At CookersAndOvens we offer a wide variety of hoods from the world’s best appliance manufacturers. But how do you know whether you need to go for a ducted or recirculating hood, and what exactly is the difference?
What’s The Difference Between Extraction/Ducted and Recirculation?
Extraction is when the stale air is extracted out of the room through ducting in an outside wall to the air outside.
Recirculation is used when it is not possible to duct out through an outside wall. The air is sucked into the hood, filtered, purified and pumped back into the room.
Which is Better: Extraction Or Recirculating?
Extraction through ducting is most certainly the most efficient way of removing steam and odours. However, high end hoods from manufacturers like Neff, Rangemaster and Best are powerful enough to provide excellent recirculation and will keep your kitchen steam and odour free whilst you cook. We also offer a number of recirculating kits for our Neff hoods, so that you can still have the hood you love even if it’s originally set up for extraction.
What Extraction Rate Do I Need?
There is a simple calculation you can use to find out what minimum extraction rate you need. All you have to do is measure the length, width and height of your kitchen.
(length x width x height) x 10 = Extraction Rate
For example:
A kitchen 4m long, 3m wide and 2.5m high would have this extraction rate:
(4 x 3 x 2.5) x 10
(30) x 10 = 300m³/h
This is the minimum extraction rate you need to look for. Anything higher than this number will be suitable for your kitchen.
Tips On Installing A Hood With Ducted Extraction
These tips will allow you to achieve the best possible efficiency and low noise levels for your ducted cooker hood.
- Ensure any pipe elbow bends are at least 30cm from the hood ducting opening
- Avoid reducing the diameter or area of the ducting
- Use wide-angled pipe elbows, but keep the number used to a minimum
- Only install pipes with smooth, even inner surfaces. If a flexible hose has to be used, ensure it is pulled tight to smooth out the ridges before fixing
- Use ducting pipes with a diameter of at least 120mm, but ideally 150mm.
- Keep piping to a minimum – use the most direct route to external outlet
- Make sure that there is an adequate supply of fresh air to replace the air ducting out of the kitchen, i.e. windows that can be opened, doors to adjacent rooms, air bricks
Still need advice? Please don’t hesitate to give us a call and we can advise you on the best hoods for your needs. Our phone lines are open from 8.30am – 5.00pm weekdays and from 9.00am – 12.00pm on a Saturday.
