Cooker Hood Explained: Is ventilating your kitchen necessary?

The kitchen is the heart of any home, where meals are prepared, families get together, and memories are made. This is also the place where all the cooking, frying, and baking takes place, which can lead to the area getting filled with smoke, grease, steam, and unpleasant odours.

Elements like these can linger in the air long after you've finished cooking, leading to a less-than-pleasant atmosphere with potential health risks. There are a few ways to resolve issues like these, one of which is proper ventilation.

In the UK, as homes become increasingly airtight with modern insulation methods, the need for proper kitchen ventilation has become more pressing. This is where cooker hoods come into play.

In this blog, let’s find the importance of cooker hood installation, the benefits of cooker hoods, and why they are a necessity rather than a luxury.

What is a Cooker Hood?

A cooker hood is a type of mechanical device usually installed above your hob or stove. Its main purpose is to filter and expel smoke, grease, steam, and odours produced during cooking. Also known as extractor fans or range hoods, these kitchen hood fittings function by sucking in the air, filtering it or extracting it outside the building.

These extractor hood installations come in various shapes, sizes, and functionalities to suit different kitchen layouts, budgets, and requirements.

Why You Should Ventilate Your Kitchen?

Now, you might be wondering what’s so important about ventilating the kitchen. Why not go the old-fashioned way and just open a window? Well, there are plenty of reasons why you should provide proper ventilation in the cooking area.

Here are the most obvious reasons.

Better Air Quality

Cooking releases a variety of pollutants into the air, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and grease particles. These smoke, fumes, and grease particles tend to linger in the air, which can lead to poor indoor air quality.

Prolonged exposure to these pollutants can cause many health-related issues like respiratory problems, asthma, and even lung infection. This is why cooker hood installation can be vital in making your home a healthier place.

Energy Efficiency

Modern cooker extractor installations are designed for energy efficiency. This allows them to provide effective ventilation while using less power. Cooker hoods also make cooking a breeze by removing excess heat and steam.

Kitchen Odour Control

Have you ever cooked something delicious only to have the odour linger around the cooking area for hours, if not days? Smells like this can permeate the kitchen and rooms adjacent to it. This is where an extractor hood installation comes in. A properly placed kitchen hood fitting will help to quickly and efficiently remove these odours, preventing them from spreading across the house, especially in houses with open-plan living spaces.

Grease And Condensation Control

Similar to fumes and gases, grease is also a byproduct of cooking that can be unpleasant for any kitchen. Without ventilation, this grease can settle on surfaces like walls, cabinets, and countertops and can be hard to clean.

Condensation from steam can also lead to excess moisture in your kitchen. If left alone, this condensation can lead to mould and mildew buildup, which can be unsightly and even cause property damage.

Better Cooking Conditions

A well-ventilated and aesthetically pleasing kitchen is simply more pleasant to cook in. No more sweating in the steam or choking on the smoke from a burnt pan. A cooker hood installation near me creates a more comfortable cooking environment, allowing you to focus on the food without distractions.

Types of Cooker Hoods

Kitchen hood fittings come in different shapes and sizes. Understanding what each type of cooker hood is capable of can be crucial when replacing kitchen hood of your kitchen setup.

Cooker hood installations can be put into 2 major categories depending on the way they extract air- extraction hoods and recirculation hoods.

Here are the most common types of cooker hood installations.

Chimney Cooker Hoods

As the name suggests, this cooker hood comes with a chimney shape with a vertical structure extending from the hood. It is typically mounted on the wall above the cooking area and has excellent extraction capabilities.

Angled Glass Cooker Hoods

With its sloping glass canopy finish, this extractor hood installation offers a more modern and stylish look to the kitchen. When it comes to mounting, an angled glass cooker is mounted on the wall near the cooking area.

Flat Glass Cooker Hoods

Aptly named, flat glass cooker heads come with a flat glass surface that covers the extraction unit. Looks-wise, these offer a minimalistic and sleek design and can be integrated with nearby furniture like cabinets and pantries.

Curved Glass Cooker Hoods

What separates curved glass cooker hood installation from other glass hoods is their curved glass canopy. These are wall-mounted and provide good extraction while adding a sleek, elegant touch to the kitchen.

Visor Cooker Hoods

These visor-looking cooker hoods are more suitable for compact, smaller kitchens. You can pull out the visor cooker hood whenever you need it, and it offers both lighting and extraction.

Downdraft Cooker Hood

Paced behind the cooktop or integrated into the countertop, these hoods rise up from the surface to extract cooking fumes. When not in use, downdraft cooker hoods retract back down and offer a clean and unobstructed view in the kitchen.

Ceiling Cooker Hoods

These are built into the ceiling and offer a minimalistic extraction option. They are ideal for small kitchens that lack the space for larger extractor options.

Island Cooker Hoods

If your kitchen has a central cooking island, then this is the best cooker extractor installation option for you. Island cooker hoods are suspended from the ceiling and provide fume extraction over the cooktop. These comes in many different sizes and designs.

