When selecting one of the many island range hoods available, one of the most important parts of the process is knowing what type of kitchen hood you want to select and what features you require.

Regardless of their size, range hoods are divided into two main categories. Whether you select island mount range hoods or a wall mounted range hood, these are the factors you’ll want to consider before hitting the stores to compare prices and features.

Kitchen hoods, also referred to as ventilators, are available in two types:

1) The ducted extractor type

2) The recirculation type

The ducted type removes all the heat, stale or polluted air out of the kitchen through a ducting system to dump it outside the house, increasing airflow.

The recirculation type has an air system that draws away the air then passes it through a series of filters and dumps the air back into the room. Allowing for air movement but not fresh airflow.

The installation of a ducted system is more complex than that of a recirculation system. However the cost in price and inconvenience of its installation goes a long way when considering the practical as well as heath benefits.

The next step would be selecting the right type of hood: do you have an island range in your kitchen or is your range against the wall? Island range hoods are designed for island ranges exclusively. With a wall or counter top range, you would be able to install a under cabinet or wall mounted hood.

Another consideration is the size of the hood you require. Hoods are available in four basic sizes 30”, 36”, 42”and 48”. These accommodate most standard size cookers. For optimal performance the hood should exceed the cooker by 3” on each side. This means that a 30” hood is suitable for a 24” cooking top; a 36” hood for a 30” cook top and so on. Many make the mistake of selecting the same size hood as their cooker.

How deep must your hood be? This is not always easy as the amount of cooking in a kitchen not only varies from day to day, but also with seasons. Over Thanksgiving and Christmas, many kitchens are pushed to their limits, where at other times they serve only to heat a frozen dinner. If your cooking skills are limited to cooking oatmeal or boiling an egg, a shallow hood should suffice. However if you fancy yourself a gourmet chef that rustles up three course meals like it’s child’s play, best get a deep one. Many times the inclusion of island range hoods may be impractical, so look at all the options. There are many other ventilation systems that can be included in the kitchen.

Recently Searched:

• kitchen hood
• kitchen island hoods
• selecting and island hood
• parts for range hoods
• stove extractor hood
• islands stove hoods
• select island range hood
• best kitchen hood
• how to select kitchen hood?
• stove top kitchen islands

The removal and replacement of a broken or damaged island range hood is a simple procedure for the average do-it-yourself enthusiast. However if you find yourself challenged in the department of taking apart and putting things back together. It is best to get a company representative to remove and install your new vent. We are all good at taking things apart, but putting it back together so that it works again, may be a bit of a challenge especially with replacing island range hoods.

Should you decide that you are up to the task, and you want install an island mount range hood yourself, here is a quick guide to get you through it with little fuss.

Step 1
Select and purchase the same size hood. Of course with new, added features if you so desire. Just insure that the exhaust or duct fitting is the same size as your previously installed one. Resizing ducts will take extra time, and it is not a good idea as it disrupts the airflow within the duct.

Step 2
Switch off the power at the main electrical box for the area where the range and hood are located. Then loosen the installed range hood, getting someone to assist you with holding the old one while you undo the wiring. Remove the hood completely.

Step 3
Take the new hood out of the packaging and assemble as per the instruction or owners manual. Island range hoods vary between manufacturers, and models. Although basically the same, they may not all assemble in the same order. Familiarize yourself with the wiring that needs to be done, and insure that you connect everything up correctly.

Step 4
Connect up the wiring: Remember, black or red or brown is the hot or live wire, white or blue is neutral. Ensure you follow the given diagram or you may damage the appliance, resulting in it not being able to function.

Step 5
Fasten the hood to the ducting. Use a professional duct tape (metal type - not fabric backed) to seal the joints thus preventing the air from escaping.

Step 6
Switch on the power and test the lights and the fan of your new hood.

Step 7
Discard of the old hood. Most island range hoods are made from stainless steel and are recyclable. Therefore taking yours to the scrap yard is not only beneficial to the environment, you’ll even get a few dollars for it.

Recently Searched:

• how to remove cabinet range hood
• how to replace island hood

Very few people consider all the benefits of installing island range hoods. Most see it as a fancy piece of equipment that most kitchens could do without. However should you have one of these in your kitchen, you will not only become intimately familiar with all the benefits of an island range hood to remove odor and heat, you also get to enjoy those benefits.

Sometimes people who don't own a range hood make fun of those that do have them, because they don’t understand why you might want to add one to your kitchen. If you’ve ever stood in front of a stove on a hot summer day cooking food, you will be the first to appreciate all of the features of this handy dandy piece of kitchen machinery. The removal of the steam and heat that comes with cooking, and allowing for fresh air flow to keep you kitchen fresh is really like a blessing. But kitchen Island range hoods has more good traits than simply refreshing and cooling the air.

