Undersized or improperly vented range hoods are a leading cause of cooking-odour complaints in Dubai apartments. Correct sizing and ducting solves the problem at the design stage.
How to size correctly
Industry rule: extraction rate (m3/h) should be roughly 10x the hob input in kW for gas, with appropriate scaling for induction. Most Dubai apartments need 600-1000 m3/h capacity for typical hobs.
Ducted vs recirculation
Ducted to outside is dramatically more effective than recirculation through carbon filters. Where the building risers permit ducting, always specify ducted. Recirculation only when ducting is genuinely impossible.
Installation matters
Mounting height (60-75 cm above hob), duct path (minimise bends), and grease filter accessibility all affect effectiveness. A correctly sized hood mounted too high underperforms a smaller hood at the right height.
Range hood selection checklist
- Size for hob input, typically 600-1000 m3/h
- Ducted to outside wherever possible
- Smooth-walled rigid ducting (not flexible)
- Minimum bends in duct path
- Mounting height 60-75 cm above hob
- Accessible grease filters for cleaning
Why this matters
A good range hood is invisible when working; a bad one is obvious every meal.