Proline's Best Outdoor Range Hoods (2024) Our Favorite Vent Hoods
Creating an exceptional outdoor kitchen involves more than just top-of-the-line grills and appliances. It's about crafting an immersive culinary experience that seamlessly blends style, functionality, and a smoke-free environment. At Proline, we understand the pivotal role a high-quality range hood plays in achieving this perfect harmony. That's why we only make the best quality a collection of outdoor range hoods that not only excel in performance but also embody the essence of elegant design. Read to the end for answers to questions about size and maintenance of outdoor vent hoods too.
Our top four favorites, the PLJW bbq.42, PLJW 129.42, PLJW 104.48, and PLJW 109.48, represent the pinnacle of outdoor ventilation. Crafted from premium 304 stainless steel, these range hoods are engineered to clear the most intense cooking exhaust, withstand the elements, and elevate the aesthetic appeal of your outdoor culinary haven without sounding like you are standing on the tarmac of your favorite airport.
Uncompromising Power: The PLJW bbq.42 and PLJW 129.42ss
For those who demand nothing less than the ultimate in ventilation prowess, the PLJW bbq.42 and PLJW 129.42ss models are sure to exceed your expectations. Boasting an impressive 2000 CFM (cubic feet per minute) dual blower system, these behemoths effortlessly clear even the densest smoke and odors, ensuring your outdoor cooking sessions remain a pleasure.
Above is the PLJW bbq.42 in a customer's outdoor grilling setup.
While both models share this impressive airflow capacity, they cater to different preferences when it comes to control interfaces. The PLJW bbq.42 features a sleek LCD touch panel, offering a modern and intuitive control experience. In contrast, the PLJW 129.42ss opts for classic push-button controls, appealing to those who prefer a more traditional approach.
Love this photo of a 129.42ss on one of our customer's back decks!
Seamless integration is a hallmark of these range hoods, with their classic lines allowing for a streamlined installation in your outdoor kitchen layout. Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue or preparing a gourmet meal al fresco, these powerful ventilation systems ensure a consistently fresh and enjoyable atmosphere.
Robust Performance: The PLJW 104.48
If your outdoor cooking needs call for a slightly lower CFM rating but still demand robust performance, the PLJW 104.48 is a versatile choice that won't disappoint. This 48-inch range hood packs a punch with its 1200 CFM dual blower system, providing ample ventilation capacity to keep your outdoor cooking area free from lingering smoke and odors.
Ease of use is a priority with the PLJW 104.48, featuring backlit knob controls and four speed settings that allow you to tailor the ventilation to your specific cooking requirements. Whether you're searing steaks or simmering sauces, this range hood ensures a comfortable and enjoyable culinary experience.
Outdoor Versatility: The PLJW 109.48ss
For those seeking the ultimate outdoor grilling hood, the PLJW 109.48ss stands out as a true showstopper. This multitalented 48-inch hood has heat lamp sockets that allow you more flexibility in your grilling experience by adding warming lamps. You can keep your food warm while you grill other items or pre-heat plates for a delightful presentation of your hard cooked meal.
Boasting a commercial-grade 2000 CFM dual blower system, the PLJW 109.48ss rivals the ventilation power of any hood on the market, ensuring that even the most intense cooking sessions are met with unwavering performance.
An intuitive LCD touchscreen control panel provides precise command over the four speed levels and built-in LED lighting, allowing you to customize the atmosphere to your liking.
Prioritizing Convenience and Durability
Across our entire range of outdoor hoods, we prioritize features that enhance convenience and longevity. Our dishwasher-safe baffle filters and highest-quality stainless steel make maintenance a breeze.
While higher CFM models may produce slightly more noise due to their powerful ventilation capabilities, our engineers have meticulously designed these range hoods to operate within fantastic noise levels at low speeds, and acceptable volume at the highest speeds, ensuring your outdoor culinary sessions remain enjoyable and free from disruptive sounds.
Why do I need an outdoor range hood?
An outdoor range hood will clear heavy smoke, grease, chemicals, and other toxins from your outdoor kitchen. It will also keep the area smelling fresh. In addition, an outdoor vent hood will remove grease and dirt, which would otherwise settle on and ruin the surrounding surfaces like the ceiling, appliances, and countertops over time.
