If you don’t have an external vent, choose a cooker hood that the manufacturer confirms can operate in recirculation mode with a carbon filter or a kit compatible with its model number. A wall-mounted hood needs a clear space above the hob; a built-in unit must fit inside a wall cabinet, while a venting hob also means replacing your hob and checking the space in the base unit. Filtered air is returned to the kitchen, so a cooker hood does not replace the home’s general, permanent ventilation as set out in the French order of 24 March 1982.
If there’s no usable duct leading outside, look for a model specifically designed for recirculation. Check which carbon filter or kit fits its model number: Elica points out that not all extractor hoods can be converted.
To take odours and noise into account, check the results or specifications for recirculation mode at a speed you expect to use. UFC-Que Choisir measures airflow separately with and without a carbon filter, depending on the installation mode.
If you’re keeping your wall cabinet, worktop or hob, start by checking their dimensions and which installation options are available. A wall-mounted hood, built-in unit and venting hob all need different amounts of space.
First, find an option that fits your space, then compare the specifications and maintenance requirements for the exact recirculation mode.
Consider this if: there’s a clear wall above the hob and you want to keep it.
Bear in mind: the installation height and recirculation kit must be suitable for the model and location.
Consider this if: you have a compatible wall cabinet that can house the hood.
Bear in mind: the built-in dimensions and clearance above the hob will limit your installation options.
Consider this if: you’re also replacing your hob and can adapt the base unit.
Bear in mind: the filtration system and its ducting through the unit can reduce storage space.
| What to consider | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Recirculation and odours | Confirm that the model can operate in recirculation mode, then check which carbon filter or kit it needs. If you’re comparing test results, make sure they’re for the same mode. | Without an external duct, I want to reduce cooking odours while bearing in mind that filtered air is returned to the room. |
| Noise | Compare the dB(A) levels given for recirculation mode at a similar speed. Check them against the airflow stated for that same setting. | My kitchen opens onto the living area, so noise at the speed I’ll use matters as much as the extraction specifications. |
| Filters | Check the filter model number against the cooker hood’s, along with its recommended service life and the manufacturer’s care instructions. | I want to be able to find a compatible filter and know when to clean or replace it. |
| Installation | Measure the wall, cabinet or cut-out. Check the instructions for the installation clearances that apply to your hob. | I’m keeping my cabinets or hob, so the hood needs to fit the available space without getting in the way of the planned installation. |
A carbon filter is part of how recirculation mode works. UFC-Que Choisir measures airflow separately with this filter fitted and without it, in extraction mode.
When comparing two models, look for their recirculation specifications and check that the speeds and units match.
Bosch says a specific kit may be needed to use a cooker hood in recirculation mode; Elica notes that not all hoods can be converted.
Make a note of the hood’s full model number and check which accessories are compatible before ordering.
The filtration system and airflow route need to fit inside the base unit, which may affect how you arrange your storage.
Check the installation plan for the model you’ve chosen, and measure the unit and worktop cut-out.
These manufacturers offer information on different types of cooker hood. Always check the recirculation setup for the specific model you’re interested in.
Wall-mounted and under-cabinet models are available for recirculation or extraction.
The LFG615X built-in hood is an example of a model installed inside a wall cabinet.
The NikolaTesla range includes hobs with integrated extraction.
This wall-mounted cooker hood is suited to a kitchen without an external duct, provided there’s a suitable space above the hob.
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Designed for a wall-mounted position without an external vent, this hood is described as suitable for recirculation, with a set of carbon filters included.
This model is described as a 60 cm-wide angled black glass hood with LED lighting. Before buying, check the installation dimensions, replacement filter model number, and the noise level and airflow in recirculation mode.
No. It filters the air and then returns it to the kitchen. The French order of 24 March 1982 provides for general, permanent ventilation in homes, at least while outdoor temperatures mean that windows need to stay closed. A recirculating cooker hood is not a substitute for this.
Start with the cooker hood’s exact model number and check the instructions to identify the filter or kit designed for recirculation. Elica says that not all extractor hoods can be converted, while Bosch notes that some models may need a specific kit.
Follow the instructions for each filter and adjust maintenance to suit how often you use it. Electrolux gives a general guide of around 160 hours before cleaning or replacing a carbon filter; Elica recommends 3 to 4 months for its disposable CFC0141497 filter. These guidelines aren’t interchangeable between models.
Measure the available space and check the instructions for the width, installation dimensions and required clearance above your hob. For a built-in hood, measure the inside of the wall cabinet; for a venting hob, also check the cut-out and the space needed in the base unit.