the height of your room. Many range hoods are built with a eight- or nine-foot ceiling in mind. If your ceiling is too high or too low, you may have difficulty properly fitting the hood into your kitchen. Fortunately, many products come with extensions so that they can be put in rooms with higher ceilings, though there is no such convenience for rooms that are too low. Be sure you know how tall your kitchen is and that the island hood is properly suited to your room.
Finally, you should look for special features. Some island range hoods include such conveniences as automatic shut-off and even automatic operation. This can be especially convenient if you wish to use your hood to clear out your kitchen after cooking without waiting around for the hood to finish so that you can turn it off. Other hoods will have features such as heating lamps to keep your food warm. These extra features can increase the utility of your range hood without significantly increasing the price.