#### Contents 1. [What is the purpose of a rangehood?](#what-is-the-purpose-of-a-rangehood-2) 2. [Types of rangehoods](#types-of-rangehoods-2) 3. [Ducted vs. recirculating rangehoods](#ducted-vs-recirculating-rangehoods-2) 4. [What to look for in a rangehood](#what-to-look-for-in-a-rangehood-2) ![A stainless steel canopy rangehood above a gas cooktop.](https://cdn.productreview.com.au/resize/article-image/446a7274-05ee-51f7-bf1e-571d7123d4ac?width=826) ## What is the purpose of a rangehood? A rangehood is an important aspect of your kitchen, as it removes smoke, steam, cooking odours, oil, grease, and heat to keep the air clean. Plus, it’ll also help stop smoke alarms from going off unnecessarily. A rangehood is placed above your cooktop. Not only does a rangehood keep air fresh, but it also protects the cabinetry and appliances close to your cooktop from discolouration, degradation, and odour. ## Types of rangehoods There are 4 main types of rangehoods. The type you go with will largely depend on the layout of your kitchen, its size, your existing cabinetry, and your cooking needs. ### Canopy rangehoods Typically found in commercial kitchens, canopy rangehoods are the most common type of rangehood. They’re set either against a wall or above a kitchen island, and are usually made of stainless steel. Because they’re usually large, they’re usually quite eyecatching in the kitchen, and are very effective at sucking up steam, smoke, and smells due to their large collection area. Usually perform the best as they usually cover the whole range area. Ideal for those who entertain often. Often more costly compared to other rangehoods. ### Slideout rangehoods Slideout rangehoods are installed into your kitchen cabinetry and slide out manually. They have a fan that turns on as you slide the rangehood out, as well as lights that illuminate the cooking area. These are also called retractable rangehoods. Can be pushed away and out of sight once you’ve finished cooking, so they suit minimalist kitchens. Suitable for apartments. Often not as effective as canopy or fixed rangehoods (particularly if recirculating air), as they have a smaller air collection area. ### Fixed rangehoods Fixed rangehoods are designed to be mounted onto the wall, and typically cover the whole stovetop area. Work better than slideout rangehoods as they cover more cooking area. May be obtrusive and get in the way, particularly if it’s located around head height. Not as sleek and minimal as other types of rangehoods. ### Undermount rangehoods Undermount rangehoods are installed into kitchen cabinetry directly above the cooktop. They’re popular due to how hidden they are. These are sometimes also referred to as concealed or built-in rangehoods. Unobtrusive, as they’re quite unnoticeable. Ideal for small to medium families or those living in an apartment. Their limited size also means they are typically less effective, as they have a smaller air collection area. ## Ducted vs. recirculating rangehoods You can either get ducted rangehoods or recirculating rangehoods. [**Ducted rangehoods**](https://www.productreview.com.au/c/range-hoods?ce6b8544-681d-4882-a23e-73ec29a77187%5B0%5D=a3a0da63-fd32-40f9-ae8f-0156c4c36a2d) suck in odours and vent them outside - They tend to perform better, as they're more powerful and effective at clearing air in the kitchen. - However, having one might not always be possible, as you may need a builder to knock a hole in the wall or ceiling to install ducting. [**Recirculating rangehoods**](https://www.productreview.com.au/c/range-hoods?ce6b8544-681d-4882-a23e-73ec29a77187%5B0%5D=3e4b7333-549c-4814-bb03-f1b74f75743d) suck in air and filter them, and then put the air back into the kitchen. - They aren't as powerful as ducted rangehoods, but they’re the option for those who cannot send their rangehood fumes outside via ducting. - They're a bit more expensive to run because you need to replace the carbon filters every so often. - With some models, you can also choose from top or front circulation ## What to look for in a rangehood ### Size Size is one of the most important considerations when selecting a rangetop. You should measure the width of your cooktop, as you should buy a rangehood of the same size or slightly larger in order for it to to effectively remove smoke, condensation, smells, and more. Most rangehoods are available in a width of 60cm or 90cm, although you can find larger units. You should also measure the area above your cooktop to ensure the rangehood you’re considering purchasing will fit in your kitchen. ### Airflow rate The airflow or extraction rate is usually measured in cubic metres per hour (m³/h). The higher the rate, the greater amount of air that can be removed from the kitchen. Your