Residents without a usable external outlet
If no usable external duct is available, look for a cooker hood explicitly compatible with recirculation, a suitable odour filter and easy access to the parts requiring maintenance.
Who is this solution suitable for?
Tenants and flat owners with an existing kitchen
Recirculation can avoid drilling or modifying a duct. However, any work affecting the property, communal areas or a duct must be checked before installation.
Buyers of compact or integrated kitchens
An integrated cooker hood requires a compatible cabinet and suitable installation dimensions. A decorative hood frees up the wall cabinet, but requires enough space above the hob.
Priorities before buying
First confirm recirculation operation for the exact model, then check the filters and dimensions before comparing the controls or design.
| Priority | What to check | Your requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Odours and grease in recirculation mode | Check information in the instructions, technical specifications or a test specifically relating to recirculation with a charcoal filter installed. Make sure there is a metal grease filter and a compatible charcoal filter. | I want to compare the hood in the configuration that will actually be used, rather than relying on an extraction rate quoted only for extraction mode. |
| Filters and maintenance | Identify the filter reference, the number required, how it should be maintained and whether any necessary kit is available. Stated lifespans vary by accessory: Electrolux states 4 to 6 months for the OdourClean Standard ECFB01ST, while Bosch states 6 to 12 months for its Clean Air Standard. | I prefer to know which consumables I will need before buying. A regenerable filter may be suitable only if the hood is explicitly compatible and its maintenance requirements work for me. |
| Size and noise | Measure the width, installation height, cabinet or wall space and the clearance needed to remove the filters. Compare the noise level in recirculation mode when this information is available. | In a small or open-plan kitchen, I want a hood that can be installed without obstructing the cabinets and whose noise level has been assessed in the intended configuration. |
| Installation requirements | Check the leasehold or residents’ association rules, tenancy agreement and any permissions required before drilling or working on a duct. In France, Article 14 of the Order of 24 March 1982 prohibits connecting a motorised hood to a communal air-extraction system. | I am looking for a solution suited to my kitchen without carrying out unauthorised modifications to the property or communal areas. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Buying a recirculation-compatible hood without confirming the kit and filters
Depending on the model, recirculation may require a complete kit including a filter, flexible duct, support and fitting components. Compatibility depends on the exact hood reference.
Note the model’s full reference, confirm recirculation mode in the instructions and check the kit, number of filters and maintenance requirements before buying.
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Comparing extraction figures when the hood will be used in recirculation mode
Performance can vary depending on the mode used. UFC-Que Choisir, for example, measures the airflow rate with a charcoal filter to assess recirculation performance.
Look for data specified for recirculation. If a figure applies only to extraction mode, do not use it to compare the hood for your installation.
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Choosing the design without measuring the space
An integrated cooker hood requires a compatible wall cabinet, while a decorative model must be able to be installed above the hob with the intended recirculation system.
Measure the available width, installation height, usable space in or beneath the cabinet and the clearance needed to replace the filters.
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Modifying a duct or connecting the hood to a communal mechanical ventilation system
Connecting a motorised hood to a communal air-extraction system is prohibited by Article 14 of the Order of 24 March 1982. Work affecting communal areas or the building’s structure may also require permission.
When no usable external extraction route is available, opt for the recirculation system specified by the manufacturer. Before drilling or carrying out work on a façade, check your tenancy agreement, residents’ association rules and any applicable permissions.
Unauthorised work may lead to requirements to restore the property or pay for repairs.
Guide to brands and filters
Bosch
Bosch offers recirculation hoods and accessories, including Clean Air kits and filters for certain compatible references.
- Dedicated kits and filters can help you identify a configuration suited to the model concerned.
- Bosch requires you to confirm compatibility using the E-Nr/FD reference. For the Clean Air Standard filter, the stated lifespan of 6 to 12 months applies to this specific accessory.
Elica
Elica offers, among other products, regenerable charcoal filters for certain models used in recirculation mode.
- According to Elica’s instructions, the CFC0141725A filter can be regenerated in a dishwasher and has a recommended lifespan of 2 years.
