When is the Cooking Done?

You just finished making your favorite meal for the family and you are about to sit down to enjoy it, but is the cooking done? The first thing you might ask is, do you mean is the meat done or are the vegetables fully cooked? Those are good questions to ask but we are asking if the cooking process is done from a ventilation standpoint.

A mistake a lot of us make is that we immediately turn off the ventilation system as soon as the food comes off the cooktop. The problem with that is the pots and pans we have been using are still emitting contaminates into the air. Think about it, let's say you are sautéing vegetables in a pan. During the cooking process they are emitting items like grease, steam, carcinogens and so forth. All of those items are also gathering in the pan itself. Now you transfer the food to a plate and are done – right? Not really, the pan is still hot and still emitting those items. Sometimes it is really easy to see this playing out as steam or smoke is still coming off the pan even after we have taken everything out. Even the cooking surface it still going to be sending off contaminates as it is still at a high temperature.

Some will depend on what type of cooking you are doing but in general you want to keep your range hood running for 10 to 15 minutes after the cooktop has been turned off. This will give ample time for all of the contaminated generated during the cooking process to be ventilated out. It will also provide enough time for the pots/pans and cooking surface to cool to a point they are no longer producing contaminates.

So why do so many of us turn the range hood off immediately after the active cooking is completed? Our guess is it comes down to one main reason – sound. We get it. Most of the range hoods out there are just plain loud. Here is where we have some suggestions. First, if you are in the market to replace your range hood or are thinking about a kitchen remodel, there are a lot of quiet options when it comes to range hoods. Air King has models that are almost as quiet as your refrigerator.

If a replacement is not in the immediate future, look to use the speed control of your range hood. Almost all range hoods have at least two speeds. During the active cooking process you’ll probably want to use a high setting to effectively clear out as much of the contaminates as possible. Once the active cooking is done, there are less contaminates being released so you can go down to a lower/quieter speed while still effectively ventilating. For the ultimate in kitchen ventilation, Air King offers continuously operating range hoods that operate at an almost silent sound level then have higher settings to effectively clear the air. You can learn more about them here.

A second reason some might be quick to turn the range hood off is energy usage. If the range hood is running, it is using electricity. This is true but once again, we have some answers for that. In general range hoods are fairly efficient as far as appliances go. The good news is that there are many models on the market today that are ENERGY STAR® certified and use a significantly less amount of energy than a traditional range hood, in some case up to 30% less. The lighting can also make a measurable difference. An ENERGY STAR certified range hood is going to use LED lighting, which is usually not more than 11 watts. A traditional hood might use up to 100 watts or more. Now here’s more good news. Even in a traditional hood, changing the lighting to LED is a simple process that can reap immediate benefits without a full kitchen remodel. While the ventilation should run for additional time, the lighting does not need to. You can turn the lighting off at anytime you want, it will not affect the exhaust function of the range hood.

So we come back to the question of when is the cooking done? Our goal of this post it to get you thinking about all the factors that go into ensuring good indoor air quality within your living space as well as getting you to look a little deeper into how you utilize the tools you have.

For more information about Air King’s line of quiet and efficient range hoods, visit airkinglimited.com. Also check out our other posts about continuous operating range hoods and the benefits of range hoods.

Is the Code Enough? Part 3

Over the past few blog posts we have been looking at code compliance and the difference between meeting the code and exceeding the code. In this post we are going to look at the ASHRAE 62.2 ventilation standard. In past blog posts we have described aspects of the standard such as local ventilation and continuous ventilation. In short ASHRAE 62.2 is a national ventilation code to promote air exchanges in your home to better the indoor air quality (IAQ). The basics of the code are to have an exhaust fan running continuously at a low speed, then using other fans throughout the house to take care of higher ventilation needs like cooking or when the shower is in use. Meeting the code means that you have an exhaust fan installed in a centrally located area of your home.

