Commercial range hood

Types of Commercial Range Hoods

The main purpose of a commercial range hood is to ventilate the cooking area. This is because cooking often releases harmful fumes and steam. Additionally, commercial range hoods provide a cleaner and safer environment for the commercial kitchen staff. They also help prevent fire hazards by eliminating any chances of grease igniting.

All range hoods for commercial kitchens have certain features in common. They usually have stronger exhaust fans and filters to get rid of the grease, smoke, and steam produced during cooking. They are also bigger than the residential ones. Commercial range hoods come in various designs and configurations, including:

• Wall-mounted hoods: These range hoods are usually fixed on walls and are found in most commercial kitchens. They are also hooded and provide excellent ventilation. Wall-mounted hoods are suitable for establishments with limited space on either side of the cooking equipment.
• Islands range hoods: An island range hood is usually installed over an island cooking area. It is different from the wall-mounted hood because it is not attached to any wall. For this reason, an island hood provides unobstructed ventilation and coverage on all sides. The hoods come in various shapes, such as rectangles, pyramids, and cones.
• Proximity hoods: Proximity hoods can be installed close to the cooking surface. They are space-efficient solutions suitable for commercial kitchens with limited overhead space. Even though they take up less space, proximity hoods provide less ventilation compared to the others.
• Dual grill range hoods: Dual grill range hoods are typically used in commercial kitchens that prepare large quantities of food. They have two grills or venting sections to increase their capacity and efficiency. This commercial kitchen equipment can be found in restaurants, catering services, and other heavy-duty cooking establishments.
• Modular hoods: Modular hoods consist of separate venting modules that can be combined in various configurations. The flexibility allows buyers to customize it based on their kitchen's needs. Modular hoods provide efficient ventilation and can be found in cooking areas with grills, fryers, and other bulky equipment.
• Downdraft hoods: Downdraft hoods are different from the others because they are installed beside or behind the cooking equipment. They draw smoke, steam, and odor downwards for efficient ventilation. Typically, restaurants and hotels that need less overhead ventilation opt for downdraft hoods.

Function and features of commercial range hood

A commercial cooker hood has many useful functions. It can make the air safer and more pleasant to breathe. It also helps protect the building from fire hazards. Here are some important functions of restaurant range hoods:

• Eliminating Smoke and Odors

  During cooking, a lot of smoke and strong smells are released into the air. If nothing is done to vent them out, they can become very unpleasant and get stuck in the air. Fortunately, commercial range hoods are made to remove all the awful odors and troublesome smoke produced in kitchens. They do this effectively through powerful ventilating. Proper ventilation prevents smoke and odors from lingering in the air, thus keeping the kitchen and dining areas comfortable and fresh.

• Removing Harmful Grease and Vapors

  When food is being cooked, especially over high flames, greasy vapors get released into the air. If the grease vapors are allowed to build up, they can pose serious fire risks. The commercial range hood effectively prevents the dangerous grease build-up by removing the vapors from the air. This makes the restaurant kitchen safer by reducing fire hazards and promoting better air quality.

• Preventing Kitchen Fires

  The range hood is an important part of fire safety in commercial kitchens. It helps protect against kitchen fires by removing smoke, grease, and vapors that can cause a fire. Some range hoods also have fire suppression systems installed. These built-in fire suppression systems can help put out any small fires that start in the kitchen before they become bigger, dangerous fires. The hoods also help keep the kitchen air ventilated and the temperatures lower, reducing the chances of a fire starting.

• Grease Filtration

  Range hoods have grease filters for capturing the grease that gets released into the air while cooking. The filters trap the grease so that it doesn't build up in other parts of the hood or venting system. Removing the grease promotes safer, healthier kitchens. Also, proper grease filtration keeps the ventilation system working well and reduces any fire risks caused by grease. Some common types of grease filters are stainless steel and baffle filters. These filters are made for filtering out the grease.

Scenarios

• Busy restaurants:

  In commercial kitchens, numerous dishes are often prepared simultaneously; hence, range hoods are necessary to maintain a healthy cooking environment.

• Cafeterias:

  In most case, large-scale food preparation is usually done in cafeterias, producing a lot of heat and cooking fumes. Commercial kitchen hoods are therefore essential to eliminate such heat and fumes.

