Rangehood essentials you need to know

If you can’t handle the heat, get a rangehood! Rangehoods are one of the more versatile features of your kitchen aesthetic. Without a rangehood your kitchen surfaces would eventually gather layers of grease and grime. Rangehoods can be subtle and understated to suit a minimalist design or bold and eye catching, like something out of a Gordon Ramsay kitchen. So, whether you’re peacocking or playing it discreet, there’s a rangehood out there to suit you.

Undermount Rangehood

Thanks to their concealed design, undermount rangehoods are a popular choice for minimalist design aesthetics. Undermounts are built into your kitchen cabinetry which give a ‘barely there’, seamless feel to your kitchen. 

However, the strength of the undermount can also be its weakness. Because of its hidden design, the air collection area is limited and may not be as efficient as a canopy rangehood at collecting steam. So, for maximum performance, undermounts usually need to be ducted.

Omega offer a range of undermount rangehoods, in various lengths and sizes, to suit your kitchen needs.

Slide-Out Rangehood

Slide-out rangehoods are designed to be manually pulled out of your cooktop during the cooking process. This means they can also be discreetly slid away when not in operation. They’re like a turtle in a sense. They can go into their shell and pop out again. This makes them particularly suitable for smaller kitchens and minimalist design. But, also more of a statement piece than an undermount, because when extended, slide-outs can occupy a noticeable chunk of space. 

What’s more, slide-outs can recirculate air instead of relying on ducted air, and they’re also cost effective. This rangehood really does tick all the boxes. Omega offer both 60 and 90cm rangehoods.

Canopy Rangehood

The canopy rangehood really is the piece de résistance of your stove top area. Its standout design can ‘wow’ visitors as soon as they enter your kitchen. Due to their sheer grandeur, canopy rangehoods can work as standalones from cabinetry, which gives you the flexibility to choose where you install them. Canopy rangehoods also allow you to quickly extract cooking fumes. They can be ducted externally by directing the air outside (through the ceiling) or they can clean the air using carbon filters which then recirculate air back into the kitchen. Omega offer a range of Canopy rangehoods in both stainless steel and black.

Net Airflow

Air flow is measured in square metre coverage. The greater the number, the more air a fan will move.

If you do a lot of heavy cooking, involving steam or strong odours, consider a rangehood with a high NET airflow. Hot tip: The size of your stove is key to choosing the power of your rangehood.

Rangehood suction rates will vary by power level and the zest of the motor. The fan size, its quality and the amount of ventilation in your rangehood will give a good indication of the kind of headwinds you’re dealing with.

Halogen vs LED Lighting

Halogen lighting is best for directing bright light over your stovetop, however it’s not very energy efficient.

LED on the other hand, lasts 28-30 times longer than halogen and is more energy efficient. What’s extra cool is the bulbs aren’t hot to touch, so you don’t have to worry about your kids accidentally burning themselves on a bulb. LED also give off a more ambient light when cooking which can be relaxing when stressing out over deciding what’s for dins.

Ducting vs Recirculation

The general consensus is that ducting trumps recirculation, mainly because ducting sucks odours outside, while recirculation, as the name implies, recirculates odours inside. Recirculation also tends to cost more in the long run, because the carbon filters need replacing periodically.

Finished: Stainless Steel vs Colour Coated

Stainless steel is a classic finish for kitchen rangehoods. It gives off a chic, elegant feel and compliments almost all kitchen designs – modern or traditional.

On the other hand, colour coated rangehoods, such as the Omega black range, can create a popping statement in your kitchen, with relatively low effort. Colour coated rangehoods look especially appealing in minimalist, monochromatic coloured kitchens, creating a complimentary colour contrast.