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Great information, thanks (Reply to this comment)
by justmichael40
My situation is a bit different. I'm installing a stovetop in front of a bar so people can chat while I'm cooking. This would put the height of my range hood about 4' above the stovetop.
Everything I read limits the hight to no more than 3 feet.
How much CFM would I need to make the range hood effective?
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Aug 12 '10
1:51 pm PDT
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Re: Great Article on Exhaust Hood (Reply to this comment)
by the_gas_man
Hi David,
There's no need to insulate the exhaust pipe, as it is generally so diluted that there is little chance of condensing and there are no heat efficiency benefits from wrapping it. If you are going through the ceiling crawl space would it not be better to continue to vent to the underside of the soffit? Just a thought, then you wouldn't need to worry about a one-way damper.
Best of luck and thanks for the comments.
Regards,
The Gasman
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Jan 04 '10
3:28 am PST
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Great Article on Exhaust Hood (Reply to this comment)
by davidbabbitt
I appreciated your article on exhaust hoods. We have a recirculating hood over the stove which just doesn't remove odors from our house when cooking.
I guess for our 1000 square foot single level house with natural ventilating gas hot water tank and directly ducted furnance and gas fire place, I shouldn't get a new exhaust hood that exceeds around 200 cfm, else I'll have a CO problem.
If I get a multispeed exhaust that would be best. Also, want to exhaust directly above through the 4' crawl space to the roof. Want a "check valve" in the exhaust to not air to come back into the house when turned off. Should the exhaust piping be insulated? Work with a sheet metal shop to get the ducting from hood to roof made up correctly?
Again, thanks for the good article.
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Jan 02 '10
6:44 pm PST
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Re: Re: Re: Re: Hi There Mr. Gasman! (Reply to this comment)
by Lark729_89
Hi Mister Gasman~
Now that you mentioned it, there seems to be no hookup outside so I guess this range hood is "just there"...for what... I do not know. I knew I should have had a building inspector on this place when I purchased it 10 years ago.
I am still using the light to it when I cook and sometimes at night for light downstairs until I go upstairs. For whatever purpose this hood is there, I haven't the faintest idea.
I have all electric in this place. Electric heat is very very expensive!
Because of the Christmas rush I just haven't been to Lowe's yet. My neighbors keep coming over bearing gifts for my dog and though time just flies too fast I see we are all still aging and the world still spins...only faster now in my opinion.
Thank you again for answering my comment.
PS) yes, we got 22 inches of snow here, all wet and heavy and today it is flurrying out. My Subaru was buried in a five-foot snowdrift.
Like I don't know why this range hood is present above my stove, I do not know why I moved back here after eight years. I guess I just wanted to come "home"
Have cheerful holidays!
My best...
Carol
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Dec 24 '09
7:39 am PST
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Re: Re: Re: Hi There Mr. Gasman! (Reply to this comment)
by the_gas_man
Hi Carol
No problem, I often get carried away with real life too. I heard the east coast was being pounded today with heavy snow.
Are you sure that you have a "vented" range hood? There are some unvented range hoods on the market today, which I do not understand. The purpose of a range hood should be to withdraw fumes and odors from the home completely to the outdoors. If yours are lingering for days, you either have a blockage or it is an unvented "recirculating" type range hood. I have never understood the marketing reason for a recirculating type as all it does is send the same fumes back into the home. A vented unit will have a discharge hood on the outside of your house. Unless of course, some birds or a squirrel have made a nest in it.
So,... not a silly question at all, as I have no idea why anyone would buy a recirculating type and it wouldn't serve your purposes, but some people find that is what they have installed. Sometimes there is a disconnect between the exhaust fan and the discharge terminal outside. That might require some troubleshooting to find out if the vent connecting the range hood to the terminal outside has become disconnected.
I'm the master at writing too much, never feel the need to apologize to me for that. Hope this helps. I like Lowe's these days too.
Happy holidays to you too!
Kind regards
The Gasman
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Dec 20 '09
5:58 pm PST
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Re: Re: Hi There Mr. Gasman! (Reply to this comment)
by Lark729_89
Hi there Mister Gasman!
I am very sorry I took so long to see if you responded to my comment. Health issues and Christmas shopping, decorating some, neighbors visiting and writing out cards have been taking my time. Yes, I have also been reading and rating reviews here a little at a time.
I thank you very much for your response. I believe I will invest in a new range hood. The odors go all over the house and upstairs very quickly now. Although they still permeated the house even when the fan worked but not as quickly... believe it or not, they did.
I would like to ask a question that may sound silly to you but "Where do the odors go when the fan is working and if they go inside the little silver vents in the hood, how does one clean it?"