- This information applies to a list of models compatible with this filter. Always check the exact hood reference.
Electrolux
Electrolux offers OdourClean filters and parts for certain hoods used in recirculation mode.
- The range makes it possible to find a filter reference for compatible models.
- Electrolux states a lifespan of 4 to 6 months for the OdourClean Standard ECFB01ST. This information does not apply to every filter from the brand or to competing models.
Cooker hood options on Joybuy
These Joybuy options are wall-mounted cooker hoods advertised as compatible with both recirculation and extraction, for kitchens without a usable external duct. Check the dimensions, filters and performance in recirculation mode for each model.
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Ciarra 90 cm Wi-Fi wall-mounted cooker hood, 650 m³/h
A wide wall-mounted option advertised for recirculation, with two CBCF003 charcoal filters listed as included.
Stated dimensions: 900 × 504 × 548–1028 mm. Three washable aluminium grease filters are advertised.
Airflow and noise figures are not distinguished for recirculation mode. Check the instructions, filter availability and wall space before buying.
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Ciarra 60 cm angled wall-mounted cooker hood CBCS6765B
Its 60 cm angled wall-mounted design may suit a compact kitchen, subject to the installation measurements.
Recirculation is advertised with two CBCF055 charcoal filters and a washable aluminium grease filter. Stated dimensions: 595 × 305 × 633–900 mm.
Check the airflow and noise data for recirculation mode, as well as how often the CBCF055 filters need replacing.
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Ciarra 60 cm black wall-mounted cooker hood with push buttons
This 60 cm wall-mounted cooker hood advertises recirculation with charcoal filters included.
Two washable aluminium grease filters and reference CBCF002X2 are specified. The stated adjustable height is 572–950 mm.
Confirm that the CBCF002X2 filters are included with the supplied variant, along with the recirculation performance and noise levels.
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Heinrich's HDU 7622 SW 60 cm wall-mounted cooker hood
A 60 cm wall-mounted cooker hood advertised for recirculation, with a set of charcoal filters included.
A five-layer aluminium grease filter is specified as dishwasher-safe. The stated airflow rate is 300 m³/h.
The reference, number and replacement frequency of the charcoal filters still need to be confirmed, as do the full dimensions and the specifications specific to recirculation mode.
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Comfee 60 cm T-shaped cooker hood TSHM77SS-60
This T-shaped wall-mounted cooker hood advertises both recirculation and extraction modes for installation without a usable duct.
The width is 600 mm, the depth is 500 mm and the adjustable chimney is stated as 485 to 820 mm. The five-layer aluminium filter is specified as removable and dishwasher-safe.
Check the reference and whether the charcoal filter or recirculation kit is included, as well as the airflow and noise data for this mode.
Frequently asked questions
Does a recirculating cooker hood replace the kitchen’s general ventilation?
No. In recirculation mode, air passes through the filters and is then returned to the room, while steam remains there. The hood therefore does not replace the property’s general, permanent ventilation.
Can I connect a motorised hood to a communal mechanical ventilation system?
No. Article 14 of the Order of 24 March 1982 prohibits connecting an individual mechanical device, such as a hood fitted with a fan, to a communal air-extraction system.
Can I drill through a wall in a rented property to install an extraction hood?
Before drilling or altering the property, ask the landlord for prior permission. A recirculating hood installed without structural modifications will generally avoid this work, but the tenancy agreement and installation requirements still need to be checked.
What should I check in a leasehold property before modifying a duct or façade?
Check the residents’ association rules to identify private areas, communal areas and ducts. According to ANIL, approval from the general meeting is mandatory when the work affects the building’s structure or communal areas.
How often should the charcoal filter be replaced?
Follow the instructions for the relevant filter and cooker hood. As examples specific to these accessories, Electrolux states 4 to 6 months for the OdourClean Standard ECFB01ST, Bosch 6 to 12 months for the Clean Air Standard, and Elica recommends 2 years for the regenerable CFC0141725A filter.