9+ Best Recirculating Cooker Hoods | Unrivaled Guide 2023

If you are looking for cooker hoods, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will explain everything you need to know before you buy. You will learn about the different types of hoods, how they work, and what to look for when purchasing one. Plus, we’ll give you some tips on choosing the right hood for your kitchen. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or looking to upgrade to an older model, you’ll find all the information you need here.

Best Recirculating Cooker Hoods come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles to fit any kitchen. The most common is the “chimney hood,” which is mounted on a wall or ceiling and has a flue pointing outward. Other popular options include island hoods, downdraft hoods, and ventless hoods.

Best Recirculating Cooker Hoods

What is the purpose of a range hood?

Cooking on the stove inevitably results in some degree of air pollution in the kitchen.

Cooking on the stove can produce a variety of aromas. The smells are food particles that are lifted by the heat. These particles can spread throughout the house and seep into porous cushions, walls, and furniture, causing unpleasant odors to linger.

Cooking on a stove produces more than just food aromas and smoke contaminants. Cooking with oil releases fat particles into the air. These particles float around the kitchen and cause odors to linger where these particles settle.

Even doing something seemingly harmless, such as steaming broccoli, can release moisture and rust unprotected metal surfaces.

Cooking hoods solve this problem. Cooking hoods are designed to remove smoke, odors, and grease from the kitchen air. It does this by drawing air in through a filter and exhausting it outside. This keeps the kitchen clean and smoke-free and also prevents fires.

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What is the difference between an extract hood and a recirculating hood?

Air extracted from the kitchen has to go somewhere. Therefore, the exhaust air is either sent outside (extract hood) or recirculated back into the kitchen through a filter (recirculating hood). Below is a more detailed explanation of these two types of appliances.

Extraction Hood

This kitchen hood simply sends outside air through a duct. There is no filtering or treatment of any kind. It is often more efficient and effective to send it directly outside than to recirculate it indoors. However, ventilation fans can be noisy because they require a lot of power to feed air into the ducts.

It is important to note that because ducts are used to channel outside air, it is necessary to plan the route of the ducts from the beginning, especially if the hood is installed on an island or on a wall other than an exterior wall. Ducts, if left unchecked, can often look bad and give a kitchen a bad impression.

Air circulation hood

This hood draws air in through a filter. This filter then removes cooking odors and then sends the air back into the kitchen. Most modern recirculating hoods have a basic grease filter and a carbon filter, which work together to remove grease, food odors, and smoke from the air. Circulating/self-circulating hoods are often much less expensive than extract hoods because there are no ducts.

However, they are less effective because they must treat the air and inevitably cannot remove odors and grease, and smoke completely. Also, one must keep in mind that the filters need to be replaced from time to time. These hoods may be the perfect solution for those redesigning a kitchen on a budget and are also useful if you are not comfortable designing a kitchen around ductwork.

Best Recirculating Cooker Hoods | Comparison Table 2023

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Best Recirculating Cooker Hoods | Products Overview 2023

Product Overview:

The AKDY 217 CFM Convertible Wall Mount Range Hood is the perfect addition to any modern kitchen. This 30 inch hood is made of high-quality black painted stainless steel and tempered glass, giving it a sleek and professional look. The powerful 134W motor has three different speed levels, allowing you to adjust the intensity of air suction as needed. The hood is also equipped with baffle filters that are dishwasher safe, ensuring efficient ventilation of your entire kitchen and easy maintenance. Despite its power, the 0.7A motor operates quietly, keeping the noise level under 60 dB.

In addition to its stylish design and performance, the AKDY wall mount hood is also practical. It is equipped with LED lamps that provide the necessary light for cooking. The hood is also convertible, making it a versatile choice for any kitchen. Whether you’re cooking up a storm or simply trying to eliminate unwanted steam or odor, the AKDY 217 CFM Convertible Wall Mount Range Hood is the ideal solution.

Product Overview:

The COSMO 668ICS750 30 in. Island Mount Range Hood is a stylish and functional addition to any kitchen. It features a stainless steel finish, a tempered glass visor, and soft-touch controls for an attractive look and convenient use. With 380 CFM and a 3-speed fan powered by a single centrifugal motor, the range hood quickly and quietly ventilates your kitchen.

The range hood also comes with energy-saving LED lights that provide bright and high-lumen lighting for better visibility while cooking. Additionally, the Cosmo ARC-FLOW Permanent Filters are dishwasher-safe and extremely durable, so there is no need to replace them.

