Extractor Fan Alternative Calculator
Find the best alternative to a broken extractor fan based on your kitchen situation. Answer the questions below to see which solution works best for you.
Your Best Alternative
Why this works:
Implementation tip:
When your extractor fan stops working, the smell of burnt food, steam from the kettle, or greasy air from frying eggs doesn’t just linger-it sticks to your walls, your clothes, and even your hair. You don’t need to rush out and buy a new one right away. There are real, practical alternatives that work without electricity, without cost, and without the hassle of wiring. You just need to know what they are.
Open a Window and Use Cross-Ventilation
This is the oldest trick in the book, and it still works better than most people think. In Adelaide, where summers are hot and dry, and winters are cool and crisp, opening two windows on opposite sides of your kitchen creates a natural airflow. It’s called cross-ventilation. One window lets fresh air in, the other lets stale, moist, or smoky air out. No fan needed.
Try this: open your kitchen window and the window in the adjacent room or hallway. Even a small gap under a door helps. You’ll feel the difference within minutes. Studies from the University of South Australia show that cross-ventilation can reduce kitchen humidity by up to 70% in under 15 minutes-especially when paired with a ceiling fan running on low.
Use a Portable Fan to Push Air Out
If you’ve got a standing or desk fan lying around, use it as a temporary exhaust. Place it in the window facing outward. Tape a cardboard box or a large plastic bag around the edges to seal the gap. Turn it on high. It won’t be as quiet as a built-in extractor, but it moves air fast and cheap.
One Adelaide homeowner tested this after her extractor fan died mid-cook. She used a $35 box fan, sealed it with weatherstripping tape, and ran it for 20 minutes after each meal. The grease buildup on her walls dropped by 60% over three months. No repairs, no cost, just physics.
Install a Window-Mounted Range Hood
Not all extractor fans are built into the ceiling. A window-mounted range hood is a direct replacement that doesn’t require ducting through your roof. These units sit in the window frame, vent outside through a flexible duct, and plug into a standard outlet. Brands like Broan and Fantech make models that fit most Australian windows.
They’re easier to install than ceiling extractors. You don’t need to cut into drywall or hire an electrician. Just measure your window, order the hood, and screw it in. Many come with built-in lights and adjustable speeds. Prices range from $150 to $350. If you’re replacing a broken fan and want something more permanent, this is the next best thing.
Use a Recirculating Range Hood (With a Caveat)
These units look like traditional hoods, but they don’t vent outside. Instead, they pull air through a charcoal filter and blow it back into the room. They’re great for apartments where ducting isn’t allowed. But here’s the catch: they don’t remove moisture. They only trap grease and odors.
If you mostly fry eggs or boil pasta, a recirculating hood might help. If you cook curries, roast meats, or bake bread regularly, you’ll still get that damp, sticky feeling on your windows. You’ll also need to replace the charcoal filter every 3-6 months. They cost $100-$250, but they’re not a full solution-just a partial one.
Try a Dehumidifier in the Kitchen
Moisture is the real enemy behind mold, peeling paint, and mildew smells. A small dehumidifier placed near your stove can pull humidity out of the air faster than any fan. Look for one with a built-in humidistat so it turns off automatically when the air is dry enough.
Models like the EcoAir DD122 or Meaco DD8L are quiet, energy-efficient, and handle up to 12 liters of moisture per day. They’re not designed for grease, so pair them with a window fan if you’re frying bacon. But for steam from kettles, boiling pasta, or baking? They’re unbeatable. And they work year-round-even in winter.
Improve Your Cooking Habits
Here’s something no one tells you: you can reduce the need for ventilation just by changing how you cook.
- Use lids on pots. It cuts steam release by 80%.
- Boil water on the back burners, not the front ones. Heat rises, and the back is closer to the ceiling vent (if you have one).
- Cook at lower heat. High heat creates more smoke and steam than necessary.
- Turn on your air conditioner on dry mode. It pulls moisture out of the air without cooling the room.
- Keep a bowl of baking soda on the counter. It absorbs odors naturally.
These small changes don’t replace a fan, but they make any alternative work better. One family in Norwood switched to lid-covered cooking and noticed their extractor fan didn’t need cleaning for over a year.
