Chris Shepperd on September 22, 2016 2 Comments The kitchen range, whether connected to an oven or not, is the quintessential kitchen appliance. Above all other kitchen appliances, it is true that what makes a kitchen a kitchen really is the stove. So, it only makes sense to pay the most attention to this crucial area in your home. There are two parts of this equation and half of it is generally forgotten about. Your actual range is where you do all the cooking, but all that steam, smoke, and food/grease particles have to go somewhere. Your range hood is the other half of the equation. Sure, you can make do without a hood or with a cheap one, but that will allow the pollution from your cooking to spread to other parts of your kitchen. In order to keep your kitchen clean and in optimal working order, it is highly recommended that you do not ignore the importance of a high-quality range hood. For a kitchen that features an island, the importance of the range hood is increased as the island range is much more exposed and a prominent feature of your kitchen. Below, we have outlined the top 10 best island range hoods according to customer feedback as well as given you tips to help you identify which range hood is right for you. The 10 Most Popular Island Range Hoods We have created a list of the most popular island range hoods according to the feedback we get from our customers. Use this list as a guide to help you on your search for your new island range hood. This list is regularly updated as we receive more feedback from our customers. Ducted or Ductless Island Range Hoods A range hood works very simply by using a fan to collect all the output of your cooking in the form of steam, smoke and food particles and extracting it from your working area. There are three main parts to a hood: a canopy large enough to extend over the cooking area, a filter to trap the grease and odor, and a fan to move the air. The big distinction that divides island range hoods is if they are either ducted or ductless. The decision between which of the two hood styles you should use is usually predetermined for you based on what you are even capable of installing in your home, and specifically if there are ducts (or vents) present over your range. A ducted (vented) hood features a fan that pushes all the air up and out of your kitchen and house through a vent. It may be possible to add vents to your house if they are not already there, but that depends on the layout of your house. That will also create a much larger home improvement project than just installing the island range hood. A ductless (re-circulating) hood is not better or worse, it just works in a different way. Ductless island range hoods don’t get rid of the air they suck in, but instead pump it past activated carbon or charcoal filters that trap the odor and grease and re-circulate the air back into the kitchen. The downside of that is that hot air ends up being re-circulated back into your home. This means your hood doesn’t help cool the kitchen the way a ducted hood would. The advantage of ductless island range hoods is that they can be installed anywhere regardless of the presence of vents. Factors to Consider When Shopping for an Island Range Hood Before you decide which island range hood is right for you, you should be aware of the different features that these kitchen appliances have to offer as well as any potential building restrictions you might face. There are several different range hood options to choose from to help you refine your search, but be sure to keep in mind the following points while looking. 1. Housing restrictions: While there aren’t nearly as many options or features for island range hoods as there might be for other appliances, the few ones there are can make a huge impact on your kitchen. It’s generally an easy decision-making process because some of these features may be your only options due to your house setup. There is the possibility for “in ceiling” island range hoods that install directly into the ceiling and have very minimal visibility. These can be very stylish and minimalist by not drawing attention to themselves, but are harder to install and only able to be installed in certain homes. Even if you have the option to have vents, some models can be used either way depending on your preference. Keep in mind that you might need to purchase a separate filter set. 2. Size: For most household ranges, your options come in either 36″ or 42″ island range hoods. Be sure to measure your range ahead of making any purchases. 3. Filters: Both ventilated and recirculatory island range hoods come with filters that will periodically need to be cleaned. The more filters provided, the cleaner it will keep everything and the less often you will have to clean. Also keep an eye out for dishwasher safe options, which the majority of them will be, but by no means all. You may still need to do some scrubbing, but the option to toss them in the dishwasher can be a huge time saver. 4. Fan: The fan is a huge element to the hood as it drives the function of it. Different models will come with either 3 or 4 fans built in. The diameter of the vents may matter as well and can range from 6 to 8 inches in diameter. However, you should keep in mind that if you are an “average” cook that isn’t doing anything too fancy, just day to day use for the family, these details won’t matter that much but could drive up the price unnecessarily. Don’t get hung up on it too much. If you are planning some more heavy duty cooking projects or are a frequent cook than it might matter a bit more, and you might consider getting yourself something with a little more power. 5. Lights: Almost all island range hoods will come with lights included, but the products may differ with the number or quality. However, this actually won’t matter as much with this purchase since with a kitchen island you will have more lighting options around you and access to your cooking from more angles as opposed to with ranges up against the wall. 6. Stainless Steel vs. Glass The most common options for material are going to be stainless steel or glass. Both options will function almost exactly the same but will be different when it comes to cleaning. Remember that whichever type you end up using, your hood will still get dirty. Remember that the whole purpose of this appliance is to move dirt and grime and everything else away from the rest of the kitchen. As discussed earlier, remember that this hood above your island is going to be a focal point of the room and stand out. It’s just a matter of what kind of statement you want to make. 7. Warranty: Not always the most exciting thing to think about, especially on an item like this where you will buy it and probably forget about it for years and years, but it is always appropriate to mention the warranty. What the warranty covers and for how long can vary between brands, so it is worth paying special attention to. In Conclusion Buying a hood for your island range may not be the most exiting purchase for your house, but when it comes to adding expensive appliances to your home, no decision should be taken without careful planning and research. The perfect island range hood can transform your kitchen into a real focal point and give it the touch to make it the heart of your home.
Carleen says October 12, 2017 at 4:21 pm Can you suggest an island hood vent, has to be ductless. Will not go over a gas range, ours is flat top. Also, we are not rich, I cook, I’m a grandma! Thank you Reply
George Elton Hobson says February 16, 2018 at 3:01 pm So far, in my research for my own, Amazon has the best prices. They also offer a range of styles. The bottom line though, is what you really like. Having spent a number of years installing things for people, I will not suggest a particular one over another because I don’t have to live with it. A suggestion is dangerous, because you may not end up getting something you can live with. Reply