• General
• Hoods
• Installation and Ducting
• Filters
• CFM
• Care and Maintenance

General

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What are some things to consider as I shop for a range hood?

THE SIZE OF YOUR COOKTOP:

Measure it. Your range hood needs to cover the entirety of your range’s cooktop.

COOKTOP GAS OR ELECTRIC:

Gas requires better ventilation due to the fact you are burning fuel.

THE AMOUNT OF TIME YOU SPEND COOKING AND THE WAY YOU USE YOUR COOKTOP:

Do you can or bottle foods? Do you use stock pots in your meal preparation?

WHERE THE EXHAUST FROM YOUR HOOD WILL GO:

Do you have ductwork to allow the air to be pushed out of your home, or will you need a
recirculating or ductless range hood?

WHERE YOUR RANGE IS LOCATED:

There are lots of options to fit your individual needs. There are wall hoods, island hoods, under
cabinet hoods.

THE HOOD STYLE:

There are lots of options here as well. You will find everything from contemporary hoods with a
sleek modern look, stainless steel hoods, glass hoods, artisan or custom hoods with blower
inserts. Do you prefer a touch panel or knobs you can push and turn?

Hoods

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What size range hood do I need?

INDOOR:

We recommend when you purchase a hood for indoor use they should be one size larger than
your cooktop size (overlapping the cooktop by 3 to 6 inches on each side). For example,
if your cooktop size is 30 inches, the ideal hood size is 36 inches or larger.

OUTDOOR:

Hoods used for grilling outdoors should be 2 sizes larger than the cooking surface
(overlapping the cooktop by 6 to 12 inches on each side). For example, if your cooktop
is 30 inches, the ideal hood is 42 inches – 54 inches.

What does CFM mean?

A range hood’s power is measured in CFMs or Cubic Feet per Minute. The larger the number,
the more air the hood will remove. Generally, the rule for a GAS cooktop is, for every 10,000 BTU your gas stove generates
you will need 100 CFM. Example 60,000 BTU's = 600 CFM. For an ELECTRIC stove, the CFM is estimated according to the size of the stove. You need
100 CFM for every 10 inches of stove width, so if your stove/cooktop is 36 inches then
you will need at least 360 CFM.

How tall does my chimney need to be?

INDOOR:

For indoor hoods, it depends on the height of your ceiling. All of our chimney style
range hoods are telescoping, making the height adjustable. Most of our unaltered hoods
accommodate 8-9 foot ceilings. If your ceiling is taller, in most cases, an extension
can be added to your hood for up to 12 foot ceilings. For shorter ceilings, we offer
custom cuts to get the perfect fit. Contact us to check the minimum chimney height on a
hood or to see the lowest it can be cut down to. If your hood can’t be vented through the ceiling (if you live in an apartment or condo),
you may want to consider a ventless or ductless hood. This type of hood filters the air
with a charcoal filter and recirculates it instead of redirecting the air to the
outside.

OUTDOOR:

It depends on the height of your outdoor structure. Most of our unaltered hoods
accommodate 8-9 foot structures. However, because we recommend a higher mounting
clearance, some of our models will accommodate a taller outdoor structure. If you need
additional chimney than what's provided, an extension can be added to your hood for up
to 12 foot ceilings. For shorter clearances, we offer custom cuts to get the perfect
fit. Note: If you are using your hood outdoors, it must be sheltered in some way.

How high should my range hood be mounted?

INDOOR:

If cooking indoors, we recommend allowing 28-36 inches between the bottom of the hood and
your cooking surface. Less than 28 inches from the cooktop will put the heat too close
to the electrical components, and more than 36 inches from the cooktop will start to
decrease the efficiency of your hood. Adjust your hood anywhere within the 28-36 inches
range to bring it to the desired eye level. The average height is 32 inches above the
cooking surface.

OUTDOOR:

We suggest you mount your outdoor hood no closer than 36 inches from your cooking
surface. Outdoor grilling radiates intense heat, so the distance from the cooking
surface should be farther than recommended for indoor cooking to prevent damage to the
hood. The average outdoor mounting height is 36-42 inches above the cooking surface.

