What Is A Chimney Hood?

Close up of a Fisher & Paykel chimney hood finished in stainless steel. The LED lights beneath the hood are lit to illuminate the cooking area below.

We all know it is important to keep your kitchen well ventilated. But with so many different cooker hood types available, you’d be forgiven if you asked ‘what is a chimney hood?’. Our range of kitchen extractors include; ceiling hoods, canopy hoods and much more. However one of the most popular styles is the chimney hood.

We’ll explain how a chimney hood works, plus the different styles to choose from in our short guide.

  What is a chimney hood?

A chimney hood is a type of kitchen extractor that is wall-mounted above your hob. The purpose of a chimney hood is to extract the steam and odours that are produced when you cook. This helps to keep the air in your kitchen smelling fresh and well ventilated. Chimney hoods duct the air outside, however if that isn’t an option, you can also use charcoal filters to recirculate the air.

Chimney hoods come in a variety of different sizes, shapes and styles. You can usually find the matching chimney hood to suit your range cooker, if you have one.

What are the different types of chimney hood?

Chimney Hoods are available in a few different styles. Find out more about each chimney hood style below:

Pyramid

Image of a white and brown kitchen featuring a white Smeg angled chimney hood above a white range cooker.

This classic style is recognisable by the distinctive pyramid shape below the chimney. Pyramid chimney hoods are a more traditional style. They can create a focal point thanks to their bold and striking appearance.

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Angled

Close up of a black angled chimney hood positioned above a black induction hob, in a blue and grey marbled kitchen.

This type of hood has an angled design which effectively captures steam and odours. Angled hoods are popular due to their contemporary design. They also provide more overhead space above the cooker.

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Flat

Image of a black flat Smeg chimney hood above the matching black range cooker. In a rustic kitchen featuring a red brick wall and stable door with a shelf ladder next to the cooker.

A modern alternative to the pyramid chimney hood. A flat chimney hood lends itself to the design of most contemporary kitchens. The flat chimney design is sleek and stylish, appealing to modern, minimal kitchens.

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Curved

Close up of a curved Samsung chimney hood finished in silver. The LED lights are turned on to illuminate the cooking area below

A curved chimney hood has an elegant curved glass or stainless steel feature. This can provide the illusion of more space, especially in a darker kitchen. This style is popular for its modern and sleek appearance.

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Factors to consider

When shopping for a new chimney hood, there’s a few things that you’ll want to consider. These factors will help to narrow down your search.

Extraction Rate

The extraction rate is arguably the most important consideration. This determines how quickly the extractor cleans the air. It’s measured in cubic metres per hour (m³/hr). The higher the extraction rate, the better. It is also important to make sure the extraction rate is high enough for the size of your room. You can calculate this by working out the volume of the room (length x width x height) and multiplying it by 10.

Close up of a chimney hoods control panel showing the different extraction levels
Close up of a flat chimney hood above a hob in a dark red and grey kitchen. The steam is rising from a boiling pan into the extractor.

Noise Levels

If you have a busy kitchen with lots of appliances working simultaneously, you’ll want an extractor that is as quiet as possible. This is also a key factor in an open plan kitchen where you want to keep noise levels to a minimum. If noise levels are important to you, browse our selection of Quiet Mark certified chimney hoods. These are independently rated as the quietest models on the market.

Energy Ratings

Energy rating is another really important one. Opting for a more energy efficient cooker hood will keep your energy costs down and in turn, your household bills. An energy efficient hood is better for the environment too.

Image of a white kitchen featuring a Miele flat chimney hood above an induction hob.
Image of a neutral kitchen featuring a black angled Smeg chimney hood wall-mounted above a gas hob.

Design

Whilst we’ve talked about the different chimney hood styles, there are other design elements to consider. An important one being the size. Your cooker hood should be as big as, if not bigger than your hob. This is so all the vapour is captured by the extractor and not escaping out of the sides. There’s also a wide variety of finishes to choose from. These include classics like Stainless Steel and Black, to more eye catching options like Gunmetal and White.

      Shop all Chimney Hoods

      Conclusion

      Now you know what chimney hoods are and how they work, the choice is yours! You can also browse our full range of kitchen cooker hoods if you’re looking for a different type of extractor. Need some more help and advice? You can speak to our experienced and friendly sales team on the phone 6 days a week. Give us a call on 0115 965 1937.