Cleaning your messy kitchen can be one of the most chaotic jobs at home! An efficient cooker hood can create a pleasant, odour-free kitchen. It will remove grease and reduce the risk of setting off smoke alarms. A cooker hood adds a bold presence in the kitchen interior. But style alone isn't enough. You need a smart extractor hood that meets your functional and aesthetic needs.

Here, we provide you with all the information you need to know before buying a cooker hood. This guide will help you pick the best cooker hood for your traditional or modern kitchen.

Why Do You Need a Cooker Hood?

Are you tired of hearing the fire alarm go off during your morning fry-up? A cooker hood is an all-in-one solution to make your kitchen odourless and smoke-free.

Cooker hoods are the best way to make your kitchen more functional and healthier.

You should install cooker hoods above your kitchen hob. It can filter the air by absorbing smoke, steam, odours, grease, and other particles from the hob. This system improves indoor air quality. It reduces heat, humidity, and carbon monoxide. It also prevents dampness and stains on worktops.

Choosing an efficient cooker hood is the first step to a peaceful kitchen. It avoids unwanted smells or smoke in the kitchen. Your kitchen looks and feels better while cutting the risk of inhaling cooking fumes. So, cooker hoods are essential in every kitchen, old or new, big or small.

Each kitchen has its style and needs. So, choosing the best cooker hood requires considering many factors. We offer many varieties of cooker hoods including classic chimney hoods, angled hoods, and stainless steel hoods. We also have glass-top models with smart features to make your life easier.

Extraction vs. Recirculation – Which Is Better?

Cooker hoods have two modes based on their airflow: extraction and recirculation.

Extraction: As the name implies, these cooker hoods extract air from the kitchen. They expel it outside through a duct or vent, keeping your kitchen fresh. It is the most efficient method, as it absorbs and emits smoke, odours, and grease. This includes a grease filter and a duct system, which requires a professional to install it on the wall or roof.

Recirculation: Recirculation hoods absorb air, filter it, and recirculate it into the kitchen. These hoods effectively remove tough odours or smoke, releasing fresh, cleaned air. Recirculation hoods can be easily installed on any wall in the kitchen by yourself. As they do not require external ventilation, installation is a breeze. This method is most suitable for kitchens where ducting is unfeasible or impossible.

When comparing extraction and recirculation modes, extraction hoods are the better option. They provide a cleaner and fresher environment, without worrying about indoor air quality. Recirculation hoods are useful in kitchens where external venting is not possible.

Types of Cooker Hoods

Based on the structure and function, cooker hoods are available in different types. Each model has unique properties, which you can choose according to your requirements.

Chimney Cooker Hoods

Chimney hoods are the traditional extraction method. It features a classical chimney-like structure fixed against the wall. These hoods add a stylish, versatile element to any contemporary or traditional kitchen.

Angled Cooker Hoods

Angled hoods have a sloped shape that angles away from the cooking surface. This provides more headroom and advanced features. However, wall-mounted cooker hoods enhance the interior's modern look.

Canopy Cooker Hoods

Canopy hoods can fit under the kitchen cabinet. It offers a seamless appearance in modern kitchens above your hob. They can fit into a chimney breast and blend smoothly with decorative canopies or wall units.

Integrated Cooker Hoods

Integrated hoods are concealed within the kitchen cabinet to give a flawless look. They are activated when you open the cabinet door. This space-saving design is compact and easy to clean, requiring less maintenance.

Island Cooker Hoods

Island hoods are designed for kitchens with an island cooking unit. They are suspended from the ceiling to give a seamless finish. They provide comprehensive coverage, ensuring sufficient ventilation and a luxurious look. These hoods often come with smart features to keep your kitchen fresh.

Ceiling Cooker Hoods

As the name implies, ceiling hoods are installed on the ceiling. This makes them perfect for open-plan or compact kitchens. This space-saving solution offers powerful extraction and a sleek, minimal look. Generally, this is an expensive cooker hood, equipped with advanced features and technologies.

Visor Cooker Hoods

These sleek, modern visor hoods create a bold statement in the kitchen. Their unique visor covers the front and can be extended beyond the hood size to improve extraction efficiency. Visor hoods are often available as fully covered or with front panels. They provide a stylish yet simple solution for contemporary kitchens. They are typically positioned against a wall, with cabinets on either side. Visor hoods are generally an affordable choice for everyone.

Extractor Hobs

Extractor hobs integrate a hob and a cooker hood into a single unit. This 2-in-1 system efficiently absorbs cooking fumes directly from the hob.