• Banquet facilities:

  In facilities where large functions are held and food is served, there are typically commercial kitchens with a high concentration of heat, steam, and cooking odors. Range hoods are therefore necessary for proper exhaust ventilation.

• Food processing plants:

  They contain numerous commercial cooking appliances that produce vapors, fumes, and odors that need to be removed.

• Catering companies:

  They prepare large quantities of food, usually in commercial kitchens. A lot of heat, steam, and cooking odors are produced that need to be ventilated with a commercial range hood.

• Hospitality industry:

  Hotels and resorts have restaurants where a lot of cooking is done. Also, people who operate lodges and self-catering apartments usually install commercial range hoods in their kitchens to ventilate them.

• Medical facilities:

  Hospitals, for example, have cafeterias where a lot of cooking is done. Also, some kitchens in medical facilities are equipped with commercial cooking appliances, which need range hoods for proper ventilation.

• Institutional kitchens:

  Kitchens in schools, universities, and other institutions usually have a high volume of cooking, requiring range hoods to eliminate heat, smoke, and cooking odors.

• Industrial kitchens:

  Factories that have kitchens for their employees usually install range hoods to ventilate them.

How to choose a commercial range hood?

When buying a kitchen range hood for a commercial kitchen, there are some things business buyers must keep in mind to ensure they pick well-suited options for their kitchen setup. Here are some of them.

• Ventilation type: Depending on the cooking style and kitchen layout, buyers may go for ducted, ductless, or hybrid range hoods. Ducted hoods will be best if there is an existing ventilation system. For kitchens without ducts, ductless hoods are the better choice. But when buyers want a hood that combines the good traits of both options, they will prefer hybrid range hoods.
• Size: The range hood size should fit the cooktop or stovetop size. It should also fit well between commercial kitchen spaces without compromising functionality.
• Installation height: Check the installation height. It should be easy to install and retrofit to existing installation points. Also, commercial kitchen hoods have to comply with local regulations and codes.
• Suction power: The suction power, or ventilation capacity, has to match the needs of the kitchen space. So buyers should figure out the airflow needs first. Then they can look at the range hood's CFM ratings to find a good match.
• Noise level: Noise level matters a lot in commercial kitchens with open cooking areas. Restaurant owners would rather have range hoods that keep noise levels low.
• Grease filter: Owners will choose between mesh and baffle filters. Some might even want hoods with removable filters so staff can clean them easily.
• Material: Hood construction and materials have to be durable. Most buyers stick with stainless steel because it is corrosion-resistant and won't warp or crack under harsh cooking conditions.
• Compliance and certifications: Check that the hood complies with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards and local building codes. Also, make sure it holds certifications from the relevant bodies.
• Other features: Other features, like lighting, controls, and style, affect how the hood works. So, business buyers think about these features before making a purchase.

Hood Commercial Range Q&A

Q1 - What is the difference between commercial and residential range hoods?

A1 - The key differences between commercial and residential range hoods include material, construction, power, and ability to filter grease and smoke. Commercial hoods are made with thicker stainless steel, and have more durable ducting systems than the ones used in homes. They also have more powerful motors and higher CFM.

Q2 - What are the essential components of a commercial range hood?

A2 - The main parts of a commercial range hood include the hood itself, fan, filters, ductwork, and blowout panel. Vents and lighting are also important components of the range.

Q3 - Why do commercial range hoods have different discharge configurations?

A3 - The discharge configuration must match local code requirements and the layout of the kitchen. Each configuration excels in different areas. For example, horizontal discharge hoods have a compact design, making them efficient for restaurants with limited space. They are also easier to maintain. Vertical discharge hoods, on the other hand, are best for commercial kitchens. They efficiently remove smoke, grease, and heat from the air and transfer them into the roof for exhaust. It is important to consult a professional before deciding on a discharge configuration.

Q4 - Is it mandatory to clean commercial hoods?

A4 - Yes, it is mandatory to clean commercial hoods regularly to avoid kitchen fires. The range hoods must be cleaned according to NFPA 96 standards.

Q5 - What are some key features to look for in a commercial hood?

A5 - The key features of commercial range hoods include fan speed control, automatic cleaning, variable air management, and heat sensors. Many models also have stainless steel baffles and grease containment systems.