When it comes to choosing the right range hood for your kitchen, two primary options dominate the market: ducted and ductless range hoods. Both serve the same purpose—removing smoke, grease, and odors from your kitchen—but they do so in different ways. Understanding the differences between the two can help you make an informed decision that suits your kitchen's needs and your home's setup.
What is a Ductless Range Hood?
A ductless range hood is a type of kitchen ventilation system designed to improve air quality by removing smoke, grease, odors, and steam produced during cooking. Unlike traditional ducted range hoods, which vent air outside through a duct system, a ductless range hood filters and recirculates the air back into the kitchen. This makes it an ideal choice for kitchens where installing external ventilation is difficult or impossible.
Do Ductless Range Hood Need to Be Vented?
No, ductless range hoods do not require external venting. Unlike ducted hoods, which expel air through a duct to the outdoors, ductless range hoods clean and recirculate air back into the kitchen. This is made possible by the filters in the unit, which trap grease, odors, and other contaminants before the air is released back into the room.
This lack of venting is what distinguishes ductless range hoods from their ducted counterparts. As a result, ductless models are often more versatile, particularly for renters or people in buildings where exterior venting would be costly or impossible.
How Does a Ductless Range Hood Work?
A ductless range hood operates by using a combination of fan and filters to remove airborne contaminants generated during cooking. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how they work:
- Suction: The fan in the range hood pulls air in from the kitchen, capturing smoke, steam, grease, and cooking odors.
- Filtration: The air passes through one or more filters. Most ductless hoods use charcoal filters (also known as carbon filters) that trap odors and grease. Some units may also include metal filters that catch grease particles.
- Recirculation: After the air is filtered, the purified air is recirculated back into the kitchen. The process is continuous as long as the fan is running.
- Exhaust Fan: While ductless systems don't vent air outside, the exhaust fan ensures that air is continually moved through the system, providing a cleaner, fresher environment while you cook.
What Are the Differences Between Ducted and Ductless Range Hoods?
The differences between ducted and ductless range hoods mainly revolve around how they handle kitchen air and where they can be installed. Here's a more concise breakdown:
Ducted Range Hoods:
- External Ventilation: Uses a duct system to push smoke, odors, and grease outside your home.
- Installation: Requires connection to a duct in the wall, ceiling, or floor, limiting placement options.
- Effectiveness: Best for removing smoke, odors, and grease completely from the home.
- Maintenance: Less frequent cleaning required, but ducts may need occasional maintenance.
Ductless Range Hoods:
- Recirculating Ventilation: Filters the air and recirculates it back into the kitchen instead of venting it outside.
- Installation: Can be placed almost anywhere, since no external venting is required.
- Effectiveness: Filters out odors and grease, but doesn’t completely eliminate them like ducted hoods.
- Maintenance: Requires regular cleaning or replacement of filters to ensure effectiveness.
The Pros & Cons of Different Types of Vent Hoods
By weighing the various advantages and disadvantages of each type of hood, you can better decide which one is most suitable for your particular kitchen.
Ducted Range Hoods: Pros & Cons
Ducted range hoods are generally more effective at removing heat, humidity, smoke, and cooking odors because they vent air outside the kitchen. This ensures that stale air is completely expelled, which helps maintain a more comfortable cooking environment. And these hoods typically provide better performance, especially in high-output kitchens, as they don’t rely on air recirculation.
In many cases, ducted range hoods can operate more quietly compared to ductless hoods. However, this is not universal and depends on the model, installation, and maintenance.
Ducted systems require a direct path to the outside of the building, which can limit installation flexibility. If your kitchen isn’t already equipped with a suitable duct system, installation can be more complicated and costly.
Ductless Range Hoods: Pros & Cons
Ductless hoods are easier and more flexible to install because they don’t require any external venting. You can place them anywhere in the kitchen, as long as there is a power source. And many ductless range hoods come with convenient features like timers, automatic shut-offs, and adjustable fan speeds, which can add to ease of use and energy efficiency.
Since there’s no need for ductwork, ductless hoods are often cheaper and simpler to install compared to ducted systems.
Where do ductless range hoods vent?
Ductless hoods use heavy-duty charcoal filters to purify all of your kitchen exhaust, protecting your lungs and home from noxious gases and harmful airborne particulates. Once the air is filtered, it is then recirculated into your home, eliminating the need to vent the air all the way outdoors.
Ductless hoods often require stronger fans to compensate for the lack of external venting, which can make them noisier than ducted systems. Noise levels can vary by brand and model, but they are generally higher due to the increased fan power needed. Less than 60db is acceptable.
