In an open-plan home, the kitchen shares air with the living room. Cooking smells, steam and grease travel, and the extractor hood is the one appliance that decides whether they stay where they belong. It also happens to be the largest object above head height in the room. That makes the hood a rare piece of equipment: it must be an engineer’s solution and an architect’s decision at the same time.
How do I judge a hood’s airflow and noise level?
Extraction is usually described in cubic metres per hour. A bigger number sounds better, but airflow only counts when it is delivered quietly and sustainably. A hood that is deafening at full speed will be used rarely, and a hood that is rarely used does little. Look for a motor that delivers a good airflow at low and medium speeds, because that is where you will use it day to day. Italian specialists such as Elica have spent decades refining motors, ducts and filters so that performance and quiet operation are not a trade-off.
Should I choose a ducted or a recirculating hood?
A ducted hood carries air outside, and it is the better option whenever the building allows it. A recirculating hood cleans the air with a carbon filter and returns it to the room. It is easier to install, but the filter must be replaced and it does not remove heat or moisture. In an apartment where ducting is impossible, a recirculating hood with a good filter is a reasonable solution. In a new build or a major renovation, plan the duct route at the start, because it affects the ceiling, the cabinets and the structure.
What width and height of hood suits my hob?
The hood should relate to the hob below it. A wide induction hob with several zones needs a hood that covers its full width and reaches well beyond the outer pans. As a guide, the hood should be at least as wide as the hob, and the correct mounting height depends on the type of hob and the manufacturer’s instructions. Too high, and the hood misses the steam. Too low, and it is a hazard to taller cooks. Always check the installation guide rather than guessing.
Which type of hood suits my kitchen layout?
- Wall-mounted hoods work against a wall and can become a sculptural feature.
- Island hoods hang from the ceiling and need a strong structure and a considered view from every side.
- Ceiling hoods sit flush and nearly disappear, which suits minimalist rooms.
- Downdraft and hob-integrated systems draw steam from beside or behind the pans, keeping sightlines open in an island layout.
Each has its own demands on ducting, ceiling height and cleaning, so decide on the type before the cabinetry is drawn.
What should I check on noise, lighting and filters?
Noise is as much an architectural issue as a technical one. In an open plan there are no doors to close, so the hood has to be pleasant to live with. Look at the declared noise levels at normal speed, and listen to the appliance in a showroom if you can. Good lighting under the hood helps with cooking and with atmosphere. Choose washable metal filters for easy maintenance, and check how simple they are to remove, because a filter that is awkward to clean will not be cleaned.
How do I make the hood part of the kitchen design?
The strongest kitchens choose the hood early, alongside the lighting and the ceiling. The finish should relate to the other metals in the room, and the shape should echo the lines of the architecture. A hood in brushed steel, black glass or a painted finish can either vanish or stand out; both are valid if the choice is deliberate.
How does Duplexline, Elica’s distributor, specify the hood?
Duplexline, a distributor of premium kitchen appliances, supplies Elica alongside other European brands and works with architects, designers and homeowners to specify the hood together with the hob and the rest of the kitchen. That integrated approach avoids the familiar problem of a beautiful hood that does not quite suit the room, or a quiet hood that cannot keep up with the cooking.
Whatever your plan, start with the way you cook and the way the room is built. Everything else, from airflow to finish, follows from those two facts.