People without a usable external air outlet
If you can’t connect your cooker hood to the outside, look for a model specifically designed for recirculation and check which charcoal filter is compatible with its model number.
Who is this option for?
People renovating a kitchen with wall cabinets
An integrated hood or built-in extractor can fit into your cabinetry, provided the cabinet dimensions match the appliance and the filters remain accessible.
Home cooks concerned about odours and noise
Compare the specifications for recirculation mode and check the filter maintenance instructions. A figure measured in extraction mode may not reflect how the hood performs in the mode you need.
What should you check before choosing?
First, confirm that the hood supports recirculation, then make sure its design suits your hob, cabinetry and maintenance requirements.
| What to consider | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Recirculation and odours | Confirm recirculation mode in the instructions and check the model number of the compatible charcoal filter or kit. If available, consult test results obtained with the filter fitted in this mode. | Without an external outlet, I need a hood that filters odours before returning the air to the kitchen. |
| Filter maintenance | Find out which replacement filter you need, how many are required and the recommended replacement interval for that model. Check the separate maintenance requirements for the grease and charcoal filters. | I want to be able to find the right filters and plan when to replace them after installation. |
| Hob and cabinetry | Measure the width of your hob and the available space. For an integrated model, check the cabinet dimensions and access to the filters, and follow the installation clearances in the instructions. | If my hob is below a wall cabinet, the hood needs to fit without making maintenance difficult. |
| Noise and performance | Compare noise levels at similar speeds and in the same operating mode. Don’t assume that an extraction-mode airflow figure reflects performance in recirculation mode. | In an open-plan or small kitchen, noise matters just as much as filtration while cooking. |
| Project requirements | Check the available wall space for a visible hood, or the built-in dimensions for an integrated extractor. With a hob extractor, also check the space needed beneath the worktop and whether recirculation mode is available. | I want to keep my wall cabinet, or I’m redesigning the whole cooking area: these projects need different installations. |
What mistakes should you avoid?
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Relying on the word “extractor” alone
Depending on the model and its accessories, a cooker hood may be designed for extraction, recirculation or both. If you don’t have a usable duct, this distinction will determine how you can install it.
Before ordering, check the instructions for recirculation mode and note the model number of the compatible charcoal filter or kit.
If the required kit isn’t included with the hood, you’ll need to buy it separately before installation.
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Forgetting to replace the filters
Maintenance guidance varies by filter. Electrolux recommends replacing its OdourClean Standard ECFB01ST every 4 to 6 months, while Whirlpool recommends replacing the UCF017 every 3 months.
Check which filter is designed for your hood, how many you need and the replacement guidance for that specific model.
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Ordering before measuring your hob and cabinet
An integrated hood or built-in extractor won’t fit as intended if the cabinet dimensions don’t match the appliance.
Measure your hob and installation space, then check the built-in dimensions and minimum clearances in the instructions for the appliances you’re considering.
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Planning an improvised connection to an MVHR system or chimney
UFC-Que Choisir states that an extraction hood must not be connected to an MVHR system or chimney. Neither is a suitable substitute for a proper extraction duct.
For a kitchen without a usable extraction outlet, follow the instructions for installing the hood in recirculation mode instead of planning this type of connection.
Which brands and models should you consider?
These examples can help you check accessories and installation requirements. They don’t describe the features of every hood from each brand.
Bosch
The range includes wall-mounted hoods, integrated options and hobs with built-in extraction.
- Bosch says its DWK87EM60 wall-mounted hood can operate in recirculation or extraction mode.
- For a CleanAir accessory, check compatibility using the hood’s E-Nr model number. One model’s specifications won’t necessarily apply to the whole range.
Electrolux
The brand offers hoods in a range of formats, as well as filters for recirculation installations.
- Electrolux describes how air passes through a grease filter, followed by a charcoal filter, before returning to the room.
- The recommended replacement interval of 4 to 6 months applies to the OdourClean Standard ECFB01ST filter, not all Electrolux filters.
Whirlpool / Wpro
The brand’s replacement filters can provide a useful point of comparison when checking maintenance requirements for a compatible hood.
- Whirlpool recommends replacing its UCF017 charcoal filter every 3 months.
- The word “universal” doesn’t mean you can skip checking the hood’s instructions for the required dimensions and fitting method.
Recirculating wall-mounted cooker hoods on Joybuy
These wall-mounted models may suit a kitchen without a usable external duct, provided you check that they can be installed above your hob and that the right filters are available. If the hood needs to fit inside a cabinet, check the built-in dimensions of a model designed for that purpose instead.
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Ciarra CBCS6765B, 60 cm white glass wall-mounted cooker hood
For a hob against a wall, check that the 60 cm width and installation clearance suit your kitchen. The product name specifies recirculation, a stated airflow of 580 m³/h and three speeds. Check that CBCF055 charcoal filters are compatible and follow the replacement guidance for this use.
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Ciarra, 90 cm recirculating wall-mounted cooker hood with Wi-Fi
This 90 cm wall-mounted hood calls for a check of your hob’s width and the clearance above it. The product name specifies four speeds, a booster function and a stated airflow of 650 m³/h. For recirculation, check the instructions and availability of CBCF003 filters, as well as the noise level at the speed you plan to use.
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Ciarra, 60 cm black wall-mounted cooker hood with push-button controls
If you want a 60 cm wall-mounted hood without an external duct, check the instructions for setting it up in recirculation mode. The model is described as convertible between ventilation modes. Before installation, check the CBCF002X2-type filter, how to replace it and the installation clearances.
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Heinrich's HDU 7622 SW, 60 cm wall-mounted cooker hood
This 60 cm wall-mounted model specifies recirculation mode and includes a charcoal filter. Its product name lists a stated airflow of 300 m³/h, a power rating of 69 W and LED lighting. Check the replacement filter model number, your hob’s width and the installation clearances.
Frequently asked questions
Does a recirculating cooker hood vent cooking fumes outside?
No. According to UFC-Que Choisir, the air passes through a charcoal filter, among other things, before being returned to the room. If your kitchen doesn’t have a usable external duct, check the specifications and accessories for recirculation mode, and ventilate the room as needed.
When should you replace the charcoal filter?
Follow the replacement interval given for the filter compatible with your hood. Electrolux recommends replacing its OdourClean Standard ECFB01ST every 4 to 6 months; Whirlpool recommends replacing the UCF017 every 3 months. These intervals apply to those specific models and won’t necessarily suit other filters.
How much space should you leave between the hood and the hob?
Follow the instructions for your chosen hood and hob. Bosch gives general guidance of at least 650 mm above a gas hob and 550 mm above an electric hob. However, check the installation instructions for your appliances to confirm the required clearance.
Can you connect a cooker hood to an MVHR system or chimney?
No. UFC-Que Choisir states that an extraction hood must not be connected to an MVHR system or chimney. If your kitchen doesn’t have a usable external duct, install the hood in recirculation mode in line with its instructions.