Product Overview:

The ZLINE 36 in. Convertible Vent Outdoor Approved Wall Mount Range Hood in Stainless Steel (KB-304-36) is a high-quality range hood that is designed to make cooking and outdoor grilling easier and more convenient. The range hood is made of stainless steel, which gives it a sleek and modern look and ensures that it is durable and long-lasting. The hood features a special dishwasher-safe baffle filter that makes cleaning and maintenance easy.

The ZLINE 36 in. Convertible Vent Outdoor Approved Wall Mount Range Hood is available in a variety of sizes, including 30 in., 36 in., 42 in., 48 in., 54 in., and 60 in., so you can choose the one that best fits your outdoor grilling setup.

Product Overview:

The Bosch HCP50652UC is a 30" 500 Series Smart Pyramid Canopy Chimney Hood that comes with 600 CFM Touch Control with LCD Display. It features 4 speed controls and is equipped with aluminum mesh filters. This hood is made of stainless steel and has a sleek and modern finish.

With a 19.69" depth and 30" width, it is compact enough to fit into most kitchens, while its 25" height makes it an attractive addition to any kitchen décor. The touch controls with LCD display make it easy to operate and adjust the speed settings, ensuring that you can have the perfect amount of ventilation for any cooking scenario. The aluminum mesh filters effectively remove smoke, grease, and other pollutants from your kitchen, keeping it smelling fresh and clean.

Product Overview:

The CIARRA Black Range Hood 30-inch is a powerful and quiet ventilation system for your kitchen. With a 450 CFM capacity, it effectively removes smoke and odors, while the quiet operation makes it a great addition to any kitchen. The hood is designed with anti-fingerprint painting, which is scratch-resistant and easy to clean. The matte sandblasted finish gives it a sleek and modern look.

The hood features a mechanical push button for convenient control and detachable mesh filters with superior filtration that are easy to clean and install. The durable motor system offers excellent support to your ventilation needs, and the hood can be operated in either ducted or ductless mode. If you wish to convert the hood to ductless, you will need to purchase the CACF003 carbon filter.

Product Overview:

The Winflo 30 In. The convertible Stainless Steel Wall Mount Range Hood is a premium kitchen appliance that provides powerful and efficient air ventilation. With a high-speed setting of 475 CFM airflow, this range hood is designed to offer a quiet operation with noise levels of less than 65 dB. The touch sensor control panel with a time display makes it easy to operate and clean, while the removable aluminum mesh filters are dishwasher-safe for added convenience.

In addition, this range hood features two bright energy-saving LED lights to illuminate your cooking area and an adjustable and telescoping chimney that can fit between 7.5 ft. - 8.5 ft. ceilings. If you have a higher ceiling, a chimney extension is also available for purchase. This range hood comes with all the necessary installation and mounting hardware, including flexible ductwork, damper, and plug, to make installation simple and easy.

Product Overview:

The Comfee CVP30W6AST is a high-quality ducted or ductless pyramid range hood with a stainless steel body and a brushed finish. It measures 30 inches in width, 14.6 inches in depth, and 22.4 inches in height and fits perfectly under your cabinet, saving space in your kitchen. The hood comes with a 3-speed exhaust fan that provides strong suction of up to 450 CFM, effectively removing cooking fumes and odors. The 5-layer aluminum filter is reusable, easily detachable, and dishwasher safe, ensuring optimal efficiency.

The range hood is easy to install, with step-by-step instructions provided in the user manual, or you can choose to have it installed by qualified professionals. It requires a 6-inch (150mm) diameter exhaust duct for installation. If you want to convert it to ductless, you will need to purchase the Comfee 2-Pack Carbon Filter Kit separately. The package includes 2 aluminum filters, 2 adjustable stainless steel decorative covers, and a screw pack.

Product Overview:

The Empava Wall Mount Range Hood is a high-quality ventilation system for your kitchen, designed to efficiently remove smoke, heat, and cooking odors from your cooking area. This 30-inch hood is made from 18-gauge stainless steel, which provides excellent resistance to corrosion and rust, and is finished with a handcrafted brushed satin finish to prevent dents and scratches, ensuring long-lasting use in your busy kitchen.

The range hood features a powerful 3-speed fan with a maximum airflow of 400 CFM, which quickly ventilates your kitchen and keeps the noise level below 65 dB, providing a good cooking experience. The ducted exhaust vent and push-button controls make it easy to operate, while the ergonomic control knobs are designed for simplicity and ease. The generous 30-inch width of the hood will catch all the smoke and food particles before they drift to your kitchen, keeping your kitchen fresh and odor-free.