What is the difference between a ducted and ductless hood?

Ducted hoods vent outside of the home through the ceiling or a wall and are preferred to
ductless models because impurities, odors, and pollutants from cooking ar expelled from
the home entirely. They remove the air to the outside of the house through ductwork.
This ductwork is normally 6-10 inches. Additionally, ducted range hoods do not use or
need charcoal filters saving the owner from having to buy and replace those filters.
High BTU gas cooking equipment should always be ducted to the outside of the home. Fully ducted range hoods are preferred but this is not always possible. Often called a
re-circulating range hood a ductless hood will filter the air from cooking through
carbon or charcoal filters removing grease and odors and return the air back into the
kitchen area. While non-ducted filters trap some of the pollutants and odors from
cooking, the smoke, humidity, and heat all re-circulate back into the home. If the
filters are not replaced with regularity, eventually the ability of ductless hoods to
catch pollutants becomes compromised and impurities will just be spread around the home.

Which is better, a ducted or ductless hood?

A ducted range hood is ideal if you have that option. Ductless hoods are a great
alternative in other circumstances, such as if you live in an apartment or condo without
access through the ceiling directly above your stove. While duct-free filters trap
grease and odors from normal cooking, the humidity and heat will be re-circulated back
into the home. Ductless charcoal filters must be replaced regularly (after 120 hours of
cooking, or every 3-6 months) to continue to protect your home from impurities. We have
several convertible hoods which can easily be installed as ductless or ducted, depending
on your needs. You must have a ducted hood in your home if you require a professional level hood with a
high CFM.

How do I know if I need a professional level hood?

You’ll need to consider a hood with a higher CFM if you:

• frequently do a lot of frying or wok style cooking
• grill on your range top (indoors or outdoors)
• cook ethnic, spicy, or fishy foods
• mount your hood outdoors
• have a range top with very high BTUs
• have an extra long run of ducting (especially with 90-degree bends)
• position your hood especially high over the range top (over 36 inches)
• want to keep the noise level down by choosing an extra powerful hood but running it
  at a lower setting

What is a sone and how is it measured?

A sone is a recognized unit of loudness and describes the sound output of your hood. The
lower the sone value, the quieter the hood. One sone is approximately the equivalent of a quiet refrigerator. Sone levels are the
lowest when your hood is set to the lowest speed, and increase incrementally with each
speed. Typically, the sone level is measured at maximum hood speed or CFM. Sones are a
linear measure like inches. Doubling the sone value is equivalent to doubling the
loudness.

Can I replace an over the range microwave with a range hood?

Yes. Whether your microwave blower is ductless or ducted, you can replace it with a range
hood to ventilate your cooking area more efficiently. Range hoods are a beautiful,
powerful, and energy-efficient alternative to OTR microwaves. Check
out our blog for more information.

What size of ductwork is best for my range hood to ensure proper
ventilation?

CFM	Ductwork Diameter
600 to 900 CFM	6-inch or larger
1000 CFM	8-inch or larger
1000 to 1800 CFM	10-inch or larger
2000+	12-inch or larger

If your ductwork is smaller than the recommended size, it will restrict the airflow. This
will decrease the efficiency of your range hood and put a strain on your blower,
shortening its life. If your ductwork is larger than recommended, that’s great. The air will have more
than enough room to filter out of your kitchen. Take a look at
our duct sizing guide for more information.

Do I need a chimney extension for my range hood?

If your kitchen ceiling is between 8 foot and 10 foot, you likely won’t need a chimney
extension for your range hood. If you have a ceiling 11 foot or 12 foot, you will need
one or two chimney extensions. Proline’s wall mounted range hoods come with two 15 inches chimneys. Our island hoods
come with two 19 inches chimneys. We offer many different sizes of chimney extensions if
these don’t work for your kitchen. If you have any other questions, refer to our Range
Hood Chimney Extension Guide.

What is a convertible range hood?

A convertible hood is one that can be either ducted or ductless. In order to be a
ductless hood, you either need an under cabinet conversion kit and/or charcoal filters.
If you have any questions about your hood's ability to convert, call us (877) 901-5530.
The charcoal filters needed for a ductless hood may need to be purchased separately.

