It seems okay to ignore the plan for a proper range hood when designing a kitchen, until the steam, smoke, and odours start accumulating. If you’ve ever cooked a big meal and had the air feel heavy or greasy, you know what we mean.
This guide breaks down how to pick the right range hood size without guesswork. You’ll learn what affects ventilation, how to measure your space, and how your layout shapes your choice. We’ll also cover common mistakes people make, and a few upgrades that do help.
By the end, you’ll feel confident knowing how to pick a hood that suits your space and your style.
Read on to find out how.
Understanding Range Hood Sizes
Range hoods come in various sizes for a reason. If the hood is too small, it won’t capture enough smoke, steam, or grease. Too large, and it might overpower the space or become noisy.
Getting the right width is one of the most important steps in keeping your kitchen clean and your air clear.
Here’s how you choose the right hood size:
Your range hood should match the width of your cooktop. A 30-inch cooktop needs a 30-inch hood, at a minimum. This ensures even smoke and steam capture across all burners.
If you have an island cooktop, go wider (at least 6 inches more). Islands lack walls to guide airflow, so wider hoods help trap rising vapours more effectively.
Ventilation strength matters, too. It’s measured in CFM (cubic feet per minute), which tells you how much air the fan can pull. A more powerful fan improves air quality. Also, it reduces lingering smells, grease build-up, and discomfort while cooking.
Pro Tip: Always consider how much space you have for the hood and ducting. Low ceilings or shallow cabinets might limit your range hood options, so measure carefully before buying.
Now that you understand how width and airflow play a role, let’s look at how your kitchen layout shapes which hood will work best.
Customising Kitchen Hoods to Your Kitchen Layout
Open kitchens are great for hosting, but tough on ventilation. Without walls to guide airflow, smoke, grease, and heat from cooking can drift into the rest of your home. If you don’t consider your layout, even a strong range hood might not work as well as you’d expect.
Your kitchen layout indicates how hard your hood has to work. In tighter spaces, a wall-mounted hood benefits from being close to solid surfaces, which help funnel smoke into the fan.
In contrast, an island layout needs a wider hood and higher CFM. There’s no back wall to help control the air, so the hood has to compensate for the open design.
One more thing to remember is never to forget your ceiling’s height. A high or angled ceiling requires thoughtful ducting and possibly an extension chimney kit to keep performance consistent. Using a ducted system instead of recirculating models helps move air more efficiently, especially in open kitchens.
One homeowner we worked with placed their cooktop on an island but chose a standard-sized hood. It looked neat but didn’t cover the full width of the stove. After a few weeks, they noticed steam collecting on the ceiling and a greasy film near the lights. We helped them swap in a wider, stronger hood, and the difference in air quality was immediate.
If you’re planning a kitchen redesign, take a moment to think about how your space works. A quick conversation with a designer or installer can save you time and money later.
Once you’ve matched your hood to your layout, it’s time to take accurate measurements. Even the best range hood won’t work if it doesn’t fit properly.
Measuring A Range Hood
You don’t need special tools or training to measure a range hood. All you need is a tape measure, a notepad, and a clear plan for where your hood will sit.
The following simple steps will help you measure properly so your range hood performs well and fits smoothly into your kitchen layout.
- Measure the width of your cooktop: Use a tape measure across the cooking surface, not the countertop. Most standard cooktops are 30 or 36 inches wide. Your range hood should be at least as wide. Go a little wider to catch air and steam from the outer burners.
- Check how much vertical space you have: Measure from the top of your cooktop to the ceiling or cabinet base. You’ll need room for the hood body, any filters, and the ducting above. The required clearance varies by hood type, so make sure to check the product manual for the right height range.
- Don’t skip the depth: A shallow hood often misses steam from the front burners. Aim for a depth of 18 to 20 inches so the hood covers most of the cooktop. If you have large pots or cook close to the edge, even a little extra coverage helps.
- Look at the venting space available: If you’re installing a ducted model, plan where the duct will go (up to the ceiling or through a back wall). Check inside cabinets for obstructions like pipes or electrical wires. Proper venting improves air extraction and reduces noise.
