People renovating without a usable duct
If you don’t have an external outlet or want to avoid altering a wall, first check that the cooker hood can operate in recirculation mode and find out which accessories are required for its model number.
Who is this option for ?
People fitting out a kitchen with limited space
If you’re fitting the appliance into a wall unit or alcove, the installation dimensions and the space needed to access the filters matter just as much as the hood’s visible size.
People concerned about odours and maintenance
If recirculation is your installation option, check which compatible odour filter you’ll need and what maintenance it requires before choosing a model.
Which key criteria should you check ?
For a renovation without an external vent, first confirm that the hood can operate in recirculation mode. Then check that it suits your kitchen layout and the maintenance you’ll be able to keep up with.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Recirculation without a duct | Recirculation mode is permitted in the manual; compatible kit and filter model numbers. | Without an external outlet, I need to be able to install a cooker hood that returns filtered air to the kitchen. Around 33 % of consumers would make this feasibility their top priority. |
| Fit | Dimensions of the hood and unit; clearances and access to filters as specified in the manual. | In a compact kitchen, I want the hood to fit the space without making maintenance difficult. Fit would come first for around 27 % of consumers. |
| Odours and noise | Suitable odour filter; stated noise levels for comparable models. | If I cook often, lingering odours and the noise from the hood affect my day-to-day choice. Around 20 % of consumers would prioritise this comfort. |
| Filter maintenance | Model number, number of filters required and replacement or regeneration instructions. | I want to be able to find the right filter and maintain it over time. This would be a priority for around 20 % of consumers. |
Which mistakes should you avoid ?
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Assuming any cooker hood can operate in recirculation mode
The appliance’s design doesn’t guarantee it can be converted. Bosch says its kits aren’t universal, while Elica states that not all of its cooker hoods can be converted.
Note down the exact model number of the hood, then check the manual for the model numbers of the required kit and odour filter.
You may need to buy a compatible kit and filter as well as the hood.
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Choosing extraction before checking the building
Drilling through a wall can affect the façade or communal areas. Article 25 of the 1965 law, published by Légifrance, governs permission for work that affects communal areas or the exterior appearance of a building in a shared-ownership property.
Before planning any work, check the status of the wall, the leasehold or freehold regulations and, if you’re renting, get written permission from your landlord. Also contact your local council to check which rules apply to your project.
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Forgetting about filters after choosing the hood
Maintenance instructions vary by model. Electrolux recommends replacing its ECFB01ST filter every 4 to 6 months, while Elica recommends replacing its regenerable CFC0166361 filter every two years. These recommendations don’t apply to all their filters.
Find out which filter your chosen hood uses and follow its specific replacement or regeneration instructions.
Replacing or regenerating the filter adds a regular maintenance task.
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Treating recirculation and extraction as the same installation
In recirculation mode, filtered air is returned to the kitchen rather than vented outside. The odour filter and the route taken by the returning air are therefore part of your decision.
Compare the stated figures for similar models and check each manual for the required filter and installation conditions.
Brands to consider for filters and accessories
Bosch
Bosch offers cooker hoods and recirculation accessories, including kits designed for specific configurations.
- The E-Nr model number can be used to find a kit for a Bosch cooker hood.
- Bosch confirms there’s no universal recirculation kit, so the product range name alone isn’t enough to establish compatibility.
Elica
Elica offers wall-mounted and built-in cooker hoods, as well as filters designed for recirculation mode.
- For some models, the brand offers regenerable Long Life filters.
- Elica says that not all of its cooker hoods can be converted. The manual and product code determine which mode and filter can be used.
Electrolux
Electrolux offers OdourClean carbon filters in various models for recirculation installations.
- Electrolux states that its OdourClean Plus MCFE11PL filter lasts for two to three years.
- This lifespan doesn’t apply to other models. Check which filter is compatible and follow its specific maintenance instructions.
Siemens
Siemens offers recirculation kits and filters, including products in its CleanAir and Long Life ranges.
- Kits are available for different Siemens cooker hood designs.
- Some accessories are designed for a specific type of hood, so check the model number before choosing a kit.
Wall-mounted recirculating cooker hoods on Joybuy
These wall-mounted models are worth considering if you’re looking for a cooker hood that can operate in recirculation mode in a kitchen without an external outlet. Check their width, installation requirements and filter needs against your kitchen setup.
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Ciarra 60 cm wall-mounted cooker hood, black
If you’re planning a wall-mounted installation without a duct, check the recirculation setup specified for this hood. It has a stated width of 60 cm and button controls. Check whether the CBCF002X2 filter is included, then compare the installation dimensions and clearances with your kitchen.
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Ciarra CBCS6765B, 60 cm angled cooker hood
Worth considering for a wall-mounted installation with recirculation mode. The product title lists an extraction rate of 580 m³/h, three speeds and touch controls. Check the installation dimensions and filter maintenance instructions for the CBCF055 filter compatible with this hood.
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Ciarra 90 cm wall-mounted recirculating cooker hood, Wi-Fi
Consider this model if your wall space can accommodate a 90 cm cooker hood. The product title lists an extraction rate of 650 m³/h, four speeds with a booster function and app-controlled touch controls. Check that its width suits your available space and find out how to maintain the CBCF003 filter.
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Heinrich's HDU 7632 IX, 90 cm wall-mounted cooker hood
For a 90 cm wall-mounted installation without an external outlet, this model is listed as suitable for recirculation and includes a carbon filter. Its product title lists an extraction rate of 564 m³/h. Check the detailed dimensions, then note down the filter model number for future maintenance.
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Heinrich's HDU 7631 IX, 60 cm wall-mounted cooker hood
For a 60 cm wall-mounted installation without an external outlet, this model is listed as suitable for recirculation and includes a carbon filter. Its product title lists an extraction rate of 611 m³/h. Check the installation clearances and the filter model number to use when replacing it.
Frequently asked questions
Can a recirculating cooker hood be used without an external outlet ?
Yes, provided the model you choose is designed for this type of operation and has the required accessories. The air passes through an odour filter before being returned to the kitchen. Elica says that not all of its cooker hoods can be converted, so check the manual for your model.
Can I install an external vent if I’m renting ?
Before drilling or making any alterations to a rented property, get written permission from your landlord. ANIL highlights this requirement for alterations to rented premises and equipment. Also check any other restrictions that apply to the wall and the proposed outlet.
Do I need the freeholders’ permission to install an outlet through the façade ?
If the work affects communal areas or the exterior appearance of the building, authorisation from the general meeting is governed by Article 25 of the 1965 law, published by Légifrance. Check the proposed work and the shared-ownership regulations before choosing an extraction hood.
What should I do before drilling through an external wall ?
Contact your local council before starting work to find out which planning requirements apply to your project. The Town Planning Code, published by Légifrance, distinguishes in particular between work that changes the exterior appearance of an existing building. The requirements depend on the work you’re planning.
When should I maintain the carbon filter ?
Follow the instructions for the filter model compatible with your cooker hood: how often and how to maintain it varies by filter. Electrolux recommends replacing its ECFB01ST every 4 to 6 months and its OdourClean Plus MCFE11PL every two to three years. Elica recommends replacing its regenerable CFC0166361 filter every two years.