Great, that sounds fairly easy and for the most part it is. A popular way to solve for this is to install a two-speed exhaust fan in the bathroom. This is a fan that runs constantly on low speed at an almost silent sound level then when more ventilation is needed boosts to high speed. This can be done by a switch, humidity sensor, or motion sensor that is integrated into the fan.

So far so good; I think we have it covered. Code met, let’s move on to the next item. Here’s the thing (okay, you didn’t really think we would end it there did you?), while to the letter of the code, this installation might meet it, we need to look at it a little closer. First we need to think a little about how air travels and where contaminates are located in the home. Generally, the kitchen cooking area is going to be the location of the largest amount of contaminants generated in the home. If you are installing the continuous running exhaust fan in a bathroom, it is generally going to be on the other side of the home as the kitchen. This means that the exhaust is going to be pulling air from the kitchen throughout the home and through the living spaces. Not exactly an ideal solution. Here is another issue. What happens when the bathroom door is closed? Now you have either cut off or severely restricted the airflow. Let’s take it one step further. If the fan is installed in a master bathroom, that typically means two closed doors to navigate through.

Some installers will place the fan in the living room or a hallway. This is better as you won’t have to deal with the closed-door issue as much, but you are still drawing air that you want to exhaust through living areas. So I guess we are doomed. Can’t install it in the bathroom, can’t install it in a living area, where then?

There is a solution that takes all these issues into account. Place the continuous ventilation in the kitchen. There are reasons the kitchen is called the heart of the home. Typically the kitchen will be in a central location of the home or at least open to the rest of the home. This makes it a perfect location. There are now range hoods available that have multiple speeds. They have a continuous operation speed that will solve for, as the name states – continuous airflow. The sound level at this speed is barely detectable. When the cooktop is being used, they have higher speeds to take care of the additional airflow needed to properly ventilate while cooking. Now you have the ventilation placed at the source of one of the largest contaminators of the home. The added benefit is that the continuous speed will take care of the residual contaminants in the air after the cooking is done. While we would like to think everyone is properly using their range hood, we also know that is not always the case. These range hoods install the same as traditional range hoods, so if you are installing one anyway, why not solve two things at once. The only consideration is that they are going to cost more than an entry-level basic range hood. The counter to that is if you go the bathroom route, a two-speed exhaust fan is also going to cost more than a standard exhaust fan also. Another point is that you will also have a much quieter operating range hood.

When it comes to solving for ASHRAE 62.2 continuous ventilation, there are options. Some designed to meet the code, some designed to exceed the code. Hopefully this gives you some things to consider. For more information about continuous operation range hoods or ASHRAE 62.2 solutions visit www.airkinglimited.com

Is the Code Enough? Part 2

In our last post we highlighted codes around exhaust fan performance. In this post, we are going to look at kitchen ventilation, specifically range hoods. The codes pertaining to kitchen ventilation have a bit more “gray” area then with bathroom exhaust and in some areas a range hood might not even be required. We’ll start there. This is where you will definitely want to exceed the code. We have spent a good amount of time in previous posts detailing the benefits of a range hood, so going without one in our opinion is just not an option. One reason that could be given for not requiring a range hood is because of other exhaust in a kitchen. While having an exhaust fan anywhere in the kitchen is better than nothing, unless the fan is located right at the source of contamination, it just won’t be effective. Think about this, if the exhaust fan is in the center of the kitchen and you are cooking, where are the contaminates going? Yep, you are standing in the direct line of airflow that has all the contaminates in it.

Another popular code states that you need at least 100 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) of airflow. At least now you are exhausting air, so that is getting us closer to where we want to be. Unfortunately, 100 CFM is not a lot of power for over a cooking surface. A lot will be determined by your cooking habits. If you are just warming up some soup or using one burner to cook some eggs – 100 CFM might be fine. If you have two or three burners going, you will need more power. There is also a considerable jump in needed airflow from using a gas cooktop from electric. Just the nature of gas burning is going to produce more harmful contaminates that need to be exhausted.

