Thread: Downdraft vs Updraft Range Hoods

Not long ago I read a white paper indicating research to the effect that downdraft hoods are more efficient that updraft hoods above kitchen ranges - the opposite of what I expected. Now I can't find the article. Anyone have information on this?

Similar Threads:

• range hood
• Kitchen Range
• Rainproof range vent
• return over range in kitchen
• Draft hoods , combustible material

I guess I'll consider that a resounding NO.

Originally Posted by Aaron Miller

Not long ago I read a white paper indicating research to the effect that downdraft hoods are more efficient that updraft hoods above kitchen ranges - the opposite of what I expected. Now I can't find the article. Anyone have information on this?

The only time I see a down draft working better is the drawing in of a gas flame. Raise the height up as in a pan or pot and I have never seen a down draft work as well as an up draft. I just did a Bing and then a Google search and went to a couple other sights. I found no down is better than up anywhere.

I have had a down draft in a couple of homes. One a good to upper quality and the other rather cheap. The cheap one made even more noise the the expensive one (they are both very noisy on high) but neither worked as good as a quality up draft.

The more expensive range hood on high is also pretty darn noisy but I think it sucks the water out of the pan .

Having had two Jenn Aires over the years which had down draft they were not the greatest at pulling steam or cooking odours down into the vent, unless it was a low sided pot.

The further away the pot from the exhaust vent the less got pulled into the air stream.

Secondly the pop up down draft work somewhat better as the vent actually come up out of the stove top several inches increasing its effectiveness.

My experience.

Originally Posted by Aaron Miller

I guess I'll consider that a resounding NO.

Dang Aaron, your a little quick on the draw today, aren't you?

No such information on vents that I can remember though.

Originally Posted by Aaron Miller

I guess I'll consider that a resounding NO.

Yep!..

Maybe I dreamed it . . .