Guests will be coming over for a family dinner soon. Roast beef sprinkled with garlic has been braising in the oven for hours, imperial vegetables are slow simmering on the stove, and wine desserts are being decorated. To ensure that you always have a clear line of sight when cooking and that the whole house doesn’t smell like food when guests arrive, the kitchen hood provides fresh air quietly and efficiently. Thanks to powerful filters and efficient motors, they absorb kitchen fumes, cooking oils and grease. Hoods come in different shapes, colors and sizes. You can find the right model for your kitchen in the following buying guide.
No odors and a wide view
A powerful kitchen hood (also known as a chimney) ensures a clear view of the kitchen and fresh air. the fan in the kitchen hood draws in and filters the fumes, grease and odors from the cooking process. Almost all models are suitable for exhaust and recirculation operation. All units are available in at least three power levels so that you can adjust the performance individually. The noise level is low at 42 to 64 dB. This corresponds to the sound of a modern dishwasher or washing machine in operation. The housing made of glass, stainless steel or plastic is easy to clean and the grease filters made of aluminum or stainless steel are dishwasher safe.
Many types of kitchen hoods available
Whether you want to buy a brand new kitchen unit or a replacement kitchen hood, you can contact us and choose from a wide range of designs. Below you will find important information about the performance characteristics of the different types of hoods.
Insert Range kitchen hoods
Insert range kitchen hoods are almost invisible in the kitchen. they are installed in the upper cabinet above the hob and only pulled out when in use. When closed, a 3-centimeter-high strip is visible on which all controls can be found. The insert range kitchen hoods are available in widths of 60, 80 and 90 cm. They are suitable for recirculation and exhaust systems and feature at least three fan speeds and dishwasher-safe grease filters. The price range is $150 to $800.
Wall-Mounted Range kitchen Hood
Wall-Mounted Range hoods are available in widths of 50, 60 and 90 centimeters. They are suitable for recirculation or exhaust systems and have three speeds. Undercounter models are usually inexpensive and take up little space. They are 11 to 17 centimeters high and weigh between 4.5 and 11 kilograms, depending on the width, so you can also install these kitchen hoods under kitchen cabinets with a recess for the exhaust hose. This means that the storage space above the cooking area remains largely intact. Depending on the device, the purchase price is around 50- 400 USD.
Angled Cooker Hood
This hooded model can also be secured to the wall and can be used for exhaust and recirculation operations. However, unlike traditional wall-mounted kitchen hoods, it has a tilted-up front and is made of glass or stainless steel. This means that you always have free access to the rear cooking area without hitting your head. In addition, the headless hood design visually lightens the load on the kitchen unit. You can choose from models with widths of 60, 80 and 90 cm, in a wide range of colors and with prices ranging from 130 to 2,100 USD.
kitchen island hood
The island kitchen hood can be hung freely from the ceiling and can therefore be used either above the cooking island or as a luxurious alternative to the wall kitchen hood. The materials are stainless steel or glass. In addition to the strictly angular design, there are also models with curved or rounded hoods. Island kitchen hoods are suitable for exhaust and recirculation operations. They are priced between $300 and $2,300.
Ceiling hoods
Ceiling hoods are installed in suspended ceilings or plasterboards to provide professional ventilation performance in catering establishments. With a width of 100 to 120 cm, they capture all the cooking fumes that would otherwise collect under the ceiling. They are usually quieter than other types of kitchen hood as the powerful fan is located further above the chef’s head. Ceiling-mounted kitchen hoods are controlled by a remote control and are usually suited for only one type of operation (exhaust or recirculation). Prices range from $150 to $2,300.
Important features of kitchen hoods
To ensure that the model you need meets your requirements, you should pay attention to the following features when making your purchase:
Appliance size
The width of the kitchen hood should be at least the same as the width of the stove. For wall-mounted models, this depends on the height and width of the space in which it is to be installed; for flat-panel, undercounter, and medium-sized kitchen hoods, it depends on the cabinet size.
Performance
The fan performance of a kitchen hood is measured in cubic meters per hour (m³/h) and describes the maximum air flow through the filter. kitchen hood output at maximum speed should be at least six to eight times the volume of the kitchen. The Simple Compact model has a lower output of 200 m³/hour. 300 to 600 m³/h is sufficient for proper air purification in medium-sized kitchens, 600 to 800 m³/h for larger kitchens. The high-performance kitchen hood makes sense if you often use all cooking areas at the same time, if your kitchen is poorly ventilated, or if you live in an apartment with an open kitchen.
Volume
Noisy kitchen hood noises should not detract from the pleasure of cooking. An exceptionally quiet kitchen hood reaches a sound pressure of 40 to 45 dB during frequent normal operation at moderate fan speeds and close to 65 dB at the highest power levels.
Side suction
If the harmonious design of your kitchen is important to you, a kitchen hood with edge suction will be interesting. The filter is located behind an attractive plate made of stainless steel or black, white or transparent glass. Steam is sucked away at a high flow rate through the narrow gaps around it. This also makes cleaning easier.
Filtration System
Make sure to use a dishwasher-safe grease filter made of aluminum or stainless steel. Many kitchen hoods are equipped with saturation indicators or running hour counters for grease and activated carbon filters and report when they need to be cleaned or replaced.