Cooking a fried egg and boiling broccoli is horrible!! The odors stay in the house for 2 days even when I spray a natural citrus fragrance, boil orange and lemon peels, and light candles. I even fill the sink with a fragrant dishwashing liquid with Clorox bleach in very hot water and let the steam permeate the house.
Thanks again for your response. Perhaps you should start making an additional living for answering other people's questions. :)
Winter has arrived here after an October, November and part of December gorgeous spring weather (the spring we never got in April and May) and it will surely be a white Christmas as tonight the ocean air is bringing in fierce winds and another 2 foot blizzard like last December. (and to think last week was in the high 60's)
This little town's Lowe's and Home Depot may be closed down tomorrow. If not, I will be at either store to inquire about this useful hood. I think this would be a very useful Christmas present.
I promise I'll tell them that Mr. Gasman sent me. Who knows? If I spread the word we may have an electrician writing here at epinions :)
Do I write too much? Sorry.
Enjoy this festive season!
My best...
Carol
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Dec 19 '09
8:09 pm PST
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Re: Hi There Mr. Gasman! (Reply to this comment)
by the_gas_man
Hi Carol,
It's nice to know that some reviews are a bit timeless. Although this one has received a large number of hits, it didn't receive a large number of comments.
I believe that exhaust fans over stoves serve some use, when sized properly. They can carry away odors from various foods from fish to cabbage that seem to fill the home, sometimes for days. Electric ranges do not give off any dangerous odors, so there is no concern there.
The burnt odor you describe is likely from either a lack of use, or from previously spilled liquids boiling over and settling beneath the elements. A good quality exhaust fan will absolutely diminish that odor. However, one of the points of my review was to suggest that you really don't need a super powerful fan system, as they can work against the natural air infiltration of your home. Some of the newer ones are designed for extremely high airflow and are typically too much for the average homeowner.
For example, I recently changed mine to a combination Micro-wave/range hood to conserve some space in the kitchen and the exhaust fan is rated for about 250 CFM on high. I only use it when I'm doing some serious cooking, involving a few burners at the same time. I don't feel the need to turn it on if I'm simply doing a few boiled eggs.
Fixing an exhaust hood fan isn't economical these days. Prices are pretty good and you should be able to find a superior exhaust hood that perfectly replaces your existing hood for much less than the cost involved in having it repaired.
Cheaper fans with low CFM ratings tend to do nothing as you have surmised. However, a decent looking fan with lights and a low sound rating might cost you up to $200.00. The difference is that you will notice a drop in odors and the house will not experience depressurization. For that kind of money, I would even expect it to look nicer than your current burnt out unit.
I've seen some good quality units like what I've described above at Lowe's, and Home Depot. I prefer Lowe's these days.
Hope this helps, and all the best to you and yours this holiday season.
Regards.
The Gasman
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Dec 13 '09
4:27 pm PST
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Hi There Mr. Gasman! (Reply to this comment)
by Lark729_89
I cannot believe how your reviews get around.
7 whole years ago you wrote this one and people, including myself, are just reading it.
My stove exhaust fan stopped working months ago. I only use the light now when I'm cooking.
I have an electric range as well as electric heat. The burners have a burnt odor when I turn them on that permeates through my house and upstairs too.
I only have one question: Do I really need a new hood to my stove or should this one be fixed even though I thought the fan was doing nothing in the first place?
Great informative review! I shall be forwarding it to the many gas stove people I know.
Happy Holidays!
My best...
Carol
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Dec 12 '09
9:10 pm PST
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Re: Re: A question (Reply to this comment)
by the_gas_man
Dear Marar,
Thanks for your comment
In answer to your question, yes, an exhaust fan in the same room as the appliance that "may" be producing products of combustion that are not good for your health, will cause a negative effect on that room and will force fresh air to be drawn into that room, either from outdoors or from other rooms. So I would feel safer about a kitchen with a ceiling fan as opposed to no fan at all.
On one hand, we are discussing having too many exhaust fans in one home that may cause depressurization and draw back down, products of combustion that are bad for you health. On the other hand, if the home if relatively loose fitting, having a ceiling exhaust fan will help to ensure that products such as, carbon monoxide do not build up in the room.
There needs to be a clear balance between products of combustion being dumped into a room and the combined effects of all exhaust systems in the home.
I am a great believer in paying a little bit more in my energy cost to ensure my home is filled with fresh clean air. It's a small price to pay over the costs of those who seal up their doors and windows, at tremendous costs, only to find the air quality in their homes has been compromised.
Regards,
The Gasman
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Aug 29 '09
5:49 pm PDT
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Re: And how stand things in 2009? (Reply to this comment)
by the_gas_man
Hi Patrick,
Thanks for your question, but no, I have never heard of a case when the ventilation fan was left in the on position and actually "caused" a fire. The point of this piece was to suggest that the air quality in you home may be compromised by over-sized exhaust fans.
