“SSti-Flex 1650”
“Aluminum Flex 400”
“SS-Flex 800”
Screw Clamps
Kitchen Hood Ductwork
Table of Contents:
1. What are Kitchen Ventilation Hoods?
2. FAQs About Range-Hood Ducting - Set #1
3. What is the Purpose of a Kitchen Hood?
4. FAQs About Range-Hood Ducting - Set #2
5. What Material is Used for Fume Hood Ducting?
6. What is the Most Common Cause of House Fires?
7. FAQs About Range-Hood Ducting - Set #3
8. What is the Most Affordable Range Hood Duct?
9. What is the Best Ductwork for Range Hood?
What are Kitchen Ventilation Hoods?
Ventilation hoods (sometimes known as extractor, range, or exhaust hoods) are a kind of device containing a mechanical fan which hangs above a room or surface. These appliances can be made from a multitude of materials including stainless steel, copper, bronze, zinc, wood, brass, and heat resistant plastics. The sheer variety of material from which ventilation hoods can be made allows this product to be a ubiquitous and familiar component of homes and businesses. The purpose of these devices is to remove and filter gases for the purpose of air purification and filtration. Most types of extractor hoods consist of three main components: a skirt to capture rising gases and a fan. However, as with other types of gas-handling appliances, it is only natural that ventilation hoods depend on one more important product in order to achieve their purpose: hood ducting.
Hood Ducting is an efficient tool for the transferring of air, chemicals, and fumes from an enclosed environment to an ambient air source. Ventilation hoods are effective in a variety of situations, from stove hoods above home and restaurant kitchen stoves to removing harsh chemicals from an industrial environment. Ducting.com offers several options of hood ducting to fit your application’s demands.
FAQs About Range Hood Ducting – Set #1
What material is used for hood ductwork?
Generally, metals are used, since they have higher working temperatures, are easier to clean and are very hygienic. Stainless steel and aluminum are the most commonly used hood ductwork in residential or commercial kitchens.
How much does it cost to duct a range hood?
On the more affordable side aluminum ducts (Aluminum Flex 280 – Compressible ) can range in price from around $36 for a 3” ID Coil that is 118” long to about $112 for a 12” diameter Coil that is 118” long. On the expensive side, stainless steel ducts (SS-Flex 800) can range from $103 for a five foot long 2” diameter coil to $311 for a five foot long 12” diameter coil.
What are the requirements for range hood ducting?
Range hood ducting needs to be fire resistant, be able to handle temperatures that the cooking surface emits (this will vary with the type, brand and size of the stove) and be easy to clean.
Do range hood ducts need to be insulated?
No it does not. Having an insulated range hood duct serves no purpose. You are not trying to save the temperatures of the heat leaving the room, the hood is trying to expel it. Frankly some insulated hoses are fire rated, hence can be a source of safety problems. We do not recommend insulated hood ducting.
Is Flex Duct okay for a range hood?
No. If by flex duct it means something that is not made out of metal, then the answer is absolutely no. This applies to any PVC, rubber, vinyl or non-metal ducts. But flexible metal ducts are the recommended type of exhaust hood duct type. Plastics, rubber products and even thermoplastics burn and we highly discourage their use in kitchens hoods.
Can PVC pipe be used for rangehood ducting?
No PVC pipe is not recommended for range hood ducting. PVC itself is not inherently fire-resistant, and we can safely assume that PVC pipes are also not treated with flame retardant materials. In addition, PVC pipe is heavy, cumbersome and probably really difficult to install as a range hood vent duct.
“Aluminum Flex 280 – Compressible”
“Aluminum Flex 280 – Compressible”
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- Designed for extreme temperature applications
- Resists metal fatigue, weathering, and most corrosive fumes and chemicals
The Aluminum Flex 280 – Compressible comes prefabricated in a variety of different inside diameter (I.D.) sizes: 3″, 4″, 5″, 6″, 8″, 10″, and 12″. The walls of this flexible metal tubing are 0.1 to 0.11 mm. thick, and it has an I.D. tolerance of 0 to 0.1 inch. Its end finishes are plain cut, and it comes in a classic, metallic-silver colorway. This flexible metal hose is also semi-rigid, which means that, once you bend it into a certain position, it will stay that way without any added support. Of course, you can bend it again to reform the duct into a different position. In sum, it’s likely that you will not need to use any accessories such as elbows to fit your Aluminum Flex 280 – Compressible into looping or bent positions.
