My family is looking to buy a new range hood. Ours right now is just too weak, it doesn't really suck air out. What do you guys/gals recommend? We've looked around and saw this one: Broan 413004 ADA Capable Non-Ducted Under-Cabinet Range Hood Do you think it's good? Any opinions? Thanks!

If there isn't a duct leading somewhere it's not ducted. Venting into the cavity doesn't sound right? Perhaps it was permissible when originally built? Our first house had a simple exhaust fan, of the type also used in bathrooms, above the stove and it went straight into the ceiling. That wasn't unusual in cheaper homes in those days. But these days kitchen exhausts should be recirculating or ducted externally to avoid build-up of potentially dangerous residues. In your situation recirculating sounds the most straightforward option. Alternatively you might be able to run the ducting out a side wall but the longer the ducting the less efficiently it works. Is it possible your rangehood has been installed incorrectly? We installed a rangehood in the 90's which could be configured as recirculating or as ducted and It took a few attempts to get the thing working properly.

Hello 61karwin, I do not have a range hood just an exhaust fan. I do not do much in the way of frying, I am however rather good at 'carbon' but find with a good breeze thru from open windows that it is no problem. The fan does need cleaning every now and then but I get a tall person to assist: a young one who is happy to get onto the bench! I do not see a problem unless your home is not well vented and you like cooking hot chips! Cheers Margot

Some will specify distance and angles permitted. Check installation guides out