Ductless hoods rely on filters (typically charcoal or carbon), which must be cleaned or replaced regularly to maintain their efficiency. This adds an ongoing cost and effort for homeowners.
What to Consider When Choosing Between Ducted and Ductless Range Hoods?
When choosing a range hood, you should consider the following factors:
Choose a Ducted Range Hood if:
- You use your stove frequently and cook in various ways.
- You are a professional or amateur chef who requires more efficient air exhaust.
- You have a spacious kitchen and the design allows for the installation of a duct system.
- Your living space allows for the installation of a duct system.
- You prefer the cleanest and most efficient method to improve air quality.
- You have the budget to support the cost of installing a duct system.
Choose a Ductless Range Hood if:
- You cook casually and don’t use your stove often.
- Your kitchen layout does not allow for the installation of a duct system.
- You have limited space and need a more compact solution.
- You are willing to perform regular maintenance (like changing filters and cleaning the device).
- You have a budget constraint and prefer a more affordable option.
Our Recommendation: Ciarra 30-Inch Ductless Under-Cabinet Range Hood that the affordable, effective ductless range hoods are perfect for installation along an interior wall and features two fan speeds for filtering and recirculating kitchen air.
How to Install Ductless Range Hood?
The installation of recirculating range hood models begins with determining the appropriate location for the hood. Whether it's an island hood, wall-mounted hood, or under-cabinet ductless model, the hood should be positioned directly above the stove.
For ductless installations, as with all range hood setups, you'll need to create a properly sized hole in the wall or ceiling.
The installer will use a tape measure and stud finder to confirm that the hood is securely positioned, ensuring it's clear of any electrical wires, boxes, or other potential hazards.
After the screw holes are made, the chimney bracket for your new range hood will be secured with the provided mounting screws. The hood will then be hardwired to a power source.
Once everything is in place, the ductless insert fan, along with the charcoal filters, can be installed, and your home’s air quality will be protected.
Tips:
Safety First: Always turn off the power to the kitchen area when working with electrical connections.
Leveling: Use a level to ensure the hood is straight both horizontally and vertically during installation.
Check the Filters: Verify that the charcoal filters are installed correctly. Some models require filters to be positioned in a specific way for proper air circulation.
If you’ve purchased a Ciarra product, you can refer to our user manual, which provides clear and detailed installation instructions.
How Much Does it Cost to Install a Ductless Range Hood?
Ductless range hood installation costs will vary depending on your area and requirements, but you can expect it to cost between $200 and $600.
How Do You Clean a Ductless Range Hood?
Proper maintenance of the Range Hood will assure proper performance of the
unit.
ACTIVATED CARBON FILTER
The activated carbon filter should be changed every 3 months depending on
the conditions of use. Replace more often if your cooking style generates
extra grease, such as frying and wok cooking. These filters are not washable
and cannot be restored. Refer to installation instructions included with
activated carbon filter.
STAINLESS STEEL CLEANING
Do:
- Regularly wash with clean cloth or rag soaked with warm water and mild
- soap or liquid dish detergent.
- Always clean in the direction of original polish lines.
- Always rinse well with clear water (2 or 3 times) after cleaning. Wipe dry
- completely.
- You may also use a specialized household stainless steel cleaner.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Don't:
- Use any steel or stainless steel wool or any other scrapers to remove
- stubborn dirt.
- Use any harsh or abrasive cleansers.
- Allow dirt to accumulate.
- Let plaster dust or any other construction residues reach the hood. During
- construction/ renovation, cover the range hood to make sure no dust
- sticks to the stainless steel surface.
Avoid when choosing a detergent:
- Any cleaners that contain bleach will attack stainless steel.
- Any products containing: chloride, fluoride, iodide, bromide will
- deteriorate surfaces rapidly.
- Any combustible products used for cleaning such as acetone, alcohol,
- ether, benzol, etc., are highly explosive and should never be used close
- to a range.
PAINTED FINISH CLEANING:
Clean with warm water and mild detergent only. If discoloration occurs, use a
finish polish such as automotive polish.
Conclusion
While both ducted and ductless range hoods have their advantages, the right one for you will depend on factors like your kitchen’s layout, your cooking style, and whether or not venting outside is an option. If you're willing to invest in installation and want the best ventilation, a ducted system is likely the way to go. If you’re in a rental, a small space, or simply looking for a less intrusive solution, a ductless range hood might suit your needs better.