Emergency Kitchen Advice Needed - island hob

[PersonaNonGarter]

I have to decide whether to put my hob on the island unit or on the worktop directly under the extractor. Architect says either fine. Builder says answer needed by Monday.

Where would you put your hob?

Initially I thought island so I can chat to people as I cook. Now I am worrying that the extractor will effectively be drawing any smoke and steam across the cook.

If the extractor is fixed as above option 1, IME it won't do anything to extract from all the way over at the island.

So from an extraction POV you need to keep the job directly under it really.

There are extractors that can be integrated into the worktop next to your hob - Neff do one for example. Would you consider something like that/is it in your budget? Then you could site your hob in the island and still have the social aspect without the steam.

I had an extractor fitted in my previous house that was suspended from the ceiling in the middle of the room and it needed additional reinforcement in the ceiling to take the weight.

Definitely not on the island.

I'd do under the extractor too and have the island for prep space.

Thanks for replying. The extractor is quite strong because the room is biggish but I am now worried about scummy stuff ending up on the lights above the hob.

I was so excited about the hob on the island so I could avoid turning my back on everyone as I cook. Maybe not that relevant?

I have an island too and would not want to waste the space. Plus , if you wanted to leave any saucepan on hob, it ALWAYS looks untidy.

My hob is on the island and I have an extractor above it. Really glad it’s there. I’m not facing towards a wall when cooking so can chat / see what’s going on with the kids etc. Also can reach hob from either side so can do some stirring or whatever when putting dishes away / doing something on other side of kitchen.

The extractor has to be where it is as it is in an alcove that allows it to extract outside. We can’t move it to the hob for that reason.

It just seems very sociable to have the hob in the room.

Ironically, I thought I had designed the MN kitchen - I followed all the kitchen design threads!

Absolutely not relevant! You can still chat , think about it - when was the last time you stared steadfastly stared at anyhung on a hob

I’m going for a hob on the island in my new kitchen, with the extractor over it. I think you should put the hob under the extractor.

It's only really risotto you'd need to face away constantly! Everything else is a quick stir every now and then - if frying stuff or stir frying it's only short bursts too.

Definitely under the extractor. I had mine redesigned similar to yours and apart from the extractor taking out all the moisture and smells, you will love having the island free of the hob!

I've had 2 kitchens with islands.
In my first I had the hob (induction) with extractor above. It probably was a bit more sociable, facing in, but it never felt tidy. We'd often eat at the other side of the island facing dirty pans and ingredients.
When we moved and had a new kitchen I chose a bare island which I prefer.
I definitely wouldn't have a sink either.

What if you didn't need an extractor at all?

Are they really all that effective?

i never turn our extractor on, it's too noisy.

Admittedly it wasn't designed by me, but I have my hob on the island and no extractor. We've been in the house a year and it's not looking grubby above it, and I just open the window if something gets smokey.

I've never been a fan of them though, and chose not to have one in my last kitchen. They're just another (fiddly) thing to clean in my opinion.

Having the same dilemma but have opted to keep hob facing wall with extractor above.
Much as I'd like the sociability of an island hob, it was the problem of siting a decent efficient extractor above it that changed my mind.
You either have to have the extractor so low that it dominates the space above the island, or have a less efficient hob which is more aesthetically appealing. My kitchen designer said the ceiling mounted and downdraft ones are not so effective

I love when my island is completely clear as it makes the kitchen look so tidy. I would hate a hob changing that. Also if l have a big gang l can set all the food up on the island for people to help themselves. A hob would be in the way. As the kids always gathered around the island for snacks a hob would have been dangerous.
So no hob on the island. It would render the island nearly obsolete for other purposes.

I have an induction hob with inbuilt extractor on the island , love it , kids sit at the island chatting /coloring while I cook. However if your extractor is going to be on the wall I'd put the cooker there as it will look very odd on it's own !

I worked out that I spend more time prepping and chopping than I do stirring so I want to keep island free for that.
I also love the idea that when I'm not cooking the hob will be lovely and clear apart from fruit bowl containing oranges and a stunt pineapple.
(some hope, it will have the newspaper, car keys, a biro, 2 pencils and receipt from Tesco just like the current island...)

I specifically put my hob on the island as I was aware in a previous house I spent a lot of time when entertaining shouting st the wall behind the hob trying to talk to guests.

I do have a ceiling mounted extractor though which recirculates. Kitchen designer says he no longer pushes for external venting extractors as the recirc ones are so good.

I certainly haven't had a problem.

Extractor is tucked in alcove ceiling so won’t be seen.

The DC talking to me and learning to cook appeals. If the hob goes on the wall they would be quite a bit further away.

Alcove pic with seating at hob shown

We installed the hob and extractor on the island. Its a recirculating one from Ikea. It's OK but noisy, but one thing you may wish to consider is that there are far fewer extractors available suitable for islands then there are on a wall and they are much more expensive.

Standard extractors can cost under £100 and there are dozens to choose from. Island extractors are hundreds of pounds as a minimum and I could find about half a dozen under a grand.

But I do really like the layout with the hob on the island.

We have our sink and dishwasher at one end of the island and the hob at the other with an extractor over the top. Lots of space in the middle for chopping. The back wall has cupboards, ovens, fridge freezer and more worktop space in between the ovens and fridge (where the toaster and coffee machine live).

I love the hob on the island, I can cook / stir / keep an eye on pans and still be sociable.