Born and raised into a family-owned appliance business, Anthony Fletcher is no stranger to the wide world of appliances, today taking reign as co-owner of Schweigen. “Along the way, I’ve been fortunate enough to meet many strong, inspiring and whacky personalities who have helped Schweigen into what, and who we are today,” he says. Journey under the hood, as Melbourne Kitchen + Bathroom Design magazine unpacks the ins and outs of rangehood ownership.

BEHIND THE HOOD

While it’s common knowledge that bad air quality can definitely have “long-term detrimental effect on your health”, it’s perhaps lesser known that without a rangehood in your kitchen, the durability of your home could be severely compromised. “Without [a rangehood], pollutants and smells would stink up your kitchen for days – humidity could promote mould growth, airborne grease settles on surfaces, attracting pests and slowly ruining paint, structure and investments in your home,” details Fletcher. Having that clean, purified air will keep the cooking space fresh and healthy.

Now that we’re equipped with the knowledge of why a rangehood is essential for your home, let’s unpack the two main categories of rangehood, and which will best complement your needs and lifestyle. Fletcher explains that there are two broad categories of rangehood, which depend on if they are internally or externally motored. “Onboard rangehoods – also known as internally motored rangehoods – refer to models with motors and fans built into their canopies. Offboard rangehoods – or externally motored rangehoods – have their motor mounted outside of the rangehood, typically on the outside of the home,” says the Schweigen co-owner.

It’s important to note that both internally and externally motored rangehoods may be ducted to bring filtered cooking exhaust to the outdoors, or “simply recirculated back into the kitchen”. Next, when it comes to deciphering what size rangehood you require, Fletcher explains that to ensure optimal efficiency, “rangehoods should always be larger than the cooking zones beneath them”. While most rangehoods are available in 600 and 900-milimetre widths, Schweigen takes this to new heights, offering domestic models from 300 to 2000-milimetres. “[Schweigen] caters to the full cross-section of Australian kitchens, from simple pantries to high-end kitchens in luxury homes,” affirms Fletcher.

SILENT WITNESS

In an era where working from home is the new norm, noise can be a huge irritant within sealed and shared spaces within your dwelling. “The long-term impacts of noise can be devastating,” Fletcher says. “Exposure to excessive noise can lead to a range of health concerns, from poor concentration and stress to more severe conditions like hearing loss and cardiovascular disease.”

Rangehoods have long been associated with the noisy bustle that comes with cooking – and this is where Schweigen’s silent rangehoods become truly invaluable. “Schweigen started by sourcing the quietest and most powerful domestic extraction fan available and integrated the German-made, centrifungal fan technology into a Schweigen-patented motor system called the Isodrive®,” Fletcher says. These silent rangehoods have their Isodrive® motors installed outside of homes through the roof, wall or eave, with acoustically matched, flexible ducting for the very best results.

TALK STYLE TO ME

Your kitchen is your unique haven, and as such, your rangehood should be able to fit into the space’s existing aesthetic. Fletcher breaks down just some of the options available to you, the homeowner, and what each option affords:

Undermount Rangehoods: “These are installed discreetly into overhead cabinetry and are perfect for those desiring an integrated kitchen with sleek and modern lines.”

Wallmount Rangehoods: “Are conventionally positioned against the wall and directly over your cooktop area. They are renowned for performance, aided by the wall and surrounding cabinetry, which helps to direct steam, smoke and odours directly into the rangehood.”

Ceiling Cassettes: “[These are] integrated into the bulkhead or ceiling for a sleek profile and uninterrupted views across your kitchen – perfect for island or peninsula-style benchtops.”

Island Mount Rangehoods: “[These] are favoured in open-plan kitchens and typically hang over island benchtops. This central placement means no bulkhead is required and cooks can [also] be involved in conversations with family or friends around the island as they cook.”

Barbeque Alfresco Rangehoods: Feature weather-resistant stainless steel construction and powerful high-extraction motor systems. They are purpose-built to banish grease, smoke and odours from the undercover alfresco cooking spaces.”

Image Credits: Schweigen