You may have noticed that it’s hard to find kitchens with proper natural ventilation in modern homes, irrespective of their size.

That’s why installing appliances like the range hood has become essential to eliminate harmful gases and odors that can otherwise be harmful. Even though range hoods are yet to be mandatory in Australia, more and more kitchens are being fitted with one to create a safer space.

However, we understand that many people are still unaware of the necessity of range hood. This leads them to prioritize other appliances, like a dishwasher or an oven, while rebuilding a kitchen space. Therefore, we created this guide to list the key uses of range hoods to point out why every kitchen should have one.

Now, without further ado, let’s get started!

 

KEY USES OF RANGE HOODS IN KITCHENS

 

1. Improving Air Quality 

The foremost reason for rangehood installation is to draw out harmful fumes and steam from the kitchen to keep the air healthy and clean. You may not realize it, but the air in your kitchen might be compromised due to the presence of particles that cause air pollution.

Fortunately, the fan of a range hood can suck out the polluted air and throw it outside your house in the case of ducted models.

Moreover, household cooking appliances have been known to cause increased levels of carbon monoxide, which can be harmful to homeowners and their families. Installing a range hood improves the overall ventilation of the space, preventing the possibility of carbon monoxide exposure.

 

2. Reducing Excess Heat 

If you detest standing in a hot kitchen, a range hood can bring down the heat. These appliances are installed just above the cooktop to directly extract the steam and prevent it from spreading throughout the kitchen. This makes cooking a much more comfortable experience, especially during the scorching summer months.

Needless to say, installing a range hood is almost a must for kitchen spaces that combine the cooking and dining area. As a result, your family and guests no longer need to wait for a long time to let the area cool off before using it.

 

3. Odour Removal 

Even though your kitchen may smell good after cooking a delicious meal, the smells of different foods may accumulate over time, creating an obnoxious odor. Moreover, the smells of burnt food tend to linger for a long time.

With time, the odor may even spread to the rest of the house, creating an uncomfortable living space. The range hood comes to the rescue in all such situations, as it directly sucks out the steam and smoke, preventing the smell from spreading. In fact, some advanced models are programmed to stay on for an extra ten to fifteen minutes to ensure that the air is absolutely clean and odor-free.

 

4. Keeping The Kitchen Clean 

Choosing the right range hood for your kitchen can help to keep the area clean of odor, grease, and excess moisture. Indeed, most of the latest models come with filters that can trap a good amount of the grease, preventing it from settling on countertops, dishes, and other appliances around the kitchen.

It also makes cleaning the space uncomplicated, as you don’t need to scrub off the pesky oily film that often traps dirt particles.

Furthermore, as a range hood sucks out moisture, the wooden cabinets remain healthy and free from mold or bacteria growth. Removal of the grease and moisture is especially beneficial to limit the presence of allergens or other harmful particles that may cause respiratory issues.

 

5. Drawing Out Smoke  

Many people are afraid of experimenting with their cooking as they are afraid of triggering the smoke alarm. Installing a range hood can definitely solve the problem as it can instantly suck up smoke and steam while the dish is being cooked.

This is also true for instances where you may accidentally burn something while cooking — the appliance will draw out the smoke without leaving any soot or odor. Plus, the range hood can eliminate the particles that can irritate your eyes, nose, and throat or cause breathing troubles.

Most households are recommended to have a ducted range hood, as the polluted air is eliminated outside your home. The ductless variants can also be effective as most are fitted with charcoal filters to clean the air of pollutants and odors before circulating it back into the kitchen.

 

6. Additional Lighting 

When there are cabinets over your cooktop or if the ceiling is too high, it can get tricky to add proper lighting. Even though this may seem like a small issue, inadequate lighting can make the cookie process quite frustrating, especially for those who wear glasses.

Worry not, as many range hood brands add LED lights to the appliances for added illumination. So, you can clearly see the food without having to bend over the stove or get your face covered in uncomfortable steam. Some range hoods even have adjustable fancy lights to make your cooking experience smoother while adding an aesthetic factor.

 

FINAL WORDS 

That’s everything we had to tell you about the key uses of range hoods in your kitchen. As you can probably understand, it has become an indispensable appliance and should be installed in every kitchen along with the usual oven or dishwasher.

In fact, installing one can even increase your home resale value as it assures safety with proper ventilation and makes the cooking area more attractive.

Having said that, it’s essential to spend time selecting a range hood that is suitable for your kitchen space. Some features to check are the suction power, quality of filters, noise output, ducting options, and adjustable speed.

Another point to note is that even though rangehood installation may seem easy, only a professional should do it. Proper certification and experience give them better judgment in determining the height of the gap to leave between the range hood and your stove.

Until next time, goodbye, and take care!