Under cabinet range hoods are inherently practical. They have to fit nicely under your cabinetry, so you don't have the design freedom that comes with taking a hood up to the ceiling.
But that doesn't mean these wall mounted hoods need to be boring. Far from it. With CopperSmith, you can design a custom metal under cabinet hood that will be durable and downright gorgeous. And, by using this size guide, you can make sure the hood's performance never disappoints.
Your Hood Should At Least Match Your Cooktop Surface
As a starting point, you want to make sure the width of your range hood at least matches the width of your cooking surface.
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If you have a 30'' range, use at least a 30'' wide hood
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If you have a 36'' range, use at least a 36'' wide hood
Don't overlook the words "at least" in this discussion. You don't have to stop at the width of your range when selecting a hood. We'll talk later about why it might be beneficial to exceed the width of your cooking surface by a couple of inches or more.
Understanding the Various Range Hood Dimensions
Kitchen range hoods come in many sizes. Here at CopperSmith, we are proud to customize our products for each individual customer, so you can dial in the size of your hood to perfectly match your specifications. With that said, there are a few standard range hood dimensions for under cabinet models, so let's take a closer look at those below.
30-Inch Under Cabinet Hoods
This is a common residential size. This size range hood is suitable for a basic electric range, as those are often 30'' wide. If you have a relatively small kitchen and only do light to moderate cooking, these vent hoods will be fine and will work better than a microwave hood combination.
You should not expect to get great ventilation performance from this type of hood. The modest 30'' width means it has a relatively small capture area. Also, such a hood is usually not fitted with a particularly powerful blower. If you plan on doing more aggressive cooking, or if you have a more powerful gas range, upgrading to a larger hood type will deliver better results.
36-Inch Under Cabinet Hoods
36'' range hoods are tremendously popular for good reason. These hoods are large enough to serve a 36'' wide cooking surface, but they also work great when mounted over a 30'' gas range. If you are a serious home cook and have been getting by with microwave range hoods to this point, switching to a 36'' under cabinet hood will make a world of difference.
No matter what width hood you select, remember to consider range hood height, as well. If you have a gas range, placing the bottom of the hood 30'' - 36'' above the cooktop will lead to the best results. Most range hoods are designed to be placed at this height, as you'll still have ample cooking space while getting plenty of ventilation.
42-Inch Under Cabinet Hoods
When you get up to the 42'' width, you are entering the category of high-performance range hoods. These models make a bold visual statement and have the potential to move a lot of air out of your kitchen quickly. Island range hoods and wall mounted range hoods are often this width (or wider), but you can use this size for an under cabinet model, as well.
Strongly consider installing a 42'' hood if you are going to be purchasing a powerful gas range. The heat, steam, and grease that come up off that range need to be escorted quickly out of the kitchen. Measure the width of your new range, and if it is 36'' or greater, explore a 42'' hood for optimal performance.
48-Inch Under Cabinet Hoods
Under cabinet range hood styles can make a bold statement when they are 48'' wide. Despite its modest vertical profile, you can still turn this hood into a visual centerpiece of your kitchen with such a significant width. Whether you go with copper, brass, stainless steel, or any other finish, this big hood will be the star of the show.
Of course, you'll also get great performance when this wide hood is paired with a powerful blower. Options include an integrated blower or a remote blower, or you might be looking for ductless range hoods to keep the installation simple.
Why Going Wider Improves Performance
Wider range hoods often perform better because they offer a larger capture area. This means they can capture smoke, steam, and grease more effectively than smaller hoods. As your cooking plume rises, it is naturally going to expand and spread out. With a wide hood, you'll be able to catch more of it, and proper ventilation will be achieved.
If all else is equal, a wider hood should do a better job of keeping your surrounding cabinets clean and your air fresh. This will also allow you freedom in your cooking habits. If you want to start making fried food or experimenting with a wok, having a wider hood will be beneficial.
CFM and Range Hood Width Are Partners
We can't talk about range hood width without mentioning CFM, or cubic feet per minute. This is a measure of how much air your blower is able to move out of the kitchen when the hood is running.
Even if you have a wide hood, you won't get great performance without a strong enough blower. And, just the same, even a powerful blower with a high CFM rating isn't going to do well if the hood is too narrow for your cooking surface. You can follow these general guidelines to pick a fan for your hood -
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30'' range - 400 - 600 CFM
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36'' range - 600 - 900 CFM
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48'' professional range - 900 - 1200+ CFM
What About Downdraft Vents?
A downdraft hood is an alternative to a traditional under cabinet range hood, but these models come with some significant drawbacks. Downdraft vents often struggle to capture even a portion of what would be captured by a normal hood. Also, they take up space within your cabinets, so you'll be sacrificing storage space by going in this direction.
Invest in Quality with CopperSmith
Everything at CopperSmith comes back to quality. From the service we provide to the products we deliver, quality is at the heart of it all. Take a moment to browse our range hood options and don't hesitate to reach out with questions. A stunning new range hood is within reach when CopperSmith is on your side.
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