Which is better, ducted or ductless (re-circulation kit required)?
Range hoods always should be ducted to the outside of the home whenever possible. Ductless conversion is intended for applications where an exhaust duct work is not possible to be installed. When re-circulation kit is installed, the hood functions as a purifying hood rather than an exhuast hood. Fumes and exhaust from cooking is drawn and filtered by a set of charcoal/carbon filters. The air is then purified and re-circulated back within the home. While charcoal/carbon filters trap some of the grease and odors from normal cooking, the humidity, smoke and heat will all be re-circulated back within the home. If the non-ducted filters are not regularly replaced, eventually the grease and odor catching effect will no longer protect your home from impurities.