Should an island range hood be wider than your cooking surface?

In an open-concept kitchen, it’s recommended to choose an island range hood that is equal to or slightly wider than your cooking surface. Unlike a wall-mounted hood, it doesn’t have a back wall to help contain smoke. Steam and odours therefore disperse more easily around the space.

If your cooktop measures 30 inches, a 30-inch hood can work, but a 36-inch model improves side capture. For a 36-inch cooking surface, a 36-inch hood is the minimum recommended, while a 42-inch format offers better control during more intense cooking, particularly with gas.

What CFM rating should you choose for an island range hood?

For a hood installed in the centre of the room, you generally need more power than with a wall-mounted model. Air circulates freely around the cooking surface, which requires extraction capacity that matches how you cook.

If you use a standard electric cooktop for moderate cooking, airflow between 400 and 600 CFM may be sufficient. However, if you frequently cook with gas and use high-output burners, a model rated at 600 CFM will provide more effective ventilation and help reduce the spread of odours throughout your open space.