Some people at this point might jump to the conclusion that to be safe, I am going to get the most powerful range hood on the market and suck every last bit of air out of the kitchen. While this would solve the issue of any contaminates staying in the air, it also has some negative effects. There is a balance between exhausting enough air and exhausting too much air. In some states if you go beyond a certain CFM level you need to introduce make-up air. Simply put, you need to replace the amount of air you are taking out of the home with fresh outdoor air. You will hear it called air balancing. The CFM level that cannot be exceeded is usually in the 300 CFM to 500 CFM range.

Here is the good part. Most range hoods have two or more speeds so you get at least two chances at getting the CFM right. Think about how you cook, what size cooktop you have, does it have anything like a griddle or grill top? Then you can make a better determination on what kind of power you need. Look to match your “everyday” cooking habits with a lower speed then have those higher speeds for times when you need it. As always, we suggest consulting with a professional who knows the codes in your area before making any decisions.

Building codes are in place to ensure safety and health and we are very thankful that we have men and women working very hard to keep up with them and pushing the industry forward. The next time you hear the phrase “meets code” just stop and think  - is meeting the code all I really want to do? For more information about Air King range hoods visit www.airkinglimited.com.

Is the Air Inside Your Home Safe to Breath? Part 1 – The Kitchen

According to the American Lung Association, approximately 85% of Americans don’t realize the air in the home can be hazardous. In some cases it can be up to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air. That’s a bit concerning. The question is, what makes the air so bad? In this two part series we’ll take a look at the biggest culprits inside our homes.

The Kitchen. The kitchen can be the largest area of contaminates inside the home. Anytime you are cooking, there will be a source of particulates going into the air. This can be smoke, grease, carcinogens and so forth. This is just part of cooking. The way to combat these contaminates is with a properly functioning range hood. The key is the proper functioning part.

Vented to the outdoors: First and foremost, the range hood has to vent to the outside. There are many range hoods on the market that pass the contaminated air through a filter then recirculate the air back into the kitchen. While these are somewhat better than nothing, they just are not going to provide the level of air filtration that is needed.

Turn it on: The range hood has to be turned on. Yes we know, they can be loud and cause the pets to run and hide but there are now many solutions on the market that operate at a fraction of the sound of older range hoods. Air King has a complete line of range hoods that provide proper ventilation at quiet sound levels.

Power: The hood needs to be powerful enough for the cooking you are doing. If the hood can’t keep up with contaminates coming off the surface that means they are going into the air you are breathing.

Keep it running: The hood should run for an extended period of time once the cooking is completed. Typically there are still a lot of residual particles and contaminates that are still in the air even when you finish cooking. The goal is to get every last bit out of the home and away from the air you are breathing.

There has been a lot of research as well as building codes being implemented concerning Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). More and more studies are pointing to the kitchen as being the most important location to properly ventilate. One of the building codes now calls for an exhaust fan to be running continuously inside the home to make sure the air is being exchanged. Air King has developed products to place that continuously operating exhaust fan in the kitchen. The ECV, ECQ and LE series all have a barely audible low speed that runs continuously then have additional speeds when more ventilation is needed – like when you are actively cooking. The science behind this product is that if the kitchen is the biggest contaminate of the home, why not place the primary source of ventilation there? This takes care of any particulate matter during cooking as well as any residual particulates after cooking. It just makes sense to fight it at the source and prevent any infiltration into the rest of the home.

To learn more about Indoor Air Quality and how you can properly ventilate your home, visit www.airkinglimited.com.

Over The Range Microwaves, Are They a Good Option?

Oh that rectangular masterpiece of modern convenience that has made its way into almost every kitchen across the United States – the microwave. Microwaves have become a kitchen staple and for many people, they couldn’t live without them. Now available in almost any color under the sun, with more features than a new car, how could you possibly not have one?

A popular location for the microwave is over the cooktop or range. They even have a nifty acronym for them – OTR (over the range). While on the surface it might sound like a good idea, lets take a little closer look. The number one reason people place the microwave over the range is to save space. There is no denying it, by placing the microwave there, you do not take up counter space, but at what cost?

