Can You Use an Under Cabinet Range Hood Without a Cabinet?

On this page (8 sections)

1. What does an under cabinet range hood need to mount?
2. Can you use an under cabinet range hood with no cabinet above it?
3. Which wall-mount hoods suit a kitchen with no upper cabinet?
4. Can a wall-mount hood recirculate air?
5. What else changes with a wall-mount hood?
6. What should you check before you mount a wall-mount hood?
7. How does a wall-mount hood compare with an under cabinet hood?
8. Pick the hood that matches your wall

You can use an under cabinet range hood without a cabinet only if the maker's manual approves another mount, since these hoods are built to hang under a cabinet or shelf.

If your kitchen has no upper cabinet over the cooktop, a wall-mount hood is the better match.

For the bigger picture on ductless setups, the ductless range hoods guide is the place to start. If your kitchen has no vent at all, range hood without a vent lays out your options.

What does an under cabinet range hood need to mount?

A cabinet bottom or shelf to attach to, because the hood's brackets and screws are made for that surface. The manual shows where each fastener goes, so follow it in order.

These hoods are slim because they tuck under something. CIARRA's CAS75918A is 3.94 inches tall and 13.39 inches deep, and VIKIO's under cabinet model is 6 inches tall and 19.75 inches deep.

The parts in the box point the same way. VIKIO's under cabinet model comes with an installation screw set and a positioning cardboard, and CIARRA's with screws, a vent cover and a damper.

A shelf counts only if the manual says so, because the hood is built around the surface it mounts to.

Measure the cabinet bottom and the cooktop before you choose a model, so the hood sits where the manual expects it to.

Can you use an under cabinet range hood with no cabinet above it?

Not as designed: the hood has nothing to attach to, so you need a wall-mount hood or a model whose maker approves a wall mount. A wall-mount hood fastens to the wall and rises from behind the cooktop, so it doesn't need an upper cabinet.

The under cabinet vs wall mount range hood comparison covers how the two types differ in size and use.

Can you mount an under cabinet range hood on a wall?

Only when the maker names a wall mount for that model. AMZCHEF says its 30 inch hood installs under the cabinet or wall-mounted, and its 36 inch model fits under standard cabinets or can be wall-mounted.

CIARRA also describes a wall mount installation for its CAS75918A, alongside the under cabinet one. Follow the maker's steps for your model, and don't borrow another brand's.

Approval means the maker names wall mounting for your exact model. A general line about fitting most kitchens doesn't count.

If your manual doesn't mention a wall mount, don't improvise with brackets made for a cabinet.

Wall materials and fasteners vary, so ask the maker or a qualified installer before you drill. For the general order of work, see how to install an under cabinet range hood.

Does an insert hood fix the problem?

No, an insert is built into a cabinet, so it needs one. Broan-NuTone's PM300SS insert accommodates cabinets up to 13 inches deep, and Zomagas's 30 inch insert needs a 26 by 10.2 inch cutout.

Which wall-mount hoods suit a kitchen with no upper cabinet?

Chimney-style wall-mount hoods, which hang from the wall and need no cabinet. Three 30 inch models show how much they vary.

All three are close to 30 inches wide but differ by almost 20 inches in height, so the ceiling matters. SNDOAS says its two 15.5 inch chimneys fit 7.5 to 8.5 foot ceilings.

All three also vent outside: SNDOAS through a 6 inch round top vent, VIKIO through a 6 inch outlet and Hermitlux through a 5.91 inch vent hole. Those CFM numbers are for ducted use, and airflow in ductless mode is often lower.

Pick SNDOAS if the ceiling is on the low side, since its chimney adjusts. Pick VIKIO for the most airflow of the three, or Hermitlux if you want to recirculate without buying a kit.

SNDOAS: the adjustable chimney

SNDOAS's chimney adjusts from 22.8 to 37.8 inches tall and comes with a 6.5 foot aluminum exhaust pipe for the 6 inch round top vent. It has a 3-prong plug and three fan speeds, and SNDOAS rates it at about 55 dB at the highest speed.

VIKIO: the tallest of the three

VIKIO's wall mount pulls air from both sides and gives 580 CFM. It says the hood runs as low as 40 dBA on low and stays under 65 dBA on high, and the delay shut-off runs 1 to 9 minutes.

