Distance from Cooktop to Under Cabinet Vent

This is a very bad idea.

There is a reason why cabinets are higher than 18 inches from the counter, not the least of which is so you're not constantly bonking your head on them.

And only 18 inches above the cooktop? That's insane.

Actually 18" is very normal.

Above a cooktop????

E.g., Viking's range specs say 18" for the cabinets at the sides. For their hoods, the minimum height above range is all over place, with 21" the smallest I noticed.

The major manufacturers all have installation specs on their sites, so best just check there.

I agree with Matt. I doubt a building would allow you to install a hood that low - it is impractical, a fire hazard and would severely limit your ability to use the cooktop. If it does not vent to the outside then you can put cabinets above the hood - but at a reasonable, usable height. Or else just don't have a hood.... Since if it doesn't vent outside it won't do much anyway

See, you people all complain about how "invasive" co-ops are with their strict approval requirements for seemingly every little thing, but this is a prime example of why such scrupulous oversight is necessary, with someone unwisely compromising fire safety by trying to "maximize" cabinet space.

Oy.

Sorry, I was talking about backsplash in general. Many manufactures state different amounts but it a hood should be at least 22" above the stove

I personally view 24" as a minimum for practical reasons. 30" should be standard.

Even for a 24" electric cooktop, I wouldn't consider anything lower than 24".

And even having a range hood that recirculates air is better than nothing at all.

I would not do less than 24".

What a about a pop up built into the cabinet. I installed one behind my cooktop which is installed on the kitchen island and it works better than the hood I had that was so high it did very little good.

When the time comes to sell, you better hope that you attract 'shorter than the norm'lookers at your open house. I ran my cabinets to the ceiling and allowed an extra couple of inches of height for the counters and it makes the whole kitchen feel larger.

"What a about a pop up built into the cabinet."

I like these, too, but 18 inches is still not enough clearance.

*****

"When the time comes to sell, you better hope that you attract 'shorter than the norm'lookers at your open house. I ran my cabinets to the ceiling and allowed an extra couple of inches of height for the counters and it makes the whole kitchen feel larger."

Very good point, sma10022.

And let's not forget the proliferation, more than ever it seems, of counter-top appliances -- particularly TALL counter-top appliances -- that are getting daily use these days, like blenders, food processors, and electric pressure cookers.

I have a straight row of cabinets 19.5" above my kitchen sink. It looks terrific but I don't enjoy hitting my forehead on the cabinet, which I do from time to time. The person who had them installed was a little shorty; I'm not.