Choose an extractor hood if an external outlet, sufficient air supply and the necessary permissions are all in place. If there’s no usable outlet, choose a model that supports recirculation, and check which charcoal filter you’ll need and how to maintain it. Then choose a size to suit your hob’s position. Whichever type you choose, a cooker hood does not replace your home’s permanent ventilation.
If you cook regularly and are considering venting air outside, first check the duct route and air supply. Before drilling, also check which permissions apply to your home, particularly if you live in a leasehold flat or rent your property.
A cooker hood that supports recirculation lets you choose a model without planning a duct to the outside. Before deciding, check whether a kit is needed, which compatible charcoal filter to use and how often it needs maintenance.
Your hob’s position may point you towards an island hood, a built-in model or, if your project includes the hob, an integrated extractor. Check the space required and the ventilation options before choosing a style.
First, find out whether air can be vented outside: this determines the installation and the filters you’ll need. Then choose a style based on your hob’s position and the space available.
Consider this if: you can confirm a route to the outside and a suitable air supply.
Bear in mind: you’ll need ducting and, depending on the work involved, permission before drilling or altering the outside of the building.
Consider this if: there’s no usable external outlet.
Bear in mind: you’ll need a compatible charcoal filter and must replace or maintain it as instructed.
| Factor | What to check | Shoppers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Suitable for your home | Which ventilation modes the instructions allow, the duct route and air supply, and any permissions needed before creating an outlet. | I don’t want to order an extractor hood before I know whether ducting or drilling is possible in my home. For around 33% of shoppers, this is the first thing to consider. |
| Smoke and odours | Published extraction rate and noise level at the same setting and in the same mode; filtration specified for the exact model. | When I cook often, my first priority is deciding how to deal with smoke and odours. This would be the main consideration for around 27% of shoppers. |
| Filter maintenance | The charcoal filter reference for recirculation and instructions for replacing or regenerating it; how to clean the grease filter. | I’d rather know what regular maintenance is involved before committing to a recirculating model. Around 20% of shoppers would put this consideration first. |
| Space and layout | Hob position and width, installation dimensions, and the space needed inside cabinets or above an island. | In an open-plan or island kitchen, I first need to find a style that fits the planned layout. This would be the main consideration for around 20% of shoppers. |
The duct route or work on the outside of the building may make your planned installation impossible. According to ANIL, work affecting communal areas in a block of flats requires a decision by the general meeting of co-owners. Changes to the external appearance may also require planning permission.
Before buying, check the proposed route and find out which permissions apply. If you rent, get your landlord’s consent before making alterations to the property.
Bosch offers wall-mounted, built-in and island cooker hoods, as well as extractors integrated into the hob.
Elica offers a range of styles, including wall-mounted, built-in, suspended and island cooker hoods.
Electrolux offers built-in cooker hoods and charcoal filters identified by reference number.
These wall-mounted and under-cabinet models let you explore options for installation against a wall or beneath a wall cabinet. For each one, check that the ventilation mode you’re considering suits the instructions and the requirements of your kitchen.
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Worth considering if your hob is beneath a wall cabinet and you need to choose between extraction and recirculation. The product name indicates a stainless-steel body and push-button controls. Check the installation dimensions and the filter required for your chosen mode.
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Consider this for a hob against a wall, after checking the ventilation mode and suitable accessories. This model is described as having a black glass panel and LED lighting. Compare the noise and extraction rate figures for your planned installation.
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Worth considering if your wall space and hob can accommodate a 90 cm cooker hood. The product lists an extraction rate of 650 m³/h and four speeds, including a booster function. Check which mode this rate applies to, as well as the filters you’ll need if you choose recirculation.
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Worth considering for a wall-mounted installation if you’re still deciding between extraction and recirculation. The product lists an extraction rate of 400 m³/h, three speeds and an included charcoal filter. Check the replacement filter reference and which mode the stated extraction rate applies to.
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Consider this for a hob against a wall if you’re still deciding between extraction and recirculation. This model lists an extraction rate of 650 m³/h, gesture and touch controls, and a five-layer grease filter. Check the extraction rate for your chosen mode and the charcoal filter reference needed for recirculation.
Not without checking where the duct leads and how it’s configured. The regulations on ventilation in homes published by Légifrance require general, permanent ventilation, which a cooker hood does not automatically replace. Have the proposed connection checked for your home before installation.
Check which permissions you need before starting work. ANIL states that, in a block of flats, work affecting communal areas requires a decision by the general meeting of co-owners. Depending on the project, changing the external appearance may also require a prior planning application. If you rent, ask your landlord for consent before making alterations.
The set-up must be assessed before installation. Electrolux notes that extraction without a sufficient air supply can affect a combustion appliance that relies on air from the room and may cause backdraughting. Ask a suitably qualified professional to assess your situation.
Follow the instructions for your cooker hood and compatible filter. ADEME recommends cleaning grease filters every 1 to 3 months and replacing activated charcoal filters every 4 months, although some washable models have different requirements. Always follow the instructions for the product you choose.
Yes. Check the hob’s requirements and the available circuit before changing the installation. Promotelec notes that the NF C 15-100 standard covers, among other things, new or fully renovated electrical installations. If work is needed, ask a qualified professional to assess your set-up.