Everything You Need to Know About Your Kitchen Extractor Fan

A kitchen extractor fan isn’t just for when you forget your dinner on the stove. Extractor fans help to improve the air quality and ventilation in the home. Of course, they also do channel smoke and steam away from the home during cooking.

Selecting the right extractor fan for your home doesn’t have to be stressful. Here we look at the many benefits of kitchen extractor fans, the types of extractor fans available for installation, associated cleaning and costs. 

Why use extractor fans in the kitchen?

Extractor fans for the kitchen are specifically designed to meet certain purposes. Extractor fans are also commonly called kitchen exhaust fans or a range hood, if they are fitted directly above the stove. They are a form of ventilation and are vital in the kitchen. Extractor fans or range hoods perform the following functions:

• disperse steam rising from saucepans or kettles
• reduce moisture levels in the kitchen
• help to eliminate cooking smells
• disperses any smoke that may occur
• captures steam-carried particles and the by-products of frying or baking
• removes grease from the air
• reduces soiling of walls and other surfaces
• removes other pollutants such as mould, mildew, carbon dioxide, pet hair, dust mites, bacteria, paint fumes, etc

It is disturbing to note that some indoor pollutants measure at concentrations 50 times higher indoors than outdoors. Extractor fans help to remove this and make the home a cleaner, safer place to live in.

Always ensure that the extractor fan or range hood vents to the outside of the home. It should never be allowed to vent into a wall or ceiling space as the moisture and grease in the air may cause serious structural damage over time.

Types of extractor fans

Some of the different types of extractor fans include:

• Axial fans

Axial extractor fans are designed to move air over short distances and are typically fitted through a wall or window. They are high performance and generally have a small profile. They should not be used on duct runs with a length over 1.5m.

• Centrifugal fans

Centrifugal extractor fans move air over long distances. They work by air entering the impeller in an axial direction and leaving it in a radial, creating high pressure allowing the air to travel faster and further. This is also a popular option for roof vent installation. Centrifugal fans are generally a more expensive option compared to axial fans.

• Mixed flow fans

Mixed flow extractor fans are designed to move air over medium distances, and they combine the features of the centrifugal and axial fans. These are popular options for kitchens and bathrooms and are ideal for short to medium duct runs.

• Recirculating range hoods

Recirculating range hoods do not vent to the outside of the home. Instead, they draw pollutants up through a charcoal or mechanical filter where they are removed before the air is recirculated through the kitchen.

How to install extractor fans

A kitchen extractor fan is best installed by a professional, however those with experience wiring may be able to complete the job as a DIY project.

1. Mark the ceiling to indicate where you will saw a hole.
2. Measure the space you have for the extractor fan.
3. Purchase an extractor fan of your choice, that fits the measurements in your kitchen.
4. Turn off the power to the kitchen at the main circuit breaker.
5. Use a drywall saw to make a hole to expose wires.
6. Identify the wires to control the fan and the fan switch.
7. Put a splitter on the wire.
8. Run the wires through the housing box.
9. Set the housing box inside the wall.
10. Attach the extractor fan.
11. Situate the fan so it covers the housing box.
12. Secure the wires.
13. Turn on the circuit breaker and test the fan.

If you choose to use a professional to install your extractor fan, expect a quote (including products and labour) to sit between $700 and $1000.

Cleaning extractor fans

To clean the extractor fan is not as difficult as you may think. Many will allow you to completely dismantle the main parts which can then be cleaned using the dishwasher. Ensure that you wipe the exterior and interior of the extractor fan or range hood regularly. The filter cover should be removed and washed in hot, soapy water. Fan blades can be cleaned with an ammonia solution. Clean the metal mesh filters whenever they are dirty.

If you have a recirculating range hood that uses filters, the filter will need to be replaced every three to six months, depending on what type of cooking you do and how often you use the kitchen. Never wash charcoal filters as this will reduce their effectiveness.

Extractor fan alternatives

If installing an extractor fan is not an option for you, consider the following alternatives:

• Open the windows to improve airflow.
• Use a splatter guard for pots.
• Use a moisture metre to track condensation.
• Use pot lids to limit steam in the kitchen.
• Wipe down your cabinets frequently to limit condensation build-up.