This flexible metal duct is designed with air and fume ventilation applications in mind, thus making it well-suited for a variety of residential, commercial, and industrial applications—especially those that intend to transport high-temperature matter. Wood stoves, for instance, need to properly ventilate hot smoke from the wood they burn. The Aluminum Flex 280 – Compressible is a natural fit for these kinds of applications—especially since, oftentimes, a wood stove’s exhaust duct must navigate a circuitous pathway to reach the destination where it expels the stove’s fumes. Other common uses for this metal flex-duct include chemical fume ventilation, circuit board cooling, and air conditioner ducting, among other things.
“Aluminum Flex 280 – Compressible”
What is the Purpose of a Kitchen Hood?
There are two basic types of commercial kitchen exhaust hoods. And since each is very different from the other, the hoods, parts, and supplies used with each are also very different from one another. The first type is a grill kitchen hood that will need to have the ability to endure greases, smoke, steam, and elevated cooking temperatures. This type of an exhaust hood and their other parts (i.e., range hood duct) are made to withstand cooking-related heat, including possible fires, smoke, oils & grease, and other heated food residue.
Type two is designed to move light moisture and warm air from machinery like a dishwasher. This type of a hood, (i.e., condensate hoods) are made to collect odors and steam.
Commercial kitchen equipment requires more durable, easy to clean and sanitize hoods. The volume of oils, greases and mishaps exceeds anything that a residential kitchen would ever see.
These hoods are connected to ventilation systems which are required in any commercial kitchen. The ventilation systems provide odor control as well as fire protection for the kitchen. Hoods as a general and make the kitchen space a comfortable working area by removing smells, hot air, rising grease, food particles and smoke.
“Aluminum Flex 400”
FAQs About Range Hood Ducting – Set #2
Can I use a 4-inch duct for a range hood?
The size of the ducting for range hood is dependent on the connection pipe to the hood itself. There are range hood firms that suggest that nothing under a 4-inch duct should be used. The 4-size is ideal, which is ideal for range hoods requiring a minimum of 400 CFM. We offer out stainless and aluminum kitchen hood ductwork in sizes up to 12-inch in diameter. And all sizes in the popular styles are stocked and can ship in 24 hours after an order is received.
Can I use a 5-inch duct for a range hood?
Yes, the minimum recommended size for a stove hood vent duct is 4-inches.
The size of the flex duct you choose will be limited by the space available to install the flexible hose and the end connection of the hood. Regardless, we stock range hood duct products in stainless steel and aluminum in up to 12-inch diameter.
Should I use a 6-inch or 8-inch duct for a range hood?
If you can and your installation will allow you to use a 6 or an 8-inch exhaust hood duct, then choose the larger size possible. The larger size ducting will allow you to move more air out of your space. Of course, all of this is contingent on the fact that your kitchen hood, the crawl space and other installation limitations allow the use of this duct size all the way through.
Does a range hood duct need to be rigid?
No, semi-rigid flexible ducting is available that makes installation a lot easier. Since semi-rigid ducts can be shaped to bend and act as elbows to twist their way through difficult spaces, these ducts eliminate the need for accessories and time consuming duct installations. Semi-rigid metal ducts are the Gold Standard ducting for range hood applications.
What size duct should I use for a range hood?
Four and 6-inch range hood ducting are by far the most popular ductwork sizes used. These sizes tend to have the most economical pricing, due to demand, and more off-the-shelf accessories available for them.
Can I use a 3-inch duct for a range hood?
Sizes below 4-inch are not recommended for range hood and anything below 4-inch is too small to be effective as a means to remove any volume of air out of a kitchen space.
