Let’s talk straight: Ductless range hoods aren’t the same as ducted range hoods, and we won’t pretend otherwise. Instead of venting cooking air outside, a ductless kitchen hood filters and recirculates it back into your space. It’s not our first choice when exterior venting is possible, but when you’re working with real-world constraints, a well-designed recirculating vent hood is infinitely better than no ventilation at all.

The key is understanding what ductless exhaust hoods can and can’t do—then choosing the right stovetop hood system for your specific situation.

• No exterior venting possible: Apartments, condos, or structural limitations

• Rental restrictions: Can’t modify building structure permanently

• Faster installation: Less invasive than cutting through walls or ceilings

• Renovation budget constraints: Simpler installation without complex duct routing

• Island cooktop challenges: Too far from exterior walls for practical ductwork

• Historic home preservation: Maintain original architecture and masonry

• Capturing grease through baffle filters

• Reducing odors via charcoal filtration

• Providing task lighting over your cooktop or range

• Maintaining your home’s heated or cooled air (no air loss to exterior)

• Remove humidity or steam like ducted exhaust hoods

• Eliminate combustion byproducts from gas stovetops

• Match the air-clearing power of exterior-vented systems

• Handle heavy, high-heat cooking styles

Think of it as a five-step cleaning process happening inside your range hood:

1. Air Intake: Fan draws cooking air upward through baffle filters

2. Grease Capture: Stainless steel baffle filters trap grease particles and droplets

3. Odor Removal: Air passes through activated charcoal filters that absorb cooking odors

4. Air Return: Cleaned and filtered air releases back into your kitchen through hood louvers (shown below) or return vent (shown here)

5. Ongoing Maintenance: Charcoal filters require replacement every 3-6 months, depending on how much you cook

Think of it as a five-step cleaning process happening inside your range hood:

• Trade-Wind USA Essential Insert with integrated motor

• Premium 304-grade stainless steel liner (built to last generations)

• Removable stainless steel baffle filters (dishwasher-safe because we respect your time)

• Specialized activated charcoal filters for odor absorption
  

• Integrated LED lighting to illuminate your cooking

• Intuitive touch controls with three speed settings

• Clever louvers built into hood design for filtered air circulation

• Powered by dedicated 15/20 amp circuit, hardwired 120V 60Hz household current

• Approximately seven sones operation (similar to normal conversation volume)

This is the only CFM option for ductless recirculating systems, and it's designed specifically for light to moderate cooking on smaller cooktops.

• Maximum 48" hood width (even heroes have their boundaries)

• 390 CFM maximum airflow capacity

• Suitable for cooktops up to 36" wide

• Best for gas ranges up to 30,000 BTUs or electric/induction cooktops

• Single motor, 390 CFM recirculating airflow

• Requires specialized charcoal filter replacement every 3-6 months (the first set is included)

• Maximum 48" wide hoods only

• Not suitable for cooktops larger than 48"

Unlike ducted systems that send everything outside, ductless systems rely entirely on their filters to clean your kitchen air. Here's the maintenance reality:

• Baffle filters: Clean monthly, dishwasher-safe

• Charcoal filters: Replace every 3-6 months for frequent cooks, 6-12 months for occasional cooks

• Filter costs: Factor ongoing charcoal filter replacement into your budget

• Performance monitoring: When cooking odors start lingering longer, it's time for new charcoal filters

We're straight shooters at CopperHoods, so here's the honest truth: If you're a flambé enthusiast, regularly sear steaks at high heat, or love wok cooking, ductless isn't your best friend. The system works well for:

• Light to moderate cooking frequency

• Electric and induction cooktops

• Gas ranges under 30,000 BTUs

• Simmering, baking, and gentle sautéing

Ductless systems can't remove steam and moisture the way ducted systems do. Expect some humidity to remain in your kitchen, especially when:

Pro tip: Crack a window during and after cooking to help introduce fresh air and improve air quality faster.

Some homeowners and contractors prefer to specify their own blower systems or have unique ventilation requirements. Our liner-only range hood option gives you the premium stainless steel foundation that pairs perfectly with your custom vent hood, leaving you free to specify your own blower or exhaust insert.

• Premium 304-grade stainless steel liner (the gold standard that outlasts your mortgage)

• Precision-sized to fit your custom CopperHoods range hood

• Pre-cut openings for standard blower connections

• Professional-grade construction with clean, finished edges

• Ready for your choice of:

• Separate blower/insert installation

• External blower systems

• Custom ventilation configurations

• Future system upgrades

• Homeowners with existing external blower systems

• Contractors specifying custom ventilation hood solutions

• DIY enthusiasts with specific CFM or brand requirements

• Projects requiring specialized ventilation configurations

• Renovations where the existing blower system is being retained

• When the custom kitchen hood is purely aesthetic

• Custom ventilation projects

• Pairing with your preferred blower brand or model

• Situations requiring specific CFM not available in standard packages

• Homes with existing inline or external blower systems

• Flexible future upgrade paths

Even with limitations, you can optimize your ductless system for better results:

• Turn on your hood 5-10 minutes before cooking starts

• Keep it running 15-20 minutes after you finish cooking

• This extended runtime helps capture more odors and particles