Ventilation Buying Guide

Ventilation is often the last appliance decision in a kitchen project, but it should be one of the first. The right range hood clears smoke, grease, heat, and odors, protects your cabinetry and finishes, and can serve as the visual centerpiece of the room. The wrong one can be loud, underpowered, or simply the wrong size for the range beneath it.

This guide walks through how to choose a range hood step by step, from style and sizing to CFM, mounting height, and ducting, so you can plan ventilation that performs as well as it looks.

Step 1: Choose Your Hood Style

Your kitchen layout usually narrows the options quickly. The most common styles include:

• Wall-mount (chimney) hoods: Mounted on the wall above a range or cooktop, with a chimney cover concealing the duct. A classic choice for pro-style ranges.
• Island hoods: Suspended from the ceiling above a cooktop or range in an island. Because they're open on all sides, they need extra width and power to capture smoke.
• Custom hood inserts (liners): A ventilation insert built into a custom hood made from wood, plaster, or metal. Ideal when you want the hood to match your cabinetry or become an architectural feature.
• Under-cabinet hoods: Installed beneath wall cabinets. A space-efficient option for smaller kitchens or secondary cooking areas.
• Downdraft systems: Rise from behind a cooktop and pull air down. Great for keeping sightlines open on an island, though they're typically best suited to lower-output cooking.
• Ceiling-mount hoods: Installed flush with or close to the ceiling for a minimal look over an island.

Step 2: Size the Hood to Your Cooking Surface

A hood should be at least as wide as your cooking surface , and wider is better. For a wall-mount hood over a professional-style range, many designers recommend adding about 3 inches on each side (for example, a 42-inch hood over a 36-inch range). Island hoods benefit from even more coverage, since cross-drafts in an open space can pull smoke away from the capture area.

Depth matters too. A hood that extends over the front burners will capture far more than a shallow one, especially if you cook with tall stockpots or sear at high heat.

Step 3: Calculate the CFM You Need

CFM (cubic feet per minute) measures how much air a hood moves. Use these common rules of thumb as a starting point:

• Gas ranges and rangetops: About 1 CFM for every 100 BTUs of total burner output. A range with 90,000 total BTUs would call for roughly 900 CFM.
• Electric and induction cooktops: About 10 CFM per inch of cooktop width. A 36-inch induction cooktop would need about 360 CFM.
• Island installations: Plan for more power than a comparable wall hood to make up for open sides.
• Grills, griddles, and wok burners: Add capacity. These features produce more smoke and grease than standard burners.

More isn't always better. An oversized blower can be noisy, and higher CFM can trigger makeup air requirements (see Step 5). Always confirm the manufacturer's recommendation for your specific range or cooktop. Still deciding on your cooking surface? Read Gas vs Electric vs Induction and Gas vs. Dual Fuel Ovens: What's Right for Your Kitchen? .

Step 4: Get the Mounting Height Right

Mount too high and the hood won't capture effectively. Mount too low and it gets in the way. As a general guide, hoods are often installed 24 to 30 inches above electric and induction cooktops and 30 to 36 inches above gas cooking surfaces. The manufacturer's installation instructions have the final say, so check the specs for both your hood and your range before cabinetry is finalized.

Step 5: Plan Ducting and Makeup Air Early

Ducting is where ventilation performance is won or lost. For the best results:

• Vent to the outside whenever possible. Ducted hoods remove air from the home, while ductless (recirculating) hoods filter it and return it to the room.
• Use the duct size the manufacturer specifies. Higher-CFM hoods typically require larger ducts.
• Keep the run short and straight. Every elbow and extra foot of duct reduces airflow.

Then there's makeup air . Many jurisdictions follow the International Residential Code, which requires makeup air for kitchen exhaust systems over 400 CFM. A makeup air system brings fresh air into the home to replace what the hood removes, helping the hood work as designed. Requirements vary by location, so coordinate with your builder, HVAC contractor, and local building department early in the project.

Step 6: Consider Blower Placement and Noise

Where the blower lives affects how loud the hood feels in the kitchen:

• Internal blowers are built into the hood itself. Simple to install, but the motor is closest to you.
• In-line blowers are installed within the ductwork, away from the hood.
• External (remote) blowers are mounted on the roof or an exterior wall, moving most of the motor noise outside.

Noise is measured in sones. When comparing models, look at sone ratings at both low and high speeds, since most everyday cooking happens on the lower settings.

Step 7: Compare Filters and Features

• Baffle filters: Common on professional-style hoods. Durable, efficient at capturing grease, and often dishwasher safe.
• Mesh filters: Lightweight and effective, typically found on more compact hoods.
• Lighting: Bright, even task lighting over the cooking surface makes a real difference.
• Smart features: Variable speeds, heat sensors, delayed shut-off, and filter reminders add convenience.

Quick Reference: Matching Hood to Cooking Setup

Cooking setup

Typical hood approach

36" or 48" pro-style gas range against a wall

Wall-mount or custom insert, wider than the range, sized by total BTUs

Induction cooktop on an island

Island or ceiling-mount hood, or downdraft for open sightlines

Range with built-in griddle or grill

Extra CFM and full-depth coverage

Compact or secondary kitchen

Under-cabinet hood or insert

Covered outdoor kitchen

Outdoor-rated hood sized for the grill

Don't Forget Outdoor Ventilation

If your outdoor kitchen sits under a covered patio or pavilion, ventilation matters there too. Grills produce significant smoke and heat, so choose a hood specifically rated for outdoor use. Learn more in Outdoor Kitchen Appliances: Build a Luxury Grilling & Entertaining Space .

Range Hood Brands at MLD

MLD carries ventilation from trusted names including Best, Broan, Elica, Trade-Wind, Vent-A-Hood, and Zephyr, along with hoods from leading luxury appliance brands. Browse our Ventilation catalogue or talk with an appliance associate to find the right match for your range or cooktop .

Frequently Asked Questions

How many CFM do I need for my range hood?

For gas, a common guideline is 1 CFM per 100 BTUs of total burner output. For electric or induction, plan about 10 CFM per inch of cooktop width. Island hoods and ranges with grills or griddles typically need more.

How wide should a range hood be?

At least as wide as the cooking surface. For professional-style ranges, a hood about 6 inches wider than the range (3 inches per side) improves capture.

How high should a range hood be mounted?

Typically 24 to 30 inches above electric or induction cooktops and 30 to 36 inches above gas. Always follow the manufacturer's installation specs.

Do I need makeup air for my range hood?

Many jurisdictions require makeup air for kitchen exhaust over 400 CFM. Check with your local building department and HVAC contractor.

Is a ducted or ductless range hood better?

Ducted hoods are generally more effective because they vent air outside. Ductless hoods are a good alternative when ducting isn't possible.

Get Expert Help Choosing Your Range Hood

Ventilation works best when it's planned alongside your range, cabinetry, and HVAC. Visit any of our MLD showrooms in Salt Lake City, Provo, Cedar City, Boise, Ketchum, or Jackson to see appliances in person and get guidance from our team on the hood that fits your kitchen, your cooking, and your design.

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Your range hood should be one of the first decisions in your kitchen plan, not the last!

The right hood clears smoke, heat, and grease, protects your cabinetry, and can be the showpiece of the room. Our new guide covers everything you need to know: hood styles, sizing, how much CFM you need, mounting height, ducting, and makeup air.

Ready to see options in person? Stop by your nearest MLD showroom and our team will help you match the right hood to your range or cooktop.