Creating a healthy home environment can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. When it comes to the kitchen, one of the most powerful tools you have is your range hood. To ensure you’re getting the most out of it and protecting your family, here is a simple range hood checklist to follow.
Range Hood Checklist
- Is Your Range Hood Ducted? This is the most important question. A ducted hood sends all the polluted air, grease, and moisture directly outside your home. If your hood is ductless, it simply filters and recirculates the air. While ductless hoods can catch some grease and odors, they are far less effective at removing the most harmful pollutants like nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter. If you have the option to install a ducted hood, it’s a smart investment for your family’s health.
- Is the CFM Rating Sufficient? CFM, or Cubic Feet per Minute, measures the power of your range hood. If the CFM is too low, the hood won’t be able to keep up with the pollutants from your cooking. A general rule is to have at least 100 CFM for every 10,000 BTUs of a gas stove. A uHoo air quality monitor can help you determine if your current CFM is enough. Simply monitor the PM2.5 levels while you cook. If they spike and don’t go down quickly, you may need a more powerful hood.
- Are Your Filters Clean? Just like any other appliance, a range hood needs maintenance. For both ducted and ductless hoods, the grease filters must be cleaned regularly. For ductless hoods, the charcoal filters need to be replaced as recommended by the manufacturer. Dirty filters can’t do their job properly and can even be a fire hazard. Make sure to check them at least once a month.
- Are You Using Your Hood Correctly? It sounds simple, but many people don’t use their range hood correctly. For maximum effectiveness, turn your hood on to its highest setting about five minutes before you start cooking and leave it on for at least ten minutes after you finish. This allows it to create a proper air flow and clear any lingering pollutants.
- Is the Air in Your Kitchen Actually Clean? The only way to truly know if your range hood checklist is working is to measure the results. By using a uHoo air quality monitor alongside your range hood checklist, you can see if the levels of particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and other pollutants are dropping to a healthy range. It’s the ultimate way to ensure your range hood is doing its job and that your kitchen’s health is in the air.
