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

 
Energy efficiency in cooker hoods refers to their ability to effectively remove airborne pollutants while minimizing energy consumption. This is achieved through features like efficient fan motors, variable speed controls, LED lighting, timer functions, and high-quality filtration systems. Ducted hoods are generally more energy-efficient than recirculating ones. Energy efficiency ratings may help consumers make informed choices. Overall, energy-efficient cooker hoods contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable kitchen environment.

 
 Shop Our most efficient Cooker Hoods below:

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

The general principle is that the cooker hood should be the same width and depth (or 1.5 times larger) than the hob. This ensures that the hood is large enough to remove all airborne grease and smoke efficiently. To work this out, you’ll just need to measure the dimensions of your hob.
As suggested above, the height of your cooker hood is also an important factor to consider. For safety purposes, the hot zone area of your hob should be 75cm away from the hood, particularly if you’re using a gas hob. You’ll need to measure the distance between your hob and where the fan will sit to work out the correct height to go for.
There is a slight difference if you choose a downdraft cooker hood. Because they rise up, you need to make sure that there is enough space behind your kitchen worktop for the hood to fit comfortably. There should also be a minimum of 70cm under the counter to create enough space for the hood and extractor pipes.
 

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

Touch controls in hoods are a modern interface system where the hood's functions and settings are operated by touch-sensitive panels. They offer a sleek design, ease of use, and intuitive operation. These controls are easy to clean, may include advanced features like timer functions, and provide customization options for settings such as fan speed and lighting intensity.

Ducted or Recirculation

Ducted and recirculating ventilation are two methods used in cooker hoods for managing kitchen air. Ducted ventilation expels air outdoors through ductwork, effectively removing odors and grease. Recirculating ventilation cleans air with filters and releases it back into the kitchen. Ducted ventilation requires complex installation but offers superior performance, while recirculating ventilation is easier to install but may be less effective. 

Noise Level

Noise level in hoods refers to the amount of sound produced by the ventilation system during operation, measured in decibels (dB). Lower dB ratings indicate quieter operation. Factors affecting noise level include fan speed, motor quality, design, construction, ducting, and user experience. Quieter hoods typically have multiple fan speeds, high-quality motors, and sound-absorbing materials.

Smart Features

Smart features in hoods utilize technology to enhance user experience and efficiency. These include remote control and monitoring, voice control, smart sensors for automatic adjustment, automation and scheduling, integration with smart home systems, energy monitoring, and dedicated smartphone apps. 

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.

 
How do I maintain and clean my cooker hood?
 
Regular maintenance involves cleaning grease filters, wiping down surfaces with a mild detergent, and replacing filters as needed. Refer to the manufacturer's instructions for specific cleaning and maintenance guidelines.
 
Are cooker hoods noisy?
 
Cooker hood noise levels vary depending on factors such as fan speed and motor quality. Look for hoods with low noise emissions or noise reduction features for quieter operation.
 
How far away from my hob should the hood be positioned?
 
When fitting a cooker hood above an electric hob you should have a minimum gap of 65cm. And for a gas hob the minimum gap between the two should be 75cm. Your cooker hood manual will have more information on this.
 
Do I need a grease filter or a carbon filter?
 
Whether you’re extracting or recirculating air, both need a grease filter. This traps any grease particles in the air. You’ll only need a carbon filter if you’re recirculating air, as this will remove any smoke and odour, so the air that is recirculated back in to the room is nice and clean.

Helpful Links

Delivery Recycling Your Old Appliance Exchanges Returns Register Manufacturers’ Warranty Important gas safety notice