Cooker Hood FAQs

A cooker hood is a unit that sits on the wall behind or ceiling above your hob. This unit contains a mechanical fan that removes fumes, odours, heat, and any airborne grease that is produced when you are cooking. Suitable for both domestic and commercial use, cooker hoods will typically feature a lighting system to make cooking safer and more accessible.

Common alternative names for cooker hoods include:

• Extractor hood
• Exhaust hood
• Range hood

While there are no laws or regulations that state you must have a cooker hood in your kitchen, the pros of them certainly outweigh the cons. As they help keep your kitchen safter & cleaner, why wouldn’t you want to have one?

However, it is important to note that there are regulations in the UK that state new build properties must have an effective way of removing condensation and steam from a kitchen. They say that even an open window isn’t sufficient enough – mechanical ventilation is compulsory. This is primarily to prevent any mould from building up within the property which can put homeowners, tenants & landlords at risk. If you are moving into a new build property, you should ensure it provides you with adequate ventilation before signing any paperwork.

One of the major appeals of cooker hoods is that there are so many to choose from! Whether you are looking for something traditional or contemporary, there is sure to be a model that you love. Below are the types of cooker hood you can find at Appliance City…

Perhaps the most common type of cooker hood, chimney hoods feature a traditional design and can be installed wall-mounted above your hob. There are 4 types of chimney hood designs:

• Pyramid
• Angled
• Curved
• Flat

Chimney hoods have high extraction rates and can be ducted outside or be installed to recirculate air with the addition of charcoal filters. Chimney hoods can be a little noisy when in use, so shop our selection of Quiet Mark certified chimney hoods if noise is a primary concern for you.

Our favourite brands for chimney hoods are Belling, Bosch, NEFF, Smeg & Stoves.

Often referred to as ‘built-in’ or ‘integrated’, canopy hoods are installed into kitchen cabinets, wall units or chimney breasts. If you prefer a minimalist look, you’ll love the canopy hood’s sleek design. Offering powerful ventilation without being an eyesore, canopy hoods are becoming more popular by the minute.

Our favourite brands for canopy hoods are AEG, NEFF, Miele & Elica.

Much like canopy hoods, ceiling hoods are barely noticeable. Ceiling hoods, however, sit flush in your ceiling above your hob. Ceiling hoods are perfect for hobs that are installed in a kitchen island as they provide sufficient odour and grease removal without being obstructive.

Our favourite brands that sell ceiling hoods are Elica, Miro & NEFF.

Like canopy hoods, telescopic hoods are installed into cabinetry above your hob. The hood slides out of sight when not in use & can be installed for ducted extraction or with charcoal filters for recirculation. While not as common as the other cooker hoods we have mentioned, telescopic hoods are an underrated, minimalist gem!

If you are looking for a telescopic hood, we recommend NEFF, Miele or Bosch.

Step into the future with a downdraft hood – a popular choice for hobs installed in kitchen islands or kitchens with very high ceilings. Built into your worktop behind your hob, downdraft hoods sit beneath your work surface and rise when in use. If you are a master of minimalism, downdraft hoods will suit your space to a T. They also have incredibly high extraction rates and sit flush when not in use.

If you don’t have a space for a cooker hood, or just cannot stand the way they look in your kitchen, why not try an air venting hob? These hobs have an extraction unit built into it, providing sleek & efficient extraction for gas and induction hobs.

Plenty of manufacturers sell air venting hobs, so check them all out before buying!

Cooker hoods come in a range of sizes. This is because there is more than one hob width for them to accommodate. Cooker hoods start at 60cm wide and can go all the way up to 120cm, sometimes even higher! Larger hood sizes are recommended for range cookers and large kitchens.

Once you have decided where your hob will go, measure up your space to get a good idea of what size you can fit. You should also take into account how much space is required between your hob and you hood. Gas hobs are typically required to have a larger gap between the two while induction hobs can have less of a gap. If you are replacing an existing model, measure the size of the current hood and match that.

Where you place your cooker hood depends on a number of factors, including:

• How much space you have above your hob
• The design of your kitchen
• How high you can reach above your hob
• Your preferred style

The standard kitchen extractor fan has a canopy which contains washable or replaceable grease filters. Beyond the filters is an internal motor that absorbs the air from your kitchen, transporting it outside directly, or back into the room with additional charcoal filters. These filters help to remove any odours produced while cooking.

Unless you have installed one before, cooker hoods can be a little difficult to fit if you are not experienced. If you are not comfortable installing on yourself, you can hire a professional to do it for you. If you fancy yourself a challenge, you can fit one yourself!

Each cooker hood design requires a slightly different installation approach, which makes it super important for you to follow the instructions in the manual that comes with your specific hood.

With that in mind, here is how you can prepare your cooker hood installation space:

1. Measure your space – a general rule of thumb is to hang the hood approximately 24-30 inches above your cooking surface.
2. Turn off your power supply – The power source for your range cooker can often be found within your fuse box, ensure this is switched to Off before any work begins.
3. Remove your existing cooker hood – If you are replacing your old cooker hood with a new model, make sure that all of the filters are removed and the cover is taken off. Consult a professional for the remaining removal and unwiring if you aren’t comfortable removing the rest of the unit.

While we have answered our most frequently asked questions about cooker hoods, we certainly haven’t covered every query. If you have any questions concerning the cooker hoods we supply at Appliance City, feel free to contact us for more information.