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Original poster

Does anyone here NOT have an extractor fan?

64 replies

LittleEsme · 08/07/2022 14:43

My kitchen is nearly fully assembled and the kitchen designer has made an error in the design of the island. My hob is island based and given that I have low ceilings, we'd planned for a downdraft extractor to be fitted into the island behind the hob (it rises up when in use, and folds down when not).

The extractor doesn't fit however - the motor and cylinder cannot fit into the island below. I've bought a second brand of the same item but still, the motor and cylinder is too big. To house it, I now need to buy an extra 8" of cupboard to blend into my island so I'm going to lose floor space AND my island will change shape. This of course means that my cost of granite work top will increase.

I'm seriously considering not having an extractor at all. I have 4 large windows and a bifold in that kitchen to air the place. We are heavy garlic and spice eaters - is it a stupid idea to not extract?

OP posts:
jimmyhill · 08/07/2022 15:35

We haven't got one. Smells migrate elsewhere in the house. Grease lands on every surface in the kitchen. You won't want to open the bi-folds on a winter's day.

EspeciallyDeIighted · 08/07/2022 15:41

Could you have a wall or window mounted extractor fan instead, like a bathroom one? I'm no expert (we have a hood extractor) but its got to be better than nothing. Our house stinks if anyone forgets to use the extractor even with French windows wide open.

InMySpareTime · 08/07/2022 15:42

We have one but have used it a handful of times in over a decade. Just open a window.

Floraanddougal · 08/07/2022 15:44

The person whose error this is should fix it and I also think you need an extractor.

StrugglingPianist · 08/07/2022 15:46

We don’t have one. I only ever used the lights on the old one we had because it cast such a socking great shadow over the hob. Oh, and I used to bang my head on it regularly.

I took it out 5 years ago and haven’t ever once missed it. If we cook something pungent or smoky we open the windows.

calmlakes · 08/07/2022 15:46

We only have a small rubbish one.
We have very modern smoke alarms and unless we open all the windows and sometimes the doors as well frying things will cause the smoke alarm to trigger.
It is the only thing I don't like about the house.

GerryAtrick · 08/07/2022 15:52

We have a cooker hood above the hob and an extractor fan in one of the other walls. New build house came with them.

The hood will probably pull air through a filter but vents up near the ceiling. More show than anything else. Never use it and will get rid of it altogether when we renew the kitchen.

The extractor fan is never used either. In winter, condensation used to form on the cover in the kitchen and run off and drip onto the worktop. Took the outside cover off and stuffed bubblewrap into the hole and put the cover back on. Problem solved.

We don't seem to get grease deposits all over any surfaces. Smells soon dissipate, especially if you open a window.

LizzieMacQueen · 08/07/2022 15:53

It's more for steam extraction is it not, rather than smells?

You say your ceilings are low, is there nowhere within the floor joists that an extractor can go?

TizerorFizz · 08/07/2022 15:55

@LittleEsme
I don’t have one. I have high glass ceilings though. Lots of other ventilation. I certainly don’t get grease everywhere but I don’t use fat much. It’s also a big kitchen with no doors to lounge and hall. Hob is on large island below glass roof. Decided not to put the extractor in the gap behind the double sided island.

However I would be a bit more concerned about a low ceiling. I think you can get flush ceiling mounted and extract outside? If that’s nit possible, don’t put one in. Building Control won’t check. Whether an extractor gets rid of garlic and spice effectively is a moot point anyway!

Tryingtokeepgoing · 08/07/2022 15:55

It might be okay, though almost certainly not in winter, but I think building regs require an appropriate means of extraction in a kitchen (not necessarily over the hob though) which might cause an issue down the line?

crumpet · 08/07/2022 15:57

We have an extraordinary fan minted into the ceiling - something along the lines of these. Could they work for you?

Does anyone here NOT have an extractor fan?
crumpet · 08/07/2022 15:58

Sigh…exctractor, mounted

haggisaggis · 08/07/2022 15:59

We've not got one. Largish kitchen / diner with windows and bifolds. Was planning a downdraft extractor but the kitchen company said they could be a nuisance as crumbs etc would fall down the gap in the worktop and be difficult to remove. Kitchen fitted for 5 years now and no issues with damp from steam or grease build up. I close the door to rest of house if cooking anything likely to cause problems and open the door / windows.