Based on our experience, we suggest you sketch your kitchen and label the dimensions. It’ll make shopping much easier and help installers get it right the first time.
With accurate measurements in hand, let’s avoid the most common mistakes people run into next.
Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing the Range Hood Size
Choosing the wrong range hood can lead to poor ventilation, increased kitchen grime, and regret. And the biggest issues? They’re usually avoidable.
The most common mistakes are sizing errors, airflow miscalculations, and bad placement, which can seriously affect performance. Avoid These Traps:
- Too small for the cooktop: A narrow hood can’t catch all the rising smoke and steam. Make sure your range hood covers the full width of your cooktop and preferably a little more.
- Low CFM with heavy cooking: If you love high-heat cooking or use multiple burners often, a weak fan won’t clear the air fast enough. You need a fan with a higher CFM rating, around 600 to 900 for serious home cooking. Always check the CFM before you buy.
- Recirculating when you should vent: Recirculating hoods are convenient, but they don’t remove air from the kitchen. They just filter it and send it back into the room. In most homes, a ducted setup works better and keeps the air cleaner for longer.
- Ignoring your layout: An island hood needs more power and width than one mounted to a wall. It doesn’t have walls to help guide the airflow, so the hood has to work harder. If your ceiling is high or angled, this becomes even more important.
Pro Tip: Before buying a range hood, check the installation requirements and airflow specs. A five-minute read can save you hours of frustration and help you get better performance from the start.
Knowing what to avoid is just one part of the process. Let’s move on to the smart features that can make using your range hood easier every day.
Add Smart Features to Maximise Efficiency
The right features can make a range hood easier to use, quieter, and more effective at keeping your kitchen clean. These upgrades are becoming more common, even in mid-range appliances.
Smart Features to Consider:
Auto fan sensors
Auto fan sensors detect heat or smoke and adjust the fan speed automatically. It saves you from constantly fiddling with controls during busy cooking sessions. This feature ensures optimal ventilation, especially during high-heat cooking sessions.
For instance, the Accurex Temperature Interlock system activates the exhaust fan when cooking operations occur, enhancing safety and efficiency.
Models with this feature often start around $500 and can be found in both ducted and non-ducted systems.
Quiet motor technology
Quieter motors work perfectly, especially in open kitchens. Look for models with variable-speed settings and sound-dampening materials. If your kitchen is part of a shared living space, this feature can help keep noise down during meals or conversations.
Prices for range hoods featuring quiet motor technology generally range from $400 to $1,000, depending on the brand and additional features.
Dishwasher-safe filters
Cleaning filters is one of the most ignored parts of owning a range hood. Metal filters that can go straight into the dishwasher make life easier.
No more scrubbing grease by hand like you’re prepping for a reality TV cooking challenge. They’re easy to maintain and help your hood work better over time.
Smart controls
Some modern range hoods let you control the fan and lighting from your phone or a smart home system. You can also get alerts when filters need cleaning or when the hood has been running too long.
This is especially helpful if you forget to switch the fan off after cooking. Besides, syncing with your cooktop means it can start extracting air as soon as you begin cooking. No extra steps needed.
Built-in LED lighting
LED lights brighten your cooktop while using less energy. Adjustable brightness levels give you better visibility during prep or clean-up.
They’re cooler to touch than traditional bulbs, which is great when working under heat. Some models even offer directional lighting to focus exactly where you need it most.
These features help your range hood work better and last longer. If you’re already investing in a new unit, choosing one with these extras can make everyday cooking noticeably easier.
Make Your Kitchen Work Smarter
By now, you know what makes a range hood effective. Choose the right size, match it to your kitchen layout, and look for features that improve ventilation and everyday use. These decisions help you keep the kitchen clean, the air fresh, and the space easier to cook in.
A well-sized, carefully chosen range hood supports your cooking habits and adds real comfort to your home. You might be updating a tired setup or building your dream kitchen from scratch. Either way, the details you choose now will change how it feels to cook every day.
At Blue Olive, we work with homeowners to create kitchens that look great and function even better. If you’re buying a new range hood or need help planning your ventilation setup, we’re here to help.
Want a kitchen that works as smart as it looks? Get in touch with us and let’s create a space you’ll love to cook in.