If you don’t have an outside vent, choose a cooker hood whose product details or manual confirm it can operate in recirculation mode. Then check which kit and charcoal filter are compatible with its exact model number. The right style depends on the space available: an under-cabinet hood, one built into a wall cabinet, or a wall-mounted model if you want it to remain on show. Recirculation requires regular filter maintenance and does not replace permanent ventilation in your home.
If there’s no duct to carry air outside, look for a model that can explicitly be set up for recirculation. Filtered air is returned to the kitchen, so the cooker hood is not a substitute for ventilation throughout your home.
Your cabinets and walls determine which style will fit. UFC-Que Choisir notes, for example, that a built-in filter unit must be fitted into a suitable wall cabinet. Check the dimensions in the manual for the model you’re considering.
Check which charcoal filter is compatible before choosing a cooker hood. Depending on the range, filters need to be replaced or regenerated at different intervals, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
First, confirm that the hood has a recirculation mode and check which accessories it needs. Then make sure its style, maintenance requirements and performance figures suit your kitchen.
| What to check | What to look for | What do you need it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Recirculation mode | Look for a mention of “recirculation” in the product details or manual for the exact model. Check whether a specific kit is needed and which charcoal filter is compatible. Bosch notes that some installations require a dedicated kit. | I can’t vent air outside and want a set-up designed to return filtered air to the kitchen. |
| Filters | Make a note of the filter’s model number, whether it’s available, and the replacement or regeneration instructions for that particular filter. Franke, Bosch and Electrolux have different schedules for their filters. | I want to maintain odour filtration without assuming that the same filter or replacement interval suits every cooker hood. |
| Noise and performance | Where figures are available, compare the noise levels and airflow specified for recirculation mode, using comparable settings and measurement conditions. Don’t assume that a figure given for extraction also applies to recirculation. | I have an open-plan kitchen, so noise matters as much as the space taken up by the hood. I want to compare figures relevant to my installation. |
| Style and installation | Check the width, installation dimensions and required clearances in the manual. An under-cabinet hood, a built-in filter unit and a wall-mounted hood each need a different type of space. | I’m replacing a hood in a fitted kitchen and need an appliance that suits the existing cabinet or available wall space. |
A cooker hood designed for both modes may need a specific kit and charcoal filter to work in recirculation mode.
Note down the appliance’s exact model number, then check the manual or ask the manufacturer which accessories are compatible.
Remember to source and maintain any accessories needed for your chosen set-up.
In recirculation mode, the hood returns filtered air to the room. In France, the decree of 24 March 1982, published on Légifrance, requires homes to have general, permanent ventilation.
Keep the air inlets and outlets provided in your home clear. Don’t block the vents to reduce noise or draughts.
Standard replacement filters and regenerable filters have different maintenance schedules. The stated lifespan of one model doesn’t automatically apply to another.
Before choosing a cooker hood, check the filter model number and how many filters are required, as well as the maintenance instructions and availability of replacements.
Bosch offers recirculation accessories, which you should check against the hood’s E-Nr model number. The product details for the DUL63CC20 confirm that this model supports both recirculation and extraction.
The OdourClean range includes standard charcoal filters and regenerable versions. Electrolux recommends checking compatibility against the appliance’s PNC.
Franke lists the cooker hood ranges compatible with its standard charcoal filter, 112.0016.755.
These wall-mounted models could suit a kitchen without an outside vent, provided their recirculation set-up and accessories are right for your installation. Check the installation dimensions and filter maintenance requirements for each model before choosing.
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Designed for wall mounting, this 60 cm model is listed as supporting both extraction and recirculation, and comes with a charcoal filter. Check the replacement filter model number, its maintenance requirements and the installation dimensions. The airflow figure in the product name alone doesn’t confirm performance in recirculation mode.
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If you want your hood to be a feature on the wall, this angled black glass model supports recirculation and includes a charcoal filter. Check the filter model number and maintenance schedule, as well as the installation dimensions. The stated airflow figure isn’t identified as a measurement for recirculation mode.
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This 60 cm wall-mounted cooker hood is listed as configurable for either extraction or recirculation. If your kitchen has no outside vent, check the product details and manual for the right charcoal filter, its maintenance instructions and the installation dimensions.
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The CBCS6765B is designed for wall mounting and supports both extraction and recirculation. Before installing it without an outside vent, check which charcoal filter is compatible, how to maintain it and how much clearance is required. The airflow figure in the product name isn’t specified as applying to recirculation mode.
No. A recirculating hood returns filtered air to the kitchen, while general, permanent ventilation serves a different purpose. In France, this ventilation is required under the decree of 24 March 1982, published on Légifrance. Keep the air inlets and outlets in your home clear.
Follow the schedule for the filter that’s compatible with your cooker hood rather than relying on one interval for every model. Franke recommends replacing its standard 112.0016.755 filter every 3 months, depending on use. Electrolux states that some standard filters last 4 to 6 months, while regenerable versions have different instructions. Check the model number and manual before buying.
Check that the product details or manual for the exact model mention recirculation mode. Then find out whether you need a kit and which charcoal filter is compatible, and check the installation dimensions. With Bosch and Electrolux, you may be able to find compatible accessories using the appliance’s E-Nr or PNC.