QuebecBagnet · 08/07/2022 15:59

We don’t have one. Don’t have an issue but are vegetarian so maybe not as much grease/food smells as if cooking meat?

EmilyBolton · 08/07/2022 16:03

Interested in this as I don’t have one . Moved into house 1 year ago. There is no wall to attach to as has half height wands behind hob. I was thinking of getting a ceiling mounted recirculation unit . I can’t vent it as it is a flat roof and I don’t want to create yet more joins in the roof and impact it’s integrity.
seems like people saying they’re useless?
but I find after I cook fish smell is awful ( and I love fish) and when I did a batch of pickle I couldn’t get rid of smell for days. I have a large lounge/diner/kitchen so don’t want my furniture smelling of fish or my books covered in greasy residue (this would take years to build up but I can’t wipe off that sort of residue off of non washable items)
without wishing to hijack this thread- im interested too in peoples suggestion and whether a recirculating one is worth it

StarWarsisthebest · 08/07/2022 16:10

We use a wheeled dehumidifier, it moves between the kitchen or the lounge depending on if I have lots of pans on the stove or am drying washing in front of the fire in winter.

TheThreadisMildlyAmusing · 08/07/2022 16:22

I don't have one in my current house, the kitchen is old and needs redoing and I will definitely want one fitted, probably vented into the existing chimney breast. I find that certain cooking smells do linger and I get condensation in the winter and then have to open all windows and the back door when it's cold, letting all the heat out and the cold in and it takes ages to disperse.

I have had them them in my previous houses, they were the older types of extraction hoods that you had to change the filters in every so often. I think they worked by recycling the air through the two different types of filter in the hood. Obviously considered a bit old fashioned now, but I found they worked well and were certainly a huge improvement on removing cooking smells, grease and steam than not having one at all. I really miss not having one and it will be a priority for me when re-doing the kitchen.

TheThreadisMildlyAmusing · 08/07/2022 16:28

StarWarsisthebest · 08/07/2022 16:10

We use a wheeled dehumidifier, it moves between the kitchen or the lounge depending on if I have lots of pans on the stove or am drying washing in front of the fire in winter.

Oh, now that is a good idea. I have a de-humidifier that I use in in the conservatory in the winter to dry my washing, I could easily wheel it into kitchen in the winter when it gets steamy. That will work until I get my kitchen done (or move).

fernz · 08/07/2022 16:30

I don't have one. The back door opens within 2 metres of the hob so I've never felt I needed one. I don't particularly find cooking smells go into the rest of the house but then my kitchen/dining space is not open plan, it is a galley kitchen at the back.

offyoufuckcuntychops · 08/07/2022 16:33

I don't have one (old and difficult house), but I have the windows open a lot. That wheely humidifier idea is interesting, though.

LizzieSiddal · 08/07/2022 16:33

We don’t have one as we have gas range and low ceilings, and there needs to be a certain amount of space between the range and the fan. We have lots of windows so I just open them, only need to if I’m frying something really. I even open them in the winter and it’s fine!

Roystonv · 08/07/2022 16:34

We don't have one; open plan kitchen, living and dining room. Have never seen the point of them, big, ugly and most of the houses I have lived in haven't had one. Do not miss it or even use one if we are away staying where there is one. My house is not greasy, I open a window when needed. However
yes, check if it will pass building regs and don't let your designer get away with it.

Isseywith3witchycats · 08/07/2022 16:38

we put a new kitchen in last year and i didnt get one put in as to me they are just grease traps the one in our old house just got manky i open the windows and ive got high gloss units dont find they get greasy i just shut the door between the lounge and kitchen if im cooking smelly food

Apprenticedeg · 08/07/2022 16:43

I thought building regs require you to have one. I wouldn’t want to open windows and unfolds in the depth of winter.

NotMeNoNo · 08/07/2022 16:43

Install a wall mounted extractor fan, a slightly bigger version of the type used for bathrooms. Have a humidistat controlled one, it will do the job and meet building regs for mayb £100.