I have a custom hood in my kitchen, does Proline Range Hoods sell hood
inserts?

Yes. Proline Range Hoods does provide a number of inserts and blowers for custom hoods.

Does Proline Range Hoods design and build custom hoods?

Yes and no. We don't design and build custom hoods for customers from scratch, but we
have a number of customizable artisan hoods that you can customize the finish of. We
also provide a number of blower inserts designed to accommodate the ventilation needs of
custom work done by other designers and manufacturers as well.

What inserts are available for a custom range hood?

All the inserts are designed for use with custom hoods or cabinetry. Proline offers the largest line of custom inserts for indoor kitchens in the industry. If you don't see what you are looking for, please give us a call at (877) 901-5530. We can help you find the right insert to suit your kitchen!

How do you measure for an under cabinet range hood?

Measure the distance from the top of the range to the bottom of the hood. We recommend
allowing 28-36 inhces between the bottom of the hood and your cooking surface. You will
want to make sure that you buy an under cabinet or wall mount range hood that, when
fully installed, the bottom of the unit will be at least 28-36 inches above your
cooktop. If you take the distance from your cook surface to the bottom of the cabinet
and subtract the recommended 36 inches, and again subtracting the recommended 28 inches
and you will be left with a distance range that your hood can be.

Installation and Ducting

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Does my new range hood come with a transition?

We supply a courtesy transition piece with most of our models. Double check with us by
calling (877) 901-5530.

Are Proline Range Hoods plug-in or hardwired?

Most Proline Range Hoods are just plugged into a standard 3 prong 110v/60hz grounded
outlet. The only model that doesn’t come with a plug is our Hurricane model. It is meant
to be hardwired directly into your home’s electrical system. If your range hood comes
with a plug and you'd like to hardwire it, you can simply have an electrician do so.

Can I use an elbow in my ducting?

Yes. You'll simply need to make sure there is at least 18 inches of straight ductwork
from the top of the unit before any elbows. You'll also need at least 18 inches of
ductwork between elbows. Please note that every elbow you apply to your ducting will
subtract 5 feet from your total duct run allowance.

Why can't I put an elbow on top of the hood?

Placing an elbow directly on top of your range hood will choke the airflow. It won't
allow enough space for the air to flow properly and your Proline Range Hood will not
perform as it should.

How long is the power cord?

The cord that comes with your hood is 4 feet.

Will my range hood work over my grill?

Yes. Make sure for every 10,000 BTU your grill generates your hood has 100 CFM. Example
60,000 BTU's = 600 CFM. **Recirculating hoods should not be used outdoors.

Can I return an extension I purchased?

Unfortunately, we do not accept returns of extensions or customizations of any kind.

How far can I run my ductwork?

You want the ductwork as short as possible with as few bends as possible. The farther the
exhaust air has to travel and the more it changes direction, the more air pressure
builds up in the ductwork and the effective CFM is reduced.

Why would I need a hood extension?

All of our chimney style range hoods are telescoping, making the height adjustable.
Depending on the model as well as your ceiling height, you may need to purchase an
extension.

Can I duct the range hood into my attic or crawl space?

No. You should never exhaust air into walls, ceilings, attics, crawl spaces or garages.
The fumes and humidity collecting in those spaces will create issues for your home and
family.

What type of ducting is best for proper ventilation?

Range hoods should be vented using metal ductwork. Smooth ducting is better than flexible or ribbed. This is because smooth straight ducting won't diminish or restrict the
airflow as much as flexible ductwork will. That also needs to be taken into
consideration when thinking or planning to add elbows to your ductwork.
Don't ever use 4 inches dryer duct or any plastic ducting on a range hood installation.
The minimum size duct allowed on most range hoods is 3 ¼ inches by 10 inches which is
equivalent to 6 inches round. More powerful hoods require even larger duct sizes up to
10 inches round. When remodeling, changing hoods, or cooking equipment, do not reduce the ductwork size to less than the size specified for the range hood. Decreasing the duct size restricts the performance and decreases the unit's longevity.