Hermitlux: filters in the box

Hermitlux's hood is 37.8 inches tall and has push-button controls, three speeds and 380 CFM. It ships with a 78.74 inch duct, a plug and two charcoal filters.

Can a wall-mount hood recirculate air?

Yes, many wall-mount hoods recirculate air once a charcoal filter is in place. That's the ductless setup, where the hood pulls air through its filters and returns it to the room.

SNDOAS sells its CF-1001G kit separately, and VIKIO's carbon filter kit is also sold separately. Hermitlux includes two charcoal filters in the box.

Filters fit by model number, so confirm the kit for your exact hood. A recirculating hood still needs its charcoal filter replaced on schedule.

Where you can vent outside, a ducted setup is the stronger choice, especially for heavy frying or a gas range. Your hood's manual and a qualified pro can help if you're unsure which setup fits your kitchen.

What else changes with a wall-mount hood?

Filters, lights and controls differ by model, so compare them once the size and venting fit.

• SNDOAS: two reusable 5-layer aluminum mesh filters, an LED lamp and five push buttons.
• VIKIO: stainless baffle filters that go in the dishwasher, integrated LED lights and touch controls.
• Hermitlux: reusable aluminum mesh filters, two 1.5W LED lights and push-button controls.

If you rent, ask before you drill. A plug-in hood such as SNDOAS's or Hermitlux's avoids hard-wiring, but it still mounts to the wall.

What should you check before you mount a wall-mount hood?

Check the wall, the ceiling height and the power source, in that order, and let the manual set the mounting method.

Start with the wall. VIKIO's wall mount weighs 23.8 pounds and Hermitlux's weighs 18, and either hangs from the wall alone, so use the maker's hardware and spacing.

A stud finder helps you find wood and metal studs before you mark holes.

DEWALT's detects to about 3/4 inch deep and includes AC and live wire detection. It won't detect objects in concrete, plaster or ceramic tile, and it isn't made to find pipes.

Then measure from the cooktop to the ceiling, and note the open wall width. SNDOAS says its wall mount belongs 26 to 30 inches from the cooking surface, so check your hood's own number.

Last, check the power. SNDOAS's hood has a 3-prong plug and Hermitlux ships with a plug, so plan for an outlet near the hood.

If a hood is hard-wired, follow the manual and use a qualified electrician if you're unsure.

How does a wall-mount hood compare with an under cabinet hood?

A wall-mount hood is far taller, and it needs no cabinet. Under cabinet hoods run 3.94 to 6 inches tall, while the three wall mounts above run 22.8 to 41 inches.

Depth overlaps, at 13.39 to 19.75 inches for the under cabinet models above and 18.3 to 19.68 for the wall mounts. A chimney stands out in the room, so pick the look you want before you pick the type.

The best wall mount ductless range hoods roundup compares ductless models for open walls.

Pick the hood that matches your wall

Pick an under cabinet range hood only when a cabinet or shelf sits above the cooktop. Without a cabinet, use a wall-mount hood, or follow your maker's approved wall mount if it offers one.

If a cabinet is there after all, the best under cabinet range hoods roundup compares models that mount under it.

Frequently asked questions

Can you use an under cabinet range hood without a cabinet?

Not as designed, since under cabinet hoods mount to a cabinet or shelf, though a few makers describe a wall mount for certain models. If your manual doesn't, a wall-mount hood is the simple fix, and the maker or a qualified installer can answer questions before you drill.

Can a wall-mount range hood be ductless?

Yes, many can recirculate air with a charcoal filter, and Hermitlux includes two with its 30 inch hood while SNDOAS and VIKIO sell their carbon filter kits separately. Filters fit by model number, so confirm the kit for your exact hood before you order.

How high should a wall-mount range hood sit above the cooktop?

Follow the height in your hood's manual, since each model sets its own. SNDOAS says its wall-mount hood belongs 26 to 30 inches from the cooking surface, and Broan-NuTone says its 413004 under cabinet insert goes at least 18 inches above the cooktop.

Do I need a stud finder to mount a wall-mount range hood?

A stud finder helps you locate wood or metal studs before you mark holes, though DEWALT's won't detect objects in concrete, plaster or ceramic tile. Your hood's manual sets the mounting method, and a qualified installer can help if your wall doesn't match what it expects.