The Savior of Open Kitchens: How Modern Range Hoods Improve Air Quality in Open Spaces

Open kitchens are super popular in today’s homes. They make the kitchen look big and let you cook, eat, and hang out with your family or friends all in one space. But there is one main problem, when you cook, smoke, smells, and grease can spread all over your home.

That’s where range hoods come to the rescue. Range hoods help keep your kitchen air clean by sucking up smoke, smells, and grease. They don’t just get rid of the bad stuff; they make sure your air stays fresh and safe to breathe. In this article, we’ll talk about how range hoods improve your air, what happens if you don’t use one, and if you are looking to buy a range hood, we will look into the top 2 best choices to choose from.

Why Air Quality is Important in Open Kitchens

When you cook, it’s not just food you’re making. You’re also creating steam, smoke, and tiny grease particles that get into the air. Some of these things can be bad for you to breathe, like carbon monoxide from gas stoves. In a closed kitchen, these stay in one room, but in an open kitchen, they can go everywhere.

Breathing dirty air can cause problems. It can make your eyes or throat feel scratchy, and over time, it might make you or your family sick. If you cook a lot, keeping the air clean is really important, and that’s why range hoods are so helpful.

How Range Hoods Help Clean the Air     

Range hoods are like a kitchen’s superhero. Here’s how they keep your air clean:

1. Getting Rid of Smoke and Smells:When you cook, smoke and smells rise from the food. The range hood sucks them up before they spread all over the house. Some hoods send the smoke outside through a pipe, while others filter it and push clean air back into your kitchen.
2. Catching Grease in the Air:Frying food sends little grease droplets into the air, which can stick to your cabinets, countertops, and even your furniture. A range hood catches that grease before it can make a mess, keeping your kitchen cleaner.
3. Removing Bad Chemicals:Cooking, especially on gas stoves, releases harmful things like carbon monoxide. Range hoods remove these, making the air safer to breathe.
4. Controlling Steam and Moisture:Cooking makes steam, and too much moisture in your kitchen can cause problems like mold. Range hoods suck up the steam, keeping your kitchen dry and safe from mold.
5. Moving Air Around:Range hoods help the air move so your kitchen and living areas don’t feel stuffy. This makes the space more comfortable.

What Happens if You Don’t Use a Range Hood

Not using a range hood can cause a lot of problems. Here are some of the risks:

1. Health Problems:Without a range hood, the smoke and chemicals from cooking stay in the air. Breathing these can make you feel sick, especially if you have asthma or allergies. Over time, these pollutants can cause serious health issues.
2. Too Much Humidity:Cooking creates steam. If it doesn’t have a way to escape, it can make your home too humid, which can lead to mold. Mold is bad for your health and can damage your home.
3. Grease Buildup:Without a range hood, grease from cooking will stick to your cabinets, walls, and even furniture. Over time, it becomes a sticky mess that’s hard to clean and makes your kitchen look dirty.
4. Fire Hazards:Grease buildup near the stove can cause dangerous fires. If it gets too close to a heat source, it can catch fire easily. A range hood removes grease, making your kitchen safer.
5. Bad Smells:Strong cooking smells, like from fish or bacon, can make your whole house stink. Without a range hood, the smells will stay and get into your furniture and clothes, making your home less pleasant.

The Benefits of Using a Range Hood

Here are five great reasons why a range hood is helpful:

1. Cleaner Air to Breathe:A range hood pulls out all the bad stuff from the air, like smoke, steam, and grease. Breathing in cleaner air is much healthier and makes cooking more comfortable, especially if you or someone in your home has asthma or allergies.
2. No More Lingering Odors:Without a range hood, strong cooking smells can stay in your home for hours or days. A range hood sucks up these smells right away, so they don’t hang around. This keeps your house smelling fresh, and your furniture won’t absorb food odors.
3. Less Cleaning After Cooking:When you fry food or cook with oil, grease gets into the air and sticks to everything. A range hood catches this grease before it settles on your cabinets, countertops, and walls. This means less cleaning for you and a cleaner kitchen.
4. Lower Humidity in the Kitchen:Cooking with steam can make your kitchen damp and humid. Too much humidity can lead to mold. A range hood helps by sucking up the steam, keeping the air dry and preventing mold.
5. Safer Cooking Environment:Grease and smoke in the air aren’t just bad for breathing—they can also be dangerous. Grease can catch fire easily, especially near the stove. A range hood helps remove grease and smoke, making your kitchen safer to cook in.

Top Range Hoods To Choose From

CBBEH392B Induction Extractor Hob (Domino)

The CBBEH392B is a small, modern stove that also acts as an air cleaner. It heats your food quickly and evenly, so you can control the temperature better when cooking. The best part? It has a built-in extractor that takes away smoke and smells right where you’re cooking, so you don’t need a separate range hood. This makes the air in your kitchen cleaner. It's simple and stylish design fits nicely in any kitchen, especially smaller ones. Learn more about this product here.

CAS75918A 30-Inch Ultra Slim Under Cabinet Range Hood

The CAS75918A is a very slim range hood that fits under your kitchen cabinet. Even though it’s small, it’s powerful at cleaning the air. It sucks up smoke, steam, and smells from cooking, keeping your kitchen fresh and clean. This range hood is perfect if you want something that works well but doesn’t take up too much space. It’s easy to install, easy to use, and it helps prevent grease and steam from building up in your kitchen. Learn more about this product here.

Conclusion

Range hoods are the heroes of open kitchens. They don’t just stop smoke and smells; they keep your kitchen’s air clean, safe, and fresh. Without a range hood, your kitchen air can get polluted, greasy, and unhealthy. But with one, you get a cleaner kitchen, healthier air, and a safer place to cook. So, if you’re looking for a range hood, remember to choose one that’s powerful enough, the right size, and fits your kitchen’s style. With the right range hood, you can enjoy your open kitchen without worrying about smoke, smells, or dirty air.