Choosing the Right Kitchen Ventilation Systems is More Important Than You Think

One of the most overlooked areas of kitchen remodeling projects is kitchen ventilation system. Without proper kitchen ventilation, it is almost impossible to keep a kitchen clean and grease-free. More importantly, proper kitchen ventilation also improves indoor air quality by removing harmful cooking contaminants (including heat, steam, smoke, odor, and hazardous gases such as nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide generated by gas stoves) before they mix with the rest of the air in the home.

There are three basic factors to be considered when choosing a kitchen ventilation system – price, noise, and effectiveness/capacity. System effectiveness is often measured in the amount of air the system can remove per minute (CFM or cubic feet per minute). Obviously, system with larger CFM measures is often more effective in removing air and grease. For typical-sized kitchen in a four-bedroom house, the recommended minimum kitchen ventilation system capacity is 150 CFM.

Keep in mind, however, that there is often a trade-off between the noise level and system capacity. And, ventilation system capacity usually doesn’t tell the whole story about system effectiveness. Ventilation system effectiveness also depends on the draft type. Specifically, there are two major types of ventilation systems: Updraft Hoods and Downdraft Vents.

Updraft hood systems, as the name implies, suck air through a hood over the cooking area. The grease air are either exhausted outside the home or recirculated back into the kitchen after passing through a filter. Downdraft vent systems, on the other hand, are located behind or between the cooktop and sucks air downward through the system. Downdraft vent systems are typically less effective in catching grease air, especially when the steam is coming from tall pots or pans. Updrafts are typically more much more effective, but it can be harder to clean and more noisy.

Proper kitchen ventilation is important for keeping the kitchen clean and improving indoor air quality. Thus, choosing the right kitchen ventilation system is important for any kitchen remodeling project. Installation of new kitchen ventilation system can be quite complex. The use of a reliable professional kitchen remodeling contractor is recommended. For the best cost estimate and options for kitchen ventilation system, please consult your local kitchen remodeling contractors.

I was born and raised in California and have worked as a consultant in the home remodeling industry for the past fifteen years. Currently, I am a contractor with
KitchenRemodelPro.com, a company that provides free home remodeling quotes.

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