Without an overhead cooker hood, start by considering the air outlet and the space available in your base unit. An extractor hob set up for ducted extraction needs its own duct leading outside, while recirculation requires a compatible installation and filters. A separate downdraft extractor lets you choose your hob independently, but it also takes up space beneath the worktop. If an overhead installation is still an option, a conventional cooker hood is another choice.
If you don’t have a dedicated duct leading outside, or don’t want to create an outlet, look at extractor hobs designed for recirculation. Check the kit, filters and space needed to install them beneath the worktop.
If a route to the outside seems possible, ask a professional to confirm the duct route, space for the ducting and the accessories required. Under the French decree of 24 March 1982 published on Légifrance, a shared air outlet duct cannot be used to connect a powered cooker hood.
If you want to keep your drawers or install the appliance in a narrow cabinet, compare the worktop cut-out, appliance height and the space taken up by the motor, filters or ducts. The visible width of the hob alone isn’t enough to determine whether it will fit your unit.
Start with the air outlet, then measure the unit and worktop before choosing between an integrated extractor hob, a separate extractor or a possible overhead cooker hood.
| Criteria | What to check | What matters to consumers |
|---|---|---|
| Air outlet | Identify a dedicated duct leading outside, or check that the model and its installation allow for recirculation. Don’t plan to connect it to a shared air outlet. | If there’s no suitable outside outlet, I need to be able to install a recirculating extractor rather than rely on the existing duct; around 33% of consumers prioritise this practical consideration. |
| Space beneath the worktop | Compare the cut-out dimensions and the space required beneath the worktop with the position of drawers, filters and ducts. | If I want to keep my drawers, the appliance and its installation need to leave enough usable storage space; this matters to around 27% of consumers. |
| Choice of hob | Check the size and cooking zones you want, or whether a downdraft extractor is compatible with a separate hob. | I’d rather choose my hob independently of the extraction system if integrated models don’t suit my kitchen layout; around 20% of consumers put this flexibility first. |
| Everyday use | Check the stated noise level for your intended operating mode, and the instructions for accessing and maintaining the filters. | If I want to keep post-installation hassle to a minimum, I focus on noise and routine maintenance; this is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
In France, the decree of 24 March 1982 published on Légifrance prohibits connecting an individual mechanical appliance, such as a cooker hood with a fan, to a shared air outlet system. So don’t choose a powered extractor hob on the assumption that it can be connected to one.
Have the duct identified before opting for ducted extraction. If it’s shared, consider compatible recirculation or another layout.
The appliance body and extraction components can take up space inside your drawers. Bosch’s HEZ9VDKE1 ducting kit, for example, is designed for kitchens with a worktop at least 60 cm deep. Accessory compatibility also depends on the planned installation.
Measure the cabinet, worktop and drawers, then compare them with the cut-out plan and the instructions for the exact model you’re considering.
Depending on the duct route, you may also need bends, connectors or additional components.
A range may support different installation modes without every model including the same components. Elica, for example, offers a recirculation kit for compatible NikolaTesla configurations.
Before ordering, check the full model number, what’s included in the box, and whether the kit and odour filter are compatible.
With recirculation, you’ll also need to maintain the odour filter in line with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Extraction rate doesn’t tell you everything about how a hob performs. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing also looks at cooking performance, ease of use, noise, energy consumption and safety.
Compare the specifications for your intended installation mode, and check that the filters are accessible and the cooking functions suit your household.
The NikolaTesla range includes hobs with integrated extraction and accessories for different installation set-ups.
Bosch offers induction hobs with integrated ventilation, as well as accessories for certain ducted installations.
BORA offers integrated extraction systems and modular configurations that pair extraction with separate cooking elements.
NEFF sells induction hobs with integrated ventilation. Cooking features and maintenance requirements vary by model.
No, not if the connection leads to a shared air outlet system. In France, the decree of 24 March 1982 published on Légifrance prohibits connecting an individual mechanical appliance, such as a cooker hood with a fan, to one. Have the duct identified before choosing an installation mode.
Yes, if the model and installation are designed for recirculation. The filtered air is then returned to the room. Check that you have the compatible odour filter or kit, and follow its maintenance instructions.
Ask a qualified professional to check that there’s a suitable dedicated circuit for the hob and its installation. For a kitchen in France, Promotelec specifies a connection box, a 32 A socket for single-phase supply or a 20 A socket for three-phase supply. A professional can check the existing installation against the instructions for your chosen model.
No. Removable filters in the appliance are different from the odour filter used for recirculation, so follow the instructions for each model. NEFF, for example, says the removable filters in the V68TTX4L0 are dishwasher-safe. This doesn’t describe the maintenance requirements for all filters or hobs.