Range Hoods: The Unsung Heroes of Kitchens Everywhere
By Zephyr Ventilation
These kitchen appliances might have one of the
dirtiest jobs, but they offer clean, smart kitchen style
It’s time the range hood took its seat at the table as a kitchen design star. Offering a dizzying array of options in looks, power, noise control and operation, this appliance can transform a kitchen in more ways than one. We spoke with the experts at Zephyr, a designer and manufacturer of ventilation products, about some of the latest innovations. Read on to see what’s cooking in the world of range hoods.
More Power, Less Roar
The average household of four produces one gallon of cooking grease a year. Without proper ventilation, that grime ends up on cabinetry, walls, window treatments and upholstery. Today’s hoods offer exceptional power to extract smells, grease, smoke, steam and food particulates from the air — and they can do it quietly. Aerodynamic blades improve efficiency, and professional-quality and dishwasher-safe baffle filters trap grease droplets. Variable speed options further minimize noise, so you can cook without a jet-engine-style rumble.
Certain hoods, such as the one seen here, have blowers that can be combined to maximize power — up to 1,300 cubic feet per minute (CFM). To calculate the CFM you need, take the total BTU output of your cooktop or range and divide it by 100. And for optimum performance, turn on your hood at low speed 10 minutes before you cook — while you slice and dice your veggies — so the air is already flowing into the vent when you start sauteing. Leave it on 10 minutes after cooking to capture residual heat and odors; some hoods offer a “delay-off” feature that does this automatically.
The average household of four produces one gallon of cooking grease a year. Without proper ventilation, that grime ends up on cabinetry, walls, window treatments and upholstery. Today’s hoods offer exceptional power to extract smells, grease, smoke, steam and food particulates from the air — and they can do it quietly. Aerodynamic blades improve efficiency, and professional-quality and dishwasher-safe baffle filters trap grease droplets. Variable speed options further minimize noise, so you can cook without a jet-engine-style rumble.
Certain hoods, such as the one seen here, have blowers that can be combined to maximize power — up to 1,300 cubic feet per minute (CFM). To calculate the CFM you need, take the total BTU output of your cooktop or range and divide it by 100. And for optimum performance, turn on your hood at low speed 10 minutes before you cook — while you slice and dice your veggies — so the air is already flowing into the vent when you start sauteing. Leave it on 10 minutes after cooking to capture residual heat and odors; some hoods offer a “delay-off” feature that does this automatically.
A Whole New Light
LED lights have breezed past halogen when it comes to illuminating modern range hoods. These cool-to-the-touch, eco-friendly bulbs offer a long lifespan and a clean glow that won’t distort the color of your food. Dual levels and directional illumination allow for accurate lighting while you season and ambient lighting while you simmer.
If you’re looking to take your kitchen accent lighting to the next level, consider perimeter or colored lights on the range hood, or perforated side panels that allow the glow to shine through. The lights from the range hood seen here, for instance, create a winged effect on the backsplash.
LED lights have breezed past halogen when it comes to illuminating modern range hoods. These cool-to-the-touch, eco-friendly bulbs offer a long lifespan and a clean glow that won’t distort the color of your food. Dual levels and directional illumination allow for accurate lighting while you season and ambient lighting while you simmer.
If you’re looking to take your kitchen accent lighting to the next level, consider perimeter or colored lights on the range hood, or perforated side panels that allow the glow to shine through. The lights from the range hood seen here, for instance, create a winged effect on the backsplash.
Sizzling Style
Range hood design has come a long way from its utilitarian roots. Wave-inspired shapes and dramatic slants bring bold sophistication to any kitchen. And stainless doesn’t have to mean silver anymore; try black stainless for a smart twist. Opt for titanium coating to minimize fingerprints and smudges, increase durability and make cleaning easy. Simply apply a nonabrasive cleaner with a slightly damp sponge and rub gently.
Other sleek finishes include black, black mirror, white and rose gold. Request color chip samples or refer to RAL color codes (standardized colors for appliances and plastics) to ensure your range hood complements other kitchen finishes. And be sure to calculate hood height and width before you purchase. You can find an array of sizes and extensions for many different styles.
Range hood design has come a long way from its utilitarian roots. Wave-inspired shapes and dramatic slants bring bold sophistication to any kitchen. And stainless doesn’t have to mean silver anymore; try black stainless for a smart twist. Opt for titanium coating to minimize fingerprints and smudges, increase durability and make cleaning easy. Simply apply a nonabrasive cleaner with a slightly damp sponge and rub gently.
Other sleek finishes include black, black mirror, white and rose gold. Request color chip samples or refer to RAL color codes (standardized colors for appliances and plastics) to ensure your range hood complements other kitchen finishes. And be sure to calculate hood height and width before you purchase. You can find an array of sizes and extensions for many different styles.
Disappearing Acts
If you prefer an incognito approach, undercabinet hoods offer a custom, streamlined look. Ceiling-integrated hoods are as discreet as they are design-forward, especially with a satin white finish. For those looking for a truly open concept, a ceiling hood over an island range affords a clear line of sight from your cooktop to your cocktail party. But don’t let their subtlety fool you: Powerful perimeter aspiration can make ceiling hoods highly effective. It evenly distributes the airflow through narrow openings around the edges of the hood, increasing air velocity and enhancing performance.
If you prefer an incognito approach, undercabinet hoods offer a custom, streamlined look. Ceiling-integrated hoods are as discreet as they are design-forward, especially with a satin white finish. For those looking for a truly open concept, a ceiling hood over an island range affords a clear line of sight from your cooktop to your cocktail party. But don’t let their subtlety fool you: Powerful perimeter aspiration can make ceiling hoods highly effective. It evenly distributes the airflow through narrow openings around the edges of the hood, increasing air velocity and enhancing performance.
High-Tech Touches
Range hoods have also gone high-tech. Touch technology has revolutionized the range hood, with controls integrated into the canopy. And with wireless remote controls, cooks can adjust speeds, airflow and lighting from more than 15 feet away. Certain hoods feature airflow-control technology to automatically limit the maximum blower power to meet local code requirements. An optional clean-air feature turns on the hood for 10 minutes every four hours to circulate the air in your home and keep it fresh. (If only it would cook dinner too.)
The range hood has moved to the forefront of kitchen design, as artistic as it is functional. What was once a commodity now integrates enhanced performance, high-tech solutions and enticing visual appeal. You’d be hard-pressed to find a reason not to incorporate one of these next-generation hoods.
Range hoods have also gone high-tech. Touch technology has revolutionized the range hood, with controls integrated into the canopy. And with wireless remote controls, cooks can adjust speeds, airflow and lighting from more than 15 feet away. Certain hoods feature airflow-control technology to automatically limit the maximum blower power to meet local code requirements. An optional clean-air feature turns on the hood for 10 minutes every four hours to circulate the air in your home and keep it fresh. (If only it would cook dinner too.)
The range hood has moved to the forefront of kitchen design, as artistic as it is functional. What was once a commodity now integrates enhanced performance, high-tech solutions and enticing visual appeal. You’d be hard-pressed to find a reason not to incorporate one of these next-generation hoods.
Cabinet-S-Top is an authorized dealer of Zephyr.
Visit our showroom located at
1977 Medina Road, Medina, OH 44256
330.239.3630
www.cabinet-s-top.com
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Location:
1977 Medina Rd, Medina, OH 44256, USA
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