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Original poster

Kitchen designer says that we don't need an extractor with induction hob?

35 replies

clairedunphy · 31/01/2018 17:31

I've had a google and am finding the opposite advice, saying that because induction hobs don't create heat, the steam turns to water vapour more quickly than with other hob types and therefore you need a more powerful extractor than you would with a gas hob or similar.

Can anyone shed any light on what is actually recommended, or what you have in your kitchen?

OP posts:
Allthebestnamesareused · 31/01/2018 17:34

Yes you do! You are correct - get the most powerful you can afford

YogaDrone · 31/01/2018 17:35

We had an induction hob in our old house and had an extractor. And it was needed! Pans on an induction hob still give off steam and food still gives off smells that you want to vent.

ElenaBothari · 31/01/2018 17:41

No idea why your designer would say that, I’d be oooking at getting a different kitchen designer tbh.

We have induction and use our extractor most meals.

Original poster
clairedunphy · 31/01/2018 17:41

Thanks, it makes perfect sense that you'd still need to extract whatever is coming off the pans, I thought it was odd when he said it.

He's from a really well regarded local company too, came on a friend's recommendation, very confident that he could come up with a great design etc. Now I just don't have much faith in him!

OP posts:
AiryFairy1 · 31/01/2018 17:42

Yes you do - we recently moved into a house with an induction hob and the extractor is huge- several visitors thought it was a tv (like a 37” flatscreen) over the stove Hmm and it has a flue in the extension roof

Original poster
clairedunphy · 31/01/2018 17:43

TBH the more 'experts' I encounter, the more inclined I am to go down the DIY Kitchens route.

OP posts:
Original poster
clairedunphy · 31/01/2018 17:45

Airy do you like your extractor? Or do you think it's a bit OTT? I think that style looks quite cool but I think I might go off it after a while!

OP posts:
LillianGish · 31/01/2018 17:49

An induction hob is no different to any other in terms of steam etc - what’s different is the way it heats up (and one thing you should bear in mind is you may need to replace your pans), but the food in the pans heats up just the same and gives off steam and fumes. That’s a really bizarre thing for someone to say - especially someone who presumably classifies himself as a kitchen expert.

wheresmyphone · 31/01/2018 17:58

You can have induction hobs with an extractor built in on the surface (eg Bora). According to council regulations (Building Control) I think you have to have an extractor. If you are replacing a kitchen you can put in same sort as before ie recirculating can replace a recirculating. If you are moving a kitchen. I think there are some exceptions: grade 1 listed. You can call Building Control for guidance.

wheresmyphone · 31/01/2018 17:59

Sorry what I want to say if you are moving a kitchen expectation is you will have vented.

WidowTwonky · 31/01/2018 17:59

I had an induction hob out into my new kitchen. I didn’t want an extractor.

But building control wouldn’t sign off my new kitchen until I one put in. And he specified the speed etc

I was gutted

wheresmyphone · 31/01/2018 18:05

What I meant to say is the expectation is you will have vented extractor if you are moving a kitchen so it’s a new installation. You can get Building Control to vary this. I have spoken to two very high end firms for quotes, neither really understood the Building Control regulations which I found really surprising.

Original poster
clairedunphy · 31/01/2018 18:05

Oh interesting Widow. He said that we could just open a window, or have a wall extractor if we really wanted (i.e. away from the hob, like you might in a bathroom).

I think I'd like a proper one anyway, cooking smells do seem to get everywhere in this house.

OP posts:
RatRolyPoly · 31/01/2018 18:10

Claire building regs would only apply if you're building a new kitchen or moving the kitchen to a new location in the building. If you're just gutting your old kitchen and putting a new one in the same room they don't apply; so he's not all wrong.

But he's nuts if he thinks fish doesn't smell like fish and sausages don't fill the air with fat or that boiling pasta doesn't create billows of steam, just because you're doing it on an induction hob Confused

Baxdream · 31/01/2018 18:14

We've just had our kitchen done as part of our extension. We have to have a normal wall extractor for building regs . You definitely need an extractor with an induction hob!
We got a funky one as I'm not a huge fan of them so it's a big feature in our kitchen

AiryFairy1 · 31/01/2018 18:17

It is a bit OTT but I’m used to it now ... after a stressful move I’m loath to change anything for a long while!!

fairislecable · 31/01/2018 18:32

I have just come in from the kitchen after boiling 2 saucepans on my wonderful induction hob, whilst putting the (ancient) extractor on at full blast.

I need a new and improved extractor and you need the best you can afford.

Your expert needs instruction on the mechanics of vapour on cold windows!

Original poster
clairedunphy · 31/01/2018 18:38

Rat Grin my thoughts exactly. It takes days for the fish pie whiff to leave the house, I want less of that, not more!

But in terms of building regs it sounds like we'd be allowed to not have one, the kitchen is just a replacement. Our local building control seem really helpful so I can have a chat with them if necessary, although I think we'll just get a decent extractor anyway. And not a low hood, I'm short but DH is so fed up of banging his head on the corner.

OP posts:
namechangedtoday15 · 31/01/2018 23:44

We have a wall extractor rather than a hood. Signed off by Building Control. Hob is directly in front of window though so contrary to all the previous posts, I do just open the window most of the time!

Original poster
clairedunphy · 01/02/2018 07:25

Thanks name, I don't think ours will be under the window though.

Is yours induction?

OP posts:
MrsZippyLake · 01/02/2018 07:35

I have an induction hob on an island and think overhead extractors are ugly so we had a very discreet wall one placed on the ceiling above a cupboard. Building control said it was fine as the minimum speed is 60l per second I think. It works fine and was a lot cheaper than a fancy extractor fan.

LadyPenelopeCantDance · 01/02/2018 07:44

Our induction is on an island and we didn’t want a big extractor handing over the island, so we didn’t put one in. The kitchen is quite large with patio doors and too windows so we just open them if it gets too much in there. Haven’t found it too bad!

Perhaps your designer meant you could get a downdraft extractor, the one that sits behind the hob and pushes up and down as needed?

CardinalSin · 01/02/2018 07:51

Your kitchen designer is a fool. Either double, or triple, think everything they say, or bin them and do it yourself (probably cheaper). You can always ask mumsnet for layout advice!

BuggerOffAndGoodDayToYou · 01/02/2018 13:43

I've never had an extractor of any sort in my kitchen and I've never had any problems. My kitchen doesn't actually have any external walls that I could vent through either (mid terrace house with conservatory on back).

I was thinking of having induction when I renovate kitchen sometime in next couple of years (gas at the moment).... now I'm not so sure.....

namechangedtoday15 · 01/02/2018 13:55

Yes Claire it's induction. I think there are guidelines for gas hobs in front of Windows but not ceramic / induction.