Choosing The Right Rangehood
One of the most important things to think about when renovating or installing new kitchens, is what kind of rangehood ideally suits your new design. With an almost infinite amount of brands and types available in the market, the prospect of choosing the right one can be somewhat daunting. In this article, we will be discussing the pros and cons of certain types of common rangehoods, specifically addressing concerns about:
- Ventilation
- Air purity
- Types of rangehoods
- Adequate lighting systems
- Energy efficiency
- Easy maintenance
It is our hope that, by the end of the article, you will be informed enough to choose the right type of rangehood that will suit both your needs and your kitchen interior. As always, you can talk to the experts at Damco Kitchens if you have any queries regarding rangehoods, or anything else relating to renovating kitchens in Melbourne.
Ventilation
There are three distinctive types of ventilating systems: Updraft, downdraft, and re-circulators.Updraft ventilation systems – as the name suggests – funnel the air upwards, normally to an outside duct. Popular in commercial kitchens, these systems are the most effective in removing heat and food odours, thanks to the natural process of rising air. These systems can be expensive, however, and will require alterations to the existing wall space.
Downdraft systems use either a single, powerful fan or multiple fans to effectively suck the air downwards. Whilst also effective and slightly lower in price, they can be very noisy. They also consume a lot of energy, and pose the risk of those aromas rising back up from the vents if not left on for long enough after cooking.
Re-circulatory systems became popular around the turn of the millenium, as they take up less space than conventional types of ventilation systems, are cheaper, and offer a vast array of unique designs. However, these systems require heavy and frequent maintenance. You will need to replace the carbon filter on a frequent basis, as the filter effectively acts as a permanent sponge. Failure to do so can also lead to serious health hazards.
Air Purity
There are three distinctive types of ventilating systems: Updraft, downdraft, and re-circulators.Updraft ventilation systems – as the name suggests – funnel the air upwards, normally to an outside duct. Popular in commercial kitchens, these systems are the most effective in removing heat and food odours, thanks to the natural process of rising air. These systems can be expensive, however, and will require alterations to the existing wall space.
Downdraft systems use either a single, powerful fan or multiple fans to effectively suck the air downwards. Whilst also effective and slightly lower in price, they can be very noisy. They also consume a lot of energy, and pose the risk of those aromas rising back up from the vents if not left on for long enough after cooking.
Rangehood Types
There are three distinctive types of ventilating systems: Updraft, downdraft, and re-circulators.Updraft ventilation systems – as the name suggests – funnel the air upwards, normally to an outside duct. Popular in commercial kitchens, these systems are the most effective in removing heat and food odours, thanks to the natural process of rising air. These systems can be expensive, however, and will require alterations to the existing wall space.
Downdraft systems use either a single, powerful fan or multiple fans to effectively suck the air downwards. Whilst also effective and slightly lower in price, they can be very noisy. They also consume a lot of energy, and pose the risk of those aromas rising back up from the vents if not left on for long enough after cooking.
Rangehoods are available in canopies, a retractable setting, or a built-under (fixed) setting. Canopies are the most popular for the different styles they provide and their superior vent properties, however, they are expensive. Fixed settings, the more traditional approach, are the cheapest, whilst not compromising efficiency. However, built-under rangehoods are typically not as attractive, and require a great deal of clever cabinet positioning to conceal their shape.Retractables have been a recent trend in the last few years, and represent the best of both worlds. Easy to conceal and genuinely attractive, they are also affordable and offer a great amount of versatility to the kitchen. When choosing your rangehood type, bear in mind the height clearance that they offer. It may seem funny, but serious injuries can occur from accidentally bumping your head on the rangehood.
Lighting
An often overlooked subject, adequate lighting is one of the most important aspects to focus on when choosing your rangehood. Progressing from the single bulb of decades past, you can now choose from attractive LED lighting, to sensory lighting that adjusts itself accordingly. Choose a lighting structure that will allow you to see the stovetop clearly, and also one that blends in with the interior lighting of your kitchen/dining area.
Energy Efficiency
Your rangehood will be one of the most frequently used items in your household, so it’s important to select one that offers the highest energy rating possible. Modern rangehoods will generally come with a minimum of 7-8 star ratings, and the higher the rating, the more expensive the unit will turn out to be. So select one within your budget that will benefit your future energy bills.
Maintenance
All rangehoods will need to be cleaned at some point, including the fans and the exterior of the unit. Ask your provider about which rangehood is the easiest to disassemble for fan cleaning purposes, and look for rangehoods that have stainless steel or easily cleanable glass surfaces.
Also ensure that the height clearance of your rangehood isn’t so great, that it’s too hard to access. All of Damco’s new kitchen designs in Melbourne take into account this necessity, and are fitted accordingly to suit your needs. Its one of the many reasons why we’re the first destination for both unique and tailor made kitchen renovations.
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