A range hood, also known as a ventilation hood, plays a crucial yet often underappreciated role in maintaining the health and cleanliness of your commercial kitchen. By providing proper ventilation, it enhances indoor air quality and ensures a fresh, breathable environment for you and your staff. A well-installed range hood removes excess heat, moisture, steam, cooking odors, and airborne particles like grease, preventing them from settling on surfaces and improving the overall cleanliness of your kitchen.
Additionally, it helps eliminate harmful substances such as carbon monoxide from gas cooktops and chemical vapors from cleaning products. Choosing the right range hood may seem overwhelming , but once you understand the basics, the process becomes simple and straightforward.
Why Does Choosing the Right Range Hood Matter?
Choosing the right range hood for your commercial kitchen is essential because it directly impacts the air quality, safety, and overall cleanliness of the space. A properly selected range hood ensures effective ventilation by removing excess heat, steam, cooking odors, grease, and harmful fumes, such as carbon monoxide and chemical vapors, before they circulate throughout the kitchen. This not only creates a healthier working environment for your staff but also prevents buildup on surfaces, which can lead to fire hazards or increased maintenance needs.
Features to consider when Buying a Range hood
Here are a few features you should consider when buying a range hood. There are different types of hoods available, you can make a choice on the basis of their features.
- Size: Your hood should be equal to the size of the stove or even slightly bigger will work
- Mount: The range hood can be mounted within cabinets, either on top of the wall or be mounted against your wall.
- Ventilation: The ventilation for range hoods differs and it depends on the type of home you are living in.
- Filters: Always observe what type of grease filters you must use to keep the dirt, grease, and odour from ruining your kitchen experience. You might select between mesh or baffle filters.
- Powers: The power of your range hood is measured in cubic feet per minute or CFM, to establish what you need, you will have to identify first, the type of stove you have and what type of cooking you will be doing.
- Noise of the range hood blower: Range hoods may be a little bit noisy, it totally depends on the blower level.
- Height: Make sure that the height of your ceiling goes well with the height of your cooktop. The rule of thumb is that the distance should be between 24” and 30”, unless otherwise specified.
Your Go-To Guide for Choosing a Commercial Exhaust Hood
List of Top Range Hoods Brands
These are some of the top choices for kitchen range hoods.
- Chef PS18 Under Cabinet Range Hood – Best to Buy in 2021
- Fotile JQG7501 Under Cabinet Range Hood – Best High-End Hood
- Z Line KB Wall Mount Range Hood – Best Wall Mount Hood
- Broan Non-Ducted Hood 41000 Series – Best Ductless Range Hood
- Z Line GL1i Island Mount Range Hood – Best Island Hood
Above listed are the USA-made, best range hoods brands for commercial kitchens and restaurants. Let’s check prices, features, and reviews of each one below
1. Chef PS18 Under Cabinet Range Hood – Best to Buy in 2024
The Chef PS18 is an under-cabinet, ducted range hood that offers a premium build and has a polished look, touch controls, and a lot of venting power in it. It is available in 30 and 36 inches and it is made up of stainless steel, which has great effect absorption and corrosion resistance. When this is running at maximum capacity, the blowers can reach 860 CFM which is enough to take care of 86,000 BTU. It is considered stronger than four 20,000 BTU burners that are running at the same time.
This specific model uses stainless steel baffle filters. These filters are effective in terms of trapping grease, and it is very durable against chemical or physical damage that may occur. You can clean them by hand, or you could just put them in the dishwasher as they are dishwasher friendly. Since the hood is a ducted model, the installation will involve setting up vents for the kitchen, which will cost you both time and money. In case your commercial kitchen is already vented, the model that has an under-cabinet design will be very easy to mount and suitable.
Various owners have shared their experience that it took them less than an hour to get the hood up and running. The discharge configuration includes an upward and a rear outlet. The upward outlet will fit around an adapter that is 6 inches wide or a square adapter that is 3.25 by 10 inches. The rear outlet is only well-suited with square adapters. As a substitute for physical pushbuttons, the model features a touch screen, with controls for a delay timer, overhead light, fan speed, and a clock. In a way, the touch screen completes the modern aesthetic of the hood.
Pros
- Ducted
- Best Ventilation
- Modern Appearance
- Touch Control
- High Cfm (Peak At 860)
- Dual Outlet
Cons
- Requires Ducting
Chef PS18 Under Cabinet Range Hood Review
The Chef PS18 is a premium ducted range hood that offers everything from performance to appearance. With all things believed, it is one of the most well-rounded hoods that you can find. The model is covered with a 2-year limited warranty.
