By Claire Reilly

Potentially a product to be added to Current.com.au’s list of most unique rangehoods, Smeg has today announced the launch of a new under-bench rangehood which brings the art of air extraction to a new plane.

Appropriately named the “Lift”, the vertical extractor is designed to rise up out of the bench space behind or next to the cooktop, removing steam, fumes and cooking odours from the air, before lowering down to be concealed out of sight when it’s not in use.

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“For many kitchen installations the conventional rangehood, mounted above the cooktop, is not ideal due to a lack of space or, as in island bench applications, is impractical,” said a Smeg spokesperson.

“This new concealed telescopic downdraft rangehood, from Smeg, takes up no visible space and is installed in the benchtop either to the rear or one side of the cooktop. The Lift Downdraft is raised from the benchtop only when needed and when cooking is finished it returns to its storage position concealed within the cabinetry.”

The Lift is available in two finishes – brushed stainless steel (LIFTFPX900) or stainless steel and black mirror glass (LIFTB900) – and is 900x310 millimetres in size. It is capable of extracting up to 760 cubic metres of air per hour, and it has removable, dishwasher-safe filters.

Both models will be available at Smeg stockists for $4,990 each.