How far can I run my ductwork to exhaust my hood?

For maximum performance keep the ductwork as short and straight as possible. The maximum recommended duct run cannot exceed 30 feet. While 45° elbows are better than 90° elbows, please keep in mind that every elbow you apply to your ductwork will take 5 feet from your total duct allowance. If in doubt, consult a qualified designer/installer knowledgeable in ventilation, or call us and talk with one of our Customer Support Group (877) 901-5530.

My ceiling height is taller than most kitchens. What do I do about
ventilation?

Custom chimney extensions are available for chimney style range hoods for up to 12 foot
ceilings. If your ceiling is higher than 12 foot, you may need to look into having your
extension fabricated locally.

Filters

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How often should I clean my range hood’s filters?

Our stainless steel baffle filters and aluminum mesh filters are completely
dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning. Clean them approximately every two weeks to a month depending on how much you use your range hood. Wash more often if your cooking involves a lot of grease, steam or high heat – for example if you fry foods cook wok-style dishes or do a lot of canning.If your hood is ductless or recirculating, don’t clean or wash the charcoal (carbon) filters; they must be replaced every 3 to 6 months. For more information on cleaning your range hood filters, check out the articles below.
How to Clean Range Hood Filters Range Hood Filter Guide

How often should I replace my range hood’s filters?

With average cooking, you should replace your charcoal filters every three to six months,
or if the air around the cooktop stops smelling clean when your vent hood is in use. Stainless steel baffle filters and aluminum mesh filters don’t need to be replaced. For
more information, see our article How often should I replace my kitchen hood filters?.

CFM

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What is CFM?

CFM stands for cubic feet per minute of exhausting air flow. The CFM of your hood
indicates the max power available when the hood is running at full speed.

What determines the CFM I need for my range hood?

The CFM you need will depend on several factors:

• The type and output of your cooktop
• Your cooking style
• The size of the hood
• The length and configuration of your ductwork

Every situation is different, but it’s always better to have too much CFM than not
enough. With a higher CFM, a greater amount of air is exhausted, which means it is
cleaned faster. If in doubt, consult a qualified designer/installer knowledgeable in ventilation, or give us a call and talk with one of our Customer Support Group (877) 901-5530.

How do I calculate the CFM requirements for my range top?

ELECTRIC:

If you have an electric range top, the CFM is estimated according to the size of the
stove. You’ll need 100 CFM per ever 10 inches width. For example, if your stove is
36 inches wide, you’ll need 360 CFM. If you have an electric deep fat fryer, you will need to treat it as a gas stove top.

INDOOR:

A good rule-of-thumb for gas ranges and grills is to divide the total BTUs by 100. For
example, if your grill or gas range has a total of 30,000 BTU available, it will require
a 300 CFM or higher rated hood.

OUTDOOR:

Make sure for every 10,000 BTU your grill generates your hood has 100 CFM. Example 60,000 BTU's = 600 CFM. **Recirculating hoods should not be used outdoors.

What is considered a professional level CFM?

A hood with a CFM of 900 or higher is considered high output, or professional level hood.

Care and Maintenance of your Proline Range Hood

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What's the best way to clean my range hood?

Use warm water and mild soap in the direction of the polish lines regularly to clean the
outside of your range hood. Rinse well with clear clean water and wipe dry immediately. For additional shine, you can apply a little coconut oil. Don't use harsh or abrasive cleaning agents on your hood.

How do I clean my range hood filters?

The easiest way to clean your filters is to place them in the dishwasher. Proline’s
baffle and mesh filters are dishwasher-safe for that reason. You can also hand wash the
filters using warm water and soap. Avoid abrasive cleaning solutions or bleach. After cleaning your hood, dry it by hand to keep water residue from building up. We have more details on cleaning your filters on our blog. Check out the article here

How often should I clean my range hood’s filters?

The steel baffle filters and aluminum mesh filters are completely dishwasher safe for
easy cleaning. Clean them approximately every two weeks to a month depending on usage.
Wash more often if your cooking style generates greater grease like frying foods or wok
cooking. You cannot clean/wash the non-ducted carbon filters; they must be replaced.