desired airflow rate might also depend on the type of cooking you do. For example, if you have a larger kitchen or cook with a wok often, you might want to consider a higher extraction rate of over 700m³/h. ### Features - [**Automatic on/off:**](https://www.productreview.com.au/c/range-hoods?9cfcc78d-c69d-4c18-a52d-b4fb7c2a7c0e%5B0%5D=86d0e59b-6b51-4f29-ac7c-a185ad9abaff) A feature that automatically turns the rangehood on when you start cooking, and turns it off when you stop cooking. - **Lights:** Rangehoods will usually either have [halogen](https://www.productreview.com.au/c/range-hoods?9cfcc78d-c69d-4c18-a52d-b4fb7c2a7c0e%5B0%5D=0a55b578-ac06-4693-9f51-2830d778f911), incandescent, or [LED lights](https://www.productreview.com.au/c/range-hoods?9cfcc78d-c69d-4c18-a52d-b4fb7c2a7c0e%5B0%5D=c905c3d6-1b54-4a69-9e66-3b4d4af4e792); LED lights use less power than incandescent lights. Look for a rangehood with two lights for better visibility. - **Wi-Fi:** Some rangehoods can connect to induction cooktops and will turn on once you’ve started cooking. - **One-way flap:** Some ducted rangehoods have a one-way flap (either built-in or as an add-on) that can keep hot air inside during colder weather and cold air inside during hotter months. - **Countdown timer:** This turns off the rangehood once the countdown is up, letting you set a time so that it can keep extracting residual heat, fumes, and odours even after you've finished cooking. ### Exterior design You might want to choose a finish that suits the aesthetic of your kitchen. While stainless steel rangehoods are common, you can sometimes also find white or black rangehoods. A rangehood with a sleek exterior and no nooks and crannies can also make cleaning a whole lot easier. ### Controls Ensure that the controls on a rangehood are easy to reach and use. They’re generally easier to operate if they’re located on the front panel. Usually rangehoods will have either [control knobs](https://www.productreview.com.au/c/range-hoods?f645de4d-daad-4308-b39e-1eda778c0d47%5B0%5D=7770fee9-bf0c-4d91-9c04-da0bbe1aa6f7), [touch control](https://www.productreview.com.au/c/range-hoods?f645de4d-daad-4308-b39e-1eda778c0d47%5B0%5D=6665ecc2-d9f6-450a-a7d2-8c40b01b40d7), or [buttons](https://www.productreview.com.au/c/range-hoods?f645de4d-daad-4308-b39e-1eda778c0d47%5B0%5D=176ffa8b-cf7e-4767-afb6-604663b50436). Some higher end models also have soft-touch buttons that are easier to push. ### Filters All rangehoods will have a filter; some are [dishwasher-safe](https://www.productreview.com.au/c/range-hoods?9cfcc78d-c69d-4c18-a52d-b4fb7c2a7c0e%5B0%5D=fcaf0ebf-bc6a-43f4-a7c1-732f27c1fc4d) and easy to clean, while others can’t be washed and need to be replaced, which means ongoing costs. Most ducted models will have aluminium filters which can usually be handwashed or popped into the dishwasher. If you get a recirculating model, it’ll use a carbon filter which needs periodic replacement. ### Noise level The noise level of your rangehood may be a deciding factor for you, particularly if you have an open plan kitchen where the noise might affect those wanting to watch TV in the next room. Noise level is measured in decibels. It’s not uncommon for louder rangehoods to be more powerful, and vice versa. However, there are still plenty of models on the market that offer great suction power and are still relatively quiet. We recommend testing out a rangehood in store at all its different fan speeds so that you can see whether it’s quiet enough for your needs. ### Installation Rangehoods need to be installed by a licensed electrician, while plumbers can install your ducting. Consider the cost of installation when you’re shopping around to ensure you stay within budget. ### Cost Rangehoods can cost as little as $100 for entry-level models and can go well above $5000 for premium models. However, you’ll find many decent models for under $1000. You should also consider the running and maintenance costs of your rangehood, as well as the warranty for its different components, including labour. { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.productreview.com.au/c/range-hoods" }, "headline": "Best Range Hoods", "description": "This is a guide on how to choose a rangehood for your kitchen.", "image": "https://cdn.productreview.com.au/resize/article-image/446a7274-05ee-51f7-bf1e-571d7123d4ac", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Clara Von Dinklage" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "ProductReview.com.au", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://cdn.productreview.com.au/assets/public/og_logo_1a8a64.png" } }, "datePublished": "2022-05-16", "dateModified": "2023-05-16" }

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