Ten Innovative Features Every Commercial Range Hood Should Have

September 22, 2023 8 min read

Ten Innovative Features For Range Hoods of the Future 

The demand for commercial range hoods with advanced features has increased in recent years. With the increasing focus on kitchen safety, efficiency, and design, restaurant owners and chefs are looking for range hoods that help maintain clean, fresh air and offer unique features to enhance their kitchen operations.

From advanced ventilation technologies to innovative range hood cleaning, these features can make a big difference in the functionality and appearance of your kitchen. So whether you're opening a new restaurant or upgrading your existing equipment, read on to discover the latest and greatest features available in commercial range hoods.

Range Hood Ventilation Technology

Traditional ventilation methods in commercial kitchens often involve using exhaust hoods and ductwork to remove smoke, grease, and steam from the kitchen. However, these systems often focus more on range hood styles than their effectiveness, energy efficiency, and maintenance requirements.

Modern ventilation technology has introduced advanced features such as particulate filtration, CO detector, variable speed controls, and sensors that automatically adjust ventilation rates based on cooking activity. These advanced features can improve the efficiency of the ventilation system, reduce energy costs, and improve air quality.

Here's a breakdown of how these advanced features improve the ventilation system in most range hoods:

Particulate Filtration

Particulate filtration is an advanced feature that can be integrated into range hoods to enhance their efficiency in removing dust, smoke, grease, and other particulate matter from the air. Particulate matter, or PM, is a mixture of solid and liquid particles that can harm humans when inhaled.

By incorporating particulate filtration into range hoods, it is possible to capture and remove a high percentage of the particulate matter generated during cooking. This can help to improve indoor air quality and reduce the risk of respiratory problems.

Particulate filtration in range hoods typically involves using high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters or other advanced filtration technologies designed to capture tiny particles as it enters the exhaust vent hood.


Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Carbon monoxide (CO) detectors are an advanced feature that can be integrated into range hoods to enhance safety in the kitchen. CO is a colorless, odorless gas produced when fuels like gas, oil, and wood are burned. It is extremely toxic and can cause serious health problems or even death if inhaled in high concentrations.

When a CO detector is integrated into the exhaust hood to monitor the air for the presence of CO, and alerts the user if dangerous levels are detected. This provides an added layer of safety for those using the range hood and helps to prevent CO poisoning.

Integrating carbon monoxide detectors into range hoods is an essential advanced feature that can significantly enhance the safety of the kitchen environment. It is vital in homes with gas stoves or other gas appliances that produce carbon monoxide.

Variable Speed Fan Control

Variable speed fan control is an advanced feature in modern range hoods that allow for more precise and efficient fan speed control. This feature can provide several benefits for range hoods with large CFM (cubic feet per minute) ratings, including better ventilation control and improved energy efficiency.

In traditional range hoods, the fan is typically set to a fixed speed, which can lead to inadequate ventilation and excess noise. With a variable speed fan control, the user can choose from various fan speeds to optimize the airflow for different cooking tasks. For example, a higher fan speed may be needed when frying or grilling to remove more smoke and steam, while a lower fan speed may be sufficient for simmering or boiling.

By allowing the user to adjust the fan speed, the range hood can operate at a lower speed when ventilation needs are lower, reducing energy consumption and utility bills. With a variable speed fan control, the user can set the fan to a lower speed, reducing noise levels and providing a more pleasant cooking experience.


Range Hood Cleaning Technology

Range hood cleaning technology refers to the advanced cleaning features and methods used in modern range hoods to keep them clean and free from grease and debris buildup. These technologies aim to make range hood maintenance easier, more efficient, and less time-consuming.

Some features include self-cleaning technology, nano-coated surfaces, and UV-C Light Technology. Here's an overview of them.

Self-Cleaning Technology

Self-cleaning technology is an advanced feature in many modern range hoods that makes cleaning the hood much easier and more convenient. This technology uses heat or steam to break down and remove grease and other buildups inside the hood, reducing the need for manual cleaning.

This feature lets the user activate the self-cleaning cycle with a simple button push. During the process, the hood will heat up or produce steam, which loosens and breaks down any grease or other buildup inside the hood. The debris can then be easily wiped away, leaving the hood clean and free from grease and other contaminants.

Self-cleaning technology can save significant time and effort compared to traditional manual cleaning methods, which can be time-consuming and messy. It can also help extend the range hood's lifespan by preventing grease buildup and reducing the risk of damage to its internal components.

UV-C Light Technology

UV-C technology is an advanced feature in range hoods that utilizes ultraviolet (UV) light with a wavelength of 200-280 nanometers to break down organic compounds that accumulate inside the range hood. This technology is a highly effective feature for advanced recirculating range hoods that aids in reducing the need for manual cleaning and increases its efficiency.

When UV-C technology is integrated into a range hood, the UV-C lamps installed inside the range hood emit high-energy light that causes a chemical reaction called photolysis. Photolysis breaks down the molecular bonds of organic compounds, such as grease and oil, making them more susceptible to further breakdown by other cleaning methods or natural degradation.

