HELPFUL TIPS FOR BUYING A COOKERHOOD
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Cooker hoods are a kitchen essential as they will keep your kitchen smelling fresh and clean while you are busy cooking. However, when you on the market the possibilities may become overwhelming, but fear not, for we are here to help you with advise that may relieve the additional stress.
Firstly - What is an extractor?
Before you actually buy an extractor, it is vital that you know exactly what an extractor is and what the function of them are. As the name suggests, extractors, also known as cooker hoods, will eliminate airborne grease, moisture, odours, heat and smoke from your kitchen, and then they will expel purified air back into the room.
Types of cooker hoods available
It’s safe to say that all extractors do the same thing, however there are various designs that you can choose between.
They are typically found in commercial kitchen and they will create a statement in your kitchen. Chimney cookerhoods are completely exposed and not built in, as they have been designed to be wall mounted about your stove.
They can be divided into three sub categories; islands cookerhoods, t-shaped cookerhood and curved glass extractors:
Island Cooker Hoods are usually hung from the ceiling and away from the wall to make a visual statement. These beautiful statement pieces are ideal for a kitchen with an open-plan kitchen and dining area.
Curved glass extractors are a stylish and modern addition to the chimney cooker hoods as they have transparent glass ends, that will allow them to blend with almost any kitchen design.
T-shaped extractors give a geometric look that suits contemporary settings. These extractors will extend the linear features of a kitchen and it is inspired by modern accents.
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They are discreetly concealed in your counter and they rise at the touch of a button, thus giving a ‘clutter-free look” in your kitchen.
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Though these exactors are minimal in design, when not in use, they require enough space beneath the worktop.
They are usually mounted onto the wall, below a cabinet and it is ideal for small to medium sized households
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They have become very popular are they are usually hidden, so they will seamlessly fit into any kitchen aesthetic.
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Size is important
The rule of thumb is that the cooker should be the same size as your hob or stove top, in order to ensure that they remove the cooking odours.
You get various size cooker hoods, such as 60cm, 75cm, 90cm, and even 110cm cooker hoods.
(When it comes to how high above the stovetop an extractor should be placed, it is advised that they should be 45-65cm above electric hobs, and at least 65cm above gas hobs.
Note: When it comes to purchasing a cookerhood, you should first take the measurements of the space where you plan to install the hood.
External Hood / Recirculating hood
If you have an external cooker hood, it is important to remember that they need to be placed against the wall as there is usually a pipe that needs to lead the smoke and grease outside.
Recirculted cookerhoods recycle the air by passing it through a filter, and once the air has been cleaned, it will reintroduce the air into a room.
Other features that you should consider include:
Extraction Rates - this will quickly determine how fast air will be refreshed in a room, so it will be important to have a look at the various extraction rates of a cooker.
Noise Levels - cooker hoods usually run while you are cooking, so it is advised that you look at a cooker hood extract that is not too noisy. Along with the extraction rate, you will see the noise level, per setting, just to give you an idea of how loud an extractor may be.
Lighting – Most exactors come with LED lighting to illuminate your stovetop.
Filtration - grease filters are fitted to all extractors, and you can purchase charcoal or carbon filters for recirculating cooker hoods.
We have a range of cookerhoods and extractors that come from well known brands such as Bosch, Defy, Falco, and Siemens, to name a few, that will meet your extractor requirements.
If have any more questions or you need any further assistance when choosing a cookerhood, you are welcome to speak to one of our helpful sales consultants in-store and online, via our live chat.