Can I install my range hood over an open fire?
It is not recommended. An open fire produces intense heat and it may damage your hood. Instead, mount your hood over an outdoor propane or gas grill. These grills allow you to control the heat more easily and they are the much safer choice for your outdoor kitchen.
At Proline Range Hoods, we often hear from our customers: why can’t I mount my range hood over an open fire grill or campfire?
There are a number of reasons why.
There is no way to regulate the heat coming from a fire.
The heat from a fire is constantly changing. It does not take much time for the heat from open flames to rise to dangerous temperatures that will damage any range hood.
Fire will become hotter over time and can reach temperatures of 600 to 800 degrees.
600 to 800 degrees is much too hot for a range hood to be exposed to regularly.
Compare this to your average residential range, which can heat up to a max of about 550º F. But unlike a stove, which you can monitor closely and control, a fire is more difficult to manage. At 600+ degrees Fahrenheit, an open fire could melt all the internal components of your range hood.
Fire does not have a CFM rating and thus it cannot be measured or regulated.
Fire is unpredictable, so you will never be sure about the exact intensity of the heat coming from it on any given day. As a result, you can’t guarantee that your range hood will always vent all of the smoke and chemicals outside your cooking space.
A hood will only work over a fire if it has completely remote components and the lights are explosion-proof.
Installing a hood over an open fire is not recommended, but some range hoods are built to withstand the intense heat. The control panels and touch panels, on the other hand, are more fragile. They must be remote – mounted on a wall, far away from the heat. Likewise, LED and Halogen lights do not handle heat well, so you will need to invest in some heatproof and explosion-proof lighting.
We recommend a chimney over a fire pit grill.
If you can’t mount a range hood over an open flame, you still have to clear your cooking space of the unwanted contaminants and chemicals somehow.
A chimney is a more durable, heat-proof solution than a range hood when you are cooking with an open flame.
Outdoor Kitchen Ventilation Requirements
To vent your outdoor kitchen properly, consider the following recommendations:
Purchase a range hood.
When using a stainless steel grill in your outdoor kitchen, a range hood is the perfect solution. In an outdoor environment, ventilation is crucial to keeping your kitchen air clean and fresh. It also helps you breathe easier and is beneficial for your long-term health.
We don’t recommend installing a hood over an open flame.
Duct your range hood to the outside.
Ducting your range hood to the outside is essential for outdoor hoods. Outdoor grills produce a lot of smoke, and a ductless hood simply won’t have the firepower to vent it out of your kitchen.
Use rigid ductwork.
Rigid ductwork is the most durable ductwork that you can buy. When venting an outdoor grill, durability is one of the most important factors to consider. Flex ductwork is far too flimsy and it will not last you for years.
Best Outdoor Vent Hoods
When buying an outdoor vent hood, consider ductwork and CFM above all else. Beyond that, you can consider the style, control panel, lighting, and much more.
We reviewed four of the best outdoor vent hoods on the market in this complete article. You won’t want to miss it.
Browse our professional quality outdoor range hoods by clicking on the banner below.
Range Hood Clearance Above Gas Stove
Mount your range hood between 28 and 36 inches above your gas stove indoors and between 36 and 42 inches above your gas stove in an outdoor kitchen.
We often hear from customers about gas stoves and range hoods. After all, gas stoves are incredibly popular home appliances in today’s kitchens.
To help answer these questions, we created an extensive ultimate guide on the best range hoods for gas stoves. Check it out!
That concludes our article on installing your hood over an open fire. Always be cautious when deciding on the best place to install your range hood. An enjoyable cooking experience is important, but not as important as the safety of your friends and family.
If you have any questions about where to mount your outdoor range hood, feel free to call us at (877) - 901 - 5530. Talk to you soon!
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