When You Really Need a New Extractor Fan
Some problems can’t be solved with windows or fans. If you have:
- A gas stove (produces carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide)
- Chronic condensation on windows or walls
- Mold growing near the stove or sink
- Neighbors complaining about smoke or smells
Then you need a real, properly installed extractor fan. No alternative is a long-term fix for health or safety risks. Gas appliances require ventilation that meets Australian Standard AS 5601. A ducted fan that vents to the outside is the only compliant solution.
When replacing, look for models with a high sone rating (under 1.5 sones = quiet), a good CFM rating (at least 100 CFM for a standard kitchen), and a timer so it runs for 10-15 minutes after you finish cooking. Brands like Zephyr, Extract-Air, and Vent-A-Hood are common in Australia.
Quick Comparison: Alternatives vs. Extractor Fans
| Method | Removes Moisture | Removes Grease/Odors | Cost | Installation | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open Windows + Cross-Ventilation | Yes | Partially | $0 | None | Low-heat cooking, mild climates |
| Portable Fan in Window | Yes | Partially | $30-$80 | Simple | Temporary fix, renters |
| Window-Mounted Range Hood | Yes | Yes | $150-$350 | Easy | Homeowners, no ducting |
| Recirculating Hood | No | Yes | $100-$250 | Easy | Apartments, no outdoor vent access |
| Dehumidifier | Yes | No | $120-$200 | None | High humidity, steam-heavy cooking |
| New Ducted Extractor Fan | Yes | Yes | $300-$800+ | Professional | Gas stoves, mold-prone homes |
What Works Best in Adelaide’s Climate?
Here in Adelaide, we get hot, dry summers and cool, damp winters. That means:
- In summer: Cross-ventilation and portable fans work great. Use them with a ceiling fan to push air up and out.
- In winter: Dehumidifiers and sealed window hoods are more effective. Open windows too much and you’ll lose heat.
- Year-round: Cooking with lids and low heat cuts demand on any system.
The best long-term solution? A window-mounted range hood. It’s affordable, effective, and doesn’t require major renovations. If you’re renting, talk to your landlord about installing one-it’s a simple upgrade that protects the property too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just leave my extractor fan off and rely on windows?
Yes, if you cook lightly-boiling pasta, steaming veggies, or making toast. But if you fry, roast, or use a gas stove, moisture and fumes will build up. Over time, that leads to mold, peeling paint, and worse air quality. Windows help, but they’re not enough for heavy cooking.
Do recirculating hoods really work?
They trap grease and smells, but they don’t remove moisture. That’s why your windows still fog up after boiling water. They’re okay for occasional use, but not for daily cooking. Replace the charcoal filter every 3-6 months, or the odor control stops working.
Is a dehumidifier better than a fan for steam?
For steam alone? Yes. A dehumidifier pulls moisture out of the air faster than any fan. But it won’t touch grease or smoke. For best results, use a dehumidifier with a window fan running at the same time. One handles moisture, the other handles odor and grease.
Can I install a range hood myself?
Window-mounted models? Absolutely. They come with mounting brackets and instructions. Just make sure the duct goes outside-not into the ceiling space. If you’re unsure, ask a local handyman. Installation usually takes under an hour and costs less than $100 if you hire someone.
Why do some people say extractor fans are outdated?
They’re not outdated-they’re just overcomplicated. Many modern kitchens use quieter, more efficient window hoods or built-in ventilation systems. But the core need hasn’t changed: you still need to remove heat, steam, and fumes. The difference is in how you do it. Simpler, smarter solutions now exist.
Next Steps
Here’s what to do next:
- If you’re renting: Talk to your landlord about installing a window-mounted range hood. It’s a low-cost upgrade that protects the property.
- If you own your home: Try cross-ventilation and a dehumidifier for a month. If you still notice dampness or smells, upgrade to a ducted system.
- If you cook with gas: Don’t delay. Install a proper vented extractor. It’s not optional-it’s a safety requirement.
- Start using lids on pots. It’s free, easy, and cuts ventilation needs by half.
There’s no one-size-fits-all fix. But you don’t need to live with a broken fan. The right mix of habits and tools can keep your kitchen clean, dry, and odor-free-even without the original equipment.
