How to Install an Under Cabinet Range Hood
To install an under cabinet range hood, read the manual, mount it level under the cabinet, then connect a duct for outside venting or a filter for ductless use. Use a helper to lift the hood, and call a qualified electrician if the wiring is unclear.
On this page (12 sections)
- What do you need before you install an under cabinet range hood?
- How do you find the right spot under the cabinet?
- Should you vent the hood outside or run it ductless?
- What changes when you install a ductless setup?
- What duct size does an under cabinet range hood need?
- How do you connect a duct to an under cabinet range hood?
- How do you seal the duct connection?
- How do you mount an under cabinet range hood?
- How do you connect power to an under cabinet range hood?
- How do you test an under cabinet range hood after install?
- What mistakes should you avoid with an under cabinet range hood?
- Pick the right install path for your under cabinet range hood
Here is how to install an under cabinet range hood. You mount the unit under a cabinet, then either duct it outside or fit a filter to keep the air in the room.
The mounting steps are the same either way, and the duct or filter is what changes. Check the hood's manual for the outlet size, the mounting height and the power needs before you start.
Our complete ductless range hood guide covers the recirculating side in more depth.
What do you need before you install an under cabinet range hood?
You need the hood, its manual, a stud finder, a drill, a level, a pencil and a helper, plus duct parts if you plan to vent outside. Measure the cabinet opening first, so you know the hood fits before you open any boxes.
Width comes first, so check what size range hood for a 30 inch cooktop before you buy. If you haven't chosen a hood yet, the best under-cabinet range hoods roundup covers the options.
A stud finder helps you locate framing before you mark any holes. The Franklin ProSensor M210 has 13 sensors, finds wood and metal studs up to 1.7 inches deep and needs two AA batteries, which aren't included.
How do you find the right spot under the cabinet?
Center the hood over the cooktop so it covers the burners evenly, and take the height above the cooktop from the manual. Mark the cabinet only after you have both numbers.
Broan says its 413004 should sit at least 18 inches above the cooktop, and other hoods set their own minimums. Also check the underside of the cabinet for any lip, light rail or wiring that could block the hood or the duct.
Should you vent the hood outside or run it ductless?
Vent it outside when you have a duct path, and run it ductless when you don't. A ducted install sends air outside, while a ductless install keeps it in the room behind a carbon filter.
A ducted install needs a duct from the hood's outlet to an outside vent. A ductless install needs a carbon filter and no outside duct.
The exit is often the harder half of a ducted job. If there's no duct path through the wall or roof yet, a qualified installer can tell you what the route needs.
For the ductless steps, see how to install a ductless range hood. If you're still deciding, convertible vs ductless range hood compares the trade-offs.
The U.S. Department of Energy has general information on home ventilation if you want background beyond your hood's manual.
What changes when you install a ductless setup?
A ductless setup skips the duct and the outside vent, but it adds the carbon filter the hood needs. The mounting steps stay the same, so the rest of this article still applies.
Soonye says its convertible hood runs ductless with its CF007 carbon filter kit, which is sold separately. Buy the kit with the hood, so the install isn't held up by a missing part.
What duct size does an under cabinet range hood need?
It needs a duct that matches the hood's outlet, and the outlets vary a lot. This table shows what several 30 inch hoods use.
| Hood | Outlet |
|---|---|
| AMZCHEF 30 in | 6 in air outlet |
| SNDOAS 30 in | 6 in round top, or 10 x 3-1/4 in rectangular top or rear |
| Empava 30 in | 6 in round top, or 3-1/4 x 10 in rectangular top or rear |
| CIARRA CAS75918A | 4.8 in round damper on top, exhaust pipe not included |
| Soonye 30 in | 4.72 in duct size |
The 6 inch duct in this article matches the 6 inch outlets. A 4.8 or 4.72 inch outlet is a different size, so check the manual before you buy any duct.
How do you connect a duct to an under cabinet range hood?
Match the duct to the hood's outlet, then use a transition if the outlet and the duct are different shapes. Keep the duct as short and straight as you can.
Use a transition for a rectangular outlet
A rectangular-to-round transition connects a 3-1/4 by 10 inch outlet to a 6 inch round duct. SNDOAS and Empava both offer that outlet size.
