Standard hood clearance

Standard clearances above ranges for kitchen hoods in a residential setting depend on the type of range (gas or electric) and the specifications of the hood manufacturer. Here are the general guidelines:

1. WALL MOUNT DROP DOWN RANGE HOODS:

   • For gas cooktops, it is typically recommended that the range hood be installed 24–30 inches above the stove. For proper ventilation above your gas cooktop or range.

     Installing your range hood at the proper height helps circulate the air and remove grease and odors most effectively.

   • With an electric range or cooktop, there is typically less heat, grease and smoke involved in cooking, so a range hood can be installed at the same height as the gas range hoods or lower. If you have an electric cooktop, your range hood should be installed 20–24 inches above the heat source.

   • If you have an induction cooktop, your range hood should be installed 30-36 inches above the heat source. Although cooking on an induction cooktop typically releases less heat into the environment than other cooktops or ranges, ventilation is still beneficial.

2. OVER-THE-RANGE MICROWAVE HOOD:

   • The International Residential Code, the building code on which most local building codes are based, requires a clearance of 30 inches between the top of a range and any combustible surface, but it specifies that over-the-range microwaves, which are designed to tolerate less clearance, should be mounted according to their manufacturer's instructions.

     The National Kitchen and Bath Association recommends that the bottom of the microwave should be no higher than 54 inches above the floor, which would allow for 18 inches of clearance between the microwave and the typical cooktop height of 36 inches.

     Some manufacturers allow smaller clearances. General Electric, for example, requires that its microwaves be mounted with a minimum of 66 inches between the floor and the top of the microwave, which results in a clearance of between 13 and 16 inches from the microwave to the cooktop. Tight clearances, however, may make it difficult to use large pots on the cooktop.