At a Glance
Understanding Cooktops: Gas, Electric, and Induction
Rangehoods 101: Your Kitchen's Ventilation Solution
Matching Cooktops with Rangehoods
Why Trust Spencer’s TV & Appliance?
Rangetops play a crucial role in maintaining kitchen air quality by removing steam, grease, and odors while providing optimal lighting for cooking.
To get the best results, it’s essential to pair the right cooktop with an effective range hood.
In this post, we’ll guide you through various cooktop options and their ideal range hood pairings, plus reviews of the best cooktop and range hood combinations for seamless kitchen functionality.
Understanding Cooktops: Gas, Electric, and Induction
There are three types of cooktops that you can get. Find out what each of these cooktops entails and why choosing the right cooktop range hood for the type of appliance you buy is important.
Gas Cooktops
A gas cooktop operates on natural gas or propane, which ignites flames beneath cooking vessels. This type allows for instant heat and precise temperature control. The flame adjusts quickly to make it easier to simmer or boil food as needed. Gas cooktops are popular among chefs for their responsive cooking capabilities.
✅ Pros: Offers instant temperature control, works with all cookware types, and provides a visible flame for easy heat adjustment.
❎ Cons: Needs adequate ventilation for combustion byproducts, and poses potential hazards from gas leaks and open flames.
Electric Cooktops
Electric cooktops are powered by electricity, and feature either coil burners or smooth ceramic surfaces. They provide consistent heat, so they're ideal for slow cooking. You can get a smooth-top model electric cooktop that is aesthetically pleasing and easier to clean, while coil burners are typically more affordable.
✅ Pros: Provides consistent heat, easy-to-clean smooth surfaces, and simpler installation without the need for gas lines.
❎ Cons: Heats up and cools down slower than gas, and cannot be used during power outages.
Induction Cooktops
An induction cooktop uses technology such as electromagnetic energy to directly heat pots and pans and provides rapid and efficient cooking. The cooktop itself remains cool, as heat is generated only in the cookware. Induction cooking is often considered safer and more energy-efficient, which makes it a popular choice in modern kitchens.
✅ Pros: Quickly heats cookware, minimizes energy waste, and has a cool surface to reduce burn risks.
❎ Cons: Requires magnetic cookware, which may need extra purchases, and is typically more costly to buy and install.
Impact on Rangehood Selection
The choice of cooktop directly influences the type of rangehood needed. Gas cooktops require more powerful hoods to effectively vent combustion byproducts and odors for proper air quality.
Electric cooktops may allow for less robust hoods, while induction models generally produce less heat, permitting quieter, more efficient ventilation systems. Selecting the right cooktop with rangehood combination is important for maintaining a comfortable cooking environment.
Rangehoods 101: Your Kitchen's Ventilation Solution
A cooktop with rangehood setup is important for removing smoke, steam, grease, and odors. They improve indoor air quality, reduce humidity, and protect kitchen surfaces from grease buildup. Effective ventilation can also enhance the overall comfort of your cooking space, ensuring a healthier environment.
Types of Rangehoods
- Under-Cabinet Rangehoods: These fit underneath kitchen cabinets and have space-saving designs without sacrificing performance. They are ideal for smaller kitchens.
- Wall-Mounted Rangehoods: Installed against a wall, these units provide powerful ventilation and serve as a focal point in kitchen design.
- Island Canopy Rangehoods: Perfect for kitchen islands, these rangehoods hang from the ceiling, provide 360-degree ventilation, and are ideal for open layouts.
- Hood Liners: Designed to be built into custom cabinetry, these liners can be concealed to give you a seamless look.
- Retractable Downdraft Rangehoods: These pop up when needed and retract when not in use, making them a discreet option for minimalist kitchens.
Do Stoves Need to Be Vented?
Stoves should be vented to remove harmful fumes, moisture, and odors because fumes like steam can come from the oven cavity when you're cooking. It may require a different type of range hood like a hood liner or wall-mounted appliance.
Best Combinations for Gas Cooktops
To help you choose the best cooktop with rangehood sets, we've provided reviews on both types of appliances that go well together.
Café 36" Stainless Steel Gas Cooktop
Cafe makes the most luxurious cooktops for avid cooks. The 36 inch Café gas cooktop delivers exceptional performance with a powerful 20,000 BTU tri-ring burner, perfect for searing and sautéing.
