No matter how bulky a range hood can be, it’s essential if you have a gas stove in your kitchen because of the fumes and heat it can emit.
But if you have an induction cooktop, the misconception is that you won’t need one since you won’t have to use gas for cooking. But for your and your family’s safety, it’s always a good idea to second guess and consider the question:
Do I really need a range hood for my induction cooktop?
Whether it’s the cost or aesthetics that are stopping you from installing one, having a range hood in your kitchen can actually be beneficial in the long run. If you want to know its uses and requirements for your induction stove, read more below.
What is a range hood?
A range hood is a type of kitchen appliance installed above a cooktop or range.
It filters out smoke, steam, heat, and odors from your home through its built-in fans and ducts. Some models also come with overhead lights to help illuminate your cooking area.
You can find range hoods in various types, sizes, and styles, so you have options to choose from to fit your kitchen set-up the best.
The most common range hood you’ll see is a ducted range hood that requires installing a duct within the walls, floor, or ceiling of your kitchen.
Its built-in fan will suck the smoke, grease, and odor into the ducts and out to the exterior of your home.
On the other hand, a ductless range hood doesn’t require installing any ducts since it can filter out the grease and odors with charcoal filters and recirculate the air back into your home.
Both have pros and cons, and the one you’ll need will depend on the type of cooktop and set-up you have.
Do induction cooktops need a hood?
Like all stovetops, installing a range hood for your induction cooker is recommended, even if it doesn’t use gas and releases less heat.
That’s because you’ll still have to deal with smoke, steam, grease, and odors – especially if you like to cook daily.
If you pan-fry several days a week, grease can easily accumulate on your walls, cabinets, and ceiling. That’s why you’ll notice oily brown spots will start to appear.
Induction stove users also agree that if you have your cooktop on an island, having a range hood is more crucial since there are no walls to block any smoke or grease from spreading. As a result, your house will end up smokey every time you cook, and the smell will linger longer than you’d like.
How much ventilation does an induction cooktop need?
Aside from a range hood, another factor you’d need to consider when installing an induction cooker is its ventilation system.
Since it’s an electric appliance, there’s a chance its components will overheat if you use it for a prolonged period.
If you’re getting a built-in cooktop for your countertop or island, having an induction cooktop with ventilation is always a good idea. Even though the bottom of your cooktop will have a built-in fan to cool your unit down, the heat will still accumulate inside the countertop or island.
That’s why it’s essential to give it enough space for the air to circulate.
You’ll usually find how much ventilation your cooktop will need on the manufacturer’s installation guide. Different units have different clearance requirements, so there’s no ‘one size fits all’ answer.
For best results, get a professional installer to fit your cooktop in so you’ll get accurate measurements.
What kind of range hood do I need for an induction cooktop?
Now that you know having a range hood is still essential for your induction cooker, the challenge is choosing the right hood for your setup.
So, which range hood for induction cooktop should you get?
To narrow down your choices, a good rule of thumb to remember is an induction cooker will only need a range hood with 350-500 cubic feet per minute (CFM) of ventilation power.
Since your cookware will absorb up to 90% of its heat, your induction cooker will emit less heat around the environment compared to gas and electric stoves.
To help you pick the right range hood for your cooktop, here are elements you’ll have to consider:
Ducted vs. ductless range hood
As discussed above, a ducted range hood will require you to install ducts to release smoke, odors, and grease outside of your house, whereas a ductless hood will only filter and recirculate the air back into your home.
Although installation can get pricey, a ducted range hood will be more efficient for ventilating your induction cooktop because it removes smoke, smells, and humidity from your home. The only downside is that you can only place it in certain areas where you can connect it to a proper ducting system.
But if you don’t often cook or have a limited budget, you can still look into getting a ductless range hood.
Although it will be more flexible as to where to position it in your kitchen, watch out for an increase in humidity since it won’t release stale air outside. Plus, you’ll also have to remember to clean its filter regularly so it can clean the air effectively.
Range hood shape
Although there’s no specific shape of range hood, you should get for an induction cooktop, knowing which type to pick can be beneficial for keeping the air in your house fresh and clean.
The most common range hood shapes you’ll see are wall-mounted, island, undercabinet, and downdraft range hoods.
Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, but a ducted wall-mounted or island range hood will work best for getting rid of smoke and smell in your kitchen.
But if you don’t want an island range hood to disrupt the flow of your kitchen, you can also consider installing a downdraft hood. It won’t be as effective as an overhead range hood, but it will still do as long as you don’t pan fry or stir fry often.
Induction cooktop hood requirements
Once you decide the type of range hood you want for your kitchen, you have to consider the correct specifications your induction stove will need to get the best ventilation.
To prevent you from installing an incompatible hood, here are a few requirements to keep in mind:
How high should a range hood be above an induction cooktop?
If you think an overhead range hood is right for your cooktop, there’s a certain height you’ll need to follow to ventilate your kitchen optimally.
So what’s the proper range hood height above induction cooktop?
In general, you should install your range hood 30-36 inches above the surface of your cooktop. Installing it too low will damage your hood sooner because it’s closer to the heat, and you might also risk bumping your head.
But each brand and model will have different height requirements, so you can refer to its installation guide to find out.
For instance, a Proline wall-mounted range hood requires 28-36 inches of vertical clearance, while a Zephyr island hood needs to be at least 24 inches away from the cooktop’s surface.
How wide should a range hood be for an induction cooktop?
Aside from the height of your range hood, you also need to make sure its width is enough to cover your induction stove.
Minimally, it should be the same size as your induction, but choosing one that’s 3 inches wider on each side should be ideal. This will ensure your hood will capture all of the smoke, grease, and odors away from your kitchen.
But if you’re planning on installing your range hood in between existing cabinets, you can follow the measurement of the open space instead.
But make sure the area is not smaller than your induction cooktop, or else your range hood will be ineffective.
The bottom line
Although an induction cooker leeches less heat into the environment, you’ll still need to install a range hood to eliminate smoke, steam, grease, and smells away from your kitchen.
You don’t have to splurge on very fancy hoods since a range hood with 350-500 CFM will be enough for a regular home kitchen.
Even though there are general rules you can follow on how wide or high your range hood should be, it’s still better to follow the manufacturer’s instructions since every brand and model will have its own specifications.
Unless you’re the DIY type, consider having a professional install it to avoid getting a faulty or broken range hood.
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