When designing an outdoor kitchen, the last thing most people think about is the vent hood and ventilation – but it should be one of the first. The vent hood doesn’t do anything exciting, so it’s easy to forget about. But, skimping on ventilation could result in an unusable, smoke-filled outdoor kitchen.
Why is the vent hood so important? Because the smoke, grease and heat need somewhere to go. Unless your outdoor kitchen is completely open, ventilation is necessary to keep the space as smoke-free as possible. According to Blaze Rep Paige Rivet, the vent hood also reduces discoloration of your outdoor kitchen and prevents potentially dangerous build-ups.
Not all vent hoods are created equal, though. So, what makes a good vent hood? There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, but there are certain characteristics to look for to ensure your outdoor kitchen is performing at its best.
When searching for a vent hood, the first thing you should be focused on is the CFM rating – how much air the vent hood is able to move. The higher the CFM, the more powerful the vent hood. Indoor vent hoods are typically rated 300-600 CRM with 900 CRM being the highest.
The Blaze Vent Hood consists of two independent and individually controlled 1,000 CFM four-speed motors for a total of 2,000 CFMs – the highest rating on the market. With that amount of power, smoke doesn’t stand a chance.
Increased power will lead to increased noise, right? Wrong. The Blaze Vent Hood is surprisingly quiet so you can entertain your guests even when the motors are going full speed.
The depth of the vent hood is crucial to maximum smoke removal. Will the vent hood be able to remove smoke billowing out the front of your grill when you open it? At the standard 27-inches, most vent hoods won’t be able to control the smoke since outdoor kitchen countertops are typically 30 inches deep. Hood extensions are offered by some companies to make up the difference, but that’s another cost. At Blaze, our Vent Hood comes standard at 36 inches deep to offer maximum smoke removal.
Another thing to consider is ease of use. Are there complicated instructions or parts? The design of the vent hood should be simple, focusing on increased performance, easy up-keep, reduced noise and more.
From dishwasher safe components for easy cleaning to specially designed baffles that capture the maximum amount of grease before the ducting to prevent build-ups, the Blaze Vent Hood was designed with customer safety in mind. A dirty vent hood is a grease fire risk so selecting a vent hood that is easy to clean should be a priority.
While the vent hood is a necessity for most outdoor kitchens, rarely does it become a conversation piece or focal point. Vent hoods are there to ventilate – don’t complicate things. The Blaze Vent Hood did add one additional feature to the vent hood – four adjustable halogen lights to illuminate the cooking surface as needed – but that’s as fancy as it gets.
Finally, does the vent hood have a warranty? Not all of them do. Many brands offer a limited warranty – typically one- or three-year warranties on certain components. However, the Blaze Vent Hood comes with the unbeatable Blaze Lifetime Warranty on all stainless steel parts. Electrical parts are excluded from the lifetime warranty but they still come with a one-year warranty.
If you are debating the need for ventilation, stop. While you might see the vent hood as a way to save some money, the cost to install a vent hood after construction on the outdoor kitchen is complete is a couple thousand – significantly higher than if you had done so from the start. Save yourself the money by putting a little more in from the start. For a no-hassle vent hood with maximum power at an affordable cost, contact your local Blaze Grills retailer.
