When planning a kitchen upgrade, most people focus on ranges, refrigerators, and dishwashers. But one essential element often gets overlooked — ventilation.
Whether you’re a professional or a casual cook, the right kitchen ventilation system
improves air quality, protects cabinetry, and keeps your home smelling fresh. So, how do you know which type you need?
Let’s break it down.
Why Kitchen Ventilation Matters
Every time you cook, especially with gas, you're releasing smoke, grease, steam, and odors into the air. Without proper range hood ventilation, those particles settle into your walls, furniture, and lungs.
The right system can:
- Improve indoor air quality
- Reduce heat and humidity
- Prevent grease buildup
- Keep your kitchen looking and smelling clean
Ducted vs. Ductless: What’s the Difference?
Before choosing a style, understand the two main types of ventilation:
Ducted Range Hoods (Vented)
- Expels air outside your home through ductwork
- Most effective at removing smoke, heat, and odors
- Requires installation planning (great for new kitchens or remodels)
Best for: Serious cooks, gas ranges, open-concept kitchens
Ductless Range Hoods (Recirculating)
- Filters air through charcoal or mesh filters, then recirculates it
- Easier to install (no external ductwork needed)
- Less powerful, but suitable for light cooking
Best for: Apartments, condos, or kitchens without exterior walls
Types of Ventilation Systems
Now let’s talk styles. Here are the most common options you'll find at KAM Appliances:
1. Wall-Mounted Range Hoods
- Mounted directly to the wall above your range
- Typically ducted, with a chimney or canopy design
- Creates a sleek, modern focal point as some units are more bulky and pro-style
Perfect for: Traditional or contemporary kitchens with an exterior wall.
2. Under-Cabinet Range Hoods
- Fits under your upper cabinets above the cooktop
- Available in both ducted and ductless models
- Saves space and blends in easily
Perfect for: Smaller kitchens or minimalist designs.
3. Island or Ceiling-Mounted Range Hoods
- Hangs over a cooktop installed on an island
- Often a showpiece with modern design appeal
- Most often ducted for proper air movement, however some recirculate air with a charcoal filter
Perfect for: Open kitchens with center islands.
4. Downdraft Ventilation
- Pops up from behind the cooktop and sucks air down
- Offered as a built-in solution for cooktops and select ranges
- Great for minimalist spaces, but generally less powerful
Perfect for: Sleek designs or when overhead hoods aren’t an option.
5. Hoods Inserts
- Designed to be installed inside custom cabinetry
- Let’s you match your cabinetry finish
- Can be ducted or ductless
Perfect for: Custom kitchens with designer aesthetics.
6. Blower Types
- Internal — Mounts inside the hood itself, easier to install but slightly louder
- In Line — Mounts within the duct run, excellent option as it is quieter but rarely convenient to access
- External — Not the best option for New England as the blower mounts to the outside of the home, service is challenging, and it is exposed to the elements
How to Choose the Right One for You
Ask yourself:
- Do I cook frequently, or just reheat and boil water?
- Do I use gas, electric, or induction?
- Am I remodeling or replacing?
- Do I have space for ductwork?
KAM COMMENTS: Ventilation should be rated in CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute), the higher the CFM, the more powerful the suction. Gas ranges typically require higher CFM than electric.
Not sure what you need? Our team at KAM Appliances will walk you through CFM ratings, duct size, sound levels (measured in sones), and what will work best in your space.
Visit KAM Appliances in Hyannis, Nantucket, or Hanover or shop online to explore our top brands and get expert help with choosing the perfect range hood for your home.