Types of Rangehood Explained
Rangehoods come in several distinct types, and choosing the wrong type for your kitchen is a surprisingly common and expensive mistake. This guide explains each type clearly, with guidance on which suits different kitchen configurations.
1. Canopy Rangehood (Wall Mount)
A canopy rangehood mounts on the wall above your cooktop, with the extraction duct running up the wall and exiting through the roof or an external wall. The chimney-style column is visible above the rangehood body.
Best for: Cooktops positioned on a wall (not an island), where the rangehood mounts on a solid wall behind. The most common and practical rangehood type for Australian kitchens.
Key considerations: Requires a wall-mounted duct path. Duct diameter should match the rangehood outlet (typically 150mm or 200mm round duct). Longer duct runs reduce extraction efficiency.
2. Island Rangehood (Ceiling Mount)
An island rangehood hangs from the ceiling above a kitchen island or peninsula cooktop. The duct runs up through the ceiling cavity. Island rangehoods are typically larger (900mm–1200mm wide) to compensate for the increased cooking exposure with no surrounding walls.
Best for: Island kitchen configurations where the cooktop is on a central island bench. Required if you have an island cooktop.
Key considerations: More expensive than wall-mount models. Requires ceiling duct routing. The rangehood must be sized appropriately relative to the cooktop beneath it.
3. Undermount Rangehood (Integrated)
An undermount or integrated rangehood mounts inside a kitchen cabinet above the cooktop, with only a glass or metal extraction panel visible. The rangehood body is hidden behind a standard overhead kitchen cabinet.
Best for: Kitchens where aesthetics are paramount and the owner wants the rangehood invisible from view. Very popular in modern minimalist kitchen designs.
Key considerations: Lower extraction airflow than canopy or island models due to the constrained internal space. Best suited for light cooking loads. Cabinet must be built or modified to accommodate the rangehood body.
4. Slideout Rangehood
A slideout rangehood mounts under an overhead cabinet and slides out horizontally when in use. When retracted, the rangehood is hidden. Usually lower power than a full canopy model.
Best for: Lower cooking frequency households wanting a discreet, affordable option.
5. Downdraft Rangehood
A downdraft rangehood rises from behind or beside the cooktop and extracts air downward or horizontally. These are used when neither ceiling nor wall mounting is possible — for example, a cooktop on a kitchen island in a home without a large ceiling cavity for duct routing.
Best for: Specific island configurations where ceiling mounting isn't possible. Generally less effective than overhead extraction.
Key Specifications to Compare
- Airflow (m³/hr): Higher is better. For standard home cooking, 600–900 m³/hr is adequate. For high-BTU gas cooktops or heavy cooking, 900m³/hr+.
- Noise (dB): Lower is better. 60dB or below at maximum speed is considered acceptable for a home rangehood.
- Filter type: Aluminium mesh (cleanable, long-lasting) or carbon (for recirculation-only models, needs periodic replacement)
- Duct or recirculating: Ducted rangehoods extract air outside — far more effective. Recirculating models filter and return air to the kitchen. Only use recirculating where ducting is impossible.
Shop Rangehoods at Oceania Appliances
We stock canopy, island and undermount rangehoods from leading brands. Free delivery across Sydney. Visit 2/14 Centre Place, Wetherill Park, call or WhatsApp 0422 489 492, or email support@oceaniaappliances.com.au. Open 7 days, 10am–8pm.