The extra-large integrated griddle accommodates larger meals, while precise simmering enhances gourmet dishes.
Stylish LED backlit knobs and heavy-cast grates elevate your kitchen's aesthetic.
Cafe 36" Stainless Steel Wall Mounted Range Hood
Shop Cafe 36" Wall Mounted Range Hood
The Café 36-inch gas cooktop pairs perfectly with this range hood, featuring a 350 CFM rating—ideal for a 20,000 BTU gas appliance.
With a 4-speed fan control and sleek stainless steel finish, the Café range hood combines functionality with style.
The included duct cover extensions fit ceilings up to 9 feet, creating a polished, seamless look.
Ideal Matches for Electric Cooktops
GE Profile 30" Stainless Steel/Black Built-In Electric Cooktop
Shop GE Profile 30" Black Electric Cooktop
GE is another brand that makes the sleekest electric cooktops on the market.
This 30 inch electric cooktop has advanced features like a 3,000W tri-ring element for rapid boiling and precision temperature control for exact cooking results.
With built-in Wi-Fi, guided cooking, and an easy-to-clean smooth glass surface, the GE Profile cooktop simplifies meal preparation.
GE Profile 30" Stainless Steel Wall Mounted Range Hood
Shop GE Profile 30" Range Hood
To go with your cooktop, you'll need the GE profile 30 inch mounted range hood.
This wall-mounted range hood features a powerful 420-CFM venting system to effectively clear smoke, grease, and odors from your GE cooktop.
With easy push-button controls, variable fan speeds, and LED lights to illuminate your cooking surface, it combines functionality with convenience.
Perfect Pairs for Induction Cooktops
Thermador Masterpiece 36" Black Glass Induction Cooktop
Shop Thermador 36" Black Induction Cooktop
Thermador makes the most elegant and reliable induction cooktops.
The Thermador induction cooktop has 13-inch heating element that delivers up to 5,500 watts of power.
The triple-zone element adapts to cookware sizes, while 17 power levels and PowerBoost ensure quick heating.
Its sleek, frameless design and child safety lock make it both stylish and safe.
Thermador Masterpiece 36" Stainless Steel Under Cabinet Range Hood
Shop Thermador 36" Under Cabinet Range Hood
The Thermador 36 Inch range hood is designed specifically for the brand's cooktops of the same width.
This stainless steel range hood delivers exceptional performance with a powerful 1000 CFM blower and noise control technology that reduces sound by up to 35%.
Its Cooktop Hood Sync feature seamlessly connects with Thermador induction cooktops for effortless operation.
Budget-Friendly Options: Great Performance at Lower Costs
GE 30" Black Electric Cooktop
Shop GE 30" Black Electric Cooktop
If you're looking for a high-end cooktop that's more in your price range, consider the smaller 30 inch GE cooktop.
This electric cooktop has four radiant cooking elements for quick and even heat across a sleek glass surface.
It has powerful 2,500-watt elements for rapid boiling and a dedicated melt setting for delicate foods.
The keep warm function maintains food at ideal temperatures, while indicator lights enhance safety and usability.
GE 30" Stainless Steel Wall Mounted Range Hood
Shop GE 30" Wall Mounted Range Hood
The GE 30 wall mounted range hood features a 350-CFM blower which is ideal for the 30 inch cooktop.
With dishwasher-safe filters, convertible venting options, and electronic backlit controls, it provides modern convenience.
The Chef Connect feature syncs with your GE range for automatic light and fan adjustments.
Luxury Combinations: High-End Cooking and Ventilation
Wolf 36" Stainless Steel Transitional Induction Cooktop
Shop Wolf 36" Induction Cooktop
If you're looking for high end cooking appliances that are on par with commercial products then consider the Wolf 36 inch cooktop.
This induction cooktop provides rapid heating and precise control through its five induction zones. Its sleek black ceramic glass surface stays cool and is easy to clean.
Pairable with other modules for a custom layout, it also comes with a reliable two-year full warranty.
Wolf 36" Stainless Steel Cooktop Wall Hood
Shop Wolf 36" Cooktop Wall Hood
The Wolf 36 inch range hood goes perfectly with your cooktop in terms of aesthetics and power.
It has a durable stainless steel construction and a telescoping chimney for flexible ceiling heights.