The GlowGeek kit includes one galvanized transition, aluminum foil tape and work gloves.
Choose the duct run and keep it short
AC Infinity says its four-layer flexible duct resists leaks, tears and cuts. It comes 25 feet long, and you can cut it shorter to fit the run.
A steel-wire spiral holds the shape, and AC Infinity says the inner lining stays smooth when stretched out, which cuts airflow loss. So pull the duct straight and trim off the slack, and check the hood manual for any maximum length.
How do you seal the duct connection?
Seal each joint with foil tape, and check that the transition and the duct sit tight over the outlet. A loose joint lets air leak out of the duct before it reaches the outside.
The GlowGeek kit includes 10 meters, or about 32 feet, of aluminum foil tape. The AC Infinity duct comes with two stainless steel clamps for the ends, so use one on each end.
How do you mount an under cabinet range hood?
Mark the mounting points level and into solid framing where the manual calls for it, then lift the hood into place and fasten it. Use the template or mounting holes in the manual as your guide.
Mark and fasten the under cabinet range hood
Work out your duct size before you drill, since the outlet has to match the duct. Once the marks are set, check them with a level before you drill any holes.
Do a dry fit first: lift the hood into place with your helper and check that the front edge sits even with the cabinet face. Then fasten it, tighten the screws evenly and give the hood a gentle tug to check that it's secure.
How do you connect power to an under cabinet range hood?
Plug-in hoods use a 3-prong plug, while hard-wired hoods connect inside the wall box. Follow the manual, and use a qualified electrician if you're unsure about the connection.
A plug-in hood needs an outlet within reach of its cord, so look for one before you mark the cabinet.
Check the hood's electrical specs in the manual before you choose an outlet or circuit. Soonye, for example, gives its hood as 120V, 60Hz with a 3-prong plug.
If the hood is hard-wired, don't guess at the connection. Use a qualified electrician for the wiring and the box.
How do you test an under cabinet range hood after install?
Run the light and each fan speed, then check that the filters sit tight. AMZCHEF's hood has touch control with a remote, so try each control from where you'll stand.
Check the duct joints for leaks, and confirm that any damper or vent cover opens and closes freely.
What mistakes should you avoid with an under cabinet range hood?
The mistakes to avoid are an outlet that doesn't match the duct, a hood that isn't level and mounting without finding the framing. Each one is easy to catch if you check before you finish.
An outlet that doesn't match the duct
A mismatched outlet forces a makeshift transition or a bent duct. Check the outlet size in the manual before you buy duct parts.
A hood that isn't level
A tilted hood can leave a gap at the cabinet edge and may catch steam unevenly. Check the level on the hood's top edge before you tighten the final screws.
Mounting without finding the framing
Follow the manual's fastening points, and find studs where it calls for them. The stud finder helps you locate that framing before you drill.
Pick the right install path for your under cabinet range hood
Pick a ducted install if you have a duct path and want air sent outside. Pick a ductless install if you have no duct, and keep the filters changed on schedule.
If you still need a hood, read how to choose an under-cabinet range hood before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
What is the first step to installing an under cabinet range hood?
Read the hood's manual before you buy parts or drill anything, since it sets the mounting height, the outlet size and the power needs. Then measure the cabinet opening and the duct outlet, and decide whether the hood will vent outside or recirculate.
What duct size does an under cabinet range hood need?
Match the duct to the outlet named in your hood's manual, since outlets differ. AMZCHEF gives its 30 inch hood a 6 inch air outlet, while some hoods use a 3-1/4 by 10 inch rectangular outlet that needs a transition to 6 inch round duct.
Do I need an electrician to install an under cabinet range hood?
Not for every model, since plug-in hoods use a 3-prong plug and hard-wired hoods connect inside a wall box. Follow the manual, and use a qualified electrician if you're unsure about the wiring, the connection or the circuit the hood needs.
Can an under cabinet range hood be installed without a duct?
Yes, if the hood supports ductless use, and it needs the right carbon filter for that model. Carbon filters can reduce airflow, as SNDOAS notes for its CF-0475, so check the manual for the filter number and the setup steps.
