Please tell me about proper kitchen extractor fans

[shovetheholly]

I don't have the first clue about this. Currently have just a grease filter and it's useless.

Doing a new kitchen next year. It is going to be in a large, open plan space that will also have some books in it, so I need the extractor to do its job and drag muck and grime right away from them. Prepared to spend a bit to get this right (up to £1k), but not a millionnaire so budget it not unlimited! Ideally, I'd prefer something that can sit inside a cupboard, but am prepared to throw this idea out if they are rubbish?

The extractor will be over the hob, on a wall that will allow it to vent to the outside. I want it to actually drag any dirty air out, not just the grease.

How on earth do I shop for one? What should I look for - what are the good brands?

[PigletJohn]

"The extractor will be over the hob, on a wall that will allow it to vent to the outside. I want it to actually drag any dirty air out, not just the grease."

That's fine. Modern extractor hoods usually have a 125mm or 150mm duct (older ones were 100mm). A larger one can run slower, which makes them quieter, and can be more powerful. A plumber or kitchen fitter will have a core drill which makes a neat round hole in ordinary brick or block walls.

A few tips:
IMO a hood or canopy is best if it is a little wider than your hob, so it can catch fumes that drift slightly sideways

Fit it slightly above head height so that you don't bang into it when leaning over pans

The duct usually comes out of the top, so the hole in the wall has to be higher

I am rather attracted by the ones that build into a canopy disguised as a run of wall cabinets, rather than hoods.

Some are available with a slide-out or fold-out panel that you are supposed to open before you start cooking. People with these never bother to use them properly.

I am very fond of Elica, who make a large range to suit all pockets. Their website is awful, so email them and ask for the glossy catalogue by post to help you choose.

Modern extractors usually have metal mesh grease filters that you can put in the dishwasher to clean. You will not need a carbon filter if you are blowing the fumes outdoors, unless your neighbours complain about the smell. It is possible to have a "chimney" attached to the wall to take the fumes above the roof, but this is rare domestically.

Extractors sold by kitchen companies are usually overpriced rubbish.

The cheapest extractors usually have a low throughput (quoted in litres per minute or cubic metres per hour) and may be noisy. Better ones have a range of speeds (the lowest being very quiet) and often have two fans.

[PigletJohn]

Here's an example that might suit you, but please have a good look at the entire range (JL only sell 89 of them !!!!!)

Mine is a dual-fan stainless one and 90cm wide, lower budget than you. I'd go for as big a canopy as you can live with to catch the maximum fumes before they can drift round the room.

[shovetheholly]

pigletjohn - you are a bloody MARVEL! Thank you so much. That one you picked is exactly what I'm after. I understand that a hood will guide the fumes in better, but I am also attached to the idea of a very clean run of cupboards, particularly as the wall ones will be visible right through the open plan space.

You know, there should be some kind of "pigletjohn approved" commission for you on all kinds of kitchen, bathroom and electrical goods. I, for one, would happily buy just whatever you have, knowing that it's bound to be fantastic.

[shovetheholly]

I might actually look into the chimney option, as my house is about 4-5 metres from the next house. I don't want my lovely neighbours to suffer my cooking pongs! (I am partial to a good curry, but the smell isn't everyone's taste, is it?)

[user1469117700]

Have a look at westin, they have the best/highest airflow power and low db
www.westin.co.uk
failing that, then as above elica are good also, i have one in an open plan

[shovetheholly]

I have never heard of either of these companies. Thank you so much.

[MuseumOfCurry]

Very good question OP.... I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say my choice in extractor fan has ruined my kitchen in one respect - it's so noisy that our peace is disrupted when its in use.

I had a canopy built around mine which I love, love, love.

Mine is Neff, by the way. Oh also I have to replace the lightbulbs about 4x a year which is an expensive faff.

[shovetheholly]

4 x a year!!! That is a lot. Is that normal?!

It is for an open plan space, so I will think more deeply than I have done hitherto about the noise. Thank you for the advice.

[MuseumOfCurry]

How could it be normal? I don't think so! Also if I buy the name-brand ones (deep breath) they're close to £20 for the pair.

So that's 80 a year I could spend on lightbulbs. I found some generic equivalents on Amazon for £3ish but I think I need to change them even more frequently - and changing them is horrible.

[shovetheholly]

Oooooof! I don't know if pigletjohn might have suggestions - it sounds like something's not wired in properly if they are constantly going? But I'm no expert so talking out of my hat.

£80 a year for light bulbs, though! I'd be using the generic ones too!

[MuseumOfCurry]

I know, it's terrible.

And of course, because we built a muy expensivo canopy around it (which is beautiful, and I love) - we're stuck.

[shovetheholly]

Oh, how annoying for you!

I imagine you've already looked into this but are there any other fans with similar dimensions that would allow you to swap without wrecking your beautiful look? They do seem to vary a bit in size- haven't got my head around this yet!!

[MuseumOfCurry]

I haven't, I'm house-obsessed so there's always something more interesting to buy than another extractor.