If you’re interested in professional kitchen appliances for your kitchen at home, kitchen ventilation is a must.

There are a variety of range hoods available, but they all do the same thing – evacuate various pollution from the air while you cook. If you don’t have proper ventilation, these pollutants may become harmful to the health of your kitchen over time.

In this article, you will discover what those pollutants include and why kitchen ventilation is key to creating the professional style kitchen of your dreams.

What does my food leave in the air?

Whether you see it or not, every time you turn on your stove to cook, there are particles attacking your clean, fresh air. These cooking by-products affect more than just the air, however. Common culprits that are found the pollute the air in an unventilated kitchen are airborne grease, odors, steam, heat, smoke, and even small amounts of carbon monoxide.

Think about it. You are cooking with heat that affects the burner, pans, food, seasonings, etc. This heat will cause the food to begin steaming and particles lift off and up into the air. And there they sit – trapped.

How dangerous is it to not have a ventilated system?

Having a kitchen with no ventilation can be very dangerous. In fact, if you had a commercial kitchen, then you’d be looking at serious health code violations and perhaps even legal trouble. That should get you thinking. This is serious stuff.

An unventilated kitchen can lead to an increased risk of fire, high humidity (which can cause mold and mildew issues over time), odors, additional cleaning. And, of course, the potential for long-term health effects from breathing in these by-products. Let’s not even discuss how easy it is for bacteria to grow in areas of warm moisture – like your unventilated kitchen.

What is a range hood?

Range hoods are complimentary appliances to your pro-style kitchen range. As a ventilation system, this appliance ensures the air in your kitchen is free of pollutants that can become harmful over time as you cook on your range.

Range hoods are available in a variety of styles, including under cabinet range hoods and wall mount range hoods.

HRH3007 – 30″ Wall Mount Chimney Range Hood

While range hoods used to be an unsightly, though necessary, piece of kitchen equipment, it has more recently become a designer appliance. A few other types of range hoods include those mounted to the wall, those that come underneath a microwave, or even a downdraft hood to pull steam and odors downward instead of up.

HRH3606U – 36″ Under Cabinet Range Hood

Many kitchens use the range hood as a center focal point by choosing a hood in bronze or stainless steel and adding some lighting to it or some other type of décor. Why not have something look nice as it is removing unnecessary odors and pollutants from your kitchen?

Types of ventilation systems

Depending on your kitchen and your finances, there are a couple of options when it comes to choosing your ventilation system. Take some time to assess your current kitchen, how much work you are willing to put into the new system, and what will look best overall for you.

Let’s take a look at the actual types of ventilation systems available. Here are the two types you may want to consider.

A ducted system means that anything that gets emitted from your cooking will travel through the ducts that lead to somewhere outside the home. This type of system means that your kitchen will remain cooler and that humidity, steam, and smoke are entirely removed from your kitchen. If you do a great volume of cooking, this may be your best choice for ventilation. However, if you have a completed kitchen and do not already have a duct installed, it could be an exhausting and expensive feat.

A recirculating system is for those who choose, for one reason or another, not to go with the intricate ductwork. This type of ventilation system pulls in the air, runs it through a filter, and then recirculates it back into the kitchen. Unfortunately, while it can clear the air from harmful fumes and odors, this type of system is not able to remove heat and steam.

What should I consider when deciding on a ventilation system?

When you are trying to choose your ventilation system, you will want to consider a few things. Because every home is different – and ventilation systems are not one-size-fits-all. Take a hard look at your kitchen size and your cooking habits.

The size of your range, range top, or cooktop – The size of the range hood you purchase should be in direct correlation of size.

Of course, you want the design and style of the range hood to match that of your current kitchen appliances.

The amount of cooking and frequency at which you do so should be considered. The more you and your friends or family gather in the kitchen and the more cooking you do, a ducted vent system to remove the heat may be a more viable option.

Make sure you have enough space to have allowed the ventilation to even occur. If the kitchen is too small, alternate options may want to be considered.

Conclusion

When all is said and done, all you want to do is to be comfortable in your kitchen, right? And saving money would be beneficial too, wouldn’t it? Take into consideration how much time you spend in your kitchen and the long-term effects of a ducted system. Any heat you bring in your home, you will have to use other methods to cool it down.

Sometimes, taking a step in the right direction means doing things right the first time around and then enjoy your home and the benefits of your decision.

Kitchen ventilation is important for your kitchen and everything in it – including you. Don’t delay in getting one in place for your kitchen.