How to Choose the Right Rangehood CFM and Size for Your Kitchen
A rangehood is an essential part of any kitchen. The right one removes cooking smoke, steam and odours effectively. The wrong one barely does anything. Here's how to choose the right rangehood for your kitchen size and cooking style.
Understanding Airflow: What Is CFM?
CFM stands for Cubic Feet per Minute and measures how much air the rangehood can move per minute. The higher the CFM, the more powerful the extraction. In Australia, rangehood power is also often expressed in cubic metres per hour (m³/hr).
As a rough guide: 1 CFM ≈ 1.7 m³/hr
How Much CFM/Power Do You Need?
The general rule is that your rangehood should be able to cycle the air in your kitchen at least 10–15 times per hour (for light cooking) or 15–20 times per hour (for heavy cooking).
Simple Formula
Kitchen volume (L x W x H in metres) x 10–15 = minimum m³/hr required
Example: Kitchen 5m x 4m x 2.7m = 54 cubic metres. 54 x 12 = 648 m³/hr minimum. So a 650–700 m³/hr rangehood would be appropriate.
Rough Guides by Kitchen Type
- Small apartment kitchen: 400–500 m³/hr
- Standard family kitchen: 600–800 m³/hr
- Large or open-plan kitchen: 800–1,200 m³/hr
- Professional or wok cooking: 1,200+ m³/hr
Rangehood Width: Match Your Cooktop
The rangehood width should ideally be the same as or wider than your cooktop or hob. This ensures it captures steam and smoke from all burners. Common widths:
- 60cm: Matches a standard 60cm cooktop
- 90cm: Matches a 90cm cooktop or range
- 120cm: For wide island cooktops or commercial-style setups
Rangehood Types
Undermount (Slide-Out) Rangehood
Installed under a wall cabinet, slides out to cover the cooktop. Discreet and affordable. Good for standard kitchens.
Canopy Rangehood
A visible hood mounted on the wall. More powerful and visually prominent. Popular in kitchen renovations.
Island Rangehood
Hangs from the ceiling above an island cooktop. Makes a design statement and needs to be more powerful than a wall mount.
Integrated/Built-In Rangehood
Hidden behind a cabinet door panel. Very discreet. Usually requires ducting.
Ducted vs Recirculating
Ducted: Vents air outside through ducting. Much more effective at removing odours and moisture.
Recirculating: Filters and recirculates air back into the kitchen. Easier to install but less effective. Better than nothing, but not ideal for heavy cooking.
Find Your Rangehood at Oceania Appliances
We carry a range of rangehoods in multiple configurations. Free delivery across Sydney with 3–6 month warranty.
Showroom: 2/14 Centre Place, Wetherill Park — open 7 days, 10am to 8pm
Phone: 0493 142 999