How to Choose the Right Rangehood for Your Kitchen
A rangehood is one of the most important and least understood kitchen appliances. Buy the wrong one and you’ll have smoke, grease and cooking odours filling your home. Buy the right one and your kitchen stays fresh, your cabinets stay clean and your cooking experience improves dramatically. Here’s how to choose.
Types of Rangehood
Canopy Rangehood
The most common type in Australian kitchens. Mounts under a wall cabinet or is integrated into an overhead cabinet unit. Stainless steel body, glass or stainless canopy. Available in 60cm, 90cm and 120cm widths. Best for kitchens with a cooktop against a wall.
Island Rangehood (Ceiling-Mounted)
Suspended from the ceiling above an island or peninsula cooktop. Available in dramatic designer styles. These are statement pieces as well as functional appliances — popular in open-plan kitchens where the rangehood is visible from the living area. Requires ceiling-height ductwork installation.
Slideout Rangehood
Slides out from under the cabinet above the cooktop. When retracted, it’s invisible. Good for kitchens where aesthetics and minimal visual impact are important. Generally lower extraction power than canopy or island types.
Undermount (Integrated) Rangehood
Completely concealed inside the overhead cabinet. The extraction mechanism is hidden, with only a narrow gap visible. For fully integrated kitchens where appliances should be unseen.
Ducted vs Recirculating
Ducted rangehoods extract air to outside the building through ductwork in the wall or ceiling. This is the most effective option — it removes steam, smoke and odours completely. Required if you cook at high heat frequently (woks, searing, frying).
Recirculating rangehoods draw air through carbon (charcoal) filters and return cleaned air to the kitchen. No ductwork required — ideal for apartments or kitchens where ducting to outside is not possible. Carbon filters must be replaced every 6–12 months. Less effective than ducted for heavy cooking.
Extraction Rate: How Powerful Do You Need?
Extraction rate is measured in cubic metres per hour (m³/hr). As a guide:
- Standard home cooking (2–4 people): 500–700 m³/hr
- Family cooking with wok or grill use: 700–1,000 m³/hr
- Heavy cooking, island installation (high ceiling): 1,000–1,200 m³/hr
Undersized extraction is the most common mistake — always buy more extraction capacity than you think you need.
Width: Match Your Cooktop
The rangehood should be at least as wide as the cooktop, ideally 10–15cm wider on each side. A 60cm cooktop suits a 60cm rangehood minimum; a 90cm cooktop requires a 90cm rangehood.
Noise Level
Rangehood noise is measured in decibels (dB). Most canopy rangehoods produce 55–65 dB at maximum extraction. Models with EcoSilent motors (Bosch, Siemens) operate at 48–55 dB — significantly quieter. If your kitchen is open-plan, noise level matters more.
Top Rangehood Brands We Carry
- Bosch — excellent quality, quiet operation
- Miele — premium build, outstanding filtration
- AEG — great design and performance
- Electrolux — good mid-range
- Westinghouse/Chef — value range
- Smeg — Italian design statement
See Our Rangehood Range
Oceania Appliances stocks over 50 rangehood models in our Wetherill Park showroom. Come in and see the difference in design and quality in person. Open 7 days, 10am–8pm.
Call: (02) 9999 9999 | support@oceaniaappliances.com.au