With bright LED lighting and dishwasher-safe filters, it provides convenience and efficiency.
The Science of Pairing: Matching Cooktops with Rangehoods
Cooktop Size and Type
When pairing a cooktop with rangehood appliances, the size and type of cooktop are crucial. A larger cooktop requires a wider rangehood to effectively capture smoke and odors. Additionally, the cooktop type—gas, electric, or induction—affects the necessary ventilation power, as gas cooktops generate more combustion byproducts than electric or induction models.
Kitchen Layout
The kitchen layout significantly influences rangehood selection. Open-plan spaces may benefit from powerful island canopies, while under-cabinet models are more suitable for traditional layouts. The placement of the cooktop in relation to walls and cabinets determines the best rangehood style for efficient air capture and circulation.
Cooking Habits
If you frequently cook with high heat or produce strong odors, a more robust rangehood is essential. Conversely, if your cooking is primarily light and infrequent, a less powerful model may suffice.
Ventilation Requirements
Ideally, your rangehood should refresh the kitchen air 15 times per hour. To find the necessary airflow (measured in CFM), multiply your kitchen’s cubic footage by 15. For example, if your kitchen is 1,200 cubic feet, the ideal rangehood should provide at least 18,000 CFM to ensure efficient air exchange and maintain air quality.
Size Matters: Choosing the Right Dimensions
A range hood should generally be at least as wide as your cooktop for optimal performance. Many people ask, "What size range hood for 36 inch cooktop?" Well, for a 36-inch cooktop, you'll need the same width rangehood, ideally extending a few inches beyond the cooktop for better air capture.
For common cooktop sizes, consider a 30-inch range hood for a 30-inch cooktop and a 42-inch hood for a 42-inch cooktop.
Height and Placement: Optimizing Ventilation Efficiency
The ideal rangehood height above gas cooktop is between 24 to 30 inches. This height allows for efficient smoke and odor capture and provides easy access to the cooktop.
An exhaust fan for electric stove models or induction cooktops should be between 20 to 24 inches, as these surfaces produce less heat and require less clearance.
If your rangehood is too high, it can reduce suction power. On the other hand, if it's too low it may hinder movement while cooking.
Power and Performance: Understanding CFM Ratings
CFM, or Cubic Feet per Minute, measures the airflow rate of a range hood and indicates how much air it can move. To match CFM to cooktop size and type, aim for about 100 CFM for every 12 inches of cooktop width. For instance, a 36-inch gas cooktop should ideally have a range hood with at least 300 CFM to effectively handle the heat and odors produced.
The CFM may need to be higher with a range hood for gas cooktop appliances. A gas stove that has 40,000 BTU may need a range hood with a 400 CFM rating.
Other performance factors include noise levels, which can impact comfort during cooking, and filtration systems that help trap grease and particles.
Cooking Up the Perfect Combination
Choosing the right cooktop and range hood pairing is essential for optimal cooking efficiency and air quality. A well-matched combination ensures powerful ventilation and reliable performance.
At Spencer’s Appliance, you’ll find a wide selection of brands, sizes, and styles to fit any kitchen.
Visit Spencer’s to discover the ideal cooktop and range hood that meet your culinary needs and complement your style.
Why Trust Spencer’s TV & Appliance?
Since 1973, Spencer’s TV & Appliance has grown to 11 locations throughout the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. The secret to our longevity is simple: personal service. Customer satisfaction has always been the focus of our business, and throughout the years, we have been able to work hard with our suppliers to bring you the best prices. Our prices consistently beat those of big box stores like Lowe's and Home Depot! Unlike the often overwhelming atmosphere of larger retailers, Spencer’s provides a more intimate and attentive environment, ensuring that customers find exactly what they need at the best possible price.
Not only do we offer top-rated appliances, name-brand electronics, and the best mattresses on the market but we also provide water treatment solutions and perform kitchen design services. Stop by your nearest Spencer’s and see what you’re missing!
Shop Cooktop with Rangehood Combo at Spencer’s
At Spencer’s TV & Appliance, we provide high-quality, name-brand products at great prices — check out our catalog to shop cooking online today. Your friends in the business are always happy to help you find the best cooktop with rangehood combination for your kitchen. Call us, or better yet, stop by at one of our locations in the Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Glendale regions. Visit us today!