You can always contact Kitchen services professional hood installers for GE hood installation and repair Service.
2. FOTILE JQG7501 30-Inch Range Hood – Best High-End Hood
The Fotile JQG7501 is considered a premium piece of appliance. This model basically offers a new design, high-tech features, and a quality build. The JQG7501 is a ducted, 30-inch under-cabinet range hood and it is also available in 36 inches that can bring a particular futuristic feel to your commercial kitchen. It consists of a distinctive design with a 45-degree slanted surface that guides smoke and steam to the inlet opening.
The surface of this specific model is made of tempered glass, which not just looks great but is also very easy to clean but it does not do well with a physical effect. This hood has the settings to operate at three different speeds that are 220, 400, and 510 CFM. If the capacity of a burner is lower than 18,000 BTU, then the hood should be able to take care of two or three of them at once. The JQG7501 features a touch screen that controls lights, a delay shut-off function, and a screen-lock function. The screen lock allows you to clean the surface glass and the control panel screen without accidentally activating the settings.
Furthermore, its baffle filters are hidden behind a cover that will avoid insects from entering. The cover is fully automatic, which unfolds by itself and reveals the opening once you turn on the exhaust hood. If you don’t fancy the high-tech controls, there is the Fotile JQG7502.G, which is geared with physical buttons, costs less, and has a filter cover that is always open.
Pros
- Best ventilation
- Futuristic design
- High-tech features
- Unique mechanics
- Touch control
Cons
- High-priced
- Needs Ducting
FOTILE JQG7501 30-Inch Range Hood Review
With all of its advantages, the Fotile JQG7501 is one of the priciest commercial vent hoods. It is not for everyone, but it can be a good unit for those who are looking for a high-end addition to their kitchen. The model has a 5-year limited warranty.
You can always contact Kitchen services professional hood installers for GE hood installation and repair Service.
3. Z Line KB Wall Mount Range Hood – Best Wall Mount Hood
ZLINE is considered the best range hood for a wall mount vent hood. This series offers models ranging from 30 inches to 48 inches wide, which makes it appropriate for both residential and commercial kitchens. This model is all made of stainless steel, whether it be the hood or the chimney extension. The blower’s suction is adjustable, with speeds of 280, 400, 580, and 760 CFM. At the max setting of 760 CFM, the hood can handle up to 75,000 BTUs. That can take care of five burners with 15,000 BTU each. Z LINE recommends using speeds 1 and 2 for light frying or boiling, 3 for heavy frying or boiling, and 4 for grilling or intensive frying.
All of the models that are there in the KB series come with aluminum baffle filters that are said to be dishwasher-safe, but the general rule is do not to put aluminum wares in the dishwasher. This one is said to be a ducted series, so you will have to vent your kitchen. There’s no rear outlet and the ducts will have to run up through the ceiling. There is an included stainless-steel chimney that will cover the pipe up properly. You will also get a backdraft damper that prevents the air from the outside from entering through the ducts. This model features physical press buttons, a digital display, and LED lights. The power button can be used to activate the 3-minute delayed power-off function by simply pressing and holding the button until the display flashes three times.
Pros
- Professional Fit
- Best Ventilation
- Multiple Size Options
- Extendable Chimney
- Baffle Filters
Cons
- Requires Ducting
Z Line KB Wall Mount Range Hood Review
The Z LINE KB series is an appealing find. Their strong built and consistent performance should keep any commercial kitchen owner happy for a long time. The series has a 3-year warranty on parts and a lifetime warranty on the motor.
You can always contact Kitchen services professional hood installers for GE hood installation and repair Service.
4. Broan Non-Ducted Hood 41000 Series – Best Ductless Range Hood
This one is considered as an economical but well-made range hood. Broan 41000 is a non-ducted, under-cabinet range hood series that tends to deliver stable performance while it costs very little. They have many size options, starting from 24 inches to 42 inches. The suction of these units tops between 160 and 190 CFM which is considered very low but still it is enough for recirculation purposes. This model works best when it is installed not lower than 18 inches or higher than 20 inches from the range top.
Aluminum mesh filters are used in these ductless range hoods that are used to trap grease and charcoal filters for the purpose of removing smells and pollutants from the air before returning to the room. These mesh filters can be cleaned and reused but only for a restricted number of times and not always. You cannot reuse the charcoal filters as they should be replaced at least once in a year. The series is all under-cabinet mounts, so installing it is quite easy.
