8 Features to Look for in a Stainless Steel Range Hood

Most people focus on the major appliances that go into a kitchen, such as a refrigerator, range, dishwasher, microwave, etc. Yet, despite being one of the most essential additions to the space, a range hood can be easily overlooked. 

Every time you fire up your stove to cook, you risk releasing things like grease, moisture, heat, carbon monoxide, food particles, nitrogen dioxide, formaldehyde, odors, and other dangerous things byproducts into the air around you. 

This may all be found in the air that you breathe while standing in your home. 

A range hood is used to clean the air in your kitchen. It removes the dirty, harmful air and replaces it with the air you can feel good about breathing. 

If this alone makes you want to rush out to make an additional purchase, it won’t be long until you discover that there are many different types of range hoods on the market. How do you know which one is the best option for you? Here are eight features you will want to look for before you purchase your new stainless steel range hood. 

1. Suction Power

You will want a stainless steel range hood equipped to suck out the smoke, toxins, and odors you are creating as you cook. And not just from one dish, it must have enough power for your entire feast. 

You want to ensure that you have a hood that matches the width of your range and is deep enough to cover the entire burner space. The suction strength should be relative to the size of the unit. Below is a good rule of thumb to follow:

• 48-inch range hood should have 1,000 CFM (cubic feet per minute) of suction
• 36-inch range hood should have 600 CFM of suction 
• 30-inch range hood should have 600 CFM of suction 

2. Multiple Speed Settings

A feature allowing you to run your stainless steel range hood on different settings is always a good idea. This means adjusting between the suction on love, medium, and high so that you always get the right amount for what is happening in your kitchen. 

Switching to lower settings when possible reduces the amount of energy usage within your home – and that is a perk for both you and the environment. 

3. LED Lighting

Speaking of being healthy for the environment, LED lights are one of the most energy-efficient options available today and are long-lasting, too. 

LED lights are bright and use a little energy for a great amount of light output. It is worth mentioning that they look great, too. 

On a functional note, adding LED lighting to your range hood gives you better visibility while cooking, too. And, of course, many continue to utilize this light as a nightlight to illuminate the kitchen through the night.  

4. Quiet Operation

A stainless steel range hood should allow you to still talk and socialize while you cook. You shouldn’t find yourself raising your voice in order to be heard. Unfortunately, not all range hoods prioritize a quiet operation.

Look for a range hood operating at a noise level of 67 decibels. 

5. Easy-to-Use Push Button Controls

Having a range hood with push button controls is easy to use and lets you take advantage of what it offers as soon as you need it. After all, if you walk away from your skillet and forget you had the burner on (it happens), you will likely end up in a stinky, smokey situation. 

You don’t have time to click through buttons and try to figure out how to turn it on. Instead, you need a quick way to get it going so that you can have relief as soon as possible. 

Before making your purchase, make sure you choose a range hood that will benefit you and not overcomplicate things. You want it to add value to your life – not bring frustration. 

6. Commercial Style Baffle Filters

When the unit sucks in air, it is cleaned and returned – after going through the baffle filters. Having solid and commercial-style filters with 430-grade stainless steel, you benefit from maximum airflow and grease filtering. 

These filters can be easily removed and cleaned so that they always work efficiently. 

7. Stainless Steel Finish

We continue to mention the stainless steel finish of a range hood, but that is more than just a finish – it is a feature you won’t want to dismiss. 

Stainless steel is durable and long-lasting. It is also very easy to keep clean, bright, and shiny. You can always count on it to look beautiful in your kitchen. In fact, many consider these range hoods to be a focal point of the space. 

Not only will it blend beautifully with your current kitchen appliances, but it will also transition well when you change your design style. For instance, a stainless steel range hood will look great regardless of your kitchen’s design  – traditional, modern, contemporary, farmhouse, industrial, country, etc.

8. Convertible Option

Range hoods can either be ducted or ductless. Ducted range hoods suck out the unwanted air and carry it through a ductwork system throughout your home that leads to the outdoors. Not everyone has this set up in their home, and installing this ductwork can be quite an extensive project. On the flip side, ductless range hoods filter the air and return it to your kitchen. 

Both options work well, but it is always a great idea to know that you can switch between ductless and ducted vents later should you desire to do so. That’s what you get when you invest in a range hood that has the ability to be converted later. 

A stainless steel range hood should have a place in every kitchen. If you don’t have one yet – or you are looking to upgrade – Thor Kitchen has a selection of high-quality options with all the features.