Product Overview:

The Ancona AN-1558 30" 280 CFM Convertible Wall Mount Pyramid Range Hood is a high-quality kitchen appliance that offers both functionality and style. With its professional engineering in high-grade 430 stainless steel and its aluminum mesh core filters that are dishwasher safe, this range hood is both durable and easy to clean. The wall-mount design and pyramid shape adds a touch of elegance to any kitchen, while the state-of-the-art 3-speed push button controls and powerful motor effectively eliminate smoke, moisture, and cooking aromas to keep the air in your kitchen pure and fresh.

The Ancona AN-1558 30" 280 CFM Convertible Wall Mount Pyramid Range Hood also features Pure Lights, Ancona’s long-lasting eco-friendly LED lights that illuminate your cooking surface at a fraction of the cost of conventional lights. With its dimensions of 29.3” x 19.6“ x 39.3”, this range hood is the perfect size for most kitchens.

How To Choose The Best Recirculating Cooker Hoods | Ultimate Guide 2023

Noise

A cooker hood that is considered "quiet" emits only 30 dB(A) at "minimum" output and 55 dB(A) at maximum output. For reference, the decibel level of normal conversation is 60-65 dB. The loudest range hood emits more than 70 dB SPL.

In order to meaningfully compare the noise levels of two cooker hoods, one must first ensure that their minimum and maximum air extraction capacities are approximately the same.

Depending on the interpretation method used, an increase of 3 to 6 dB will double the perceived sound level. Doubling the distance from the noise source (1-2-4-8... meters) away from the noise source, the perceived noise level is halved. It is useful to know this when deciding where to place the dining table.

Efficiency and environmental considerations

When it comes to efficiency and environmental considerations, there is no question that recirculating or benches hoods are the winners. A ventilated range hood takes conditioned air into the house and carries it outside, so the HVAC system has to work overtime to do so. Remember, the air that the hood carries outside is polluted, dirty air, which is bad for the environment.

Non-vented fume hoods are very efficient because they do not require a lot of power to operate. Charcoal and charcoal filters are durable and can be reused for 3-4 months or longer if you do not cook frequently.

Versatility and Mobility

Because recirculating hoods have no plumbing or accessories, they can be installed anywhere in the kitchen. This makes them more mobile and versatile than exhaust hoods. Exhaust hoods have pipes or ducts connected to the back or top of the hood and must be wired to the outside of the house.

Because of this attachment, ventilated range hoods generally take up more space than unvented hoods. Also, the hood should be placed close to the wall to allow the exhaust pipe to have a place to go and not be too conspicuous.

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Cooking Volume

Another important consideration is the amount of cooking and baking you do. If you cook only occasionally, such as a few times a week or a few times a month, an air circulation hood should be sufficient. Even if you cook frequently, an air circulation hood will serve you well as long as you maintain it by changing the filter frequently.

Type of stove you have

One of the biggest concerns is whether or not you can use an exhaust fan on a gas stove. Gas, whether natural gas or propane, produces carbon monoxide, which can be deadly if ingested in large quantities. However, if you are careful and take some precautions, you can reliably operate a gas range with a ventilated hood.

Note, however, that the filters in non-ventilated hoods do not remove carbon monoxide. Therefore, it is advisable to ventilate the kitchen by opening a window or other means to remove carbon monoxide.

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Size

The size of the hood itself also plays an important role in the selection process. If you have a small kitchen with limited space, you do not want to purchase a huge hood by mistake. They are an eyesore in a small space and will make your kitchen feel cramped. Instead, choose a smaller hood that has enough power for your needs, yet blends in harmoniously with your kitchen.

Lighting

Lighting is another important consideration when choosing a recirculating cooker hood. Many modern cooker hoods are equipped with LED lighting, which has excellent radiant efficiency. If you have an older kitchen with no interior lighting, lighting is very important. It is also very useful for preparing food and cleaning up afterward.

Budget

Finally, the most important factor in choosing a recirculating ventilation hood is budget. You want to spend enough money to get a quality product, but not so much that you cannot afford to maintain it. If you are buying a new hood, chances are you want to make other improvements to your home. Don't spend your entire home improvement budget on one item like a hood.

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Different Styles of Cooker Food

Chimney Cooker Hood

Chimney cooker hoods have a large funnel with a chimney at the end. This chimney extends to the ceiling and mimics a real fireplace. This chimney is where the flue is housed. Of course, the flue of this chimney need not pierce the ceiling; it can disappear into a hole in the wall, hidden by the shape of the chimney.

