Do you need a hood over an induction cooktop?

If you have an induction cooktop, it’s important to know what you need to keep your home well ventilated.

You need a range hood over your induction cooktop to vent cooking grease, oils, smoke, and strong cooking smells from your home.

A range hood also keeps you and your family healthy. You don’t want to breathe in all the fumes produced from your cooking. It can cause headaches, disorientation, and other similar symptoms. The EPA found that Americans spend nearly 90 percent of their time indoors, so it’s even more important to improve your indoor air quality.

To learn more about range hood safety, check out our article “Is it safe to cook without a range hood?”

Range Hood Height Above Induction Cooktop

Your range hood should be mounted between 28 and 36 inches above an induction cooktop. This is the same distance above electric and gas cooktops.

You might be wondering: why is mounting height so important? Well, if you mount your hood too close to the cooktop, then you can damage your range hood.

Also, a hood closer to the cooktop will let most of the greasy air escape into your kitchen. If that happens, your range hood isn’t doing its job. You don’t want that.

Think about the amount of maintenance you’d have to do. If more greasy air escapes into your kitchen, it gets on your hood, your walls, your ceiling...the list goes on. But, if you mount it at the appropriate 28 to 36 inch range, it’ll vent all the cooking exhaust to the outside.

What if you mount it further away, more than 36 inches? Wouldn’t that solve the cleaning problem? And ensure that your hood isn’t damaged from the heat of your range? The short answer is yes. But, you need a powerful hood to mount it 36 inches away.

The same thing happens with a hood too far away from the range – your air escapes back into the kitchen and your hood can’t perform optimally.

The main reason that people go with 36+ inches above the cooktop is if they are mounting an outdoor hood. Outdoor hoods should be mounted between 36 and 42 inches from the cooktop. You can also mount the hood further away if it is high CFM – about 1200+. But there’s no hard and fast rule for this.

Stick to 28-36 inches for hoods under 1200 CFM though. They likely won’t have the power to suck the air all the way up to your range hood and through the ducting.

Yes, hot air rises, so you’ll probably be fine if you exceed the 36 inches, if absolutely necessary. But if you have the option, it’s best to stay with the 28 to 36 inches range.

To learn more about range hood mounting height, click here.

CFM for Induction Cooktop

Aim for at least 600 CFM for a range hood over your induction cooktop. For cooktops above 42”, go with 900 or more CFM. Induction ranges are electric, so you don’t need as much power as a hood over a gas cooktop. But, it’s important to have more power over a larger induction range to keep your kitchen air clean and fresh.

Induction stove tops can get quite powerful in terms of their overall wattage. High-end cooktops range between 7000 and 11000+ watts! You might be thinking that you need an incredibly high CFM range hood to vent out all the cooking exhaust.

Truthfully, while high CFM is good, induction cooktops are electric after all. This means that even though the wattage is high, you won’t have to worry about natural gas fumes or the intense heat of a gas cooktop.

That being said, the larger your range, the higher CFM you want for your range hood over an induction cooktop. This is true for gas and electric ranges as well. If in doubt, go with a higher CFM. This will save you many headaches down the road.

Imagine that you want to host a big party and you’re cooking for 15 guests. Smoke fills the room and it doesn’t seem to dissipate. Believe it or not, this can happen even if you have a range hood. If it’s not powerful enough, the smoke and fumes will sit in your kitchen for days.

But if you buy a hood that has more power than you need, you can enjoy clean air even while it’s running at quiet lower speeds. With induction cooking, you’ll rarely need to use the max speed too since the cooktop isn’t electric.

Even if you don’t use the max speed, it’s nice to have it as an option for emergencies only when you have to vent smoke from your kitchen in a hurry.

For your 30” or 36” ranges, check out some of the best 600 CFM range hoods here.

Or if you have a 42” or larger range for induction cooking, take a look at our best 900 CFM range hoods.

Best Range Hood for Induction Cooktop

The best range hood for an induction cooktop is a 600+ CFM variable speed range hood. If you buy a range hood under 600 CFM, you will find yourself wanting more power from your hood. You don’t want to be in this situation, since you can’t increase the max CFM of your vent hood. If you use a 42” range or larger for induction cooking, go with a 900 CFM vent hood.

Here are some of our favorite range hoods for induction cooking.

Here’s a comprehensive range hood buyer’s guide to help you find the right hood for you.

You don’t need to worry about a bunch of specifics when shopping for a range hood over your induction range. In fact, you consider all the same things as you would if you’re shopping for a hood over an electric or gas cooktop.

