Air Pollution:unpleasant and/or harmful substances released into the air during the process of cooking. Contains: steam, smoke, odors, carbon monoxide, and/or grease. Range hoods remove airborne pollution by a combination of filtering and extracting the contaminated air. Ducted range hoods remove all forms of air pollution, by filtering airborne grease, then evacuating air to outside of residence. Ductless hoods use carbon filters (in addition to grease filters) to remove odors, and recirculate the cleaned air into the room. However, ductless range hoods cannot remove excess heat and moisture. Although all Futuro Futuro range hoods can be used in either ducted or ductless mode, it is recommended to use a duct whenever possible, in order to remove all forms of air pollution. Related: Carbon Filter, Ducted, Ductless, Grease Filter.
AISI 304:Specific grade of austenitic stainless steel, classified as having a minimum 18% chromium content as well as minimum 8% nickel content. With the addition of chromium and nickel, the AISI 304 stainless steel offers increased resistance to corrosion (rust), as well as appealing visual characteristics (bright shiny surface, with no possibility of discoloration or yellowing over time). Futuro Futuro products are manufactured using only AISI 304 stainless steel, in order to assure the highest possible quality.
B
Backdraft Damper:A valve (spring-loaded or gravity-operated) installed inside a duct. During range hood operation, the air pressure causes the valve to open, allowing polluted air to be exhausted outside. When the range hood is shut off, the backdraft damper closes, preventing outside air from entering the ductwork. Related: see the FAQ for advice on damper installation.
Blower:The heart of the range hood, the blower is the device that moves air. Sometimes, the terms "fan" and "blower" are used interchangeably; however, fans are designed to operate at lower speeds, whereas blowers are engineered to move air at higher speed and pressure.
Depending on the location of the blower, it may be referred to as:
"Internal" - inside the actual range hood unit,
"Inline" or "Remote" - outside the range hood (ex: in attic / between joists),
"External" - outside the house, in a weather-resistant enclosure.
All Futuro Futuro range hoods feature built-in blowers (you do not need to purchase a blower or "power pack" separately), which are covered by the manufacturer's Lifetime Warranty. Related: External Blower, Fan, Inline Blower, Remote Blower.
BTU:Acronym of "British Thermal Unit", used to measure the heat output of gas-fueled appliances. Related: Watt (for electric appliances).
Boost Mode (feature):In general terms - the highest speed of a range hood combined with a safety feature that automatically reduces speed to a lower level after a preset time.
All Futuro Futuro range hoods with 4-speed electronic controls include this safety feature, which will automatically step down to Speed 3 after 15 minutes of operation, in order to prevent the range hood from suctioning out too much air (and raising your cooling/heating bill) if left unattended. Also called: "Intensive Mode", "Turbo Mode". Related: "Delayed Shut-Off (feature)".
C
Carbon Filter:Cartridge or cassette filled with activated charcoal, used to filter contaminants from the air. Required in ductless range hoods, as it will remove other contaminants after airborne grease has been absorbed by grease filters. Carbon filters cannot be washed or cleaned, and should be replaced every few months (depending on amount of cooking). Note: all Futuro Futuro range hoods are shipped with the appropriate carbon filter(s) included. However, if your range hood will be connected to an outside duct - please discard the carbon filter. Since the air will be extracted to the outside, the carbon filter is not necessary. Also called: charcoal filter, activated charcoal filter, "black filter", and other variations. Related: Ducted, Ductless, Grease Filter.
CFM:Acronym of "Cubic Feet Per Minute", used to measure the airflow capacity of ventilation appliances.
Delayed Shut-Off (feature):All Futuro Futuro range hoods with 4-speed electronic controls include this feature, which will automatically turn off the range hood (blower and lights) after a 15-minute delay. Finish cooking, press the timer button, and walk away - the hood will scrub the remaining odors, then turn itself off. Also called: "Timer Shutdown", "Delayed Shutdown". Related: "Boost Mode (feature)".
Ducted:Refers to a range hood installed with a duct ("air pipe") leading outside the house. Ducted range hoods remove all forms of airborne pollution, and do not require the use of carbon filters. This leads to higher performance compared to ductless installation, and does not cause additional noise or expense. Also called: "Vented", "Outside Discharge". Related: Carbon Filter, Ductless, Grease Filter.
Ductless:Refers to a range hood installed without an outside duct. Ductless range hoods use a combination of grease filters and carbon filters to remove most forms of airborne contaminants.
All Futuro Futuro range hoods are designed to be installed in either ducted or ductless configurations. Also called: "Recirculating", "Ventless". Related: Carbon Filter, Ducted, Grease Filter.
E
External Blower:A blower motor unit installed not only outside of the range hood, but outside of the house (in an outdoor-rated enclosure). Placing the blower outside of the house reduces operational noise, but requires additional expense and labor. Related: Inline Blower, Remote Blower.
F
Fan:Technically, any device that moves air or other gas. Often, the terms "fan" and "blower" are used interchangeably. However, there is a difference - a "blower" is a specific type of fan, engineered to perform at high speeds (whereas fans are typically effective at lower speeds). Related: Blower.
G
Grease:One of the forms of airborne pollution caused by cooking. Can combine with other substances to create a sticky film on kitchen surfaces, and may damage kitchen cabinetry by attracting mold and fungi growth. Range hoods use grease filters to remove airborne grease. Related: Airborne Pollution, Grease Filter, Steam.