By placing the microwave over the range, you need to have a unit capable of ventilating the area. The issue with microwaves is they are designed to be a microwave first with the ventilation system added onto them. The kitchen is one, if not the largest source of air contamination in the home. If not properly ventilated, the indoor air quality of your home will be compromised. A range hood is deigned to do one thing and do that one thing extremely well – ventilate. Often times the microwave is installed to re-circulate the air through a charcoal filter. If you ask anyone who deals with indoor air quality, they will tell you that this is not an acceptable way to “ventilate” the kitchen. In some locations across the United States it is against the building code to install a recirculating unit – it must vent to the outside (this includes recirculating microwaves as well as recirculating range hoods).

The perception of OTR microwaves is that they are more convenient from a space savings perspective, but are they? Consider the installed high of the unit. The top of the range is typically 36” (3 feet), the unit is installed 24” to 30” above the range. That brings the bottom of the microwave to a height of a minimum of 5”. That means that for most people, they will be reaching up to get items out of the oven. For anyone under 5.5 feet, they will probably need a step stool to get items in and out. This can provide a convenience and safety issue. Think about children trying to reach up to get something hot out of the oven or do you really want a cup of hot tea being pulled out of the oven and held over your head?

Back to the effectiveness of the ventilation, another issue with OTR microwaves is the depth of the ovens. Typically they are about 15” deep. This allows them to basically match up to the front of the cabinets or just stick out a little bit. While this might be nice from a visually pleasing standpoint, it decreases the capture area of the hood. Most cooktops are 24” deep, so with an OTR microwave there is typically about a 9” difference is depth. Range hoods are typically 18” to 24” deep allowing them to capture considerably more contaminants coming off the cooking surface.

As with any larger purchase in the home, especially one that will be installed, there is always a need to weigh the pros and cons and make the best decision for your particular need. To learn more about Air King’s range hoods and indoor air quality solutions, visit www.airkinglimited.com.

Make the kitchen the ventilation center of the home - Continuous operation Range Hoods

The kitchen is many times considered the heart of the home. It also provides an excellent ventilation opportunity. New codes have gone into effect across the country (known as ASHRAE 62.2) that require a centralized exhaust fan providing continuous ventilation. 

Builders have a few options for how to solve for this. Many are installing a separate exhaust fan in the main living areas. They are typically very quiet and can barely be heard when running. This is a good solution as it meets the requirements and is usually not even noticed by the occupants of the home. The negative is that it is an additional item that needs to be installed and maintained within the home.

A second option is a dual speed fan installed in the bathroom. This is the “two birds with one stone” theory. These fans have a very quiet low speed that runs continuously to meet the requirements of ASHRAE 62.2 but also have a high speed – sometimes called boost speed that kicks in when the room is in use. They can be controlled by humidity sensors, motion sensors or just by a standard switch. While these work, the challenge is that typically bathrooms are not located in a “central location”. Basically the minute you shut the bathroom door, you have cut off the airflow from the rest of the home. The purpose of ASHRAE 62.2 is to provide air exchanges within your home, brining fresh air in and exhausting stale air out.

There is another solution however – a multiple speed range hood. Much like the two speed exhaust fan, these range hoods have an almost silent continuous speed that meets the ASHRAE 62.2 requirements. When the range is in use, the hood can be turned to an appropriate speed to provide the additional ventilation needed during cooking. As with two speed exhaust fans, using a range hood has the two for one benefit, there is no need to install a separate fan. The added benefit of using a range hood is that in many homes the kitchen is located in a centralized location or at least in a location that is not cut off from the rest of the home.

Air King was one of the first companies to offer a true ASHRAE 62.2 range hood solution and has multiple sizes, colors and shapes to choose from. To learn more about range hood solutions from Air King visit www.airkinglimited.com    

Do I really need a range hood? – YES!