We wrote a more in-depth article that covers this question specifically here. Check it out!
How do I choose an outdoor range hood?
You may have seen this video before; it’s one of the most popular videos on our YouTube channel: How to Choose A Range Hood - Buyer’s Guide.
We don’t go into specific detail about outdoor vent hoods, though, and there are a few more things to consider before purchasing your outdoor hood.
- An outdoor hood must duct to the outside, so make sure you have room for ductwork and a place to vent the cooking exhaust to another area outside your home.
- Your outdoor range hood should be rated 1200+ CFM to handle the intense heat of your bbq grill.
- Look for a hood that is ‘outdoor-rated.’ Outdoor hoods have to withstand the elements in addition to a lot of heat. They endure a lot so it is important to find a hood built with the appropriate materials – more durable materials than indoor range hoods. Proline’s outdoor hoods are built with 304 stainless steel which is heat and scratch-resistant. It will last you for years to come.
Some of Our Outdoor Customer Reviews
“I have had a Proline outdoor hood for 4 years. It is a great product and customer service with Proline is knowledgeable and helpful. They were always available to answer my questions during initial installation and had a quick turn around on a switch I needed to replace after 4 years of operation. It was out of warranty but they sent it to me for free. Excellent product and company.” - Byron K.
“My Proline range hood is great. I've had the hood in my outdoor kitchen for over 2 years and it works like it did on day one. Just had to call customer service for the first time, and they were very knowledgeable and addressed my question on the spot. Highly recommend their product.” - Mike L.
“Phenomenal hood for my outdoor BBQ. Efficiently clears the smoke for a pleasurable experience outdoors. Customer service is awesome, quickly responded to questions I had.” - Kevin W.
“The sleek but professional look makes our entertaining space look fabulous. The stainless baffle filters are easy to remove and clean and the fan blower is quiet but effective. Customer service was awesome in getting the product to me in time for my contractors to install.” - Eric S.
“I LOVE my outdoor proline hood that I purchased for my outdoor kitchen.” - Frank M.
“Purchased the 48" Professional Outdoor Island Range Hood. The ordering process was great. The product arrived on time and well packed. The hood is well built. Would recommend!” - Michael B.
“It's great, powerful enough to pull the smoke out of the Lanai and give us a clean grilling experience! It looks nice, it works and we love it!” - Maria S.
“The product is well built and does a great job and customer service was very helpful in picking the right vent a hood.” - David M.
How to Measure for Your Outdoor Range Hood
Like choosing your outdoor vent hood, measuring for it is slightly different than for an indoor hood. There are a few additional things to consider.
Mounting Height
Your outdoor hood should be installed between 36” and 42” away from the cooktop. While this may seem like a lot, this maximizes the efficiency of your outdoor hood, allowing it to catch a majority of the smoke from your grill.
It also decreases the risk of damaging your hood. You don’t want it too close to your hot grill.
For more information, read our comprehensive guide on range hood mounting height here.
Ductwork
Unlike indoor hoods, an outdoor hood must duct to the outside. Ductless hoods simply do not have enough power and do not clean the surrounding air thoroughly enough to be used outdoors.
This means you’ll have to purchase ductwork. You don’t want ductwork over about 50’ or ductwork that has more than two elbows to keep the air moving efficiently. For more information on sizing your ductwork, check out our comprehensive guide at this link.
What’s your kitchen setup?
Maybe you want to cover a grill and a green egg; we see this combination a lot in outdoor kitchens at Proline. In that case, you’ll definitely want a 48” or larger hood. Or perhaps you want to purchase two vent hoods because you own two grills.
Because of the sheer size of grills and the additional space that you have available in outdoor kitchens, larger hoods and double hoods are more common. So, consider this: what setup do you want in your outdoor kitchen?
Mistakes to Avoid When Buying or Installing Your Outdoor Range Hood
You purchased an indoor-rated hood.
We mentioned this earlier, but it’s important. Vent hoods built for indoor use simply won’t last long in a volatile outdoor setting.
You bought a hood that is too small.
Your outdoor hood should extend 6 inches beyond your range on each side. For example, if you have a 36” range, your outdoor hood should measure at least 48”.
