Island Chimney Range Hoods

Range hoods for islands are stylish but expensive

From a ventilation perspective, a range installed in an island is less than ideal. Without nearby walls to prevent smoke and steam from escaping the area, island chimneys have to work harder to accomplish the same task. Still, some models with high-CFM blowers approach the performance of under-cabinet and wall-mounted range hoods, and all do a better job than downdraft range hoods. For the best performance, experts recommend buying an island chimney range hood wider (and deeper, if possible) than the range itself.

Because island chimney range hoods are installed in the center of the kitchen, they're much more noticeable than other types. Stylish designs are the norm, and there's really no such thing as a budget-friendly island chimney model. Most cost between $1,500 and $2,000, though a few are available for under $1,000.

The 30-inch Cavaliere-Euro SV218D36IM (*Est. $850) is one of the least expensive island chimney range hoods available. It has a 900-CFM blower and produces 7 sones on high. Features include four halogen lights, six fan settings, touch-pad controls, a filter-cleaning reminder and delayed shutoff. One downside is the aluminum mesh filter, which is harder to clean and less durable than the stainless-steel baffles included with many range hoods of this type. Surprisingly, the Atlas is just as attractive as range hoods that cost twice as much. It has a curved glass canopy, which isn't just for looks -- it also helps the range hood capture hot air rising from the cooktop. Although the Cavaliere-Euro isn't included in the professional tests we found, it does receive glowing recommendations from about two dozen owners at Overstock.com. Owners comment that it looks great and works well, but is fairly loud on the highest setting. The Cavaliere-Euro SV218D36IM is available in stainless steel only, in 30-inch and 36-inch widths.

If you're looking for a quieter range hood, the Sirius Modular Island SIU3 (*Est. $1,800) gets a recommendation from Appliance.com and a positive review from ConsumerGuide.com. This Italian-built range hood produces only 4.9 sones on the highest setting (600 CFM), making it one of the quietest range hoods available. It includes touch pad controls, four fan speeds, four dichroic lights, and delayed shutoff. Aluminum mesh filters are standard, but stainless-steel baffles can be purchased separately. It has a sleek, minimalist design that makes it relatively unobtrusive compared to most range hoods of this type. The Sirius Modular Island SIU3 is available in stainless steel only and is 36 inches wide.

In tests of smoke removal, the GE Monogram ZV1050SFSS (*Est. $2,100) is a top performer among island chimney range hoods. It has a 1,080-CFM blower, and while GE isn't forthcoming with the number of sones it produces, professional tests indicate it is fairly loud. Features include touch-pad controls, four halogen lights, four fan speeds, six lighting levels, filter cleaning reminder and delayed shutoff. Although the curved canopy and powerful blower may be partially responsible for this model's performance, size is also a factor. With island chimney range hoods especially, a large canopy increases the capture area and allows less air to escape. The GE Monogram ZV1050SFSS is available in stainless steel only and is 42 inches wide.

It's not uncommon these days for an island chimney range hood to serve as a decorative centerpiece in a high-end kitchen. The Zephyr Europa Torino ZTR-M90S (*est. $3,400) is one range hood that appears to be designed for just that purpose. It has a conical stainless-steel chimney and a pale green frosted-glass canopy. Other features include remote control operation, electronic controls, six fan speeds, delayed shutoff, filter cleaning reminder, and two halogen lights. It has a 715-CFM blower and produces a fairly quiet 6 sones on high speed. While this model is unlikely to appear in professional tests, it does receive a recommendation from ConsumerGuide.com. However, it's important to note that the 36-inch-wide canopy's oval shape reduces its total capture area, possibly decreasing performance.