Downdraft Extractors

Downdraft extractor hoods can be placed on a worktop next to gas or electric hobs. They instantly purify the air and keep your kitchen clean. These extractors hide in your worktop and can retract when not in use. They are ideal for compact kitchens that need to save cabinet space.

Factors to Consider

Before buying a new cooker hood, consider more than just the model. Here are some key considerations:

Energy Rating

Every cooker hood has an energy rating from A++ to G, indicating how much electricity it consumes. A higher rating, like A++ or A+, means high energy efficiency. It will lower your electricity bills but may cost more than lower-rated models. All our cooker hoods list their energy ratings on the product page. Purchasing an energy-efficient cooker hood saves money and benefits our planet.

Noise Level

Cooker hoods were traditionally known for their size and noise. However, sleek designs and advanced technologies have reduced noise levels. The noise level of hoods gives you an idea of how loud the cooker hood will be and is measured in decibels (dB). Our cooker hoods have a range of noise levels. They are very quiet to standard, at 48 dB to 62 dB at high extraction rates.

The lower the dB rating, the quieter the cooker hood. The noise from extracting smoke or odours may vary with the extraction rate. Choosing a cooker hood that operates quietly ensures a peaceful cooking environment.

Extraction Rate vs. Size of Kitchen

Cooker hoods work better with a high extraction rate and show how quickly they remove air. Each cooker hood has a different extraction rate, which you need to match with the size of your kitchen. Select a cooker hood with an extraction rate that filters the air around 10 times per hour.

The air extraction level of your cooker hood is measured in m³/h. To find the best extraction rate for your kitchen, calculate its volume (length x width x height). Then, divide the extraction rate by your kitchen's volume. This will tell you how many times per hour the cooker hood will filter the air. The basic rule is this: a larger kitchen needs a hood with a higher extraction rate. A smaller kitchen needs a lower extraction hood.

Get the Right Dimensions

A right-size cooker hood is crucial for a precise fit in your kitchen. Measuring your kitchen space and hob size is the first step before purchasing a new cooker hood. Since the cooker hood is above the kitchen hob, it should match its width. Also, ensure it fits in the ceiling or cabinet space.

If you haven't bought your kitchen hob yet, consider 60 cm or 90 cm widths, as they are the most common sizes. There are also more precise measurements, such as 52 cm, but they are under the 50 cm width category.

Different Types of Filters

Every cooker hood has filters to absorb and purify the air inside. Cooker hood filters come in various types, such as grease and carbon filters. When buying a new cooker hood, consider the filter's type and material, as this affects its efficiency. Choose durable, washable filters with high capture rates, compatible with your cooker hood.

Grease filters are usually at the bottom or inside the cooker hood. They are typically made of aluminium or metal mesh. These filters trap and absorb airborne grease particles during cooking. Recirculation hoods need extra carbon or charcoal filters. They purify the air before it is recirculated back into the kitchen.

Charcoal filters capture and neutralise fumes or odours before releasing clean air into the kitchen. They have a limited lifespan and should be replaced every 6 to 12 months to ensure effective odour removal. Regular maintenance and proper filter care ensure a grease-free kitchen environment.

Smart Cooker Hoods

If your kitchen is smart, why shouldn’t your cooker hood be? New models with advanced tech and smart features make life easier. They create a peaceful cooking atmosphere. Smart cooker hoods offer connectivity and controls via a phone or application.

Modern cooker hoods have auto connectivity, Wi-Fi, touch screens, web browsers, and mobile app controls. These features guarantee a smart and healthy lifestyle. Smart hoods provide a relaxed cooking experience by efficiently managing fumes and odours. Although cooker hoods with smart features tend to be more expensive, they are worth every penny.

Key Features to Look Out For

Control Type

Traditional push-button controls for cooker hoods have evolved into touch, remote, and app controls. Controlling your cooker hood's settings is now effortless with modern technologies.

Extraction Booster Setting

Heavy meals shouldn't mean a smoky, greasy kitchen. Keep your kitchen fresh with the extra booster setting for higher extraction, providing instant clean air. The booster or intensive extraction setting allows you to meet powerful requirements.

Lighting

Most cooker hoods have one or two lights illuminating the kitchen hob and surroundings. This ensures proper lighting for cooking. LED, halogen and incandescent bulbs are commonly used, but LED lights are brighter and more energy-efficient.

Fan Settings/Speeds

The extraction rate has 1 to 4 levels. Most cooker hoods have 3 fan speeds and some have an 'i' (intensive) mode for heavy use. Knowing your cooking needs can help keep your kitchen clean. It will help you decide how many fan speeds or extraction levels you need.