Without an external vent, first choose a cooker hood designed for recirculation and check which charcoal filter or kit is compatible with its exact model number. Make sure it’s the right size for your kitchen. To compare noise levels and performance, look for figures measured in recirculation mode and factor in filter maintenance. A recirculating cooker hood doesn’t replace ventilation in your home. Only consider external extraction after checking the ducting, any work required and the relevant permissions.
A recirculating cooker hood is primarily suited to kitchens without an external outlet, but your home and the way you cook will affect what you need to check.
Recirculation lets you install a cooker hood without adding ducting to the outside. Check which filter your chosen appliance needs. If you’re considering work that could affect the building, find out whether it’s feasible and what permissions may be required.
To help keep cooking smells away from your living area, look for performance figures in recirculation mode and check the maintenance requirements for the charcoal filter. Also compare noise levels at a clearly specified speed and operating mode.
An integrated or built-in cooker hood may be suitable if its installation dimensions fit your cupboard. The manual should also specify the recirculation set-up and compatible accessories.
First, make sure a recirculation set-up is possible. Then compare everyday use and maintenance using figures that relate to this operating mode.
| What to check | Points to consider | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Recirculation and filter | Check that the exact cooker hood model supports recirculation. Find out which charcoal filter or kit it needs and whether it’s included. | Without an external outlet, I want to be able to use the hood with the accessories designed for it, rather than simply buying a model described as convertible. |
| Cooking smells and grease | Look for tests carried out in recirculation mode with the charcoal filter fitted. Also check the type of grease filter and its cleaning instructions. | Cooking smells and grease deposits matter especially to me when filtered air is returned to the kitchen. |
| Noise | Compare noise levels measured in recirculation mode at a comparable speed and using a comparable method. A figure measured in extraction mode doesn’t necessarily reflect noise in recirculation mode. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want to know how noisy the hood will be at the speed I’ll use while cooking. |
| Maintenance | Note the model number of the compatible filter, whether it’s available, and the instructions for replacing or regenerating it. Check the grease filter’s maintenance requirements too. | I’d rather know what consumables I’ll need and what maintenance is involved before choosing an appliance for regular use. |
| Installation | Measure the space available and check the installation dimensions in the model’s manual. For a built-in hood, also check how much room is needed for its recirculation set-up. | If I keep my wall cupboard, the hood and everything it needs to operate must fit inside it. |
Installation mode can affect the results. UFC-Que Choisir tests cooker hoods in both extraction and recirculation modes, including measuring how well the latter reduces cooking smells. So an airflow figure for extraction alone isn’t enough to assess recirculation performance.
When comparing two models, check the mode, speed and method used for each measurement.
Depending on the model, recirculation may require a specific accessory. A filter designed for a different model number won’t necessarily give you a working set-up.
Note the exact model number of the hood and check with the manufacturer which filter or kit you need before ordering.
A kit sold separately and replacement filters mean extra purchases and ongoing maintenance.
A recirculating cooker hood filters the air and returns it to the room. It doesn’t, by itself, renew the air in your home.
Keep your existing ventilation system and maintain it properly. If you’re unsure about ducting or a proposed alteration, have your home’s set-up assessed before any work is carried out.
Your cupboard needs to accommodate the hood and the components required for recirculation. The visible width of the appliance doesn’t tell you the installation dimensions given in its manual.
Measure the cupboard and check the manual, as well as the compatibility of the kit or filter with the exact model.
These examples relate to specific models and filters. A feature or maintenance interval won’t necessarily apply to every cooker hood from the same brand.
Bosch offers, among other options, under-cabinet cooker hoods that can be set up for recirculation or extraction, depending on the model.
Elica distinguishes between standard charcoal filters and certain regenerable filters designed for compatible cooker hoods.
The Whirlpool WCT64FLSX integrated cooker hood is listed as suitable for extraction or recirculation, with charcoal and grease filters included.
These two cooker hoods are featured as options for a kitchen without an external vent: one can be built into a compatible cupboard, while the other is a 60 cm hood listed with a recirculation mode. They differ in their filters and installation requirements.
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Worth considering if you want to keep a wall cupboard and use recirculation. Check that the installation dimensions suit your cupboard and that the CBCF005 filter specified for this mode is available: it’s sold separately. The product listing gives conflicting airflow figures. If this is an important factor in your decision, ask for the figure that applies to this model in recirculation mode.
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This cooker hood is listed with a recirculation mode, three speeds and a charcoal filter included. Check the dimensions of the space and the installation instructions before choosing this size. The 400 m³/h airflow rate shown in the product title isn’t explicitly linked to recirculation mode. If this figure is important to you, ask for a measurement in that mode.
Yes, provided the model can operate in recirculation mode with a compatible charcoal filter or kit. Filtered air is returned to the kitchen, so check the consumable’s model number and maintenance instructions before buying.
No. It filters cooking air and returns it to the room; it doesn’t replace your home’s ventilation system. Keep that system working properly when you install a recirculating cooker hood.
This is something to look into before buying a cooker hood or parts for an extraction system. If the proposed work affects the building’s structure or communal areas, ask your property manager about any permissions you may need. If you rent, check any restrictions with your landlord too, as well as the relevant local rules.
How often depends on the model number and how you use it. Bosch generally recommends one or two replacements a year, depending on use; Elica advises replacing its standard filters every 3 to 6 months; and Whirlpool recommends replacing its CHF57 filter every 3 months. Follow the instructions for the filter compatible with your cooker hood rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all schedule.
No. First, make sure your cooker hood accepts that exact model of filter, then follow its maintenance instructions. Elica gives its regenerable CFC0140088 filter a recommended lifespan of 2 years, subject to the instructions in the manual. This applies to that filter and compatible models, not all recirculating cooker hoods.