Canopy Cooker Hood

The canopy hood is designed as part of the structure overhanging the cooktop. The hood itself can then be concealed by a cupboard or other means. This reduces the visual impact of the hood in the kitchen. In older kitchens with a chimney above the cooktop, the hood may be installed on a foundation and ducted through the roof.

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Ceiling Cooker Hoods

Ceiling hoods, as you might expect, are embedded directly into the kitchen ceiling. Compared to other types of hoods, it has the advantage of taking up less space. However, they do require modifications to the kitchen, so they are mainly used in new construction and major renovations.

Designer Ceiling Hoods

Some designer kitchen hoods are designed to resemble light fixtures. They hang downwards and catch the smoke and steam from the cooktop. Some can also be mechanically retracted and lowered with the flick of a switch.

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Island Kitchen Hood

If the stove is built into an island in the center of the kitchen rather than adjacent to a wall, you will need a different type of hood that is independent of the kitchen wall and extends down from the ceiling. This type of hood is imaginatively called an island hood. Large and imposing, an island hood is an eye-catching centerpiece in the kitchen. For those who prefer something a little more modest, a ceiling hood may be the best choice.

Integrated Kitchen Hood

An integrated hood is built into the cabinet above the stove. It is designed to blend in with the rest of the kitchen and usually has a door that can be opened upward when the hood is needed. The difference with canopy hoods is that they are designed to look like a cupboard, rather than being under (in) a kitchen cupboard.

Integrated hoods are ideal for smaller kitchens. Built-in hoods blend in perfectly with the surrounding decor, rather than dominating the room like other types of hoods.

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Downdraft Hoods

Downdraft hoods channel air behind the cooktop rather than sucking it upward. This allows more space above for cupboards, windows, or decorations.

Downdraft extractors usually consist of a panel on the back of the stove that is high enough to see over the rim of the pot. Some can be hidden in the worktop and raised when needed, similar to lowering a retractable ceiling hood.

They are an excellent alternative to island hoods because they do not require a large structure to block the view in the center of the room. They are also aesthetically pleasing when in operation, with smoke being sucked into the fine grooves, creating an interesting inverted waterfall effect.

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Best Recirculating Cooker Hoods | Infographics

Best Recirculating Cooker Hoods | Video Explanation

FAQs

Do you have a wall suitable for installing a cooker hood?

If you like to cook and want to experiment with different types of food, we recommend an exhaust fan that can effectively remove steam, smoke, and cooking odors. However, the cooker hood must be installed on or near an exterior wall and the duct must be installed outdoors. This should be taken into account from the beginning when designing the kitchen. If this is not possible, you may need to find another solution.

How big does the cooker hood need to be?

Ideally, the hood should be wider than or the same size as the cooking space. However, this is not always possible with designer-style overhead hoods. Many appliance brands sell hoods that match their stove series. If you choose a chimney-style hood between cabinets, you should also check that the chimney is not higher or shorter than the cabinets on either side.

What extraction rate should I choose?

The extraction rate of the hood is often overlooked, but it greatly affects the effectiveness of the hood in the kitchen. If the hood extraction rate is not sufficient for the size of the kitchen, it may take longer to eliminate odors or they may not disappear as easily. All kitchen hood specifications include an m3 per hour figure. This number indicates the amount of air to be processed per hour.

How do you clean and maintain a cooker hood?

Although not a particularly enjoyable task, it is obvious that a cooker hood, being a device designed to capture grease smoke, needs to be cleaned and maintained. Be sure to keep the instruction manual so that you know how to remove parts, and only remove parts when the hood is switched off.

Grease filters, often ceramic or non-woven, should be replaced every 4 to 8 weeks. For recirculating fume hoods, charcoal filters should be replaced every 9 to 12 months. Wire mesh filters should be soaked overnight in hot soapy water to loosen the grease. A toothbrush can be used to get into the mesh and clean it. The hood itself should also be wiped down. If the hood is made of stainless steel, be sure to use a cleaning agent specifically designed for stainless steel. Before assembling the hood, everything should be thoroughly dried.

Are Recirculating Cooker Hoods Any Good?

Jennifer Lawrence

Hi, I’m Jennifer Lawrence, Went to Calhoun High School (Georgia) my goal is to make the kitchen fun by providing a mathematical and logical component to our approach to cooking good food. I look not only at delicious recipes but also at kitchen tools and gadgets to give you the tips and tricks we hope you will find useful. Read More Here