How do I choose a range hood?

Your kitchen layout will likely dictate whether the range hood is incorporated into the cupboards (concealed or slide out hoods), fixed to the wall or an island canopy hanging from the ceiling. Some kitchens have structural limitations which prevent air being ducted outside. In this case, you need to ensure that the range hood you purchase can be recycled and that carbon filters are available for the life of the product. Likewise, if you intend to duct your range hood to the outside, you need to ensure that the appliance you purchase is capable of this.

The options for ducting will be:

  1. ducted through your roof (tile or iron)
  2. ducted out through your wall or soffit
  3. recycling back into your kitchen, which means you’ll need to purchase charcoal filters every year for the life of the range hood as well as when you purchase it (make sure they’re compatible).

When a range hood fails it is most often due to the switches or more rarely, the bearings in the motor. Many range hoods are sold with a 2 or 3 year replacement warranty which means the manufacturer doesn’t make spare parts available, so it’s worth asking at the point of sale what the life expectancy of the appliance is and if parts can be purchased. A  cheaper up front purchase may not be value for money so it is generally advisable to buy the best range  hood you can afford – see our hints about choosing a range hood

How do I look after my range hood?

  • The filters need to be washed with hot soapy water. If the filters are aluminium, do not put them in the dishwasher because the strong detergent will make them go black.
  • Stainless steel hoods are best polished with a light weight oil (eg. WD40)
  • Replacement lightbulbs can be purchased at specialist lighting stores.
  • Keep the warranty books in case you have a problem during the warranty period.

Do you sell range hoods?

We don’t sell range hoods, but we do recommend you select a reputable retailer that you trust. The range of products is changing all the time and retail specialists will be aware of up to date specifications and pricing. If the sales person is reading the information off the brochure, it may be a sign that he or she is not an expert on range hoods.

This appliance is often the centrepiece of your beautiful kitchen and you want it to not only look good, but function beautifully as well.

What preparation do I need to do before you come to install ducting?

The range hood will require a power outlet (surface socket) either in the ceiling, for island canopies and wall mounted canopies, or in a centre line over the stove, close to the cornice which will be covered by the range hood flue cover of a wall mounted unit. For range hoods integrated into the cupboards, the power outlet will be in the cupboard.

If you’re getting a new range hood, make sure it’s delivered before we get there and open the box to make sure it hasn’t been damaged in transit.

Can my range hood be ducted to the ceiling space rather than outside?

No! Australian building and fire regulations state that range hoods must either recycle back into the room or duct to the outside. Ducting to the outside is far more effective and cheaper in the long run than sending air back into the room. It’s cheaper because charcoal filters need to be replaced at least once every year (costing $60 to $90 annually for the life of the range hood).

Cooking fat blown onto the ceiling insulation is flammable so if your range hood is currently ducted to the ceiling space, check with your insurance company to see if your house is covered. This is a recognised fire hazard.

Can I or my partner install range hood ducting ourselves?

We get lots of calls from frustrated customers who thought they could do it themselves! Often it isn’t done properly and the appliance doesn’t perform efficiently as a result. It may have restricted airflow, be far too noisy, or result in water leaks due to the roof penetration or other building problems. Invariably the appliance needs to be taken back down to do the ducting. We have installed thousands of range hoods – experience counts!
If you live outside our service area (Brisbane and region) and have access to an experienced installer, you can buy a ducting kit for DIY installation. We sell a limited range of these – find out about buying ducting kits.

How much does it cost to fit ducting?

The cost will vary depending on the type of range hood, location in the home, roof type, and various other factors. We can usually give you an accurate price on the phone or via email once we have some basic information, usually without visiting your home. Contact us now for an estimate.