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A ducted rangehood is a duct above your cooktop designed to remove smoke, odours and grease from your kitchen. It uses fan power to suck contaminated air out of your kitchen and then vent it outside through the wall or ceiling.
A rangehood ensures that food odours, smoke, steam and other particles don't linger like unwanted guests in your kitchen and throughout your home.
There are two types of rangehoods available: ducted and recirculating. Recirculating rangehoods work by filtering air and then returning it into the room, rather than venting it outside like a ducted rangehood. They pass air through a carbon filter which will need to be replaced on a regular basis, reducing smells and impurities before releasing the air back into your kitchen.
As you'd probably expect, ducted rangehoods are the most effective option for removing odours and smoke from your kitchen. However, they require installing ducted piping through the wall or ceiling, which isn't an option in all homes.
Rangehoods are available in several different styles to suit a variety of kitchen layouts and designs:
With so many options to choose from, how do you choose the right rangehood for your kitchen? The most important factors to consider are the size of your cooktop and the space you have to work with. Those who are undertaking a full kitchen renovation (or building a new house) will have a whole lot more freedom than someone looking to replace an old or broken rangehood.
Your budget will also have a big bearing on which rangehood you select, so make sure you compare a range of options in your price range before you buy. Here are the key factors you'll need to take into account when shopping around:
The rangehood should cover your entire cooktop. 60cm and 90cm are the most common widths, 110cm, 120cm and 150cm models are available for larger cooking areas.
The location of your cooktop will also influence your choice. For example, if your cooktop is part of an island bench, a canopy rangehood will be suitable. If your cooktop sits under kitchen cabinets, an undermount model is your only option.
Consider how the rangehood will fit in with the rest of your kitchen decor. Canopy rangehoods can make a bold design statement, while undermount and retractable models offer a slimline look. There's also a wide range of finishes available, from a traditional white look to stainless steel, splashes of colour and even curved glass canopies.
There are many styles and sizes of rangehoods available so prices can vary dramatically. Fixed rangehoods are the cheapest and start at just over $100, while slide-outs are also fairly affordable. Canopy rangehoods are priced anywhere from $200 to $5,000+, and there's a similarly broad range for undermount models.
A noisy rangehood can drown out dinner conversation or the sound of the TV, so check how loud a model is before you buy. Head in store and ask to hear the rangehood in operation so you know what sort of noise levels to expect.
This measures how much air the rangehood can draw in and is listed in cubic metres per hour. The higher the figure, the more dirty air it can remove from your kitchen. Anything over 600m³/hr is at the top end of the power range, and canopy rangehoods tend to be the most powerful.
Some models offer touch controls which not only provide a smoother look but are also easier to clean, while other units come with buttons and switches. Whichever option your desired rangehood has, make sure the controls are easy to access and understand.
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