Rangehood Buying Guide: What to Look for in a Kitchen Rangehood

A rangehood is one of the most overlooked appliances in the kitchen — until you don't have one. It removes cooking odours, steam, smoke and grease from the air, keeping your kitchen fresh and protecting your cabinets from moisture damage. This guide helps you choose the right rangehood for your kitchen.

Types of Rangehoods

Canopy Rangehoods

Wall-mounted canopy rangehoods are the most common type in Australian homes. They mount above the cooktop on the wall and are available in a range of widths (600mm, 750mm and 900mm). Great for traditional kitchen layouts.

Island Rangehoods

Island rangehoods hang from the ceiling above an island cooktop. They're a design statement as much as a functional appliance, available in stainless steel and glass finishes.

Under-Cabinet (Concealed) Rangehoods

These mount underneath an overhead cabinet and are largely hidden from view. They're a good choice when you want the extraction function without a visible hood above the cooktop.

Slideout Rangehoods

Slideout rangehoods are compact and affordable. The extractor slides out from under a cabinet when needed. Good for smaller kitchens on a tighter budget.

Ducted vs Recirculating

This is the most important decision you'll make when choosing a rangehood:

• Ducted — Vents cooking air outside the building through a duct in the wall or ceiling. Far more effective at removing odours and moisture. Preferred if you can install ducting.
• Recirculating — Filters the air through charcoal/carbon filters and recirculates it back into the kitchen. No ducting required, so easier to install — but filters must be replaced regularly (every 3–6 months) and it doesn't remove moisture.

Extraction Capacity: What is m³/hr?

Extraction capacity is measured in cubic metres per hour (m³/hr). To calculate the minimum capacity you need, multiply the volume of your kitchen (length × width × height) by 10. A 30m² kitchen with 2.7m ceilings = 81m³ × 10 = 810m³/hr minimum.

For high-output gas cooktops or frequent cooking, go higher — 1,000m³/hr+ for serious cooks.

Noise Level

Rangehood noise is measured in decibels (dB). Most rangehoods operate between 50–70dB. At the lower end, conversations are easy to hold over the rangehood running; at the higher end, you'll need to raise your voice. If noise matters to you, look for models rated below 60dB at full speed.

Filters and Maintenance

All rangehoods have grease filters that catch airborne cooking oils. Most are aluminium mesh or stainless steel baffle filters that can be washed in the dishwasher monthly. Recirculating models also need charcoal filters changed every few months.

Matching Your Rangehood to Your Cooktop

• The rangehood should be at least as wide as your cooktop, preferably wider
• Mount the rangehood at the manufacturer's recommended height above the cooktop (typically 650–750mm for gas, 600–700mm for electric)
• For a 90cm gas cooktop, choose at minimum a 90cm rangehood, ideally with high extraction capacity

Buy a Rangehood in Sydney

Oceania Appliances carries a range of canopy, slideout and island rangehoods. We offer free delivery across Sydney and a 3–6 month warranty on every appliance.

Browse our rangehood range online or visit our Wetherill Park showroom. Open 7 days.

Oceania Appliances — helping Sydney kitchens breathe better since day one.