How to Choose a Rangehood for Your Kitchen
A rangehood (also called a range hood or kitchen exhaust fan) removes grease, smoke, steam and cooking odours from your kitchen. Choosing the right one makes cooking more comfortable and keeps your kitchen cleaner. Here's everything you need to know.
Types of Rangehood
Canopy Rangehood
Mounts above the cooktop on the wall or under a cabinet. Available as ducted (vents outside) or recirculating (filters and returns air to the kitchen). Canopy rangehoods offer a wide range of styles and sizes and are suitable for most kitchens. This is the most common type sold in Australia.
Slideout Rangehood
Mounted under a cabinet, with a panel that slides forward when in use and retracts when not needed. Good for kitchens where a fixed canopy would feel too prominent. Usually only available in smaller widths.
Island Rangehood (Ceiling-Mounted)
Suspended from the ceiling over an island bench cooktop. These are statement pieces as well as functional appliances. Requires ceiling-height ducting and is typically used in larger, open-plan kitchens.
Built-In / Integrated Rangehood
Concealed inside custom cabinetry above the cooktop, with only the front panel visible. Used in designer kitchens where appliances are hidden. Requires custom cabinet work.
Ducted vs Recirculating
| Feature | Ducted | Recirculating |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Extracts air outside via ductwork | Filters air and returns it to kitchen |
| Effectiveness | More effective, removes moisture and heat | Removes grease and odour; leaves some moisture |
| Installation | Requires ductwork (more complex) | No ductwork needed; easier to install |
| Filter maintenance | Clean grease filters regularly | Replace carbon filters every 3–6 months |
| Best for | Most homes; especially heavy cookers | Apartments, kitchens where ducting is impractical |
What Size Rangehood Do You Need?
The rangehood should be at least as wide as your cooktop, ideally wider. Standard cooktops are 60cm or 90cm wide; rangehoods should match or exceed these dimensions. For a 60cm cooktop, a 60cm or 90cm rangehood works. For a 90cm cooktop, use a 90cm rangehood minimum.
Airflow Rating (m³/h)
Rangehood airflow is measured in cubic metres per hour (m³/h). As a rule of thumb, multiply your kitchen volume (length × width × height) by 10–15 for the recommended airflow. For a typical Australian kitchen of around 30–40m³, look for 400–600 m³/h minimum. Heavier cooking (wok cooking, frying) benefits from higher airflow.
Key Features to Consider
- Noise level — measured in dBA. Under 65dBA is acceptable; under 55dBA is quiet. Higher airflow settings will always be louder
- Lighting — LED lighting provides good task lighting for cooking
- Touch controls vs knobs — touch panels look sleek but can be harder to use while cooking
- Filter type — stainless steel mesh filters are dishwasher-safe and reusable; baffle filters are more effective and also washable
Oceania Appliances: Rangehoods and Kitchen Appliances in Sydney
We carry rangehoods and full kitchen appliance suites as ex-display and graded stock. Contact us or visit our Wetherill Park showroom to see what's currently available.