“Aluminum Flex 400”
“Aluminum Flex 400”
- Self supporting construction allows for bends to stay in place
- Designed for extreme temperature applications
The “Aluminum Flex 400” hi-temp hoses are great for funneling above ambient industrial air and fume. The metallic silver lightweight hose is constructed from a single-ply, helically corrugated aluminum alloy. The walls of the flexible ducts are constructed using a durable four-ply finished seam that has been folded flat and crimped for binding and strength. With a working temperature range of -100 to + 400 degrees Fahrenheit, these aluminum ducts are built to withstand extreme temperature applications. They are made to resist fatigue, weathering, and most corrosive fumes and chemicals. Aluminum flexible ducts are far more durable than their elastomeric counterparts, even when corrosive fumes are present.
“Aluminum Flex 400” flexible ducts can be purchased in either 5 or 10 ft lengths. The flexible ductwork is available in several internal diameter sizes including 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 12 inches with internal diameter tolerances of -0.00 to +0.250 inch. These lightweight ducting can be utilized in a variety of applications that includes removal of the following: chemical fumes, circuit board cooling, exhaust systems, HVAC, oil mist removal, pollution control and ventilation. If you have any questions or need further assistance with these hi-temp hoses, please do not hesitate to contact one of our ducting experts today.
What Material is Used for Fume Hood Ducting?
Metal range hood ducting, aluminum or stainless-steel, are recommended hoses for any home of commercial hood.
The first variety and the most affordable are aluminum vent hood ducting. Aluminum is the planet’s most commonly used non-ferrous metal. It is ubiquitous in our lives because it has excellent qualities that permit its use everywhere. Aluminum alloys are light, have high strength-to-weight ratio, they are corrosion resistant, they have excellent properties, are easy to fabricate and to recycle. Aluminum is very easy to keep clean and to sanitize. And aluminum is non-reactive with most common kitchen cleansers and cooking materials. This makes for a material that is ideal for use in any kitchen. Most importantly aluminum and its alloys in solid form do not burn. Aluminum melts at between 1,220°F to 1,256°F.
The second, more expensive, but more complete product that is recommended for exhaust hood ductwork is stainless steel flexible ducting. Stainless steel products are oil resistant and heat resistant steels which makes them perfect for kitchens. We offer two types of stainless range hood ducts that can handle up to 800°F (i.e., SS-Flex 800) and 1650°F (i.e., SSti-Flex 1650) in maximum temperatures. Their advantages include high corrosion resistance, good weldability, high thermal resistance, ultra easy maintenance and hygienic qualities.
Also, stainless steel offers an attractive appearance, long durability and high economic efficiency. The latter deserves special mention especially with a view to environmental protection projects.
Stainless steel stove hood duct products are non-hazardous and are used specifically for safety and their non-reactive clean presence. All stainless steel has a minimum of 10.5% chromium which reacts with oxygen and moisture to form a protective oxide film on the surface of the metal.
“SSti-Flex 1650”
“SSti-Flex 1650”
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- Suitable for fume and air exhaust applications with extremely high temperatures up to 1650 Fahrenheit
- Excellent Flexibility & Crush Resistance
The “SSti-Flex 1650” is a titanium stabilized stainless steel hose that utilizes patented roll lock construction. The titanium stabilized stainless steel adds increased heat resistance to the already resilient qualities of stainless steel. The titanium compound and roll lock construction set these high temperature hoses apart from comparable products because it offers excellent flexibility and crush resistance. This stainless hose features durable corrugation, which allows the product to be dragged, bent, and reshaped without taking damage or breaking. Due to this stainless steel hose’s unique composition, it is suitable for chemical fume exhausting, high temperatures, and corrosive applications where both positive and negative pressures are involved.
The “SSti-Flex 1650” flexible stainless hose comes in a standard length of both 15 ft (9 to 12 inch size) and 25 ft (3 to 8 inch) with plain cut ends. The 3 inch and 4 inch diameters can ship by ground if ordered in 25-foot coils. The wall thickness of this stainless duct is measured at 0.006 inches. These stainless steel hoses have an extremely wide range of applications involving air, dust, fume, and materials such as A/C ventilation, pharmaceuticals, paper trim conduits, welding, oil mist transfer, and high temperature applications. If you have questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to give one of our ducting specialists a call today!
What is the Most Common Cause of House Fires?
