Hood Buying Guide
Explore our Cooker Hood Buying Guide to make informed decisions when choosing the perfect extractor for your needs. Whether you're upgrading or purchasing for the first time, we cover different types of hoods, essential features, energy efficiency tips, and maintenance insights to ensure a long-lasting and convenient appliance.
Different Cooker Hood Types
Chimney Hoods
A chimney cooker hood is a type of range hood installed above a stove in the kitchen. Its design resembles a chimney stack, with a canopy connected to a vertical duct. These hoods are equipped with filters and a fan to remove grease, smoke, and odors from cooking. Air is either recirculated or expelled outdoors. They typically feature controls, lighting, and come in various sizes and styles to suit different kitchen aesthetics.
Downdraft Hoods
A downdraft hood is a kitchen ventilation system that retracts or rises from the countertop beside or behind the cooktop. It operates by drawing smoke, steam, and odors downwards and away from the cooking area. This space-saving design is suitable for kitchens where traditional overhead ventilation is impractical, providing a sleek appearance when not in use.
Canopy Hoods
Canopy hoods, also known as under-cabinet or wall-mounted hoods, are ventilation systems installed above the cooktop in kitchens. They feature a rectangular or curved canopy mounted beneath a cabinet or on the wall, extracting grease, smoke, and odors through fans and filters. These hoods are relatively easy to install, offer user-friendly controls, and come in various designs to complement kitchen aesthetics.
Ceiling Hoods
Ceiling hoods, also known as island hoods, are sleek kitchen ventilation systems suspended from the ceiling over island or peninsula cooktops. They extract smoke, steam, and odors using fans and filters, directing airflow upwards and expelling it through ductwork. Ideal for modern kitchen designs, they offer user-friendly controls, efficient ventilation, and add a stylish focal point to the space.
Island Hoods
Island hoods, also called ceiling hoods, are kitchen ventilation systems suspended from the ceiling above an island or peninsula cooktop. They feature a sleek design, often with a stainless steel canopy, and utilize fans and filters to extract smoke, steam, and odors. Installation may require careful planning for ductwork, but they offer efficient ventilation without obstructing sightlines
Visor Hoods
Visor hoods are compact kitchen ventilation systems installed beneath cabinets above the cooktop. They use fans and filters to extract grease, smoke, and odors, directing airflow upwards and expelling it through ductwork. Easy to install and operate, they offer efficient ventilation without compromising space or aesthetics.
Integrated Hoods
Integrated hoods are ventilation systems designed to blend seamlessly with cabinetry, offering a sleek and discreet appearance in the kitchen. They use fans and filters to extract grease, smoke, and odors, directing airflow upwards and expelling it through ductwork. Installed within cabinetry, they maintain a cohesive kitchen design and offer adjustable controls for fan speed and lighting.
Telescopic Hoods
Telescopic hoods are kitchen ventilation systems designed to be partially hidden within overhead cabinets. They extend forward when in use, extracting grease, smoke, and odors with fans and filters. Installed within cabinetry, they offer a discreet solution for maximizing space in the kitchen. Controls are typically located on the front panel, allowing for adjustments in fan speed and lighting.
Key Features
Energy Efficiency
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Cooker Hood Sizes
Size is an important factor when choosing your cooker hood. Your choice will be determined by the height of your ceiling, as well as the size of your kitchen units and hob.
A useful rule of thumb is to pick a cooker hood that’s the same width as your hob (or 1.5x wider). This tends to look more aesthetically pleasing and also ensures that you get the right level of ventilation.
Your cooker hood should also be positioned 75cm above the kitchen hob. You’ll need to take this into account when picking which height of extractor fan to go for (read on for more information on how to measure up).
You’ll find kitchen extractor fans in a wide range of widths and heights depending on which style you choose. We offer cooker hoods in a variety of different widths:
How to measure for a new Hood
Different Cooker Hood Features
Fan Speed Control
Fan speed control is a feature found in cooker hoods that allows users to adjust the speed of the fan. This customization enables tailored ventilation for different cooking intensities, reduces noise levels, improves energy efficiency, enhances air quality, and provides a more comfortable cooking experience overall.
Touch Controls
Ducted or Recirculation
Noise Level
Smart Features
Remote Control
Remote control in hoods allows users to adjust the hood's functions and settings from a distance using a handheld device. It offers convenience, flexibility, and accessibility, especially for users with limited mobility. Remote control enhances safety by eliminating the need to reach over hot cookware. It may provide access to multiple functions and features, enhancing user experience in the kitchen.
Picking Your Colour
After finalizing the features you desire in your Hood, the next step is to contemplate the colour selection. Here, we elaborate on the advantages of the most commonly chosen colours.
Black
Buying a black cooker hood can be appealing for several reasons. Firstly, its sleek and modern appearance adds sophistication to the kitchen, serving as a stylish focal point. Black hoods are versatile, complementing various kitchen styles, and their timeless color ensures long-term appeal. Additionally, black finishes are forgiving, concealing dirt and smudges well, making maintenance easier.
White
Choosing a white cooker hood offers a clean, timeless look that brightens up the kitchen space. White hoods are versatile, complementing various design styles, and creating a sense of spaciousness by reflecting light. They are easy to coordinate with other kitchen elements and are relatively easy to maintain. Ultimately, the decision to choose a white cooker hood comes down to personal preference and the desired aesthetic for the kitchen.
Stainless Steel
Choosing a stainless steel cooker hood offers a modern, sleek appearance that complements various kitchen styles. Stainless steel exudes timeless elegance and durability, making it resistant to corrosion, rust, and stains. Its easy cleaning and maintenance add convenience to everyday use. Stainless steel hoods evoke a professional kitchen ambiance and seamlessly coordinate with other stainless steel appliances, creating a cohesive look in the kitchen.
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Cooker Hood FAQs
What is the difference between ducted and recirculating ventilation?
Ducted ventilation expels air outdoors through ductwork, while recirculating ventilation filters air and releases it back into the kitchen. Ducted hoods are more effective at removing pollutants but require ductwork installation, while recirculating hoods are easier to install but less efficient.