Pros
- Ducting is not required
- Compact and Effective
- Low-priced
- Multiple Size Options
- Easy Installation
Cons
- Not good for heavy duty
Broan Non-Ducted Hood 41000 Series Review
For this price range, models from the 41000 series by Broan are a good choice. The series is an appropriate choice for small, non-ducted kitchens. The series comes with a 1-year limited warranty.
You can always contact Kitchen services professional hood installers for GE hood installation and repair Service.
5. Z Line GL1i 36-Inch Island Mount Range Hood – Best Island Hood
ZLINE GL1i is one of the best island range hoods for the combination of value, craftsmanship, and utility. This is a 36-inch stainless steel ducted hood, and it is also considered the best option for stovetops that are 30 inches or smaller. ZLINE has the GL2i, which comes in 42 inches and 48 inches. This hood can deliver 760 CFM at its maximum suction that is enough to take care of 76,000 BTU that is about 5 regular gas burners and a load of suction for most uses. It also has 4 speeds settings in total, with the other three yielding 280, 400, and 580 CFM of suction.
This model has aluminum baffle filters, a digital display, a chimney cover, a backdraft damper, and physical press buttons that control speeds and lights.
Pros
- Best Ventilation
- Extendable Chimney
- Baffle Filters
Cons
- Requires Ducting
Z Line GL1i 36-Inch Island Mount Range Hood Review
The Z LINE GL1i is a solid pick for an island-mount range hood. It will bring functional features and an impressive build to the kitchen at a competitive price. The model has a 3-year warranty on parts and a lifetime warranty on its motors.
You can always contact Kitchen services professional hood installers for GE hood installation and repair Service.
Also Read: Do’s and Don’ts of Kitchen Hood Installation
Best Bosch Range hoods
List of Bosch Range hoods
These are some of the top choices for the best Bosch range hoods in 2021
- Bosch HCP86641UC
- Bosch HCP50652UC
- Bosch Benchmark HCG56651UC
Above listed are the USA-made, best Bosch hoods for commercial kitchens and restaurants. Let us know about their features
Bosch HCP86641UC
This 36-in. 800 Series pyramid canopy chimney hood is available with four fan speeds, and it also provides up to 600 CFM of ventilating power. This one is built-in smooth, stylish black stainless steel, which provides a striking focal point in any commercial kitchen. This model is known for its quiet operation, this Bosch unit produces sound levels as low as 4.6 Sones, which is roughly comparable to 50 dBA.
It has a handy LCD touch display which makes it easy to change the hood’s settings, it is also dishwasher safe as aluminum mesh filters make it a breeze to keep the filters clean. Dimmable halogen lighting helps you keep an eye on your cooking process, for perfectly done dishes every time.
Bosch HCP50652UC
This 500 Series 30-in. pyramid canopy chimney wall mount hood can provide up to 600 CFM of ventilation capacity. This unit has Wi-Fi connectivity, which may allow you to interact with it from anywhere using Bosch’s Home Connect app on any of your smartphones or tablet. An LCD display with four-speed touch controls also makes it easy to select just the right settings for your needs. The stainless steel covered aluminum mesh filters are dishwasher safe, so you will never need to spend too much time cleaning them. Eco-friendly LED lighting creates a pleasingly bright cooking space while keeping your power bill low. And at the end, a programmable timer will allow you to set exactly how long the hood should continue ventilating after you are done cooking which will allow you to move on to other things.
Bosch Benchmark HCG56651UC
This modern 36-in. glass canopy chimney hood from the Benchmark Series adds a stylish touch to any kitchen and provides up to 600 CFM of ventilation speed. The four-speed LCD display touch controls allow you to easily adjust settings to suit your needs every time. For additional safety, this hood’s blower will automatically turn on if it senses excessive heat in the area. The anodized aluminum mesh filters are dishwasher safe for easy cleanup, and you can count on the filter reminder to help you remember to clean them when needed. Two halogen lights keep your cooking space illuminated, and when you’re done cooking, you can set the handy timer to continue ventilating for just as long as you need.
Also Read: Kitchen Range Hood problems and solutions
Conclusion
According to the above comparison and reviews, Chef PS18 Under Cabinet Range Hood seems to be the clear winner when it comes to features and usability. However, if you are on a budget, buying a Bosch range hood can also be an option.
We hope this was helpful in making a purchase decision for a new range hood for your restaurant kitchen. Contact Kitchen Services HVAC technicians, for consultation and kitchen hood servicing and maintenance.