Cooking caused an average of 158,400 reported home structure fires per year from 2017 to 2021. There are many home fires that go unreported. This is 44% of all reported home fires in the US. The largest cause of home fires are ones that start in the kitchen. A residential stove generates heat which can exceed 500°F and ensuing fumes, smoke and greases that travel up from the pots and pans. If this heat and the material being cooked are not properly monitored the resultant can be a fiery mess. Cooktops were involved in over 50% of the kitchen fires, 88 percent and homes with electric ranges had a higher risk of cooking fires. Commercial ovens can reach 1,000°F, with some pizza ovens going over this mark. Heat, fuel, fire and oil are all present and these are ingredients to a fiery problem if not managed properly. Therefore, kitchen’s need to have parts that are fire resistant and that do not promote fire, if it ever takes hold. This is why kitchen hoods are generally made out of ultra heat and fire-resistant metals like stainless steel.
“Bridge Clamps”
“Aluminum Connectors”
“SS-Flex 800”
FAQs About Range Hood Ducting – Set #3
What is the best ducting for a rangehood?
Flexible stainless-steel ducting is the best ducting for a range hood because stainless-steel ducts are fire-resistant, can handle temperatures up to 800°F, easy to handle and install, easy to clean and will exceed the code requirements of any residential or commercial installation.
Is it okay to use a flexible duct for a range hood?
Yes, if the flexible duct is made out of stainless-steel or aluminum, and the answer is no if the material makeup of the duct for a range hood is an elastomer like rubber or vinyl.
How do I connect two pieces of ductwork for a range hood?
If the two exhaust hood duct sizing are the same, there are connectors that can act as a straight union between the two flex ducts of the same size. These are either aluminum or stainless connectors, and you should match the material makeup of the kitchen hood duct with that of the connectors, so that the qualities of the entire HVAC system are consistent.
Is a semi-rigid duct okay for a range hood?
Yes, semi-rigid ducts made from metals are the recommended range hood vent ductwork. Note that there are other semi-rigid ducts made from polyethylene or PVC and these products are not suggested for use in and around kitchen hoods.
Do range hoods have to be vented outside?
Yes, otherwise the odors, heat, smoke and particulates generated by cooking will not escape to the outdoors. There are ductless options available but if you are operating a commercial kitchen or a household one that uses the stove often, investing in a high quality hood is essential to a healthy air quality indoors.
What type of duct is best for venting a range hood?
Semi-rigid metal ducts are the only kitchen range hood exhaust duct products that should be considered. Metals like stainless and aluminum will not burn, therefore are the safest products for use in kitchens. The possibility of fires in home or commercial kitchens is always present and having range hood ducting that will not promote a fire is of the utmost importance.
What are the requirements for range hood ducting?
“SS-Flex 800”
“SS-Flex 800”
- Lightweight & hand bendable allowing for elbows and turns to be formed easily during installation
- Self-supported construction allows for bends to stay in place
The “SS-Flex 800” is a single-ply helically corrugated stainless steel hose with a four-ply finished seam that is folded flat and crimped, allowing for excellent tightness and strength. Unlike other forms of steel, stainless steel does not readily corrode, rust or stain when it comes into contact with moisture. Stainless steel is essentially low carbon steel, which contains chromium at 10% or more by weight. It is this addition of chromium that gives the steel its unique corrosion resisting properties. This flexible steel hose is also very lightweight allowing for easy installation. The hose’s flexibility allows for this stainless hose to be hand bendable, allowing you to easily create elbows and turns during installation. Because the stainless steel is resistant to weathering, moisture, corrosive fumes, and chemicals, this product exhibits excellent life.
The “SS-Flex 800” stainless steel hose is also very resilient to high and low temperature extremes. This flexible high temperature hose has a temperature range of -400 degrees to +800 degrees Fahrenheit. This truly wide temperature range gives this flexible steel hose great versatility, allowing it to be used in a large variety of industries. Stainless steel’s resistance to corrosion and staining, low maintenance and familiar luster, makes it an ideal material for many applications. This flexible high temperature hose is also an aesthetic choice in commercial kitchens with exposed fume hoods.
“Aluminum Flex 400”
What is the Most Affordable Range Hood Duct?
