Should I always run the exhaust / hood fan when cooking?

Should I always run the exhaust / hood fan when cooking? - Close Up Shot of a Yellow Car

A question over on DIY.SE about sizing a range hood exhaust got me thinking about whether I should be running the exhaust fan every time I cook. Is it supposed to be more of a proactive or reactive piece of equipment - i.e., should I only turn it on in response to a problem, or always turn it on before cooking anything (or any specific types of cooking)?

I only run it now when it gets noticeably smoky around the stove, which is usually when I'm cooking in my cast iron skillet. I mainly turn it on in an effort to avoid setting off the smoke detector (which sometimes works and sometimes doesn't).



Best Answer

As you call it an "exhaust" I assume it's an extracting type rather than a filtered recirculating type.

It's a good idea to run it:

  • Whenever you're frying (it handles grease droplets in the air as well as smoke)
  • When you have the potential to produce smoke (so not generally when cooking in the oven, but sometimes, if things might drip or spatter).
  • When you're cooking something that might make the house smell for longer than you'd like.

Generally speaking you should use it in anticipation of smoke/grease/odours, though using it reactively for toaster smoke is also a good idea.

Boiling is another matter. If the house gets damp, running the fan when boiling will reduce that (as of course will boiling with a lid on). Some houses end up rather dry (e.g. with forced air heating), in which case it's probably not worth turning the fan on. In summer I'd rather open the window.

It's worth thinking of where the air comes in to replace that sucked out by the fan. I have a rather open plan living area, and open a little ventilation at the far end from the kitchen, so the fresh air comes through the sitting and dining areas to the kitchen. But here in the UK we have "trickle vents" over many windows that are designed to deliver fresh air without you feeling a draught unless you're very close.




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Quick Answer about "Should I always run the exhaust / hood fan when cooking?"

Turn on your exhaust fan every time you cook. If you use a recirculating fan, replace or clean the filter regularly. And realize that although these filters are good for capturing grease, they really aren't accomplishing much in terms of air pollution. In those situations, opening a kitchen window is your best bet.

Is it good to use exhaust fan in kitchen?

Kitchen exhaust fans reduce cooking emission in two ways: 1) by removing emissions directly at the stove before they mix into the surrounding air and 2) by increasing overall air exchange in the home to remove pollutants from the indoor environment.

When should I use exhaust fan?

Exhaust fans are used to pull excess moisture and unwanted odors out of a particular room or area. They are commonly found in bathrooms and kitchens, where moisture can build up due to activities such as showering, washing, or cooking.

Should you cook with vent on?

It is not safe to cook without a range hood. Everyday cooking produces harmful contaminants including carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and more. Without proper ventilation, these toxins sit in your kitchen and move to other areas of your home.

What is the purpose of the fan above the stove?

Hoods are designed to remove odors, smoke, grease and other pollutants that are released into the air while cooking. The polluted air is sucked through a motorized fan and is either carried outside or filtered and re-circulated.



Kitchen Rangehood Ventilation Solutions




Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

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