Have had no replies in tips/troubleshooting so thought I'd try here. We've been offered a parmco that appears not to have had too much use. It won't have outside venting (which I know is the ideal) but what can you suggest? TIA
johotech,
Jul 20, 9:56am
Depending on the model, nearly all of the Parmco's require an outside vent. Why can't you vent it outside?
If you can't get an outside vent, there's some very cheap models that do "recirculate" - but aren't as effective because they don't remove the moisture from the house, they just filter the grease a little bit. Not recommended really.
budgel,
Jul 20, 10:45am
I have a Parmco. While not top of the line, it does work quite well. The filters are easily cleaned in the dishwasher. If you need the outside vent kit generic ones can be bought from Bunnings. Whatever you do, dont vent it into the ceiling space! Be very careful that the power point is in the correct place before installation.
hezwez,
Jul 20, 10:53am
Duh to me. had a closer look and it has two holes, one above and one at the back, must be designed for venting, can't find a model number. It would be very difficult to install a vent since the only exit through stucco next to the electricity meter.
molly37,
Jul 20, 4:28pm
I would avoid Parmco and Robinhood.
wine-o-clock,
Jul 20, 4:43pm
make sure it does not line up with the edges of the stove, but go out further than, as steam does escape from the sides
ceebee2,
Jul 20, 7:52pm
Get a range hood with a minimum extraction rate of 350 cu ft/min
hezwez,
Jul 20, 9:19pm
Thanks all.
jules286,
Jul 21, 2:20pm
I was told it was illegal to vent into the ceiling, and being older than a middle aged female, I have put in a bathroom outside vent myself. With the range hood, I had problems with the outside wind coming in through to the inside, plus a fly got in from the outside and laid eggs, truely gross trying to work out where they came from. When it was installed I wasn't informed that there could have been another part put in (has flaps, can't remember the name of what its called) to stop outside air coming in, and will allow the extracted air to go out. So I went up in to the ceiling and put this part in myself. It was the main reason why the kitchen was cold, as any easterly came right in. When I changed the bathroom extractor to vent outside, I put one in this as well, as that bathroom would freeze. That flappy! part is very important:-)
hezwez,
Jul 21, 3:00pm
Thanks Jules I lack your DIY courage but had been wondering about preventing external stuff coming in. The advice about the flappy part is very useful.
nzmax,
Jul 21, 4:28pm
The vents with the flappy bits are called gravity shutter vents from memory, and can only be mounted on the wall. If fixed to the soffit, the flaps will be permanently open. The exterior soffit open grille type vent for my kitchen rangehood has a bit of guaze which looks like a nylon version of whitebait net material mounted under the grille to stop the bugs getting in. Every now and again, I have to pop the grille out and give the gauze a bit of a wash as it does get a bit greasy.
cagivachick1,
Jul 21, 5:12pm
parmco is shit, ask me how i know, followed closely by haier
hezwez,
Jul 23, 9:16am
Appreciate the help, but can anyone suggest a rangehood they're happy with?
hezwez,
Jul 24, 12:57pm
Please? Brands you recommend?
shanreagh,
Jul 24, 1:43pm
Well even though another poster did not recommend them, I have a Robinhood, about 3 years old and it is fine. Plain, basic couple of speeds and light, wall mounted outside extracted and it does the job. The kitchen where it is is separate so not sure of noise level. That is a point to be aware of when installing into a combined lounge/dining/kitchen. Most brands will put the Db rating in the specs. When I got it there was only the Henry Ford choice of white and white and then of course there's white.
dbab,
Jul 24, 5:10pm
We have a Blanco from Harvey Nomans. Very happy with it.
mark_g,
Jul 24, 9:10pm
We got a Robinhood.It was the quietest of the ones that looked ok that fit in the budget, so we got it.
Function-wise, it's fine. Been reliable, looks ok. However my next one will be quieter! This thing has 4 speeds. Normal, fast, faster, and jet plane warming up. The two faster speeds are never needed. We only use speed 1, and very occasionally speed 2. I wish Speed 1 was QUIETER. If being quieter meant being slower then that would be fine. I don't need something that will suck the skin off a rice pudding. Just something that collects steam and gets it up the flue. So, pay attention to the noise ratings.
I don't know if the following is still valid, but a few years ago when I purchased, it was generally true that the older traditional tent shape design could be quieter than some of the modern flat low profile designs. This because the flat designs had the motor close to the intake and so could be noisier than the "tent" design where the motor is at the top of the tent, some several inches from the air intake. However even back then, a lot of money paid for better (quieter) motors and hardware, so an expensive flat design could be quieter than a mid range tent design.
You do get what you pay for.
Make sure you get one that is the same size or larger (if you can) than the cook top. This makes collecting the fumes/steam easier and you won't need to put the fan onto jet aircraft mode to make it work.
tweake,
Jul 24, 9:30pm
nicely done.
the flaps should be mandatory. otherwise your nice warm air goes outside. you can also get mechanical flaps and i has seen some where a fabric type which work horizontally. the flaps should seal well to. a lot of them still let air through as there is no real seal. if the flap is outside or near the outside, the room side of the flap should also be insulated. not much point having insulation if you make a big hole for heat to go through.
hezwez,
Oct 15, 3:45pm
Appreciate all the input
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