Installing Your Kitchen Hood in Wood

Installing a kitchen hood in wood cabinetry requires some time, tools, and a helper. A kitchen hood is designed to remove built-up steam, cooking odors, and smoke from the inside of the home. It also helps protect the wood cabinet above the stove from grease and oil splatters. While you can follow the steps below to install the kitchen hood yourself, it is best to have a professional install the duct vent to the exterior and an electrician install the electrical wiring to the cabinet.

Prepare the Hood

Fold the drop cloth so it is wide enough to lay the hood on, upside down. This protects the hood and the flooring. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions by removing the bottom panel, the filter and duct connector should be housed there and require removal. Use a wrench or a screwdriver to remove them.

Always turn the power off at the circuit breaker before beginning any electrical projects. Locate the knockout that fits the size of the exterior duct vent. Tap or push with a screwdriver and a hammer to remove the knockout.

Create the Interior Duct Hole

With the top duct connector attached to the hood, have your assistant lift the hood into place above the range. Make a mark on the bottom of the cabinet with a pencil where the duct is to be installed. Verify that the hood is level. Return the hood to the floor.

Align the knockout with the duct vent mark on the bottom of the cabinet. Use a pencil to trace the opening for the vent in the cabinet. Drill a hole in the center of the tracing, cut from the center hole to the circle outline, and use the scroll saw to cut out the hole.

Attach the Cabinet Vent Duct Connector

Attach the duct connector to the exterior duct vent and to the hole you cut for the hood duct.

Attach the Range Hood

Lift the range hood into position. Use the screws provided and attach the hood to the wood cabinet. Insert the hood duct in the duct connector in the above cabinet, the duct should slide right into the connector. Connect the wiring according to the manufacturer’s instructions, generally white to white, black to black, and the green wire from the hood and the green wire from the wall to the ground screw. The electrical wires should be coming from the bottom of the cabinet. Turn the breaker back on and test the kitchen hood. Replace the filter and the hood cover.

Seal the Area

Use the silicone caulk to seal around the duct connector in the wood cabinet.