Kitchen without an outdoor outlet
You don't have a dedicated duct and want to use a cooker hood without creating an outlet. Check that the model supports recirculation, and find out the model numbers of the kit and filters you'll need.
Who is this option for?
Open-plan kitchen where you cook often
You want to limit cooking smells spreading through the room. Check the stated performance in recirculation mode, how the filters need to be maintained and the noise level at the speed you plan to use.
Renovating a flat in a shared building
Thinking about adding an outdoor outlet? First, identify the duct and check what permissions apply if the work affects communal areas or the building's exterior.
What should you look for?
If there's no dedicated duct, start by checking that the hood is compatible with recirculation. Extraction and general ventilation are separate considerations: extraction requires a suitable outlet to the outside, while general ventilation helps maintain air circulation and manage humidity in your home.
Recirculating cooker hood
Choose this: if there's no dedicated duct and the hood, kit and filters are compatible with recirculation mode.
Bear in mind: filtered air is returned to the kitchen, and the filters need to be maintained as described in the instructions.
Extraction cooker hood
Consider this: if there's a nearby, dedicated duct leading outdoors and the installation is suitable for the building.
Bear in mind: creating an outlet may involve technical checks and, depending on the work, permission.
| Factor | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Suitability for use without a duct | Check the instructions confirm recirculation mode, then find the model numbers of the kit and filters suited to your hood. | I want to use my cooker hood without creating an outdoor outlet, so compatibility with my kitchen comes before anything else. Around 50% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
| Cooking smells | Compare the stated figures for the same mode of use and make sure the hood is the right width for your hob. | I often cook in an open-plan kitchen, so my main concern is limiting the spread of cooking smells. This would be the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Maintenance and fit | Check how the filters need to be maintained, the stated noise level, the dimensions and the clearances needed for installation. | I want a hood that fits neatly into my kitchen without demanding too much maintenance or making an irritating amount of noise day to day. Around 20% of consumers would prioritise these considerations. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Mistaking a mechanical ventilation outlet for a cooker hood duct
In France, Article 14 of the Order of 24 March 1982, published on Légifrance, prohibits connecting a motorised cooker hood to a shared air outlet system, whether mechanical or based on natural draught.
Have the type of duct identified before considering an extraction hood; do not connect the hood to a shared outlet.
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Assuming a hood can be converted without checking its accessories
Elica explains that not all of its cooker hoods can switch from one mode to another. Bosch says that a specific kit may be needed to use a hood in recirculation mode.
Check the model's instructions for the permitted operating mode, the kit and filter model numbers, and which accessories are actually included.
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Confusing recirculation with home ventilation
A recirculating cooker hood filters the air and returns it to the kitchen. Novy points out that home ventilation also plays a part in managing humidity.
If humidity or stale air is still your main concern, have your ventilation checked separately from your choice of cooker hood.
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Planning an outdoor outlet without checking the rules for your building
Under Article 25 of the Act of 10 July 1965, published on Légifrance, work by a flat owner that affects communal areas or the exterior of the building requires authorisation from the general meeting.
Before planning any drilling or connection, check the building's layout, the building rules and the permissions that apply to the work you have in mind.
Brands to consider for this type of cooker hood
These ranges can help you compare installation modes and accessories. Always check compatibility against the specific model number of the cooker hood.
Bosch
A range worth exploring if you want to identify the precise cooker hood, recirculation kit and filters you need.
- Bosch provides information about the kit needed for recirculation and lets you check accessory compatibility using the E-Nr/FD number.
- The recommended usage period and filter model number vary by accessory, so check the details for the model you've chosen.
Elica
Cooker hoods in a range of styles to consider, depending on the space available and the installation mode you need.
- The range includes models for both extraction and recirculation.
- Elica explains that not all its cooker hoods can be converted. Check the permitted mode and filter maintenance requirements in the model's instructions.
Novy
Built-in and ceiling-mounted cooker hoods, as well as recirculation solutions, to consider when planning an integrated kitchen.
- Novy describes configurations that don't need an outdoor outlet and highlights the importance of air circulation in the room.
- Recirculation alone won't manage humidity in your home. Check your existing ventilation and the requirements for the specific model.
Recirculating cooker hoods available on Joybuy
These wall-mounted cooker hoods offer a recirculation mode for kitchens without a dedicated duct. Compare their width with your hob and the available space, then check the filters and installation requirements for the model you're considering.
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Ciarra 60 cm convertible wall-mounted cooker hood, black
Worth considering for a kitchen without a duct, provided recirculation mode is set up with compatible accessories.
Stated width: 60 cm; push-button controls. Check the model number of the filters supplied, how to maintain them and the clearance needed above the hob.
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Ciarra CBCS6765B 60 cm angled wall-mounted cooker hood, white glass
Its recirculation mode makes it suitable for a kitchen without an outdoor outlet, provided it can be fitted correctly in the available wall space.
Stated airflow: 580 m³/h; three speeds and touch controls. Check which filters are compatible, how often they need replacing and the installation dimensions in the instructions.
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Ciarra 90 cm recirculating wall-mounted cooker hood, Wi-Fi
Worth considering if you're looking for a recirculating hood and have room for a 90 cm wall-mounted model.
Stated airflow: 650 m³/h; four speeds, including a booster function, and touch controls. Check the installation clearances and filter maintenance requirements for this model.
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Heinrich's HDU 7631 IX 60 cm wall-mounted cooker hood
Its recirculation mode means this model could suit a kitchen without a dedicated duct, once you've checked that it can be installed in your kitchen.
Stated airflow: 611 m³/h; touch controls and a charcoal filter listed as included. Check the model number of the replacement filter and the noise level if this is an important consideration for you.
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Heinrich's HDU 7622 SW 60 cm angled wall-mounted cooker hood
This model offers recirculation for kitchens without an outdoor outlet. Make sure its angled design suits your hob and the available wall space.
Stated airflow: 300 m³/h; a charcoal filter is listed as included. Check the instructions for the replacement filter model number and check the noise level before you decide.
Frequently asked questions
Can you connect a motorised cooker hood to a shared mechanical ventilation system?
No, not to a shared air outlet system. In France, Article 14 of the Order of 24 March 1982, published on Légifrance, prohibits connecting an individual mechanical device, such as a cooker hood with a fan, to one, whether the shared outlet is mechanical or based on natural draught.
Will a recirculating cooker hood work without an outdoor duct?
Yes, provided the model is designed for recirculation or explicitly convertible to this mode, and has a compatible kit and filters. Filtered air is returned to the kitchen. Check the instructions before buying, as Elica explains that not all cooker hoods can be converted.
Is a recirculating cooker hood enough to ventilate your home?
No. A recirculating cooker hood filters the air and returns it to the room; it doesn't replace the ventilation system that manages air circulation and humidity in your home. If damp persists, have the ventilation checked separately.
Do you need permission to create an outlet in a shared building?
Yes, if the work affects communal areas or the exterior of the building. Article 25 of the Act of 10 July 1965, published on Légifrance, requires authorisation from the general meeting in these cases. Before drilling, also check the building rules and the requirements that apply to your specific project.
When should you replace the filters in a recirculating cooker hood?
Follow the cooker hood instructions and check the exact model number of its filter. How often it needs replacing depends on the filter and how you use it. For example, Bosch recommends replacing its 12020221 filter about every six months; this timeframe doesn't apply to other filters.