How good is a downdraft hood?

Downdraft range hoods can be highly effective at removing smoke, odors, and grease from your kitchen. However, due to their design, they will never be equal in performance to overhead range hoods. This is because downdraft range hoods have to suck in the fumes from the side even though the fumes are rising straight up.

What is the purpose of a downdraft?

A downdraft range or cooktop integrates the ventilation system directly into the cooking surface, eliminating the need for an overhead vent. These systems help capture smoke, steam, grease particles and odors at the cooking surface, pulling them down and out of the kitchen before they can escape into the air.

Does a downdraft need to be vented?

Downdraft ranges have built-in vents between the burners, and suck smoke and steam through an exhaust pipe or filtration system. That means they don't need an external vent hood—a trait that makes them popular in open kitchens, and kitchens with cathedral ceilings.

How much does it cost to install a downdraft vent?

Downdraft range hoods pop up vertically behind your stove and usually cost $1,500 to $3,000 for materials and labor.

How much does Lowes charge to install a range hood?

In general, plan on about $200 to $500 depending on the complexity of your installation. This includes the labor cost of installing a new vent hood and does not include parts, adding or modifying ductwork, or electrical work.

The Most Powerful Downdrafts - Ratings / Reviews / Prices

Are ventless hoods any good?

Unvented range hoods do filter some grease and cooking odors from the air, but the general consensus is that they're nowhere near as effective. Nor do they remove heat and humidity, so they won't help keep your kitchen cool while you cook.

How effective are downdraft extractors?

Downdraft hoods need to work harder to make steam go in the other direction, so extraction rates do tend to be a bit lower. They tend to have 80-90% of the same extraction power, but do check to see.

Where does the downdraft vent go?

The important and characteristic difference, however, is that downdraft vents are located behind the cooktop, rather than above it. They pull the air horizontally away from the cooktop, and the vents send the collected contaminated air to be filtered down below the countertop.

Is a downdraft range worth it?

The first obvious benefit of having a downdraft range or cooktop is that you no longer need to install a hood above the stove. This not only frees up space for more cabinetry and storage, but allows you freedom of placement—especially with a cooktop.

Can you use a downdraft with a gas cooktop?

Some stoves come with built-in downdraft vents that rise up from the back or center of the cooktop when a burner is lit. Like updraft hoods, downdraft units must be vented to the outdoors or they are ineffective. On a gas stove, a malfunctioning downdraft vent can allow dangerous carbon monoxide to remain in the air.

Can downdraft be used with range?

With D49M Series, the groundbreaking new downdraft from BEST, you can design confidently, knowing it will pair with a broad range of cooktop appliances—aesthetically and mechanically—in virtually any installation configuration.

Does Jenn-Air downdraft work?

But the truth is, downdraft ranges are inherently flawed. Jenn-Air only builds them because a small percentage of consumers can't install anything else in their homes. In general, downdraft ranges get a lot of complaints because it's impossible for a downdraft's airflow to be as effective as traditional ventilation.

Do you need a vent above a cooktop?

The truth is that you should consider a vent for your electric stove. Even if you cook one or two times a week, a vent hood can be beneficial for you. It will clean your indoor air and improve your indoor air quality. For electric stoves, we recommend a range hood of at least 600 CFM.

How much space does a downdraft extractor need?

The amount of space required by the downdraft extractor does differ, depending on the one you choose but if you leave 300mm of space behind the unit that the hob sits above then that will be enough space to cover any sized downdraft extractor.

Do recirculating extractors work?

Recirculation/self-circulating cooker hoods are often much cheaper than extraction hoods because they don't include ducting. However, they are less effective at dealing with smells, grease, and smoke because they have to process the air, and inevitably they don't do that 100% perfectly.

Are ceiling cooker hoods any good?

Heat rises so those odours and vapour will always be propelled upwards. In kitchens with a ceiling height of 2.2 metres and below, a ceiling hood is likely to be the kind that comes most recommended. This is a great height for them and the virtue of having your cooker hood in the ceiling speaks for itself.

Are recirculating vent hoods effective?

Yes. A recirculating range hood works beautifully, the same way as a ducted range hood. The main difference is that rather than the air getting exhausted to the outside, it passes through a filter, and then recirculated back into the house.

Is a ductless range hood better than nothing?

Ductless range hoods are very effective at removing grease from air and then circulating back clean fat-free air. In most ductless fans there are two type of filters. Aluminium mesh(fat filter) and activated charcoal filter(odor/smoke filter).

Do ductless range hoods remove smoke?

A ductless (or ventless) range hood does not vent out of the home, instead, it carries the debris and smoke form the air and filters it through a charcoal or carbon filter before releasing it back into the room. While many times this method is not as functional as a vented hood, it does work.

How much does Home Depot charge to install a range hood?

In general, a range hood will cost between $200 and $500 to install. Island range hoods are on the higher end of this price range, while under cabinet hoods are on the lower end.

What size hood do you need for a 30 range?

For example, for a 30” range, a 36” hood is ideal. Then, subtract 2” and you get 34”. So a 34” hood insert or larger is a great fit for a 30” range. For outdoor applications, go with an insert two sizes larger than your range.

Do range hoods need to vent outside?

Do range hoods have to be vented outside? No; range hoods without a duct, or ductless range hoods, can recirculate air back into your kitchen. However, to clean your kitchen air most efficiently, purchase a ducted range hood.