Rangehoods
Rangehoods are not only a functional appliance but in many kitchens are a focal point. The functional aspect of the rangehood involves removing cooking fumes to the outside but the size and prominence of some range hoods means that they must satisfy style considerations too.
Extractors can be hidden in cabinets but these do tend to be the smaller types.
Rangehoods can be used two ways: to vent to the outside or to re-circulate air within the kitchen. Re-circulating range hoods usually have a grease filter, which must be replaced regularly if it is the paper type or be cleaned regularly if it is a screen. Re-circulating range hoods tend not to be very satisfactory in use. Venting range hoods are more effective at removing grease and cooking fumes, they usually have screens that can be cleaned in the dishwasher. The better ones also have grease traps.
The most efficient way to vent a rangehood is straight up through the roof. A straight pipe works best; bends in the vent pipe add backpressure that requires a stronger motor to overcome. Venting capacity is usually given in cubic meters per hour; that is the number of cubic meters of air that can be moved under ideal conditions. Conditions are rarely ideal of course, which means that you should usually go for the highest capacity you can, especially if you have a long run or bends, or both.
Generally speaking 600 cubic meters per hour is the minimum you should look for. Anything less is unlikely to be satisfactory in use except in a very small kitchen.
Noise is the next consideration. The more powerful the motor of the rangehood or the greater the number of motors, the greater the potential noise will be generated. Noise levels are expressed in decibels and you will tend to want a range hood with a lower decibel rating.
Silent ranghood systems are now available. With remote motoring, it’s possible to make the rangehood itself virtually silent, just the sound of the air passing through to be heard. The Hush Air silent rangehood system being a New Zealand example.
For long and difficult exhaust runs it can be necessary to provide an extra fan at the outside wall. This will increase the efficiency of your range hood without causing extra noise in the kitchen. Remember too that flexible hosing, which is corrugated, cause greater air resistance and therefore the need for a more powerful rangehood motor. Use smooth ducting wherever possible.
A note of caution about decibel claims of rangehood manufacturers and sellers: the noise generated in the laboratory will likely bear no relation to that in the real=life situation of your home. Noise level claims are based upon the best-case laboratory scenario and are therefore, likely to be misleading. You can learn more about decibels here: decibels
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