How High Should a Cooker Hood Be: Tips for A Smoke and Odour Free Kitchen

Last Updated on January 10, 2023

How high should a cooker hood be from your oven? If you’re not sure about the answer, then you’re in the right place. We have all the answers to your worktop needs to ensure that your cooker hood won’t contact your food while absorbing smells.

What Are the Ideal Measurements?

We recommend setting your cooker hood height to 565mm over an induction hob as a general rule of thumb. For a gas hob, you can set the extractor fan height to 750mm.

Additionally, you should also consider the width of your hood. To do so, calculate the width of your hobs, and the hood should be the same size or wider. If you choose one that’s too narrow, it won’t work as effectively at absorbing odours and steam once installed.

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How to Choose the Right Extraction

If your cooker hood has various speed settings, you can adjust the extraction rate based on the amount of steam and smells present in your kitchen. Specifically, a boost speed allows you to remove the smell of pungent foods or if you’ve burned a dish. Your cooker hood should be suitable for your kitchen, and all come with an extraction rate that provides from six to 12 air adjustments an hour.

Calculating your extraction rate can be a complex situation, but it’s not impossible. Work out the rate by some simple equations.

• Multiply the width of your room by the length (width x length)
• Then, multiple this total by six
• You can then multiply this figure by two to work out the highest intensity level that you should choose for your extractors.

Consider the Fit When Choosing a Cooker Hood

Bear in mind these tips when choosing the right model for your room. Firstly, you’ll want to consider the fit of your cooker hood. There are several options to choose from.

Built-In

Built-in cooker hoods are great for petite kitchens because they’re small and compact. They can also be tucked away when you’re not using them, which helps to provide a cleaner, sleeker kitchen layout. But there are some downsides to built-in induction hobs because they’re not ideal for a large hob since they can’t extract air and odours at a fast rate.

Visor

Also designed for smaller kitchens, this type of hood is great if you’re on a budget, and it also provides a tidy right angle on the wall to ensure that your kitchen looks tidy and sleek.

Canopy

These appliances are also beneficial to small spaces and come with an extendable section covering a large hob. For this design reason, a canopy cooker hood has so many advantages while keeping your home free from a build-up of heat, steam and odours.

Chimney

Add a traditional appearance to your kitchen with a chimney cooker hood. They’re available in various sizes, enabling you to purchase the right size and style for your home—regardless of the size.

Ceiling Hoods

Integrated into the ceiling, this type of extractor hood is minimal and adds a clean look to your home. They’re also available in various sizes, so you shouldn’t encounter any difficulties finding the right fit for your environment.

Island

This extractor hood works well and looks great for a kitchen island. They’re a high-end option, so you may need to increase your budget, and they’re also larger than the other types on this list. However, this larger size also makes them great for a smoke-free home.

Downdraft

For a minimal look in your home, choose a downdraft extractor hood. Although this might be towards more expensive models, these extractor hoods look sleek when you’re not using them and rise out for use when you press a button. That way, it doesn’t always need to be on display when you don’t need it.

Additional Features You Will Want to Look At

In general, a cooker hood should be easy to clean. Aside from that, you’ll also need to plan what necessities you require from your appliance.

Power Intensity

If you’re cooking a rich curry, you’ll likely want a bit more power than, let’s say, a mild roast. That’s because you don’t always want pungent odours lingering in your home hours after you’ve made dinner. Fortunately, extractor hoods come with various intensity levels, but it’s up to you to decide what those requirements are. Or perhaps you’re completely fine with not having that extra bit of power, but you simply want an extractor cooker hood to prevent humidity levels in your home.

Timers

Similar to smart features, you can now purchase an extractor hood with an automatic timer. Therefore, you can enjoy your meal without having to get up and switch off the appliance. Or perhaps you need to head out immediately after lunch but don’t like the idea of leaving the appliance running. If these features are beneficial to you, consider appliances with automatic timers.

Smart Features

Are you obsessed with the tech world? If so, then you’ll prefer extractors that do more than the bare minimum, such as sync to your phone to share insight into the number of pollutants it obtained that day or additional depth about its use. Smart extractors also tend to be more efficient since they inform you of the energy they require during operation. You can even change the settings whenever you need via a supporting app.

LED Lighting

If the hood is attached to your wall, you want it to look good and operate efficiently. That’s why you can purchase cooking appliances with built-in LED lights that provide ample lighting when you’re cooking. Or perhaps you like the idea of setting the perfect kitchen ambience for relaxing after a long day. Choose a model with built-in lights that suit you.

Noise Levels

If you’ve ever used extractors before, you sure know that they can be noisy during use. Generally speaking, with more power comes more noise. But you’re not limited to a hood that will create a loud noise. Instead, look for appliances that keep noise to a minimum so you can still watch TV while knowing that it’s taking care of odour build-up in your home.

Make the Right Choice

Now you know how high should a cooker hood be, and all the information you need to choose the right one for your kitchen, we hope that the decision will be an easy one. Do your research and ensure your home stays smoke and odour free.

Thinking about which kind of fit is best for you? Let us know what you think in the comments.