When designing your new kitchen, rangehoods may not be the first thing that springs to mind—but they play a key role in keeping your home healthy. The right rangehood will remove odours and steam from the air, helping you to maintain a clean and comfortable space. They also come in a wide range of shapes, sizes and styles, so matching the look to your kitchen layout, cabinetry and appliances is a must.
There are four common types of rangehoods, and choosing the right one for your new kitchen comes down to looking closely at the different features and matching those to your needs. So, to help you get started, in this article we’ve put together an overview of the pros, cons and key considerations of each.
Rangehood design considerations
At a basic level, the key differences between rangehoods to compare include:
- Operating methods: can be ducted or recirculating
- Size: most often 600 mm or 900 mm to match cooktop
- Colour: generally stainless steel but can be glass
- Type: can be canopy, undermount, fixed or slide out.
Ducted rangehoods are generally preferred as they suck the steam and odours up and send them outside, but if your space doesn’t allow for this, you may require a recirculated system. Choosing the right size and colour will mainly come down to matching it with your cooker and other appliances, which makes that decision relatively straightforward. However, settling on the right type can be a little more challenging—so we’ve shared some more detailed information on the most popular options below.
Canopy rangehoods
The canopy rangehood is a high performing option, thanks to its larger size and powerful functions. Generally made from stainless steel, it can also feature glass in the design to add visual appeal. Its size and shape make a statement, and as the go-to option in commercial kitchens, it is a popular choice for the serious cook. Most often wall-mounted, this style can also be positioned above an island bench. The biggest upside is the optimal performance thanks to the excellent coverage of the cooking area and the powerful functionality.
Pros: excellent coverage allows for optimal performance.
Cons: large size can make it unsuitable for smaller kitchens.
Undermount rangehoods
If you’re looking for a minimal style or are short on available space, an undermount rangehood could be the ideal solution. This design is integrated into overhead cupboards, so it’s tucked away and quite discrete. In addition, it is also very quiet while operating, as the cupboards absorb much of the noise.
Pros: quiet, discrete, ideal for compact spaces.
Cons: reduces cabinet space.
Fixed rangehoods
Popular with older style kitchens or where space is very confined, fixed rangehoods are a great choice. They compromise motor power to allow for a large filter to efficiently capture steam and cooking odours, helping you maintain a healthy space. A downside is the bulky size and shape, which extends out over the cooker, often at head height, which can cause a few bumps if you’re not careful!
Pros: efficient in height used, suitable for older kitchen replacement.
Cons: bulky, which is problematic when at head height.
Slide out rangehoods
Another option that is great for compact kitchens and those seeking a minimal look, slide out rangehoods are built into overhead cupboards to maximise space. Operated by a manual slide out function, the fan and light is activated when pulled out and automatically switched off when pushed in. As they cover a smaller surface space they are often unable to match the performance of the canopy or fixed styles, however they are a popular choice due to their ability to fit within small kitchens and modern or Scandinavian design styles where a larger rangehood would not be suitable.
Pros: discrete, out of sight when not in use.
Cons: can be less efficient due to smaller size.
Which rangehood is best for you?
With the wide variety of styles and choices, it can feel challenging to uncover the best option. But when you compare the features, understand your space and style requirements, and seek expert help, you’re sure to find the right fit.
For expert advice on the right rangehood and appliances for your new kitchen, pop into our showroom or get in touch with our team on 1300 438 266.