Cooking area lighting
kitchen hoods often have LEDs, halogen spotlights or fluorescent tubes built in for stovetop lighting or as permanent lighting in the kitchen. LEDs are particularly energy efficient, while halogen spotlights provide a warm, harmonious light. Light from tubes looks slightly cooler. Lamps mounted to the side or all around have a more favorable beam angle for pots and pans than lamps mounted in front or behind. Practical dimming functions allow you to change the lighting atmosphere.
Operating concepts
Flat, lower and center hoods are usually pulled out or opened to turn them on; all other models have push buttons or sensor surfaces to turn on fans and lights. Mechanical buttons are easy to operate even with wet or greasy fingers, while electronic controls have touch control surfaces that are easier to clean. Some high-quality kitchen hoods come with remote controls or are available as accessories.
Efficiency ratings
Energy efficiency ratings from A or A+ (very energy efficient) to E (not very energy efficient) tell you how much power your kitchen hood consumes. Generally, higher quality models are more energy efficient than entry-level models because they have more powerful motors.
Special Features
The difference between a traditional kitchen hood and a high-quality kitchen hood is a variety of comfort features. These include:
- Intensive level: the intensive level temporarily increases the fan power and automatically resets after a few minutes, ideal for removing strong fumes from pasta water.
- Follow-up run: to remove residual water vapor and odors from the kitchen air, it is recommended to keep the fan running for a few minutes after cooking. If the extractor has an auto-run function, the fan will automatically switch off after a pre-selected or fixed period of time.
- Sensor automation: if ease of operation is important to you, look for automatic power adjustment via a sensor. It controls the fan power based on the amount of cooking fumes produced. This is not only convenient but also energy efficient as only the necessary amount of power is used.
Kitchen hood buying advice
The kitchen hood you choose should not only fit the size and equipment of your kitchen, but should also suit your cooking habits. Below you will find out what to look for when buying one:
Occasional cooks and owners of small kitchens
Do you have a small kitchen and you rarely cook? Then a compact entry-level model with three fan speeds and buttons is a good choice. Priced from $50 to $120, there are space-saving undercounter models with a maximum air flow of 380 cubic meters per hour. Prices start at $180 for a flat hood with similar fan power, and range from €150 to $330 for a medium-sized hood. If you also want to spice up your kitchen visually, choose a wall-mounted kitchen hood with an air output of up to 300 m3/hour at a price of between €80 and $150.
Resident chefs and owners of medium-sized kitchens
If you cook every day and have a separate kitchen of up to 20 square meters, choose a powerful kitchen hood with one or two additional intensification settings, an air flow of 400 to 500 m³/h, a stainless steel filter and energy efficiency class A or A+. Prices start at $280 for a flat screen, wall and headless hood with the appropriate features. Island kitchen hoods with this performance range are priced at $600.
Professional Chefs and Kitchen Owners
Aspiring cooks consider the large kitchen to be the center of family life, so they should choose a kitchen hood that is exceptionally quiet, powerful, and sized to fit their stove. decisive criteria include an air flow of 600 to 850 m³/h, a noise level of less than 70 dB, intermittent ventilation, edge extraction, and multi-sensor technology. With these features and high-quality materials, island kitchen hoods are priced from $800 to $1,600, wall kitchen hoods from $850 to $1,600, headless kitchen hoods from $900 to $2,100, and ceiling kitchen hoods from $1,200.
Care and Cleaning Instructions
Because the kitchen hood comes into contact with grease, oil and food residue, cleaning is important. Periodically wipe down all surfaces and controls with a damp sponge and some detergent. Grease removers can be used to remove grease stains and deposits. Commercial glass cleaners are great for glass surfaces. You can treat stainless steel surfaces with stainless steel care products to prevent them from getting dirty again.
Depending on use, you can clean the grease filter manually according to the filter indicator or every three to four weeks with a dishwashing brush and hand sanitizer, or in the dishwasher. The odor filter should also be replaced once or twice a year when using the recirculation mode. The frequency of replacement depends on how often the hood is used.
Conclusion: cooking without steam and odors
A kitchen hood ensures that you have a clear view when cooking and that the entire living area is free from food odors. These units produce fresh air quietly and efficiently. To find the right kitchen hood for your kitchen, you should consider the following criteria when making your purchase:
The entry-level model at has a fan output of up to 380 m³/h and is suitable for smaller kitchens. If space is limited, consider an under-cabinet kitchen hood or a flat panel kitchen hood.If there is free space above the stove, you can set a visual focal point with a wall kitchen hood or island kitchen hood.
If you have a medium-sized kitchen and cook frequently, use an energy-efficient kitchen hood with additional enhanced settings and an air flow of up to 500 m³/h. A headless kitchen hood provides more headroom and cooking comfort, a flat panel kitchen hood blends in well with your kitchen furniture, and a wall-mounted or island kitchen hoods can make your kitchen stand out.
Chefs who demand efficiency and design choose quiet and powerful kitchen hoods made of high-quality materials. Wall-mounted, headless, island or ceiling-mounted kitchen hoods with edge ventilation, air flow up to 850 m3 /hour, intermittent ventilation, multi-sensor technology and LED lighting are perfectly suited for the job of a chef’s assistant. the job of a chef’s assistant.