Do I need a hood for my stove?

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  Posted by artiste Thu Jun 5, 2008 12:17pm PDT

  A hood will definitely better define the space and "finish" it so to speak. The extra light over the stove is important and the fan will save your cabinets from the steam and oil. I put in a ventless fan with two halogen lights. What a difference! And I didn't pay an arm and a leg for it. Picked up a really nice stainless hood at Home Depot for under $200.

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  Posted by mlfcrisis Fri Jun 6, 2008 4:32am PDT

  I was told that in Calif, a stove hood was required by code...However, I live Ca, and don't have one and haven't been arrested...The times I did have one, I never used it due to the noise...If I were redoing my kitchen, though, I would get one, because I miss having an over-head light...

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  Posted by Mom of Two Fri Jun 6, 2008 6:15am PDT

  Oils from foods you cook on a range top can collect in the area above it. Eventually these can cause a fire, according to the educators at our local fire department. A hood help collect and dispose of these, though even that needs occasional cleaning.

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  Posted by Valerie Rains, Shine staff Fri Jun 6, 2008 6:48am PDT

  That's great information, Mom of Two! Thanks so much for commenting!

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  Posted by Brandee D Fri Jun 6, 2008 1:46pm PDT

  Yes I believe you need a hood. It will help direct heat away from the stove top.

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  Posted by Robin Sat Jun 7, 2008 5:06pm PDT

  I have an older house, I don't have room for a stove hood or a vent above my stove.

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  Posted by Symphony X #1 fan Mon Jun 9, 2008 6:40am PDT

  If code requires it, you should have one. I had one for years that didn't work except for the light. When that died, too, I immediately had a new hood installed. I cannot cook without good light, and the oily steam and odors are lessened with the fan in the range hood. I think you should have one. If you don't like the look, I have seen stoves that have a retractable vent filter system built into the back. Push a button, the vent pops up and starts running. Push the button when done cooking and it retracts back into the stove's back side. Pretty smart, but it does not provide light.

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  Posted by Tammy Mon Jun 9, 2008 2:00pm PDT

  I would love to have a vented hood above my stove to take out the bad stuff in the air during cooking. I begged for one to be included in the renovation of this 100 year old house in which we live. But alas, it was not important to have a vented hood, according to my husband. I was devastated!

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  Posted by Jan, Poppytalk Mon Jun 9, 2008 10:43pm PDT

  This is a great question. We are in the midst of renovating our kitchen and the one that is there does not work, so I was thinking of just getting rid of it. Now I'm thinking twice. The oil thing sounds a bit scary. It would have to be a lot of oil wouldn't it?

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  Posted by Alexander Wed Jun 11, 2008 6:31am PDT

  hoods are nice, but not the be all end all. Also, keep in mind that a hood collects all those oil fumes and will need to be cleaned and have the filter changed. failure to do this will increase the likelyhood of a grease fire.

  On a personal note to Nelsonktll, just tell hubby his favorite food may not be all that important to you:-) that may help change his mind.

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