Grease Filter:Cartridge or cassette filled with layers of metal mesh, which traps airborne grease. Grease filters are made from metallic materials (typically, anodized aluminum), and do not need to be replaced. All Futuro Futuro range hoods include metal mesh grease filters, which are easily removable and dishwasher-safe.
H
"Height-adjustable" (feature):Refers to an island-mount or wall-mount range hood with a vertical chimney whose height can be adjusted to fit various ceiling heights. Does not apply to undercabinet and insert/liner hoods, as they do not have a chimney by design.
Inline Blower:A blower motor unit installed outside the range hood, but still within the house (for example, in the attic or between joists). Like an external blower, this setup reduces operational noise. Unlike the external blower, it does not require additional outdoor-rated enclosure. Related: Blower, External Blower.
Inox:"Inox" is the colloquial form of "Inossidabile", the Italian term for "Stainless [Steel]". In conjunction with Futuro Futuro model names, the term refers to the all-steel version of a particular design, to distinguish it from the steel-and-glass version. For example: the "Mystic" model has a steel body with a tempered-glass panel, while the "Mystic Inox" has both the body and the panel made from stainless steel.
Insert:A range hood "insert" or "liner" is a ventilation appliance specifically designed to be installed inside an enclosure (such as a suitable kitchen cabinet, or a custom-built enclosure). Range hood inserts and liners do not have their own "body", and must be mounted inside an enclosure.
All Futuro Futuro "Insert/Liner" range hoods include the liner panel, as well as the Wireless Remote Control.
Island-Mount (range hood type):Refers to a range hood designed to be attached to the ceiling above the cooking surface (as opposed to a wall-mount range hood). Related: Wall-mount (range hood type). Product Category: Island Range Hoods.
K
Kitchen Hood:Synonym for "Range Hood". Related: Range Hood.
Mounting Height:The distance between the cooking surface and the range hood. For best performance, range hood should be installed at a height of 24" to 28" above the cooktop or range (although 30" is also acceptable).
Murano Collection:The latest series of unique range hoods by Futuro Futuro, featuring wrap-around glass shrouds with designer patterns, as well as internal illumination, to create attention-getting effects. Available in island-mount and wall-mount versions.
P
Perimeter Suction Filter System:One of the latest developments in range hood technology, this engineering approach replaces traditional mesh filters with "airflow collector slots" surrounding a center panel (or panels). Air flow speeds up when forced through a smaller space, creating an "air curtain" effect to trap airborne contamination. In addition, the smooth solid surface of the center panel is an important aspect of the modern design of the hoods featuring this technology. Also called: "parametric suction", "perimeter aspiration", other variations. Related: list of Futuro Futuro range hoods featuring this technology.
R
Range Hood:A kitchen appliance that hangs above the cooking surface and eliminates air pollution produced by cooking, via a combination of filtering and extracting air.
Rear Exhaust:Available on some wall-mount range hoods, this option refers to ductwork exiting directly from the back of the range hood body, as opposed to the traditional method of exiting from the top of the unit. This allows models such as the Diamond and Quest to be installed in kitchens with low ceilings, where a traditional wall-mount hood would not fit due to insufficient vertical clearance. In addition, having the ductwork exit directly through the wall eliminates the need for a vertical chimney, enhancing the ultra-modern visual aspect of such model designs.
Remote Blower:Refers to the placement of the blower outside the range hood (but still inside the house, i.e. in the attic or between joists, as opposed to an external blower). Synonymous with "inline blower". Related: Blower, External Blower, Inline Blower.
S
Steam:Water vapor created by the cooking process. One of the forms of airborne pollution caused by cooking. Can act as carrier for other forms of pollution, and can damage kitchen cabinetry by condensing on surfaces and attracting mold and fungi growth. Related: Airborne Pollution, Grease.
T
Tempered Glass:Glass that has been toughened by special process to increase its strength. Unlike regular glass, tempered glass is extremely hard to break. Once tempered, the glass panel is almost impossible to cut or modify - this is why mounting holes and beveled edges are cut at the factory before the tempering process. The tempered glass used on Futuro Futuro range hoods (except the "Murano Collection" series) is clear transparent, although it may be colorized on some photos to make the glass stand out against the white background. It is worth noting that due to the chemical changes during the annealing process, the edge of tempered glass will have a slight green tint to it (same as other forms of tempered glass, such as auto glass or security glass). Related: Murano Collection.
U
Undercabinet (range hood type):Refers to a range hood designed to be installed under a cabinet. While among the least expensive types (compared to island-mount and wall-mount range hood types), undercabinet hoods suffer from several disadvantages: their small formfactor limits blower power and duct size; design impact is minimal or nonexistent; hood dimensions typically need to match the cabinetry, limiting choices. Related: Island-mount, Wall-mount.
Wall-mount (range hood type):Refers to a range hood designed to be installed on a vertical wall directly behind the cooking surface (as opposed to an island-mount range hood). Related: Island-mount, Undercabinet. Product Category: Wall Range Hoods.
Watt:Standard unit of power used to measure the heat output of electric cooking appliances. 1 watt = 1 joule of energy per second. 1 kilowatt (kW) = 1000 watts. Related: BTU (for gas appliances).
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ACCESSORIES