In most households, the kitchen is not simply just a place for cooking. The kitchen is a common space where adults and children gather to seek nourishment and share experiences. Unfortunately, kitchens are often a hotbed of germs, bacteria and airborne contaminants. However, such dangerous pollution can be prevented with the use of one powerful device: The range hood.

Be it a kettle of boiling water or a thawed chicken breast, every entree prepared on a range gives off moisture when cooking. As food is heated, water transforms into steam, which spreads throughout the kitchen. This excess amount of water vapor can turn the average kitchen into a walk-in petri dish, ripe for the growth of bacteria, mold, mildew, and other dangerous airborne contaminants.

Grease, when cooked, is no less damaging than water vapor. In a fashion similar to the spread of moisture, grease molecules spread throughout the air during cooking, but unlike water vapor, which remains airborne, grease particles eventually settle. This is what causes counter tops and appliances to turn a dull yellow or brown.

In a poorly ventilated kitchen, water and grease vapors hold odors for long periods. Water molecules act as containers for odors, allowing them to linger for days, weeks, or even months if not evacuated. As odors age they become stale, leading to a permanent dull kitchen stench.

All of these troubles can be avoided with the use of a quality range hood or ventilation system . Most range hoods contain powerful inductive fans that pull in dirty air from the kitchen, and vent it outside. Other hoods use heavy-duty filters to remove smoke, moisture, grease and odor from the air. Regular use of a range hood can significantly lower levels of airborne contaminants in a home.

Range hoods come in various sizes, often with multiple speeds, power settings, and advanced features. For example, the classic Viking Chimney Hood includes a heat sensor capable of raising ventilation levels when cooking temperatures increase. When picking out a range hood for your kitchen, be sure to choose one that provides at least 100 cfm of ventilation. If it is an island range hood 150 cfm is best.

For those worried about the cosmetic appearance of range hoods, fear not. Most range hoods can be found in colors that match its accompanying range. More sophisticated kitchens have integrated hoods as part of the kitchen decor, hidden below cabinets or behind wooden panels. You can speak with a kitchen designer as well to help you incorporate a new hood into your decor, and many are available via our designer locator. Viking, Wolf, and Best all have a large selection of high quality stainless steel range hoods suited for any kitchen. Shop a large selection of range hoods by visiting the Standards of Excellence appliance showroom in San Diego, California.