1. Types of rangehoods
Canopy rangehood
Modelled on those found in industrial kitchens, a canopy rangehood is, as the name suggests, a rangehood that creates a canopy over your cooktop. It can be wall-mounted or suspended from the ceiling above, and provides one of the most effective and powerful filtration systems for your kitchen. Best suited for larger kitchens, canopy rangehoods are a popular choice for families and entertainers.
Integrated rangehood
Integrated rangehoods, also known as undermount rangehoods, are popular with smaller kitchens, particularly for apartment living. Built into the existing overhead cabinetry, they provide filtration above the cooktop while blending seamlessly into the existing design of the kitchen.
Slide-out rangehood
A slide-out or retractable rangehood is designed to be pulled out during the cooking process and then stored away while not in use. Similar to integrated rangehoods, these are ideal for smaller kitchens.
2. Kitchen space
The size of the kitchen and the way in which you use it will be the deciding factor in which style of rangehood you choose. For example, high-use kitchens with a lot of stovetop cooking will be best placed with a canopy rangehood for the strongest filtration power, whereas smaller kitchens or kitchens with a focus on streamlined design might benefit from an integrated model. The way the rangehood looks with your existing cabinetry is another consideration, so be sure to consider the way it will impact the lines of your decor.
3. Size of rangehood
The different styles of rangehood can vary in size, with canopy-style usually being the largest. It’s important to measure the size above your cooktop properly to ensure that your chosen rangehood will fit - and it’s always a good idea to choose one that is the same width as your cooktop so that it can effectively filter smoke, odour and grease.
4. Ducted or recirculated
Rangehoods work in two different ways to remove odours and smoke from your kitchen. Ducted rangehoods extract air through a pipe that is vented out to the outside of the home, while recirculated rangehoods use a filtration system that is built into the appliance to remove grease, odours and smoke and then expel the clean air back into your kitchen.
Because a ducted model vents to the outdoors, it is often more powerful and therefore more effective at extracting cooking odours and steam/smoke. There is also no need to change or clean filters.
Recirculating rangehoods, on the other hand, can be much simpler to install as they don’t require access to the outdoors and are therefore great for apartments or kitchens without existing access to ducting.
5. Noise level
The noise level of your rangehood is an incredibly important consideration - balancing the right amount of power with the lowest possible noise is the best way to make sure you choose the right option. Below is a table displaying the noise levels of individual Electrolux models.
6. Accessories
There is a range of accessories to complement Electrolux range hoods, including replacement activated carbon filters for recirculated systems.
7. Looking after your rangehood
To keep your rangehood looking clean and polished, wipe down the front and flute after each use with a damp cloth and or multi-purpose cleaner. With recirculation models, filters need to be cleaned or replaced monthly. You’ll find detailed instructions on how to do this in your user manual. If filters are not replaced/cleaned regularly, this could create a fire risk.