We discuss this more in our extensive guide on sizing your indoor and outdoor range hoods; it is available here.
You did not plan for ductwork.
Generally, outdoor vent hoods are more expensive than indoor hoods, because they all require ductwork. Before you or your contractor proceeds with your installation, you’ll want to make sure that you have an exterior wall to run ductwork to another outside area of your home.
You’ll also want to make sure that you know how long your ductwork needs to be and how many elbows you will require. Too many elbows won’t allow the air to move smoothly; neither will a ductwork run that is too long (30’+).
For a comprehensive list of outdoor range hood installation tips, check out this article.
How to Maintain Your Outdoor Range Hood
We have several resources available to help you maintain your outdoor range hood. Feel free to browse them at the end of this section. We’ll emphasize some of the most important things to watch for to maintain your outdoor vent hood properly.
If you use your grill frequently, look inside your range hood at the filters every 2-3 weeks. If grease is building up, remove them and wash them in the dishwasher. Also, wipe down the outside of your hood with glass cleaner to keep it shiny and in good condition.
The most important thing to remember is to be consistent when cleaning your outdoor range hood.
While you can go a month to six weeks without cleaning your filters for an indoor hood (depending on your cooking style), you likely won’t be able to go that long without cleaning them for an outdoor hood – especially if you cook greasy foods frequently.
Take a few minutes and make a quick schedule or set calendar notifications every 2-4 weeks depending on your cooking style.
For more resources on how to clean your range hood, check out the links below:
How to Clean Your Range Hood
How to Clean the Inside of Your Range Hood
How to Clean a Stainless Steel Range Hood
How to Clean Range Hood Filters
How to Clean Range Hood Motors
This wraps up our article on the best outdoor vent hoods from Proline Range Hoods. If you have any questions about your range hood, call us at (877) 901-5530 and we’ll be happy to help. Be sure to check out more customer reviews, some of our FAQ, and other range hood articles below! Thanks for reading!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert my vent hood from indoor to outdoor?
Unfortunately, you can’t convert a hood from indoor to outdoor use. Outdoor hoods, unlike indoor hoods, are manufactured in a more durable outdoor-rated stainless steel to handle the intense heat and fumes of your grill.
If you’re looking for an outdoor range hood, aim for 1200+ CFM, mount it 36”-42” away from the cooktop, and be sure it extends 6” past your range on each side.
What is the best outdoor grill vent hood for the price?
The best outdoor grill vent hood for the price is the PLJW 105 304 SS. At 2000 CFM, this outdoor vent hood offers professional quality at a bargain price.
When does an outdoor grill need a hood vent?
Your outdoor grill needs a hood vent when your grill or cooktop has adjacent walls, a ceiling, or an overhang above it. Otherwise, you will get smoke and grease all over the grill and surrounding surfaces. Additionally, the cooking smells will linger for several days.
How deep should my vent hood be for outdoor use?
Typical outdoor range hoods extend between one-half and 3/4 the depth of your range. You might see outdoor island hoods that extend out to the end of the range, but not over the range.
What size outdoor vent hood do I need for a 24” grill?
Purchase at least a 36” outdoor vent hood for your 24” grill.
What size outdoor vent hood do I need for a 32” grill?
For a 32” grill, consider at least a 42” outdoor vent hood.
Explore Our Entire Collection of Outdoor Hoods For Sale
We invite you to explore our entire collection to find the perfect fit for your unique needs and preferences. Our knowledgeable sales team is ready to guide you through the available options, considering factors such as your kitchen layout, cooking style, and budget.
From budget-friendly models to top-of-the-line powerhouses, our lineup offers a range of sizes, styles, and ventilation capacities, ensuring that you'll find an outdoor range hood that checks every box on your list. We take immense pride in our quality construction, utilizing premium materials like 304 stainless steel to ensure your investment in a Proline range hood is a long-lasting one.
So, whether you're embarking on a new outdoor kitchen project or revamping an existing space, let Proline outfit your culinary haven with the ventilation it deserves. Browse our full lineup today and experience the perfect blend of style, performance, and a smoke-free outdoor cooking environment.
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