Most commercially available kitchen counters and cupboards are manufactured out of chipboard or melamine. Steel is another favorite. Those familiar with wood in the kitchen will know that chipboard swells if allowed to get wet. The main difference with chipboard is that it swells to three times its normal size. Allowing for the growth of bacteria and fungus as well. Many homeowners are often stunned at the state of the chipboard being removed when replacing their kitchens. High amounts of moisture - mainly from cooking - will be absorbed by wood, especially for melamine and chipboard that is not sealed properly. The removal or lessening of this moisture which is effectively what a hood top is designed to do.

Hoods lessen the amount of fat and splattering that occurs while cooking. While effectively dealing with this may mean cleaning your hood more often, you'll be glad because the food and grease won't accumulate in that nasty thin yellow film. The longer you wait in cleaning, the stronger the cleaning fluid required to remove cooking grime. We don't want to discolor the finish, and shortening the lifespan of a fitted kitchen.

Island range hoods are also often very conveniently situated when placed in the center of the kitchen. Not only serving as a ventilator, but also as an extraction fan, pulling all stale air out of the room. The average hood is capable of extracting 650 cubic feet of air per minute, so running it for 10 minutes while not cooking provides enough movement of air to expel the dusty smell after arriving back from vacation or holiday.

Recently Searched:

• Island Range Hood
• kitchen island with range

Care For Your Stainless Steel Range Hood

Steel is considered as one of the most hygienic and versatile metals to use in the kitchen. And these days we've seen a wide range of kitchen appliances come out with a stainless steel finish. This has resulted in kitchens having a very uniform look that is sleek and sophisticated. Once considered unfashionable in kitchen design, island range hoods have become a visual focal point in the kitchen - instead of a cooking range that's an eyesore.

However there are people that will tell you that this type of steel is not stainless, that it does rust, and that companies take you for a ride when stating that the metal used is stainless steel. Yes it actually does rust, but to understand why one would need to understand its make up, and why it would stain or rust.

The most commonly used stainless is 306 - it is the most versatile and cost effective type of stainless. It is also the stainless steel used in the manufacturing of island range hoods. This steel is made up of different levels of iron chromium and nickel. The chromium in stainless is what results in stain resistant properties. The chromium when exposed to oxygen forms an invisible layer consisting of chrome oxide molecules. These packed closely together form a protective layer known as a passive film. The passive film under normal circumstances is self-repairing. If damaged or cut and left exposed to air the film will replenish itself. And this is where the secret of cleaning and caring for stainless starts.

When exposed to liquids and foodstuffs for long periods of time stainless will suffer from oxygen deprivation. Foods containing acidic content like tomatoes or that have high levels of salt or vinegar will break down this protective film allowing the steel to flaw and rust. To ensure a longer life expectancy for stainless appliances and fixtures, you must eliminate prolonged contact with foodstuffs or liquids. Clean the stainless with mild soap or a butyl based cleaner. Do not clean with bleach or ammonia they will cause staining and rusting, and they destroy the passive film.

When cleaning island range hoods it is important to use a mild detergent. Do not scrub or use abrasives to remove fat and food particles as the steel parts passive film can get worn down, causing the steel to be exposed to air and rust and stain. Remember stainless steel is not stainless. It’s just less likely to stain less with proper care.

Recently Searched:

• island range hoods stainless steel
• kobe stainless steel range hoods
• kiktchens with stainless hoods
• kitchen hoods stainless steel
• range hood rusting
• Stainless Range Hoods
• Stainless Steel Range Hoods
• stove hoods

The great thing about range hoods is that they help to keep the kitchen atmosphere free of smoke and other things your wild, gourmet cooking might throw out into the room. I can't tell you how many times I've had to open my windows to ventilate my apartment, until I bought one of these. A key factor is to have a venting system installed so that the cooking smoke can be drawn outside of your home easily. Not only that but you'll spend less time cleaning up nasty oil splatters and other residues that will get sucked up through the vent.
The great thing about island range hoods, since they are in the middle, is that it's quite easy to have a contractor install the vent straight to your roof. You also can buy range hoods in many fantastic designs, colors, materials and with basic or more advanced controls. You also will find that they can be very aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

Of course you must have an island range, or be open to getting one of these installed first, before considering an island range hood. Of course it's good to weigh the cost of the remodeling of your kitchen and compare it to how you think it may increase the value of your home. Of course your enjoyment of it matters too - both are very important. Not to mention the health benefits you and yours will receive from the lack of smoke, etc that you won't have to breathe in any longer. All in all, I think range hoods or island range hoods are the way to go for maintaining a clean and healthy kitchen.

Recently Searched:

• island range hoods
• range hoods
• colours for rangehoods
• pictures of range hoods