So You Want a Range Hood?
Three appliance experts reveal everything you need to know about selecting a new range hood for your kitchen
In this series, we put key home-design elements under the spotlight, exploring everything from the latest innovations and arrangement ideas to practical tips for making them work in your space.
There are few things more unpleasant than trying to prep or entertain in a kitchen that’s filled with smoke and cooking fumes. This is where a quality range hood comes in; these tireless workhorses extract the airborne nasties from your kitchen’s atmosphere so you can cook in comfort.
We’ve asked three kitchen-appliance experts to reveal all so you can buy with confidence.
There are few things more unpleasant than trying to prep or entertain in a kitchen that’s filled with smoke and cooking fumes. This is where a quality range hood comes in; these tireless workhorses extract the airborne nasties from your kitchen’s atmosphere so you can cook in comfort.
We’ve asked three kitchen-appliance experts to reveal all so you can buy with confidence.
What are the main styles available?
According to Brown, most range hoods are crafted from stainless steel (although some incorporate glass). They come in various shapes and sizes to suit different kitchen dimensions and layouts. Shapes include:
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According to Brown, most range hoods are crafted from stainless steel (although some incorporate glass). They come in various shapes and sizes to suit different kitchen dimensions and layouts. Shapes include:
- Canopy
- Fixed
- Slideout
- Undermount
- Island
- Styles that pop up from the benchtop and disappear from view when not in use.
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Ducted and recirculating styles – what’s the difference?
“Ducted range hoods remove smoke and odours from kitchen, whereas recirculating styles filter the air and circulate it throughout the room,” says Brown.
“Ducted models are always more powerful,” says Daniel Bertuccio, marketing manager for Ilve Appliances. “Recirculating systems are less powerful, less effective and often louder.”
“Be aware that in some situations, such as if you live in an apartment, don’t have an outside wall or access to roof space, a recirculating system might be the only option,” adds Brown.
“Ducted range hoods remove smoke and odours from kitchen, whereas recirculating styles filter the air and circulate it throughout the room,” says Brown.
“Ducted models are always more powerful,” says Daniel Bertuccio, marketing manager for Ilve Appliances. “Recirculating systems are less powerful, less effective and often louder.”
“Be aware that in some situations, such as if you live in an apartment, don’t have an outside wall or access to roof space, a recirculating system might be the only option,” adds Brown.
How is extraction power measured?
In cubic metres of air moved per hour. “It ranges between about 700 cubic metres to over 2000 cubic metres per hour – the higher the figure, the more air is extracted,” says Brown.
In cubic metres of air moved per hour. “It ranges between about 700 cubic metres to over 2000 cubic metres per hour – the higher the figure, the more air is extracted,” says Brown.
Image: Ilve
Which styles are trending?
“Two distinct styles are coming out of Europe this year,” says Bertuccio. “Concealed hoods that are located out of view or disappear entirely when not in use, which are great for compact or gallery kitchens, and statement styles such as pendant hoods that resemble chandeliers – that are ideal for creating impact in island kitchens and open-plan rooms.
“Stainless steel will continue to be the dominant material but for something different, glass hoods make a strong statement,” he says.
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Which styles are trending?
“Two distinct styles are coming out of Europe this year,” says Bertuccio. “Concealed hoods that are located out of view or disappear entirely when not in use, which are great for compact or gallery kitchens, and statement styles such as pendant hoods that resemble chandeliers – that are ideal for creating impact in island kitchens and open-plan rooms.
“Stainless steel will continue to be the dominant material but for something different, glass hoods make a strong statement,” he says.
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What are the main things to consider when choosing a range hood?
According to Bertuccio, you should ask yourself:
According to Bertuccio, you should ask yourself:
- What type of cooking do you do? If it’s pasta and stir fries, you’ll need a rangeh ood with powerful extraction to remove smoke and fumes.
- How big is your kitchen? You’ll need to choose a style that offers adequate extraction for the size of your kitchen.
- What look do you want to create in your kitchen? This will affect your choice of range hood shape and material.
What are some of the most useful features to look for?
Brown says:
Brown says:
- Washable filters: Aluminium filters can be washed in the dishwasher whereas charcoal filters will need to be replaced every couple of months.
- Quiet operation: Some systems, particularly recirculating ones, can be very noisy. This can drown out conversation in open-plan kitchens. Be sure to check noise levels before you buy.
- Silent operation: Some ducted range hoods have the motor located outside your home or in the roof cavity for noise-free operation.
- Adjustable power levels: This allows you to set the power level for different cooking methods.
- Built-in LED lighting: A helpful addition as it illuminates your stovetop area. Some lights will even alert you to when it’s time to clean the grease filter.
- Connectivity: The new iHood range hood can be connected via Bluetooth to your phone or speaker, allowing you to play music or talk hands-free as you cook.
What should I expect to pay?
“Between about $200 and $2500 although some high-tech styles can cost as much as $5000,” says Brown.
See more stunning contemporary kitchens
“Between about $200 and $2500 although some high-tech styles can cost as much as $5000,” says Brown.
See more stunning contemporary kitchens
What’s good to know when choosing a range hood?
“Most range hoods measure between 600 and 1200 millimetres wide. To effectively remove smoke and fumes, the size of your range hood should mirror – or be larger than – the size of your cooktop,” says Brown.
“Also consider if you have a gas or induction cooktop,” says Manauzzi. “If you have an induction cooktop, you’ll want your range hood to be wider than the cooktop as steam is emitted slightly outwards rather than upwards. For example, you should specify a 120-centimetre range hood for 90-centimetre induction cooktop in order to properly capture smoke.”
“Most range hoods measure between 600 and 1200 millimetres wide. To effectively remove smoke and fumes, the size of your range hood should mirror – or be larger than – the size of your cooktop,” says Brown.
“Also consider if you have a gas or induction cooktop,” says Manauzzi. “If you have an induction cooktop, you’ll want your range hood to be wider than the cooktop as steam is emitted slightly outwards rather than upwards. For example, you should specify a 120-centimetre range hood for 90-centimetre induction cooktop in order to properly capture smoke.”
What’s the most common mistake people make?
“Not having the range hood properly installed,” says Bertuccio. “I would recommend spending the money and having your range hood installed by a professional – it will maximise performance and lifespan.”
“Not having the range hood properly installed,” says Bertuccio. “I would recommend spending the money and having your range hood installed by a professional – it will maximise performance and lifespan.”
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“You’ll even find some models that are practically silent thanks to the motor being located either in the roof space or outside the house rather than inside the hood itself – so there’s no risk of the extractor drowning out your dinner-party conversation,” says Gary Brown, senior brand manager for home appliances at Harvey Norman.