Who is this choice for?

Those without an external extraction duct

If your kitchen doesn’t have an individual duct leading outside, look at cooker hoods designed for recirculation. Check the kit and filter part numbers required for your chosen model rather than assuming that all accessories are interchangeable.

Leaseholders considering an extraction duct

If your plans affect a communal area or building equipment, find out what approvals you need before choosing an extraction hood. ANIL advises that work involving these elements must be approved by the general meeting of co-owners.

Tenants with a poorly ventilated kitchen

If your planned installation will alter the property, speak to your landlord before buying. For furnished rentals, ANIL describes an agreement covering the work and specifying, among other things, its nature in the tenancy agreement. Raise any concerns about the existing ventilation separately.

What should you check before choosing?

Start by checking the ventilation and ducts already in place, then compare the installation options that will work in your kitchen.

External extraction

Consider this: if an individual duct leading outside can be used or installed in line with the relevant requirements. As Bosch explains, the extracted air is then vented outdoors.

Consideration: the connection and air supply must be suitable for your kitchen. Siemens notes that this mode requires a supply of fresh air.

Recirculation

Consider this: if there’s no suitable external extraction duct or you can’t make changes to the building.

Consideration: filtered air is returned to the kitchen, and the carbon filter designed for your cooker hood must be maintained according to its instructions.

PriorityWhat to checkYour needs
Duct and permissions Identify where the duct leads and what type it is. Under Article 14 of the decree of 24 March 1982, published on Légifrance, a motorised cooker hood must not be connected to a shared air outlet, whether mechanical or natural-draught. Also check which permissions you need for the planned work. I want to find out whether individual extraction is possible before choosing a model that needs a duct.
Size and space Compare the cooker hood’s width, the space above the hob and the installation dimensions in the instructions. Electrolux recommends taking the available space and installation method into account. My kitchen has a specific space for the hood. The stated width alone isn’t enough to confirm it will fit.
Cooking and odours Check the mode specified for your chosen model and which filters are compatible with it. Bosch explains that extraction vents air outside, while recirculation filters the air and returns it to the room. I cook in a room where odours spread easily, and I want to understand what each installation option does with the extracted air.
Filters and maintenance Identify the grease filter and, for recirculation, the carbon filter part number and maintenance schedule. Check whether you need a compatible kit and which items are included with the cooker hood. If I choose recirculation, I’d rather know what consumables and maintenance to expect before buying.
Home ventilation Check that existing systems are working properly and keep air inlets clear. Anses recommends checking your home’s ventilation and using the cooker hood while cooking. My kitchen is poorly ventilated. I don’t want to confuse using a cooker hood with fixing a problem with the home’s overall ventilation.

Mistakes to avoid before buying

  • Mistaking a shared outlet for a cooker hood duct

    Under Article 14 of the decree of 24 March 1982, published on Légifrance, a cooker hood fitted with a fan must not be connected to a shared air outlet, even one that uses natural draught. So, a visible duct in the kitchen isn’t necessarily suitable for extraction.

    Before choosing an installation method, ask a qualified person who knows the property or building to identify the type of duct.

  • Choosing extraction before checking what work is possible

    Installing a new duct may affect communal areas or building equipment. ANIL advises that work affecting these elements must be approved by the general meeting of co-owners.

    Check the co-ownership rules and the procedures that apply to your plans. If you’re a tenant, speak to your landlord before making any changes to the property.

  • Forgetting the accessories needed for recirculation

    Even if a model is listed as suitable for recirculation, check which installation kit it requires and the part number of its carbon filters. Elica notes that these filters are specific to this operating mode.

    Make a note of the cooker hood’s full model number, then check which accessories are compatible, whether they’re included in the box and how they should be maintained.

    Depending on the filter, maintenance may involve replacing it or regenerating it at the intervals specified for that part number.

  • Expecting a cooker hood to replace ventilation

    Anses recommends using the cooker hood while cooking and making sure your home’s ventilation systems are working properly.

    If the ventilation seems faulty or damp persists, raise the issue separately with your landlord, property manager or a qualified professional.

A guide to the brands

Bosch

Bosch provides information on extraction and recirculation, as well as the filters used with its cooker hoods.

  • Its advice explains the difference between venting air outdoors and filtering it before returning it to the kitchen.
  • Check the instructions and the hood’s E-Nr: the kit and filters depend on the model you choose.

