Yes. A range hood keeps cooking exhaust, chemicals, and smoke out of your kitchen. It improves your indoor air quality and streamlines your cooking experience.

What happens if you don't have a range hood?

Open a window in your kitchen and open a window in a nearby room that allows a cross-flow of wind. Beyond windows and ceiling fans, exhaust fans are a great tool to pump that air out of your house. Some kitchens have these already, but if yours doesn't or it's ineffective, use the exhaust fan in the nearest room.

Is it bad to not have a range hood?

Most residential building codes do not require a range hood above a stove or cook top, but you'd be wise to ensure your locale is not the exception. Even if it's not legally required, you should think long and hard before forgoing a hood altogether.