Gadgets 20 Inch Built-In Range Hood Insert, 650 CFM Ducted/Ductless Under Cabinet Vent Hood, Stainless Steel, 3-Speed Exhaust Fan, Push Button Control, LED Lighting - Black

CFM stands for Cubic Feet per Minute, a unit of measurement used to quantify the volume of air a range hood can move or extract per minute. In kitchen appliances, CFM measures how effectively a range hood ventilates the air by removing smoke, odors, steam, and grease from the kitchen.

The general rule of thumb for selecting the right CFM for a range hood depends on both the kitchen size and the power of your stove. For electric cooktops, it's recommended to have a range hood with 100 CFM per 12 inches of stove width, while for gas cooktops, you need a range hood with CFM between 100 and 120 per 12 inches due to the higher heat output. For instance, if your cooktop is 36 inches wide, you would need a range hood with a minimum of 300 to 360 CFM to ensure proper ventilation. This ensures your range hood can effectively handle smoke, grease, and odors generated during cooking, providing optimal airflow for your kitchen.

To measure the CFM required for your kitchen, you'll need to take into account the size of the room, the type of cooktop, and how frequently you cook. A common approach for estimating the necessary CFM is to calculate the square footage of your kitchen and then multiply that by a factor of 0.8 to 1.0. This will give you a good idea of how much airflow your range hood should provide. For example, a 200 square foot kitchen would require a range hood with approximately 160 to 200 CFM to ensure adequate ventilation. This method helps to ensure that your kitchen's air is properly circulated and any cooking fumes or odors are effectively removed.

Installation is straightforward, with pre-drilled screw holes on both the top and rear, a three-prong grounded plug, and an included mounting template (dimensions recommended to verify manually).

This 30-inch under-cabinet range hood features three removable filters that can be washed with warm, soapy water, while the smooth stainless steel surface wipes clean easily for simple everyday upkeep.

The three-speed fan delivers up to 200 CFM of airflow, offering surprisingly strong performance for such a slim hood. While not silent, its 6.5-sone max noise level is quieter than many similar models in its class.