Buying Guide
There are a number of things to consider when choosing a material for your range hood. Today, stainless steel is by far the most popular material, and in this article I will discuss the reasons for this, and things that you should consider when choosing a material for your range hood.
Ease of Cleaning
Stainless steel is by far the easiest material to clean. As it does not oxidize, stainless steel does not age in the same way as other metals. Instead, stainless steel can be cleaned using standard household cleaning products. In fact, anything small enough and durable enough can actually be put in a dishwasher (though check your directions before doing this, as you don’t want to accidentally destroy something). Note, however, that ease in cleaning the material does not equate with ease of cleaning. Like many range hoods, especially if they are ducted, the primary issue may be reaching the material, not the actual cleaning of it. It still might be good to have a professional clean your hood every once and a while to ensure that nothing builds up in the difficult-to-reach areas.
Appearance
The rise of stainless steel has drastically changed the way that range hoods appear today. Traditionally, the appearance of range hoods was designed to mimic a chimney in the home. However, because stainless steel is so bright, the new fashion is to create hoods that are almost futuristic in design. Now, island range hoods will tend to have sharp corners, geometric shapes and flat surfaces. Because island hoods are generally the centerpiece of any kitchen, this has created the situation where kitchens themselves tend to become more futuristic in their design. In addition to this, many island range hoods are augmented with glass or even electronic displays, contributing to the overall “futuristic” feel of the kitchen.
Partial Stainless Steel
Not all stainless island hoods are built entirely of stainless steel. Rather, the stainless steel is used only in certain parts that require heavy cleaning. In addition, people who prefer a more traditional appearance for their range hoods will often use a stainless steel interior while using some sort of veneer on the outside that mimics a traditional kitchen. Two of the most common of these are using stucco, if someone is trying to create a kitchen with more of a Mediterranean feel, or wood, if someone is trying to create a kitchen with more of a cottagey feel. These hoods are often custom made and therefore quite expensive. However, one does not need to choose between ease of cleaning and traditional design. Rather, putting together traditional materials with stainless steel is a quite popular choice in island hood design.