How often should I replace my range hood’s filters?

With normal average cooking, you should replace your charcoal filters every three (3) to
six (6) months, or if the air around the cooktop stops smelling clean when in use.

What kind of warranty comes with my Proline range hood?

All of our hoods come with a 3-year limited warranty. The first year we cover both parts
and labor, while the second and third year we cover replacement parts only. For more details, CLICK HERE.

What’s Proline’s return policy?

GROUND SHIPMENT:

Our return policy will cover you, penalty-free, within the first 14 days of your
receiving your new hood. We strongly encourage you to open your hood, plug it in and
test it even if it's not fully installed to make sure all the features of your new hood
function properly in this 14 day time period. This is especially important if you have a
big remodel or building project that won’t be finished in that two week time
window. You can still return up to 30 days after receiving it, however, you'll be responsible for a 20% restocking fee as well as return shipping.

FREIGHT SHIPMENT:

Unless damaged, the customer is responsible for return shipping on any freight shipment.
You can still return up to 30 days of receipt, however, you'll be responsible for a 20%
restocking if it exceeds the first 14 days. For full details, CLICK HERE.

Is it better to have a higher CFM?

The amount of CFM you need for your range hood depends on your cooking style. However, more CFM is better than less, so you can be sure that all of the unwanted contaminants are filtered out of your home and that your kitchen will be clean. You can always turn the blower speed down, but the inverse can be more difficult. We have a few articles on CFM on our blog that might help you out too; click on the links below. Is 400 CFM enough for my range hood? How many CFM do I need for my range hood? Range Hood CFM for Electric vs. Gas Cooktops

Do I need a range hood?

Yes; we feel a range hood should be installed in every home. It efficiently filters
unwanted contaminants and other toxins and smells from your kitchen, keeping the air
clean and fresh.. It is a fantastic addition to any kitchen. Also check out our article ‘Do I need a range hood?’.

What are the different types of range hoods you carry?

We sell many different types of range hoods, including wall mounted, island, under
cabinet, professional, and outdoor hoods. We also sell range hood inserts, which are
perfect for your custom hood.

How much should I expect to pay a contractor to install my range hood?

Range hood installation will typically cost between $200 and $500, including the cost of
labor. This does include additional parts, ductwork, or electrical wiring in addition to
what already comes with your vent hood. The cost of installation also varies slightly
depending on your hood style, specific situation, and who you choose to hire to do the
job. For more information, take a look at the article below. Average Range Hood Installation Time and Cost

Can my range hood duct be installed in my attic or between joists in my
home?

You should never vent air into your attic or between joists, since unwanted contaminants,
grease, and humidity will build up in your home. You can install the ductwork through
your attic as long as it vents outside through your roof. We have a couple of blog articles on duct work: How to Clean Your Range Hood Duct and Range Hood Duct Sizing Guide. Check them out!

What is make-up air and a make-up air kit?

Make-up air is additional air that you may require if you run a high-CFM hood often or
for long periods of time. If you suck too much air out of your kitchen, it creates
negative air pressure and will affect how your hood functions. To address this issue,
purchase a make-up air kit that directs fresh air air from outside your home, which will
recirculate throughout your kitchen. We do not sell make-up air kits at this time. For more information on make-up air, click here.

What is a recirculating kit?

A recirculating kit attaches to your hood to recirculate air taken into your hood within
your kitchen rather than moving it outside your home. Some ducted range hoods can be
converted to recirculating using a recirculating kit. We do sell recirculating kits.

What size chimney extension do I need?

• 7 foot Ceiling – Some Proline models include 6” extensions. This may or
  may not be needed depending on your specific hood.
• 8 foot Ceiling – 12 inch extension
• 9 foot Ceiling – 24 inch extension
• 10 foot Ceiling – 36 inch extension
• 11 foot Ceiling or more – Do some research to find a local builder to custom
  build an extension for you.
• 12 foot Ceilings – Two 36 inches extensions

Check out our Range Hood Chimney Extension Guide for more information!