Most importantly, be sure to choose the right type of range hood. Over an induction stove, you’ll likely either want an under cabinet hood, wall mount range hood, or island range hood. You also might see induction stoves with a range hood insert as well.

But, induction ranges are electric so you won’t find them often in outdoor kitchens, where gas ranges and bbq grills are most common.

Beyond the type of hood, two of the most important things to consider are size and ducting.

Buy a hood that is at least equal to the width of your induction range. If you want a little more confidence in your hood, buy one that is at least six inches larger. This way you won’t have to worry about venting all the unwanted contaminants out of your kitchen. Thanks to the extra coverage of your cooktop, your hood will suck all the greasy air to the outside.

When it comes to ducting, you need to decide: do I need a ducted or ductless range hood?

Think about the type of cooktop you have. Induction ranges are electric, so you don’t need that much power. Still, we recommend purchasing a ducted hood for induction ranges above 42”. As we’ve said throughout the article, you don’t want to be left wanting more power out of your hood.

For 30” and 36” ranges, ductless or ducted hoods are great options.

When it comes to the filter type, lights, and design, there’s not one correct way to go. It’s more up to your personal preference. To learn more about the different types of range hood filters, check out this article.

If you’re curious about what lights you should go with, click here. LEDs are long-lasting, but Halogen lights can be reliable too. What do you like best?

Finally, are you looking for some design inspiration? The possibilities are endless when it comes to range hood design – whether you’re looking to deck out your home in a boho style, renovate a rustic kitchen, go with a traditional white farmhouse design, or any other style!

We have 100+ inspirational range hood ideas right here. Check them out!

Looking to learn more about choosing a hood for your induction range? Be sure to check out the video above.

Browse a wide variety of low to high CFM ducted hoods here.

Or check out our selection of professional ductless hoods at the button below.

For more information on induction range tops, check out the FAQ below!

What is an induction cooktop?

An induction cooktop is an electric cooktop that cooks your food by heating up copper coils. Magnetic copper coils transfer electricity from the coil to your pan to heat it up.

Can you burn yourself on an induction cooktop?

Unlike your standard electric cooktop, an induction cooktop is cool to the touch. This makes it a safe and easy to clean option for your kitchen.

Can an induction cooktop cause a fire?

Unlike gas or electric cooktops, an induction cooktop cannot cause a fire. The heat is transferred directly from the copper coil to your pan, so the cooktop is cool to the touch.

What should you not use on an induction cooktop?

Do not use any pots or pans that are not magnetic. Induction cooktops use magnetism to heat copper coils and transfer that heat directly to your cookware. Without a magnetic pan, your cooktop will not work properly.

Can you use a paper towel on an induction cooktop?

Yes. Paper towel and parchment paper are two popular materials to use on an induction cooktop. They keep any splatter or food stains from sticking to your cooktop. On an induction stove, a paper towel will not catch fire as it would on a gas or electric cooktop.

Can nonstick pans be used on an induction stove?

You can use nonstick pans on an induction stove. Just make sure that the bottom of your pan is magnetic. Otherwise, the copper coils won’t be able to transfer heat to your cookware.

Can you use Windex on an induction cooktop?

Do not use Windex on an induction cooktop. Windex contains ammonia, which can damage your induction cooktop over time. Instead, clean the cooktop with a mixture of 3 parts baking soda and one part water.

Does an induction cooktop scratch easily?

If you are not careful, induction cooktops may scratch easily. Place parchment paper or a paper towel between the coil and your pan to help prevent scratching. Also, do not drag your pan across the stovetop. Be sure to buy a pan with a smooth bottom surface. If you spill something on your cooktop, clean it immediately. Intense scrubbing may scratch the surface of your induction range.

Will cast iron scratch on an induction cooktop?

Cast iron may scratch an induction cooktop. But as long as you are careful, you can keep your cooktop scratch-free. Most cast iron pans have a rough bottom surface. So, gently set the cast iron pan on the burner. Don’t move it against the surface of the induction cooktop.

How do I get stains off my induction cooktop?

Mix three parts baking soda and one part water to make a thick paste. Coat this paste on your induction cooktop and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Wipe the surface with a microfiber cloth. If you still have stains on the cooktop, repeat this process until it’s clean.

What kind of exhaust hood should be used with a commercial pasta cooker and induction range?

We recommend a 900 CFM professional range hood over your commercial pasta cooker and induction range. At 900 CFM, it can handle the heavy steam and heat produced by your pasta cooker and cooktop with ease. We compiled a list of some of our best 900 CFM range hoods that you can check out right here. Please note that these hoods are professional-grade. They will do the job but are for use in residential applications not commercial.