When shopping for a hood insert, you may notice that models with a depth of 11.5 inches are rarely recommended or not provided. The following are factors that make them less effective and less desirable for American kitchens:

1. Limited Smoke Capture

A hood insert's primary function is to capture and vent smoke, grease, and odors from cooking. However, an 11.5-inch deep hood does not extend far enough over the stove, especially for larger cooktops. This results in:

• Limited coverage, allowing smoke and grease to escape into the kitchen
• Inefficiency with gas stoves, as they generate more fumes compared to electric or induction cooktops.
• Grease is more likely to adhere to the cover of a Custom Range Hood, increasing the frequency of cleaning.

2. High Noise Levels 

To compensate for their smaller size, shallow range hoods must operate at higher fan speeds, which leads to excessive noise. 

The common issues include:

• Loud operation makes cooking uncomfortable
• Shorter lifespan of the motor, as it has to work harder to maintain suction
• Poor air circulation, as smaller inserts create more turbulent airflow rather than smooth smoke extraction

Therefore, American Kitchens Require a Larger Range Hood Insert.

Unlike some compact kitchen designs in other regions, American kitchens often feature:

• Larger cooktops, requiring better ventilation;
• Open-concept layouts, where smoke can easily spread to living areas;
• More powerful stoves, especially gas ranges that generate heavy smoke.

If you are considering a new range hood, avoid models with a depth of only 11.5 inches. Instead, look for a unit that provides:

①At least 18 inches of depth for better smoke capture;

②A CFM rating of 400+ to handle heavy cooking.

By choosing the right range hood, you can enjoy a cleaner, quieter, and healthier kitchen environment. That's SINDA specialized in the past decades and the ambition that SINDA has towards every Custom Kitchen Hood. Explore the clean kitchen with SINDA!