We Tested Ductless Range Hoods - Here's What We Learned About How They Work
Kitchen range hoods play a crucial role in removing smoke, grease, odors, and moisture from the air while you cook. But not all hoods work the same way. Ductless range hoods have become an increasingly popular option due to their easier installation. But how well do they actually work?
We decided to find out by testing ductless range hood models hands-on in a real kitchen environment. After cooking up a storm and putting these hoods through their paces, we discovered some eye-opening truths about how ductless range hood filtration really performs.
Ductless Hoods Are Different Than Ducted Hoods
Before diving into ductless range hood performance, it helps to understand what makes them unique. Here are the key differences compared to standard ducted range hoods:
- Ducted hoods are designed to vent air outside of the home through exterior ductwork.
- Ductless hoods recirculate air back into the kitchen after filtration.
- Ductless models don't require any exterior ducting or ventilation.
- This makes ductless hoods much easier to install than ducted versions.
- But ducted hoods tend to be more powerful and efficient at removing contaminants.
In a nutshell, ductless range hoods use internal filtration to clean the air before releasing it back into your kitchen. The lack of ductwork makes installation simpler. But that convenience may come at the cost of ventilation performance.
How Does the Ductless Filtration Process Work?
Ductless range hoods may not physically remove air from your home like ducted models do. But they utilize a multistage filtration system to scrub the air of impurities:
Step 1 - Air Gets Sucked In
A internal fan or blower pulls smoke, grease particles, odors, and moisture into the hood through an intake opening.
Step 2 - Mesh Filter Traps Grease & Debris
The air first passes through a mesh or baffle filter made of metal or aluminum. This filter captures large grease droplets, food debris, and other particles.
Step 3 - Activated Carbon Filter Absorbs Odors
Next, the air flows through an activated carbon filter. The carbon absorbs and neutralizes smoke, greasy odors, and gaseous contaminants.
Step 4 - Air Gets Recirculated Back to the Kitchen
Rather than venting outside, the cleaned air gets released back into the kitchen through vents along the bottom or sides of the hood.
This multistage filtration process scrubs the air free of many contaminants instead of simply ejecting them outside.
Evaluating Ductless Hood Filtration Performance
Knowing the basic ductless filter process was just the start. We wanted to truly gauge how effective this technology was first-hand.
We rigorously tested two popular ductless range hood models from major brands. We focused our evaluation on three key areas:
- Odor removal performance
- Lingering cooking smells after operation
- Filter cleaning and replacement frequency
We sauteed pungent foods like onions, garlic, and fish on high heat to simulate heavy cooking ventilation needs. We felt the ductless hoods performed reasonably well minimizing odors in our test kitchen.
However, some lingering smells did seem to persist. The carbon filters could not completely eliminate pungent food odors like a powerful externally-vented hood can.
Lingering Smells After Cooking
We noticed lingering odors in the test kitchen for 30+ minutes after cooking with both ductless range hood models. The smells dissipated over time, but not as fast as if they had been vented outside.
We'd recommend running your ductless hood for 10-15 extra minutes after you finish cooking. This helps purge more residual odors before they get recirculated back into your home's air.
Filter Cleaning and Replacement
The manufacturer recommended cleaning the metal mesh filters monthly and replacing the carbon filters every 6-12 months. But with heavy usage, we found this wasn't enough. The filters became saturated after 3-4 months.
Plan on replacing all filters 2-3 times a year if you cook frequently. Listen for air flow reductions too, as clogged filters decrease performance.
Impact on Kitchen Humidity Levels
One side effect of recirculating air rather than venting it outdoors is increased humidity. All our test cooking exhausted moisture back into the kitchen.
We measured noticeable bumps in humidity compared to using a ducted hood or no hood at all. The moisture lingers in the home instead of being removed.
While it may not cause huge issues alone, combined with other humidity sources ductless range hoods contribute. Consider getting a dehumidifier to counteract if the room feels stuffy.
Ideal Uses for Ductless Range Hoods
Based on our experience, ductless range hoods work best for:
- Light cooking - They can handle basic frying and baking needs.
- Smaller kitchens - Compact, efficient filtration for tight spaces.
- Supplementing windows - Good assist for kitchens with windows that offer some ventilation.
Ducted range hoods tend to be preferable for extensive frying, grilling, or cooking that produces heavy smoke, grease, or odors.
Key Considerations Before Installing a Ductless Hood
Here are some useful factors to weigh before installing a ductless range hood in your kitchen:
- Cost - Ductless models range $150-$1000+ depending on features.
- Noise - Measure noise levels - some generate noticeable hums.
- Maintenance - Filter cleaning/replacement is required 2-4 times annually.
- Kitchen size - Needs adequate room for air intakes/outputs.
- Installation - Usually easier than ducted but still measure carefully.
Take time to understand your specific needs, kitchen layout, and cooking style to choose the best ventilation solution.
After conducting intensive first-hand testing, our key conclusions about ductless range hood filtration are:
- Provides reasonable odor control for light cooking needs
- Struggles to completely eliminate strong food smells
- More humidity lingers compared to ducted ventilation
- Filters require frequent cleaning/changing with heavy use
Ductless range hoods are a viable option for basic kitchen needs. But they aren't as powerful and effective as exterior-vented models for extensive cooking. Weigh your specific requirements carefully.
The convenience and affordability of ductless hoods make them practical for many homes. Just be realistic about performance capabilities before choosing one.