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Top 15 Best Range Hoods 36 Inch In 2024

Brandon Forder
  Apr 23, 2024 6:48 PM

You may have a clean, healthy environment in your kitchen with the help of a range hood that doesn't disrupt your peace and quiet. A 36-inch hood is a good all-around size, so there are many variations to choose from.

Fortunately, I've already done all the work.

As a professional cook, I routinely used hoods of varying sizes and materials. I've selected the top 36-inch range hoods after putting my years of professional knowledge to the requirements of the home cook.


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Last update on 2024-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API


Buying Guide

Kitchen Layout and Size

It's crucial to know what kind of range hood your kitchen needs before shopping for one, as different designs call for different kinds of ventilation. A wall-mounted range hood is ideal if there is empty wall space above your stove. Use an under-cabinet or microwave range hood if you have cabinetry or a microwave instead. In a kitchen with an island, the only options for range hoods are island hoods (if the ceiling is accessible for ductwork) or downdraft hoods (if you have to put ductwork in the floor).

Also, the range hoods you can buy may be restricted by the size of your kitchen or your house. For instance, a wall-mounted range hood may not work well in a compact kitchen or apartment, while a microwave or under-cabinet range hood makes little sense in a large kitchen that requires substantial airflow.

Type Of Hood

Cooking ventilation systems come in a wide variety of styles and designs. Though personal taste plays a significant influence, the design of your kitchen will also dictate some of your options.

You have a lot of leeway if your range is flush against a wall, which it likely is. The best kind of range hood to install if there are upper cabinets is the under-cabinet variety. It's common practice to install a chimney hood on the wall above the stove if there's free space there.

Alternatives to the conventional range hood include the microwave hood combination, the downdraft hood, and the hood insert. You can pick from a wide variety of options.

A person's range of action is narrowed if they live on an island. A hood that is fixed on the ceiling is usually the finest option. A downdraft hood, on the other hand, is another excellent option that won't close in your kitchen.

Size

I'm going to hazard a guess and say that if you're looking for a 36-inch range hood, you probably have a 30- or 36-inch range. So, was I right?

It's recommended that your range hood be at least as wide as your range. A few extra inches on either side is ideal, but only if you have the room and the funds for it.

Therefore, if your oven's top rack measures 30 inches or less, you've come to the proper location. A hood that measures in at 36 inches is just right. While any of these choices will work with a 36-inch range, you may want to consider upgrading to a larger range hood, such as a 42- or 48-inch model, for optimal performance.

Ducted Vs. Ductless 

There are a few different ways a hood can filter the air in your kitchen and keep it healthy to cook in.

In the first place, you can have a ducted hood. These range hoods feature a vent that can be connected to a duct that exits the building. The hood draws in air and physically removes it from the cooking area.

When compared to the other option, this one is preferable because it clears more smoke and steam in a shorter amount of time. One potential drawback is the cost of installing ducting if it is not already there.

Air is sucked into the ductless hood, passed through a carbon filter, and then returned to the kitchen. If you don't expect to generate a lot of smoke and steam, this approach will suffice for your stove or kitchen.

Convertible hoods are also available. This just denotes their general use with or without an external vent.

Style

There are numerous installation methods for range hoods. Some range hoods are designed to be installed beneath cupboards. They match the range's design and are often smaller than other options. A range hood is deemed wall-mounted if there is no cabinet space above it. Keep in mind that there are both ducted and ductless options for wall-mounted range hoods.

Chimney-style range hoods are the most common type of wall-mounted hood. What this implies is that the air and particles are sucked in and sent up a shaft before being released into the atmosphere. However, a downdraft range hood may be the best option for individuals who value aesthetics in the kitchen. The stove top has a built-in downdraft hood. Popular variants include telescoping ones that extend to a height of a few inches over the range and fold away when not in use. However, they are not regarded as superior range hoods because of their high price and low air-purifying capacity.

CFM Ratio

Ducted range hood performance is often expressed in cubic feet per minute (CFM), which is the rate at which air is drawn in and discharged. A more effective range hood will have a greater CFM rating. To determine the CFM ratio, divide the BTU output of your stove by 100 to get an idea of how much airflow you'll need in your kitchen. If your stove has 22,000 BTUs, you'll need a range hood that can move at least 220 cubic feet per minute (CFM).

Cooking Style

Selecting a range hood that works well with your preferred method of cooking is just as crucial as finding one that fits well with the rest of your kitchen's design. Consider the CFM airflow, the number of fan speeds, and the noise level as you make your choice. The cubic feet per minute (CFM) rating indicates the airflow rate. More rapid exhaust from your range hood at higher numbers. The noise level or range of a fan should correspond to its minimum and maximum speeds (high and low, respectively).

You should look for a range hood with high CFM (at least three or more fan speeds) and a noise level you can tolerate for extended periods of time if you aspire to be a professional chef and are coordinating heavy and intense cooking on a regular basis. If you're just going to be using your stove once or twice per day, or even once a week, then a lower CFM and fewer fan speeds will be fine (though you should still make sure you can tolerate the noise level of the fans).

Other Features

It's also important to think about the range hood's lights, filters, auto-shutoff, and control panel before making a purchase. There is no "perfect" set of options, but you may find more value in one set of options than another. If you want to use the dishwasher to clean your filters, for instance, you'll need to buy filters that are safe for use in a dishwasher. An automatic shut-off or exhaust timer is convenient if you wish to leave the fan on after cooking to eliminate any leftover scents. Fortunately, there is a broad selection of range hoods on the market, so you should have no trouble finding one that works for you.


FAQS

How Do Range Hoods Work?

Smoke, steam, and odors can all be whisked away from the stovetop thanks to the range hood's built-in exhaust fan. Air is physically sucked out of the hood and expelled through a duct. The ductless variety draw in air from outside, run it through a carbon filter, and then pump it back into the kitchen.

What Is The Difference Between Wall Mount And Island Range Hoods?

Cooking vent hoods that are wall-mounted are installed in a predetermined location on the wall above the stove. Island range hoods, also known as ceiling mount range hoods, are designed to be installed over a cooktop installed in an island.

How do you clean range hood filters? 

Cleaning your range hood requires water and baking soda regardless of whether it contains mesh filters or baffle (stainless steel) filters. The filters should be cleaned by soaking them in a solution of warm water, soap, and baking soda, and then brushing them clean. A lot of these things are dishwasher safe, but you should only do that on rare occasions. Don't put them back in the hood until they've dried out entirely.

How do you measure for a range hood?

Assess your reach as a first step. You should obtain a hood that is at least 12 inches wider than your range if you want to make sure it catches all the stray particles that fly up when you cook. If your range is 30 inches wide, a 36-inch hood should do the trick.

Make sure your prospective range will fit securely in the area above it by measuring its height from the floor to the ceiling. CFM needs to be increased if the range hood is going to be installed higher than the minimum height. It's not safe to put the hood just above the range.


Conclusion

For a kitchen with a 36-inch opening, picking the right range hood can feel like an uphill battle. There's a plethora of options, and picking the right one can be challenging. This is why we compiled this list of the best 36-inch range hoods, complete with our thoughts on why each one deserves your consideration. They will assist you in zeroing in on the best solution for your needs.


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