How Do I Know If My Rangehood Is Externally Vented?
When it comes to kitchen ventilation, one of the most common questions we hear is: “Is my rangehood ducted to the outside, or is it just recirculating the air?” Knowing the answer is important — it affects air quality, cooking odours, and even compliance with building regulations in some cases.
In this post, we’ll walk you through how to tell whether your rangehood is externally vented, and what your options are if it’s not.
Why Ventilation Matters
A properly vented rangehood removes smoke, grease, moisture, and odours from your kitchen. If your rangehood isn’t vented outside, it may simply filter and push the air back into the room. While this is fine for some homes, external venting is generally more effective and recommended — especially if you cook often.
Signs Your Rangehood Is Externally Vented
- Look for ducting above or behind the hood
- Open the cabinet above your rangehood (if you have one).
- If you see a round or rectangular duct leading upwards or through the wall, your hood is likely ducted.
- Check the exterior of your home
- Walk outside and look for a vent or louvre near where your kitchen is located.
- You may see a metal or plastic cover with slats or a flap that opens when the fan is running.
- Test the airflow
- Turn your rangehood on and place your hand above the hood.
- If you feel strong air blowing back into your kitchen from vents in the front or top of the hood, it’s probably a recirculating model.
- If most of the air is being pulled away (without blowing back), it’s likely ducted outside.
- Listen for differences
- Recirculating rangehoods often sound slightly different because the fan is working against filters before releasing air back into the room.
- Externally vented hoods usually sound smoother, with air being pushed out through ducting.
- Check your manual or model number
- Look up your rangehood’s model online. Manufacturers usually specify whether it’s ducted, ductless (recirculating), or convertible (capable of both).
What If It’s Not Externally Vented?
If your hood is recirculating, don’t worry — you still have options:
- Charcoal filters: These absorb some odours and grease but need replacing regularly.
- Convert to ducted: In many homes, it’s possible to add ducting and vent your hood outside. This usually requires a professional installer, especially if walls or ceilings need modification.
- Upgrade your rangehood: If your current model isn’t powerful enough, upgrading to a ducted rangehood can dramatically improve your kitchen’s air quality.
Capital Rangehoods Can Help
At Capital Rangehoods, we specialise in installing and upgrading both ducted and recirculating systems across Melbourne and Victoria. If you’re not sure whether your rangehood is vented outside — or if you’d like to switch to a more effective system — our team can inspect your setup and recommend the best solution.