The use of UV-C technology in ducted or ductless range hoods helps to reduce the buildup of grease and other organic compounds that can reduce the effectiveness of the range hood in removing smoke and other pollutants from the air. It can also help to reduce the risk of fires in the kitchen by ensuring the vent in a ducted range hood or the filters and pathway in a ductless range hood remains free of grease or oil droplets.

Nano-Coated Surfaces

Nano-coated surfaces are an advanced feature found in some range hoods that can make cleaning easier and reduce the need for frequent maintenance. This technology involves the application of a special coating of nanomaterials on the range hood's surface, making it more difficult for grease and other particles to adhere to the surface.

In range hoods with nano-coated surfaces, the nanomaterials create a thin film that makes the surface hydrophobic and oleophobic, repelling water- and oil-based substances. As a result, grease and other particles extracted from the cooking area are less likely to stick to the surface of the range hood, making it easier to clean.

One of the main benefits of nano-coated vent hoods is that they can reduce the need for frequent cleaning and maintenance. Traditional range hoods require regular cleaning to prevent grease buildup and maintain proper functioning. However, nano-coated vent hoods make the surface less likely to accumulate grease and other particles, reducing the need for frequent cleaning and maintenance.

 

Other Advanced Technology

In addition to the advanced range hood features mentioned previously, several other innovative technologies can enhance the functionality of commercial range hoods. These features improve safety, reduce energy consumption, and provide more convenient control and maintenance options.

They include features like:

Touchless Controls

Touchless control is an advanced range hood technology allowing users to control the range hood without touching it. This technology uses hand gestures or proximity sensors to detect the user's presence and activate the range hood's functions. For example, users can wave their hand in front of the range hood to turn it on or off, adjust the fan speed, or control the lighting.

This technology is beneficial in a kitchen setting where users may have messy hands and don't want to touch the range hood's control panel. Touchless control allows users to maintain a hygienic kitchen environment and reduces the risk of spreading germs and bacteria. It also provides a more convenient and intuitive way to control the range hood's functions, making it easier to use.

Wi-Fi Connectivity

Wi-Fi connectivity is an innovative technology that provides a more convenient and personalized user experience for range hood users. It is an advanced technology that allows the range hood to be connected to a wireless network and controlled using a smartphone or other devices. This technology enables users to monitor and control the range hood remotely, regardless of their location.

With Wi-Fi connectivity, users can access the range hood's settings and control its functions using a dedicated app on their smartphone or tablet. This app may allow users to adjust the fan speed, lighting, and other settings, monitor the hood's status, receive alerts, and view usage data.

Not all range hoods have this feature, and those with Wi-Fi connectivity also feature voice control, allowing users to control the hood using voice commands through a smart speaker or other compatible devices. This technology provides a more convenient and intuitive way to control a previously complex cooking appliance, making it easier and more enjoyable.

Innovative Lighting

Innovative lighting is an advanced range hood feature designed to provide better visibility of the cooking area. This feature typically includes LED lights that are energy-efficient and long-lasting and can be customized to offer different levels of brightness and color temperatures.

One of the main benefits of innovative lighting is that it provides better visibility of the cooking area, especially with wall-mounted canopy hoods, making it easier to see what you're cooking. This can help improve cooking accuracy and reduce the risk of overcooking or burning food. LED lights also reduce energy consumption and save money on electricity bills compared to traditional lighting.

In addition to providing better visibility, innovative lighting can add style and ambiance to the kitchen. Many range hoods with this feature offer different lighting modes, such as ambient or task lighting, which can be adjusted to create different moods and atmospheres in the kitchen. Some island canopy hoods also offer color-changing LED lights, which can be used to match the kitchen décor or provide a unique accent.

Active Fire Suppression System

Active Fire Suppression System is an advanced range hood feature designed to prevent and extinguish kitchen fires before they spread and cause damage. This system automatically detects flames or excessive heat and then releases a fire-suppressing agent to put out the fire.

The fire-suppressing agent used in these systems is typically a dry chemical powder or foam that can quickly extinguish flames and prevent them from spreading. The system also includes a heat sensor that can detect excessive heat, such as when cooking oil reaches its flash point, and automatically activates the fire suppression system to prevent a fire from starting.


Final Thoughts

Modern range hoods have various advanced features that improve commercial kitchens' functionality, safety, and efficiency. Self-cleaning technology, UV-C Light Technology, and nano-coated surfaces help to maintain a hygienic and safe kitchen environment by reducing the risk of fire hazards and the spread of germs and bacteria. Touchless control and Wi-Fi connectivity allow for more convenient and intuitive range hood control, while innovative lighting provides better visibility and adds style to the kitchen. Additionally, an Active Fire Suppression System can prevent and extinguish kitchen fires before they can cause severe damage or injuries.

Commercial kitchens must invest in modern range hoods with innovative features to create a safer, healthier, and more efficient kitchen. These features can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and injuries, promote a more hygienic environment, and increase productivity by streamlining cooking processes.