Vented Induction Hobs

A unique extractor that combines the functionalities of both a hob and cooker into a single unit. The extraction capabilities of the hobs make these another great option for space-efficient cooker hood installation.

Designer Cooker Hoods

Any cooker hood that prioritises style and aesthetics without compromising on functionality falls under this category. These come in different shapes, sizes, materials, finishes, and designs to offer the best-looking outcome possible.

Canopy Cooker Hoods

This type of extractor hood installation always goes flush or on top of overhead structures. This allows them to blend in with the kitchen and provide an uninterrupted view of the kitchen.

Telescopic cooker hoods

These are similar to canopy cooker hood installation, with the only difference being that telescopic hoods can be extended out.

Legal Regulations and Recommendations in the UK

In the UK, there is no specific legal requirement for cooker hood installation near me. However, building regulations, particularly Part F, highlight the importance of adequate ventilation in kitchens, bathrooms, and utility rooms to control moisture and maintain indoor air quality.

According to the regulations, if you’re building a new kitchen or making significant renovations, proper extraction is strongly recommended.

Here are some recommendations for proper cooker extractor installation.

• Chimney cooker hoods, flat glass cooker hoods, curved glass cooker hoods, visor cooker hoods, island cooker hoods, canopy cooker hoods, and telescopic hoods must be placed at a height of 65-75 cm above a gas hob and 55-65 cm above an electric hob.
• Angled glass cooker hoods’ ideal height is 50-60 cm above a gas hob and 45-55 cm above an electric hob. The angled design allows these hoods to be installed slightly lower, improving efficiency while maintaining an aesthetic look.
• Downdraft cooker hoods are built into the counter and rise when needed.
• A ceiling cooker hood installation is installed flush with the ceiling and should ideally be placed around 120-150 cm above the hob. However, exceeding the 160 cm mark can cause the ceiling extractor to lose some of its extracting power.
• Vented induction hobs are usually integrated directly into the hob, so there is no need for height considerations.

How to Choose the Right Cooker Hood?

Next, you should know how to choose the perfect kitchen hood installation for your kitchen. Here are some factors you should consider.

• Size of the hood - The cooker hood installation should cover the entire width of the stove or hob. This will allow the extractor to capture all the fumes and odours effectively.
• Rate of extraction - The extraction rate is usually measured in cubic meters per hour (m³/h) and indicates how much air the hood can extract. The ideal rate will depend on the size of your kitchen.
• Noise level - Cooker hoods can be noisy, depending on the rate of extraction. If you want a quiet kitchen, look for models with lower decibel (dB) ratings.
• Aesthetics - Cooker extractor installations come in different shapes, sizes, and designs. So, make sure to choose a cooker hood that complements your kitchen’s design.
• Budget - With the wide array of available cooker hood installations, you can find a hood for your needs at any price point. Make sure to do your research and buy according to your budget.

Cooker Hood Installation and Maintenance

Proper installation and maintenance are key to ensuring that your extractor hood installation functions effectively. Here are some tips and recommendations to help you ensure that it functions efficiently.

Clean the filters regularly.

Filter ducts and hoods are places where grease and dust tend to accumulate. So, make sure to wash the ducted hoods and replace the carbon filters in the recirculating hoods every few months.

Check for blockages

It’s important to ensure there are no blockages in ducted hoods. So, it's best to occasionally inspect the external vent to ensure it's not blocked.

Exterior cleaning

Similar to the filters, the surfaces of the cooker hood installation can also be a gathering place for dust and grease. Clean it regularly to prevent build-up and maintain proper ventilation.

Professional installation

Even though it can be a fun DIY project, intricate tasks like cooker hood installation near me should be left to professionals. An experienced engineer will give you the best end result while covering you in areas like warranty, safety, and aesthetics.

Read our blog about the importance of proper cooker hood installation.

Cooker Hood Installation Cost

The cost of installing a cooker hood in the UK can vary depending on the type of hood, the complexity of the installation, and whether additional work, such as ducting or electrical wiring, is needed.

The cooker hood installation cost for high-end or custom hoods, such as downdraft or island cooker hoods, could be a bit higher. If the process requires structural modifications, the prices can be quite high. It's also important to factor in any potential costs for extra materials like ducting, carbon filters, or electrical fittings.

It's advisable to get quotes from multiple professionals to ensure you get a fair cooker hood installation cost. At Serviceteam, we offer competitive and transparent pricing, ensuring you know what to expect upfront. Our experienced professionals guarantee a high-quality installation, providing you with peace of mind and efficient kitchen ventilation.

Cooker Hood Installation Cost

Our qualified engineers are available 24/7 to handle all brands, makes, and models of cooker hoods and extractor fan replacements in London.

As a WHICH? Trusted Trader-approved company with excellent reviews on Checkatrade and Trustpilot, we guarantee top-quality service using professional tools and original spare parts from manufacturers.

Whether you need help selecting the right kitchen hood fitting or require repairs, we’re here to ensure your appliances are restored promptly.

Trust Serviceteam for hassle-free, expert cooker hood installation, eliminating the need for multiple suppliers and ensuring peace of mind for all your domestic needs.