Regards,
The Gasman
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Aug 29 '09
5:36 pm PDT
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Re: A question (Reply to this comment)
by marar
Hi -
No one has answered my question yet, so I'll repeat it:
A question (Reply to this comment)
by marar
Thanks for your excellent & useful article. I was referred to it by the researcher at Build it Green, because I'm trying to avoid toxic fumes from my gas cookstove top burners.
Maybe you can answer a question : can I use a ceiling exhaust fan mounted over the stove, instead if getting a range hood ?
Using one which exhausts 100 to 250 cubic feet ? per (what was it?) ? thanks, Mara
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Aug 29 '09
10:42 am PDT
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And how stand things in 2009? (Reply to this comment)
by aohcapablanca
Brother Gas-Man,
This may be the most lucid, offbeat review you have ever done. Brilliant for its slant into subjects I have rarely seen treated, especially de-pressurization.
Dare we hope that there are helpful new gizmos and/or approaches in the seven years since this review went up?
I hold my breath in semi-Angst until you tackle this one again.
If a vent is on when a cook forgets to turn off the heat under a pot of pasta filling, to take an example, does the updraft/outdraft MEASURABLY increase the danger of a serious fire? Are there models that will shut themselves off if a fire starts?
Cordially,
AOHCAPABLANCA/patrick k
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Aug 28 '09
2:34 am PDT
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And how stand things in 2009? (Reply to this comment)
by aohcapablanca
Brother Gas-Man,
This may be the most lucid, offbeat review you have ever done. Brilliant for its slant into subjects I have rarely seen treated, especially de-pressurization.
Dare we hope that there are helpful new gizmos and/or approaches in the seven years since this review went up?
I hold my breath in semi-Angst until you tackle this one again.
If a vent is on when a cook forgets to turn off the heat under a pot of pasta filling, to take an example, does the updraft/outdraft MEASURABLY increase the danger of a serious fire? Are there models that will shut themselves off if a fire starts?
Cordially,
AOHCAPABLANCA/patrick k
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Aug 28 '09
2:27 am PDT
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Re: I don't agree. (Reply to this comment)
by the_gas_man
Since you also run the exhaust fan mostly at the lowest setting, I believe you do agree with my review.
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Aug 21 '08
6:41 am PDT
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Re: I don't agree. (Reply to this comment)
by the_gas_man
Since you bring in make up air from two sources, this review would not apply to you.
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Aug 21 '08
6:39 am PDT
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Re: I don't agree. (Reply to this comment)
by the_gas_man
Okay
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Aug 21 '08
6:36 am PDT
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I don't agree. (Reply to this comment)
by km9830
You can always reduce the fan speed. I have a 900 CFM blower, but use it only at quarter or a third speed, for most normal cooking, and the noise level also goes down.
But at times the full speed is really useful for certain types of cooking --- stir frying, deep frying, broiling, and grilling.
As for negative pressure, I don't have that problem because my house has two ducts just for make up air. Besides, the high speed is only used very seldom, perhaps less than an hour a week, over the long term, so it is not a big issue.
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Aug 19 '08
7:18 pm PDT
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A question (Reply to this comment)
by marar
Thanks for your excellent & useful article. I was referred to it by the researcher at Build it Green, because I'm trying to avoid toxic fumes from my gas cookstove top burners.
Maybe you can answer a question : can I use a ceiling exhaust fan mounted over the stove, instead if getting a range hood ?
Using one which exhausts 100 to 250 cubic feet ? per (what was it?) ? thanks, Mara
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Jul 20 '05
7:56 pm PDT
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What kind of range hood do we need then if we are using (Reply to this comment)
by stefpatag
one of those pro-style ranges? I intend to get a 48" Thermador rangetop with a wok burner, total BTU will be 90K. I have been told that I should get a 900CFM hood. What other information should I consider?
Thanks.
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Oct 13 '03
6:52 am PDT
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Re: Hi gas man! (Reply to this comment)
by the_gas_man
Hi Cyndi.
The WOT is not as important to me as some folk think. If someone trusts me,... great! If not,...too bad. I'm sure, I'm not one of "brightest stars" around this or any other site.
I just write about things I think I know, or feel about.
I hope some day, you "see" something special, just because, you "believed" it could be.
You've never been around "too many blocks". Before we all turn that last corner, there's always, one more block to see.
I appreciate the nice comments you left below. Take care.
Regards.
Gasman
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Sep 14 '02
9:57 pm PDT
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Hi gas man! (Reply to this comment)
by CyndiA
Now, I thought I had you on that Trust thing for a long time. So, that was an oversight. You are one of the brightest stars on the site and funny to boot. I had to think about your title on that last comment. Naw. I've walked around too many blocks to just flat out believe (-: I'll just tattoo it first and count it good.
