Extractor Hood / Range Hood

A ventilation unit mounted above a cooktop or hob that removes cooking fumes, steam, smoke, and odours from the kitchen through filtration or ducting to the outside.

An extractor hood (called a range hood or vent hood in the US) is the ventilation unit installed above your cooktop or hob. It draws in cooking fumes, steam, grease particles, and odours, either filtering and recirculating the air back into the kitchen or ducting it outside. Good extraction is essential for maintaining air quality, reducing condensation, and keeping your kitchen clean.

Types of extractor hood

  • Chimney hood — the most common type. A visible canopy with a chimney that runs up the wall to ceiling level. Available in stainless steel, glass, and painted finishes.
  • Integrated / built-in hood — concealed within a wall cabinet, with only the extraction panel visible at the bottom. A cleaner look that keeps the focus on the cabinets.
  • Ceiling / island hood — mounted to the ceiling, designed for use above a kitchen island or peninsula where there is no wall behind the hob.
  • Downdraft extractor — rises up from behind the hob when in use and retracts flush when off. Eliminates the need for an overhead hood entirely. Popular in island and open-plan designs.
  • Telescopic / pull-out hood — a slim unit hidden in a cabinet that slides out when needed. Space-efficient and discreet.

Ducted vs. recirculating

  • Ducted extraction — fumes are expelled outside through ductwork in the wall or ceiling. More effective at removing odours and moisture. Requires a route to an external wall or roof.
  • Recirculating — air passes through charcoal filters that absorb odours, then is blown back into the room. Easier to install (no external ducting needed) but less effective. Charcoal filters need regular replacement.

Ducted extraction is always preferable if your kitchen layout allows it. Discuss the ducting route with your contractor during the planning stage.

Sizing and power

The extractor hood should be at least as wide as your hob — ideally wider. Extraction power is measured in cubic metres per hour (m3/hr). A good rule of thumb: the hood should be able to exchange all the air in your kitchen 10-12 times per hour. For a 25m3 kitchen, that means a minimum extraction rate of 250-300 m3/hr.

Planning considerations

Extractor hood installation should be part of the first-fix planning, particularly if ducting to the outside is involved. The duct route, electrical supply, and mounting height all need to be decided before walls are closed up. The standard mounting height is 650-750mm above the hob (check the manufacturer’s specifications, as this varies with hob type — induction hobs may allow closer mounting than gas).