Without an external duct, choose a cooker hood specifically designed for recirculation and check the carbon filter or kit that matches its exact model number. In an open-plan kitchen, compare the published noise data for recirculation mode, as well as filter access and maintenance requirements. An integrated hood is suitable if the cabinet allows for it, while a wall-mounted model works well when you are happy for the appliance to remain visible.
If your kitchen opens onto the living room or dining room and there is no way to vent air outdoors, look for a cooker hood genuinely designed for recirculation, with a carbon filter and suitable air outlets.
When you cook while other people are working, watching television or eating in the same room, compare the stated noise levels in recirculation mode, at comparable speeds and using the same units.
A powered cooker hood must remain separate from the existing ventilation system. The order of 24 March 1982 prohibits connecting it to a shared air-extraction system; also check the building’s management regulations before carrying out work affecting a duct or communal area.
Choose this if: an existing wall cabinet or housing can accommodate the appliance and you want a discreet installation.
Check: the built-in dimensions, filter access, safety clearances and whether the recirculation kit is included.
Choose this if: the hob is against a wall without a suitable wall cabinet and a visible cooker hood suits your kitchen.
Check: the required kit and its compatibility with the hood’s full model number, not just the brand.
Choose this if: frequently replacing disposable filters would be inconvenient and you are happy to follow a maintenance routine.
Check: the filter’s exact compatibility and the washing or regeneration instructions specified by the manufacturer.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Odour control | Confirm recirculation mode, the compatible carbon filter and its availability. Check that air is returned to the room after filtration. | I want to reduce cooking smells in the living room without external extraction. |
| Noise in an open-plan kitchen | Compare the stated noise levels in recirculation mode, at identical speeds and using the same units. Do not compare an extraction airflow figure with a recirculation noise measurement. | I want to be able to cook without the hood dominating the soundscape in the living area. |
| Filter maintenance | Note the carbon filter’s model number, how it is replaced or regenerated, and the cleaning instructions for the grease filter. | I prefer filtration that I can maintain without having to search for a rare or incompatible replacement after purchase. |
| Installation and ventilation | Check the minimum distances above the hob in the model’s instructions. Keep the powered hood independent from any shared air outlet. | I need to install the hood at the correct height without modifying the existing ventilation or undertaking unsuitable work. |
The figures published for extraction and recirculation describe different conditions. Electrolux distinguishes between these modes for the LFG615X, while Bosch publishes an acoustic pressure level in recirculation at level 2 and a maximum airflow rate in extraction for the DWP64BC50.
Only compare measurements taken in the same mode, at equivalent speeds and using the same units. Do not derive a recirculation figure from an extraction figure.
A cooker hood compatible with recirculation may require a specific kit or filter. Bosch, for example, advises checking whether certain kits are compatible with the appliance’s model number.
Make a note of the hood’s full model number before ordering and check the carbon filter, recirculation kit, any required deflectors and compatible consumables.
According to Elica, a clogged grease filter can reduce airflow, place additional strain on the motor and become a fire risk. The carbon filter must also be replaced or regenerated depending on its type.
Follow the instructions to clean the grease filter and replace or regenerate the carbon filter. Keep the filter reference with your kitchen documentation.
The order of 24 March 1982 prohibits connecting a powered cooker hood to a shared mechanical or natural-draught air-extraction system.
Keep a recirculating installation separate from the existing ventilation. If the project affects a duct, façade or communal area, check the building’s management regulations and any applicable permissions before starting work.
Worth considering when comparing a built-in filter group for recirculation with standard or long-life filters.
A useful option to explore for wall-mounted hoods that convert to recirculation and kits listed according to appliance compatibility.
Worth exploring for recirculation solutions with standard or regenerable filters, where compatible accessories are clearly identified.
This selection brings together cooker hoods advertised as compatible with recirculation for an open-plan kitchen without external extraction. Check the instructions, installation distances and filter reference before ordering.
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For wall-mounted installation, with recirculation advertised and a carbon filter included. Stated airflow: 300 m³/h; dishwasher-safe aluminium filter. Check the instructions for noise levels in recirculation mode, installation distances and the replacement filter reference.
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A wall-mounted option advertised for recirculation, with a carbon filter included. Width: 60 cm; stated airflow: 611 m³/h; washable aluminium grease filter. Confirm the noise level in recirculation mode and the compatibility of the replacement filter.
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Angled wall-mounted model advertised with recirculation and supplied with two CBCF055 carbon filters. Stated maximum airflow: 580 m³/h; three speeds; washable grease filter. Check the conditions under which the noise was measured and the future filter maintenance requirements.
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For an installation advertised for recirculation, with an activated carbon filter included. Stated airflow: 400 m³/h; three speeds; removable aluminium filter for cleaning. Check the replacement filter, noise levels in recirculation mode and safety clearances.
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Wall-mounted cooker hood advertised for recirculation, with a washable aluminium grease filter. Stated airflow: 650 m³/h; touch and gesture controls; adjustable chimney. Be sure to confirm the compatible carbon filter or kit before ordering.
No. The order of 24 March 1982 prohibits connecting a hood fitted with a fan to a shared mechanical or natural-draught air-extraction system. A recirculating hood operates with its own dedicated filtration, without being connected to this shared system.
Keep the grease filter and allow for a carbon filter or recirculation kit compatible with the hood’s exact model number. The metal filter traps grease, while the carbon filter helps treat odours before the air is returned to the room.
Always follow the instructions for your model first. As manufacturer examples, Electrolux states 4 to 6 months for certain standard carbon filters and 2 to 3 years for its OdourClean Plus filter, with periodic regeneration. Intervals vary depending on the technology and how the hood is used.
Always check the instructions for the exact model and the type of hob. For example, Electrolux specifies a minimum distance of 50 cm above an electric hob and 65 cm above a gas hob for the LFG615X; these figures do not automatically apply to other cooker hoods.
Yes, if the project affects a communal area, shared duct, the building’s structure or the façade. ANIL states that work affecting communal areas or the structure requires authorisation from the general meeting; also consult the building’s management regulations to identify the elements concerned.