Range hoods are found in most homes and are located in the kitchen. Almost everyone has heard of, seen, or used a range hood. Fume hoods are used in laboratories. While many have seen or heard of them, not everyone has used one. Range hoods and fume hoods work similarly by removing contaminants from the air, however, they actually have very specific, and very different purposes.
What is a Range Hood?
A range hood is a piece of equipment above your kitchen cooktop that contains a fan. When turned on, the fan removes airborne particles caused by cooking. Examples of what a range hood removes from the air include:
- Grease
- Fumes
- Smoke
- Odors
- Steam
- Heat
Range hoods can be ducted or ductless. With a ducted range hood, particles and odors are sucked in by the fan and move through a filter. The air is then pushed outside of the house and fresh, clean air is circulated back into the home.
With a ductless or recirculating range hood, the air is still pulled in and passed through a filter, however, instead of being pushed outside of the home, the filtered air is recirculated back inside. If you have a ductless range hood and a gas range, it is recommended to crack a window while the range is in operation in order to bring fresh air into the cooking area.
The type of range hood needed for your kitchen will depend on a variety of factors such as cooking style, budget, space, and personal preference. It is recommended to speak with a contractor or home improvement retailer for range hood recommendations.
What is a Fume Hood?
A fume hood is a necessary part of any laboratory that deals with toxic fumes and/or chemicals. A fume hood (also known as a chemical fume hood, fume closet, or fume cupboard) is a piece of equipment designed specifically to keep lab personnel safe by capturing airborne pollutants and directing them away from the user. Working within a fume hood secures contaminated air and moves it completely away from the laboratory by forcing the contaminated air through the exhaust system of the building and releasing it outside and away from laboratory personnel. The primary function of a fume hood is to protect laboratory personnel.
Like range hoods, fume hoods can also be ducted or ductless and the process for each is also similar. A ducted fume hood will constantly move contaminated air away from the operator and push it through the exhaust system of the building and outside into the atmosphere. After the contaminated air is pushed outside and away from laboratory workers, clean air is then recirculated back into the laboratory.
Ductless fume hoods are equipped with a fan to pull in contaminants. The contaminated air is passed through two filters. After the air is filtered for the second time, it is released back into the work area. Because the air is recirculated within the laboratory, no exterior ductwork is necessary.
The Difference
The primary function of a kitchen range hood is to improve the air quality within a home by removing smoke, fumes, odors, and other airborne contaminants caused by the cooking process. Though range hoods may be equipped with a fire suppression system, their main purpose remains improving air quality and not safety or protection.
A fume hood is meant for actively working with harmful particles, vapors, or chemicals and its primary function is to protect laboratory personnel. Though they aren’t designed to handle every incident, a properly-installed fume hood will provide protection from small explosions and fires. The proper use of a fume hood will increase the safety of your lab, assist in protecting the environment, and aid in ensuring that your laboratory runs more efficiently.
If you need assistance in choosing the right fume hood or cabinet for your work area, please don’t hesitate to contact us. At Fisher American, we have a remarkable selection of casework, workstations, fume hoods, and related lab products. Most of our items can be shipped quickly. In most cases, less than two weeks.