Kitchen Hood Recommendations?

[jeninco]

We're working our way through a house remodel (we've decided to stay in our relatively small but well-located house, but are making changes to it that will make aging-in-place more comfortable) and we're coming up on the part where we move the kitchen.

Our plan is to re-use the (still lovely) cabinets, the oven (probably) and the gas cooktop (I'd like to switch to induction, but haven't yet found a cooktop that accommodates the way I like to cook, ie with really big pans and griddles). However, I'm struggling to find information about over-range hoods. I know I want a ducted, wall-mounted (preferably in-cabinet) hood, and I'd like it to be both powerful and quiet. I cook Indian fairly frequently, and the moved kitchen will be central to the "large" public space of the house -- and I don't want everything in the house to smell like fried mustard seeds (or bacon) for a day or two after making those things.

I'm having a tough time finding out about what's meaningful in comparing kitchen hoods. I see that CFM values can be monkeyed with to get higher apparent ratings. I understand that we'll likely need makeup air (MUA) for this system. I don't want something big and statement-y, just a visibly slim (but again -- lots of the business parts can be in an upper cabinet) hood that will keep me from irradiating the house when I toss spices into hot oil.  Any suggestions?

[Morning Glory]

I have this one. It's fine. The exhaust is straight up through the roof. Ducting was already there so i was able to install it myself in a day. The fan has 2 speeds so you can choose powerful or quiet. Even on the high speed it's quieter than my old one. I think it was on sale for quite a bit cheaper when I got it though. My one disappointment is that I specifically chose this one because it has a dampening flap, thinking that would cut down on the draft when not in use, but it didn't really help.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Broan-30-in-Convertible-Stainless-Steel-Undercabinet-Range-Hood-with-Charcoal-Filter/5014722203

[Semag]

We did a non-mustachian kitchen remodel last year and I went with the Zephyr Monsoon II

https://zephyronline.com/product/monsoon-ii-range-hood-insert/

My favorite features of the insert are:

• It has 6 different levels. I typically run it on 3-4 when we're cooking something that needs it, which I estimate is in the 700-900 CFM range?
• My favorite feature is the timer. There's a 5 min timer where you just tap it, and it goes to level 1 by default (you can adjust it up if you want). Then it will turn off in 5 minutes. Great for after you're done cooking, you just leave it on to air out the kitchen
• It has a remote, which is nice to have across the kitchen
• The lights are nice, with two settings
• The grease grates are baffles and dishwasher safe. I'vedefinitely sliced my fingers trying to hand wash them so i try not to do that anymore

[Semag]

One more thing, i forgot to touch on Make Up air.

We have a dog door in our kitchen so it took care of the make up air requirement. You can also just open a window if you need the make up air.

[jinga nation]

I have the Z-Line KF1/KF2 in both my current house (2022) and previous one (2018). 4 speeds, up to 400CFM. Wall-mounted, and vented out to roof. Super easy to install.
https://zlinekitchen.com/products/zline-wall-mount-range-hood-stainless-steel-kf2

We cook a lot of Indian curries, pasta sauces, and other cuisines, all from scratch. No issues with lingering smells in the house. Can actually smell my wife cooking dinner from the outside; have had the neighbors ring the bell to ask what's cooking.

Very good customer service; baffles at the old house developed rust on screws after one dishwasher wash - one call and they mailed new baffles. No issues with replacement baffles, and with the ones in the current house.

Can be purchased from HD/Lowes.

A friend has the steel and glass model, installed in 2016, no issues.
https://zlinekitchen.com/products/zline-wall-mount-range-hood-stainless-steel-glass-kn

[jeninco]

Thanks, this is helpful! Keep 'em coming, if anyone else has opinions!

(And we'll be required to officially provide makeup air for anything over -- I think -- 400 CFM, as this is a permitted and inspected project).

[Heckler]

Get one you can find replacement light bulbs for.  LEDs no longer last forever, as originally promised in the marketing.  Home Depot unfortunately scrapped a whole new hood (rejected to supplier after taking the new bulb out), because I asked them for a warrantee replacement bulb.

Turns out Amazon was the only source I found when the second bulb started flickering, out of warrantee.

[jinga nation]

Get one you can find replacement light bulbs for.  LEDs no longer last forever, as originally promised in the marketing. 

Excellent point, thanks for bringing this up.

Quick search shows that Z-Line has replaceable LED lights (and transformers), among other parts.
https://zlineparts.com/collections/range-hoods/?q=filternt_title%3dlight&sort_by=best-selling

[GilesMM]

Our stove is on an island so we went with a 1000 cfm pop-up downdraft. I suspect they are not as effective as over counter units but we don’t do massive Indian stir fries - too messy!

[pennyhandlebar]

The fancy appliance stores near us recommend Vent-a-hood and a friend also had good experiences with one they installed, so we took the plunge a few years ago. Ours just goes to 300 CFM (no make-up air required), but even at that apparently low amount of airflow it works really well and we can sear a steak in cast iron without smoking up the whole house. It's also easy to clean, which is another big consideration. Definitely worth checking them out IMO - they go up to 1200 CFM, which might be more what you're looking for, and I think the undercabinet products are what you have in mind: https://ventahood.com/index.php/products/application/under-cabinet

 

[jeninco]

The fancy appliance stores near us recommend Vent-a-hood and a friend also had good experiences with one they installed, so we took the plunge a few years ago. Ours just goes to 300 CFM (no make-up air required), but even at that apparently low amount of airflow it works really well and we can sear a steak in cast iron without smoking up the whole house. It's also easy to clean, which is another big consideration. Definitely worth checking them out IMO - they go up to 1200 CFM, which might be more what you're looking for, and I think the undercabinet products are what you have in mind: https://ventahood.com/index.php/products/application/under-cabinet

That looks like a great candidate — thanks!

[joenorm]

The truth about residential hoods is none of them work that well. And, people always desire quiet and also powerful, which does not exist together.

I'd say get a basic Broan or equivalent, no need to spend extra money or go extra high CFM. It definitely wants to vent to the outdoors though. It's much more effective to position your pot toward the back burner when boiling water than add extra CFM.

My 2 cents