Top 10 Rangehood Myths Busted
Discover the truths behind smarter, healthier kitchen ventilation
When building a new home or planning a kitchen renovation, ventilation is often overlooked. Yet a well-chosen and properly-installed high-quality rangehood is essential to protecting indoor air quality, the health of a home's occupants, and the longevity of its fixtures and furnishings.
At Schweigen, we’ve come across all kinds of myths and misconceptions about rangehoods - and seen the consequences of getting it wrong. So let’s cut through all that noise, and share why Schweigen Silent Rangehoods remain Australia’s leading choice for powerful yet silent kitchen ventilation.
Myth #1. "Powerful rangehoods are always noisy."
Truth: You can enjoy peace and performance atthe same time.
Most conventional rangehoods place the motor directly above the cooktop, which leads to loud, intrusive noise. Schweigen Silent Rangehoods, on the other hand, feature the German-engineered Isodrive® motor, installed externally on the roof or wall, so fan noise is kept outside the home. Paired with Schweigen SteelFlex™ high-performance safety ducting, this system delivers whisper-quiet, high-efficiency air extraction where cooking happens - ideal for open-plan homes and those with noise-sensitive occupants.
Myth #2: “Crack a window – that’s good enough.”
Truth: Natural ventilation can't match mechanical ventilation.
While a breeze can help disperse some steam, it won’t effectively remove grease, odours or moisture which can lead to mould, staining, warped cabinetry, and poor indoor air quality. Schweigen Silent Rangehoods are made in Europe for Australian conditions to efficiently remove pollutants and moisture from kitchens with minimal energy use, and maximum airflow efficiency.
Myth #3: "You only need a rangehood if you cook often."
Truth: Even light cooking releases harmful pollutants.
Every cooking session releases heat, steam, airborne grease and/or odours into the air. Without proper ventilation, these accumulate on walls, ceilings, cabinetry and soft furnishings - contributing to mould, mildew, discolouration, and lingering odours. Worse, they can also impact one’s health and exacerbate medical conditions. A Schweigen Silent Rangehood gets rid of airborne nasties for peace of mind — no matter how often one cooks.
Myth #4: “Recirculating rangehoods are just as good as ducted ones.”
Truth: Ducted rangehoods remove, not recycle, air.
While recirculating rangehoods can sometimes be easier to install, they don’t remove moisture or grease. Their filters also lose effectiveness over time, and may need regular replacement. Schweigen specialises in ducted rangehoods that extract steam and contaminated air outside the home - delivering cleaner, healthier air and preventing long-term kitchen damage from mould and settling grease. Where possible, always pick a ducted rangehood for better air and moisture extraction.
Myth #5: "All ducted rangehoods extract air the same way.”
Truth: Proper ventilation design makes a huge difference.
Unlike conventional rangehoods which have motor and fan installed within the canopy orsomewhere along the ducting, Schweigen silent rangehoods have their BAL40-rated Isodrive® motors installed outside of homes. These externally-mounted fans extract cooking exhaust in one seamless energy-efficient pull, and air extraction gets progressively stronger towards the outlet - ensuring grease, moisture and pollutants don't settle within the ducts.
In comparison, conventional onboard systems push air up the ducting to the outdoors, introducing different wind pressures, turbulence and noise as they do so. Worse, the air movement weakens towards the outlet, which may lead to trapped pollutants that can cause grease fires.
Myth #6: "Rangehoods can be added into a kitchen design anytime.”
Truth: Ventilation design should always come first.
Many kitchen issues arise from poor ventilation planning. A rangehood isn’t simply plug-and-play – it requires proper clearances, ducting pathways and power access. Schweigen has one of the largest product catalogue on the market – with designs, finishes, styles, and motor options to suit any cooking requirement, indoor and out. This opens up design possibilities even for island benches and tricky ceiling configurations, without sacrificing aesthetics or performance. When integrated into the design early, a Schweigen rangehood ensures unparalleled installation flexibility, long-term performance and protection for homes – avoiding costly compromises and retrofitting later.
Myth #7: “Any rangehood will work in any kitchen."
Truth: Rangehoods aren’t one-size-fit-all, and they shouldn’t be.
Picking the wrong rangehood for a cooking space can result in ineffective ventilation, disruptive noise, increased wear and tear, repair costs, discomfort and poor indoor air quality. That is why Schweigen offers the widest range of rangehood models and motor options for every configuration, and adopts a consultative approach in helping homeowners pick the perfect rangehood model, motor option and ducting design for their purpose, kitchen layout and home design.
Myth #8: "Bigger motor = better suction."
Truth: More isn’t always better.
Ventilation effectiveness depends on balanced design - not just motor size. A motor that’s too powerful for the space or paired with the wrong ducting can cause back pressure, noise, vibration and inefficiency. Oversizing can also lead to premature component wear and reduce the motor’s lifespan. Bigger isn’t always better - smarter is. With Schweigen, homeowners get to choose the right amount of airflow extraction with a variety of motor options and speed levels, for quiet performance and best results that last.
Myth #9: "Rangehoods aren’t compatible with airtight homes."
Truth: Airtight homes need proper ventilation even more.
Passive and airtight homes trap heat and pollutants indoors. Without effective extraction, steam, smoke, and cooking fumes accumulate quickly. Schweigen’s externally vented systems work beautifully in airtight homes when paired with make-up air solutions, sealed ducting, and smart airflow planning - ensuring both energy efficiency and indoor air safety.
Myth #10: "Rangehoods don’t need maintenance."
Truth: Regular filter cleaning is essential for optimal performance.
During cooking, airborne grease, steam and food particles get pulled up into the rangehood through the baffles/filters. Over time, this build-up can clog filters, increase motor strain, cause premature wear and create a fire risk. In some cases, ignoring servicing schedules may also void warranties. Schweigen makes rangehood cleaning easy. It’s high-quality dishwasher-safe baffles and filters can be removed in seconds. If you’re using a recirculating model, just change the carbon filter every 3–6 months. Simple, safe and smart.
Don’t let outdated myths compromise a kitchen’s health, comfort or style. Schweigen Silent Rangehoods are designed to perform beautifully, run quietly, and integrate seamlessly into any modern kitchen.
Contact a Schweigen Product Expert at 1300 881 693 today for a free project consult.