Kitchen range hoods provide a vital function for the safety of your home as well as the indoor air quality. A range hood serves two basic but vital functions. The first is to prevent any flare-ups from the cooking surface from burning or damaging your cabinets.

The second function is to remove unwanted and potentially dangerous contaminants from the home such as smoke, grease, steam and odors. If you stop and think about it, the kitchen is one of the main sources of indoor air pollution. All of your heating (furnace, water heater, etc.) equipment has chimneys that take the pollutants outside of the home. When you are cooking (especially with gas appliances) you are generating a lot of pollutants. If you do not have or are not using a range hood, those pollutants are going right into the air you are breathing. As the saying goes, the kitchen is the heart of the home, so you want to keep the air in it as clean as possible. Think about the last time you maybe kept dinner on the burner a little too long and as you looked across the kitchen, you noticed a nice haze of smoke building up – be honest, it has happened to most of us. Now think about what you are actually breathing in at that point. If you had a properly sized and vented range hood operating, you might not have reached that point or at very least it would be vented out of the home much quicker.

The choices in range hoods have come a long way with traditional, contemporary, and professional styles to accent any décor. Air King also offers the largest selection of ENERGY STAR® certified range hoods on the market today. To learn more visit www.airkinglimited.com

The trouble with kitchen range hoods – troubleshooting your kitchen range hood

Kitchen range hoods provide a vital function to the indoor air quality of the home by exhausting contaminants produced during the cooking process out of the home. But they are only effective if they are working. There are many reasons that range hoods might start to have issues or stop functioning all together. The good news is not all of them mean you need to replace the entire range hood. Here are a few troubleshooting tips:

CAUTION: Before starting any maintenance make sure the power to the hood is turned off.

If the hood has completely stopped operating: Check to see if there is power to the fan. A circuit might be tripped. Next, see if your range hood has any type of function that might automatically turn it off like a delay timer. Another cause could be the wiring was not done correctly. This usually only applies if it is a brand new installation. If after checking all of those without solving the issue, you probably need to replace the motor or entire range hood.

The range hood lights are working but the fan is not: Some range hoods (typically higher end models including many Air King models) are equipped with a replaceable safety fuse that protects the motor. A failed fuse could be the result of a power surge such as a lightening strike or could mean the motor needs to be replaced. Replace the fuse according to the instructions included in your owners manual and if it fails a second time it indicates that professional service or replacement is needed.

The range hood is working but the air is moving slower than normal: More often than not, this is because there is a build-up of dirt on the fan motor/blade, filters or an obstruction in the ducting. Common obstructions include bird’s nest in the roof or wall caps where the air is being exhausted out of the home. Removing any blockage in your ducting or cleaning the inside of the range hood and filters according to the instructions in your owner’s manual will hopefully solve the issue.

The range hood is operating louder than normal: First you will need to identify what type of noise it is making. If it sounds like it is operating normally just louder it might be because of some of the same issues described in point #2. If it is more of a rattling sound it may be because the motor has come loose. Most range hoods have a housing with the motor attached to the housing with some type of mounting bracket. Over time the screw(s) holding the motor to the housing can work themselves loose. Tightening these might solve the problem. Much in the same way, it could be that the screws or nail holding the range hood  to the cabinets or wall have worked themselves loose or the ducting has disconnected. This might be a little tricky to determine as it might mean gaining access to the interior of the hood. Other causes could be a weld has broken loose on the range hood housing. Visually inspect the hood to see if you can identify and places where the metal has separated. Unfortunately, that can’t be easily fixed and the whole range hood will need to be replaced. If you hear more of a scraping sound it is probably the fan blade hitting the housing. This can happen if the blade was damaged during cleaning or if it has worked itself loose. Check to see if you can fit the blade back onto the motor shaft. If not, you might need to replace the blade, the motor or the entire range hood depending on the extent of damage.

As always, Air King highly recommends consulting a professional for all maintenance issues. To learn more about other helpful tips visit the FAQ section at www.airkinglimited.com