Let me just on the record and say that when you put something up, then I feel totally comfortable sending anyone to read what you have to say. I may miss some pieces when I'm not in the market to buy, but I'm just darn thankful when you review anything I'm looking at.
I don't go all sappy on many members and I don't know you, but I know your name and figure that I'm "good" if you covered something.
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Sep 13 '02
4:53 pm PDT
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Re: Interesting (Reply to this comment)
by the_gas_man
Hi Lobstergirl,
I do know that they are a requirement in new homes or apartments being built. Part of the building codes. Every apartment I ever had when I was younger had one. I'm not absolutely sure, but, it probably depends upon the age of the building and local codes. Your building inspectors in the nearest municipal offices would be able to tell you if the landlord is required to provide one. All municipalities have minor differences in their requirements.
I think an exhaust hood, of some description, over a stove is more than just a good idea.
Thanks for your comments. Take care.
Regards,
Gasman
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Aug 22 '02
4:52 am PDT
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Interesting (Reply to this comment)
by Lobstergirl
This was absolutely fascinating. I had no idea the kinds of problems that could result from a too fancy range hood.
My problem is the opposite - I live in an apartment with no range hood. I didn't notice for awhile, not being very attuned to these kinds of things, but now it occurs to me that my lack of range hood is probably why my smoke detector went off every time I started to preheat my oven.
Thus my question, is a range hood necessary, i.e. more than just a good idea? I wonder if my landlord is obligated to provide one. It's certainly the first place I've ever lived in that didn't have one.
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Aug 21 '02
4:07 pm PDT
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Re: Your reviews are always filled with lots of really useful (Reply to this comment)
by the_gas_man
Hi Howard,
I appreciate your comments.
I left a comment on The Hawk's condition in the comments section of your last review, but in case you check back here, the news was good last week.
Old Ronnie's recovering in Toronto General Hospital and they think they got everything they opened him up for. A big picture of him sitting up smiling for the camera seemed to say it all. The "Big Rocker" doesn't seem to need him for the band yet.
He may well be one of the good ole boys from Arkansas, but look where he came for medical assistance. He knew his adopted home would take care of him. Or maybe it was just the free medicare in Ontario.
Thanks again for stopping by and commenting.
Regards,
Gasman
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Aug 21 '02
5:19 am PDT
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Your reviews are always filled with lots of really useful (Reply to this comment)
by Howard_Creech
advice and money saving tips. This review is no exception---thanks for all the valuable information. How is "the Hawk" doing?---Hopefully he won't be hearing from the big rocker anytime soon.
Howard
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Aug 20 '02
10:25 pm PDT
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Re: This was (Reply to this comment)
by the_gas_man
Hi Suz,
Glad you enjoyed it. It's a subject that's been bothering me, ever since a friend of mine bought one and the wind was whistling past me as they showed it off. Some of these products are absolute overkill for most homes.
Thanks for your comments, I haven't heard that phrase for awhile. How did that song go again? "Jumpin' Jack Flash, it's a gas!" *L*
Take care,
Regards,
Gasman
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Aug 20 '02
8:24 am PDT
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Re: Good to hear from (Reply to this comment)
by the_gas_man
Hi Carol,
I don't usually recommend heat pumps, especially in conjunction with a high efficiency furnace. You sound like a service persons dream customer, ready to pay for all of the highest tech equipment and pay again for the service charges that are sure to follow.
If you have a conventional furnace now with a conventional split system cooling unit, you would be better off looking at more conventional up to date products. I assume it's a gas furnace. Conventional gas furnaces are more or less the same efficiencies as what was once thought of as mid efficiency. Trust me, buy a conventional furnace and enjoy fewer service problems for slightly higher operating costs, which are offset somewhat by the lower cost of the furnace.
A number of condensing furnaces still have shorter life expectancies than conventional furnaces and are definitely more costly to maintain. Standard maintenance and emergency service calls will eat up any potential fuel savings very quickly.
What did you mean by, "you again"? Did you miss me? *L*
Regards,
Gasman
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Aug 20 '02
8:18 am PDT
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This was (Reply to this comment)
by Suzer
a gas! Seriously, this is a very well written, informative review. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge!
Suz
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Aug 19 '02
9:21 pm PDT
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Good to hear from (Reply to this comment)
by remnjava
you again. All prices are CDN?
We have an exhaust fan above our stove, nice wooden cover. We rarely use it. Nothing better than the smell of home cooking.
I will probably look a little closer at your reviews in the near future. We will be replacing our central air/heat within the next 5 years. Our heat exchanger is beginning to rust. We are considering a high efficiency unit, along with a possible heat pump. I think I've heard heat pumps take a lot of electricity? Maybe I've interpreted the data incorrectly.
TTYL
Carol
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Aug 19 '02
3:59 pm PDT
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