For lightweight applications like home kitchen stove hoods we offer an aluminum ventilation duct. The aluminum ducting provides a great temperature with extremely high heat resistance with great chemical abating properties; truly, the single-ply, helically corrugated alloy of this flex ducting is something to marvel at. What’s more, this kind of hood ducting is generally sold in several different lengths, facilitating its use in many different commercial and industrial settings, which makes them perfect for residential ventilation situations. Ranging in interior diameters from 2 inches up to 12 inches, aluminum hood ducts are suitable for virtually every interior environment imaginable.
“Aluminum Flex 400”
“Aluminum Flex 400”
- Self supporting construction allows for bends to stay in place
- Designed for extreme temperature applications
This flexible ductwork is lightweight, pliable and can easily be bent or manipulated by hand. Our aluminum lightweight ducting is self-supporting, which means the hose will maintain its shape when bent. This important attribute helps in the formation of elbows for easy bending and turning during the installation process. This same self-supporting construction allows any bends to remain in place without the use of additional support materials. One thing to keep in mind is that flexible ductwork should not be exposed to repeated bending and moving. Flexible ducts are not recommended for continuous flexing. Hose connectors are also available for the “Aluminum Flex 400” flexible ducts. Use hose connectors (straight unions) to fit additional pieces of hoses together for extra length.
“Aluminum Flex 400” flexible ducts can be purchased in either 5 or 10 ft lengths. The flexible ductwork is available in several internal diameter sizes including 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 12 inches with internal diameter tolerances of -0.00 to +0.250 inch. These lightweight ducting can be utilized in a variety of applications that includes removal of the following: chemical fumes, circuit board cooling, exhaust systems, HVAC, oil mist removal, pollution control and ventilation. If you have any questions or need further assistance with these hi-temp hoses, please do not hesitate to contact one of our ducting experts today.
“SS-Flex 800”
“SSti-Flex 1650”
What is the Best Ductwork for Range Hood?
Stainless steel ventilation hoods are perfect for heavy-duty high temperature applications. We offer two stainless steel alloys, 304 and 316TI, which feature maximum temperature ranges of 800 to 1650 degrees Fahrenheit respectively. These commercial hoses are often sold –like their aluminum counterparts -in varying lengths and diameters, allowing them to be a ubiquitous and relied upon product. These stainless-steel hood ducting products also feature excellent resistance to chemicals and corrosive materials. The resistant capabilities of these hoses makes them ideal for ventilating large amounts of hazardous chemicals and corrosive materials that need to be transferred to ambient air.
To find the right hood ducting product to meet the demands of your ventilation application, browse through our detailed online catalog to find the product with the right features for you. Give us a call if you would like assistance in deciding which of our ventilation hoods best meets the demands of your applications. One of our ducting specialists would be happy to assist you!
“SSti-Flex 1650”
“SSti-Flex 1650”
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- Suitable for fume and air exhaust applications with extremely high temperatures up to 1650 Fahrenheit
- Excellent Flexibility & Crush Resistance
The “SSti-Flex 1650” is a titanium stabilized stainless steel hose that utilizes patented roll lock construction. The titanium stabilized stainless steel adds increased heat resistance to the already resilient qualities of stainless steel. The titanium compound and roll lock construction set these high temperature hoses apart from comparable products because it offers excellent flexibility and crush resistance. This stainless hose features durable corrugation, which allows the product to be dragged, bent, and reshaped without taking damage or breaking. Due to this stainless steel hose’s unique composition, it is suitable for chemical fume exhausting, high temperatures, and corrosive applications where both positive and negative pressures are involved.
The “SSti-Flex 1650” flexible stainless hose’s titanium stabilization makes this stainless duct much more heat resistant than similar hoses. These high temperature hoses can withstand temperatures up to +1650 degrees Fahrenheit. This product’s ability to withstand such high temperatures makes it suitable for handling high temperature materials and chemicals that other stainless steel hose are not capable of withstanding. It is also a choice in high purity gas movement, where the chemical makeup of the hose will result in minimal reaction with the media. 316 stainless steel contains an addition of molybdenum which gives it improved corrosion resistance. Stainless steel grade 316Ti contains a small amount of Titanium. Titanium content is typically only around 0.5%. The titanium atoms stabilize the structure of the 316 stainless steel at temperatures over 800°C. This prevents carbide precipitation at the grain boundaries and protects the metal from corrosion.
