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High ceilings are becoming more popular in modern homes mostly because they create a feeling of spaciousness and airiness. However, this trend has practical downsides when trying to choose a range hood for a high-ceiling kitchen.
Most high-ceiling kitchen spaces are large which means they'll have considerable air volume. This often makes it hard to find a range hood that complements the kitchen’s high design. An even added design need by most people is that the range hood also needs to be unobtrusive and effectively vent the stove. But rest easy, I believe we have found suitable solutions that would tick all the right boxes.
This article will discuss different range hoods suitable for high ceilings. These include popular range hood types like wall-mounted range hoods, island range hoods, and downdraft range hoods. We’ll also provide tips for choosing the right range hood. This will be based on your kitchen size and layout, ceiling height, available ducting, and aesthetics.
Let’s dive in.
The first decision you'll need to make when selecting a range hood is whether you want a ducted or ductless hood. Ducted range hoods vent outside your home, while ductless range hoods filter the air and recirculate it back into the kitchen. Ducted range hoods are generally considered more effective at removing smoke, steam, and cooking odors, but they require ductwork installed in your home. Ductless range hoods are easier to install, but they may not be as effective at removing all cooking odors or with gas cooktops.
There are many methods for venting a kitchen with a high ceiling, but the following four are the most commonly chosen ones. A high-ceiling kitchen space may be vented from the top (island canopy range hoods), over a wall (wall-mounted range hoods), under a cabinet overlooking the cooking range (under-cabinet range hoods), or from under the cooking range itself (retractable downdraft range hoods).
Here is an explanation of all four:
Island range hoods are range hoods that hang down from the ceiling, directly covering a central cooking range or cooktops on a kitchen island or peninsula. They are robust and sometimes decorative range hoods with a broad venting base over a central cooking area.
These range hoods are perfect for kitchen spaces with no overhead cabinetry and a cooking range in the middle of the kitchen. They usually vent directly through the ceilings via ceiling ducts.
Most island canopy range hoods have mounting extensions and powerful blowers for ceiling spaces over 12 feet high. These allow easy placement and sufficient venting power to cover the kitchen.
Wall-mounted range hoods are usually powerful vent hoods attached to the wall above a cooking range and have the traditional look of a fireplace chimney.
They are often the focal point of the kitchen, and their bell-shaped or pyramid chimney hoods are located where over-the-range cabinets are in most kitchens. The units connect to ducts in the walls and can be vented outdoors or recirculated internally. They are a great option if you have a lot of wall space above your stove.
Wall-mounted range hoods work well in high-ceiling kitchens since the fume hood covers the whole cooking range. This allows the venting fan to extract all pollutants released when cooking effectively. Some of the best custom wall-mounted range hoods that would fit nicely in your kitchen space are available at Moderncopper.
Under-cabinet range hoods are just as their name implies; they are range hoods installed under an overhead cabinet. They are not often associated with high-ceiling range hoods but can do the job like any other range hood.
Under-cabinet range hoods are ideal for smaller kitchens since they conserve space and often do not need a ducting network to vent the kitchen. They have smaller profiles and less venting power and are usually not recommended if you have a high-powered gas cooktop, but they are functional, with good CFM levels that allow them to clear most high-ceiling kitchen areas.
Primarily, these are ductless range hoods that employ filters to clean the air in the kitchen; however, there are convertible ones with duct outputs for homeowners with an external ducting system. With its hood covering the cooking range, an under-cabinet range hood will capture the cooking-generated smoke, heat, vapor, and pollutants. This will limit their spread and keep the kitchen air cleaner.
Retractable downdraft range hoods are integrated with the cooking range and have an extractor vent hood that rises above the cooktop. They retract inward and align with the cooking range when not in use, making them excellent space savers.
Retractable downdraft range hoods are concealed behind the countertop and vent downward instead of drawing air upwards as other range hoods do. Their motors are powerful enough; they pull smoke and cooking odors down and out of the kitchen through a duct that runs through the floor.
Retractable downdraft range hoods are the perfect solution for high-ceiling kitchen spaces where you cannot duct up or mount an overhead hood on the wall or ceiling. Their strong venting power and proximity to the cooking surface allow them to clear most pollutants effectively.
To choose an effective range hood system for a kitchen with high ceilings, you need to consider the following:
The size and the layout of your kitchen are very important factors when choosing a range hood. The power of the range hood is often determined by the size of your kitchen space it is expected to vent. A high ceiling translates to a large space with a lot more air. This means you will need a powerful range hood with a much higher CFM rating. A kitchen layout that has no confined walls like an open-concept kitchen may need a different type of range hood than one with walls around it. More open space with high ceilings means more volume of air.
The height of your ceiling is important when choosing a range hood for a high ceiling. A high ceiling can make it difficult to remove smoke and cooking odors effectively. This situation requires a range hood with a higher CFM rating. For example, a ceiling that is 9 feet or higher may need a range hood that will have a CFM rating of at least 600 or higher. While a ceiling that is 12 feet or higher may need a range hood that will have a CFM rating of at least 900 or higher.
It is also important to factor in the mounting height of the range hood above the cooking surface. A range hood that is mounted too high may not work effectively as it will not capture smoke and cooking odors effectively. A range hood that is mounted too low may obstruct the cook’s view and will be too close to the heat source.
Ventilation power and noise level are critical factors when selecting a range hood for a high ceiling. It is measured by the CFM rating which indicates the volume of air that a range hood can move in a minute. A strong CFM rating is essential for a high-ceiling kitchen because of the volume in such a space. Selecting a range hood with a higher CFM rating ensures better ventilation.
However, a feature of most hoods with high CFM ratings is also an increase in the noise level from the range hood. So when choosing a range hood for a high-ceiling kitchen there has to be a balance between the ventilation power and noise level.
Proper ducting is crucial to ensure optimal range hood performance. It also prevents the accumulation of harmful gases in the kitchen. When considering ducting for a high-ceiling kitchen, choosing the correct duct size is important. The duct size should match the range hood’s CFM rating. This means the duct should be wide enough in diameter to move much air. A duct that is too small will lead to ineffective venting meaning stale air and pollutants will linger in the kitchen air.
Another consideration when selecting ducting is the distance between the range hood and the outside exhaust vent. A longer distance between the two points will mean added power needed to move air.
If you are planning a kitchen renovation with a high ceiling, consider the range hood from the beginning stages. This is to ensure it fits the design and style of the space. Your range hood’s aesthetics and the material used in making it often play an essential role in creating a cohesive and stylish look in your kitchen. If you have a modern kitchen, you might opt for a stainless steel range hood with a sleek and minimalist design. If your kitchen has more space and a traditional style, you might prefer a copper range hood with ornate details.
A high ceiling in the kitchen doesn't make it impossible to vent and clear it properly. It requires considering the factors above and selecting a range hood system that checks all the necessary boxes. For more options feel free to check out our wonderful selection of range hoods here.