Siemens

Siemens offers cooker hoods and accessories for recirculation or extraction, depending on the model.

  • The brand describes the filters used for recirculation and highlights the need for a fresh air supply when extracting air outdoors.
  • Having both modes in the range doesn’t mean every cooker hood works with the same kits or filters.

Elica

Elica offers standard carbon filters and, for some models, regenerable filters for recirculation.

  • For its regenerable CFC0166361 filter, Elica recommends a service life of two years, provided you follow the instructions.
  • This recommendation applies to this specific filter. Check that it’s compatible and follow the instructions for your chosen cooker hood.

Whirlpool

Some Whirlpool cooker hoods are described as suitable for extraction or recirculation.

  • Whirlpool states that the WHVS91FLTDPK has washable metal grease filters and comes with carbon filters.
  • These features apply to the WHVS91FLTDPK. Check the equipment and accessories supplied with any other model.

Cooker hoods available on Joybuy

These cooker hoods may suit kitchens where recirculation is being considered. Compare their size and product details with your available space. If you’re planning to use extraction instead, first check the duct and any permissions you’ll need.

Ciarra CBCS6765B white angled wall-mounted cooker hood

Ciarra CBCS6765B, 60 cm angled wall-mounted cooker hood

Worth considering if you’re looking for a wall-mounted cooker hood listed as suitable for recirculation or extraction. The title states an extraction rate of 580 m³/h and three speeds. Check the installation space and the kit and carbon filters compatible with the CBCS6765B. For extraction, you’ll need an individual duct that you’re authorised to use.

View on Joybuy
Ciarra 90 cm recirculating wall-mounted cooker hood

Ciarra, 90 cm recirculating wall-mounted cooker hood, Wi-Fi

Its 90 cm size may suit a space you’ve measured and checked. The title states 650 m³/h, four speeds with a booster function and app control. Check the available space and which filters are compatible with model CBCB9102-B.

View on Joybuy
Ciarra 60 cm recirculating wall-mounted cooker hood

Ciarra, 60 cm recirculating wall-mounted cooker hood, Wi-Fi

Compare this 60 cm version with the dimensions of your available space. The title states 650 m³/h, four speeds with a booster function and app control. Check the installation dimensions and which filters are compatible with model CBCB6102-B.

View on Joybuy
Heinrich's HDU 7631 IX 60 cm wall-mounted cooker hood

Heinrich's HDU 7631 IX, 60 cm wall-mounted cooker hood

The title mentions recirculation and extraction, as well as an included carbon filter. It states an extraction rate of 611 m³/h and touch controls. Check the full dimensions and filter part number. For extraction, make sure an individual duct is available and that you’re authorised to use it.

View on Joybuy
Comfee' CH60A17EM400SS‑EU 60 cm cooker hood

Comfee' CH60A17EM400SS‑EU, 60 cm cooker hood

The title lists recirculation and extraction modes, an included carbon filter, three speeds and an extraction rate of 400 m³/h. Check the installation dimensions and filter part number. For extraction, you’ll need to confirm that an authorised individual connection is possible.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Can a motorised cooker hood be connected to the building’s shared air outlet?

No. Under Article 14 of the decree of 24 March 1982, published on Légifrance, an individual mechanical device such as a fan-powered cooker hood must not be connected to a shared air outlet, whether mechanical or natural-draught. Have the duct identified before planning an extraction system.

Can a cooker hood replace ventilation in a poorly ventilated home?

No. Anses recommends switching on the cooker hood while cooking, as well as making sure your home’s ventilation is working properly and airing the property. If there’s a problem with the ventilation, have it checked separately.

What should you check before installing extraction in a co-owned building?

First, check the type of duct you’re considering and which parts of the building the work would affect. ANIL advises that work affecting communal areas or building equipment must be approved by the general meeting of co-owners. Check the co-ownership rules and the procedure that applies to your plans.

What should you do before altering a rented kitchen to install a cooker hood?

Discuss your plans with your landlord before making any changes to the property, and ask for any agreement to be put in writing. For work covered by a furnished tenancy, ANIL describes an agreement added to the tenancy agreement that specifies, among other things, the nature of the work.

When should you maintain a recirculating cooker hood’s carbon filter?

Follow the instructions for the cooker hood and compatible filter: maintenance frequency and method depend on their model numbers. For example, Elica recommends a service life of two years for its regenerable CFC0166361 filter. This guidance doesn’t apply to all carbon filters.