Cookology Cooker Hood Buying Guide

You’ve been on the hunt for the perfect kitchen appliances. You now have the oven that you’ve always dreamt of and the perfect hob to match. Now, to complete your brand new kitchen, you’ll be needing a high-quality Cookology cooker hood to complete that awesome new look.

With a variety of cooker hood types to suit almost any kitchen design, it can get a little confusing when it comes to knowing which one is right for your setup. We’re here to help with this cooker hood buying guide. Here you will find cooker hood types explained and everything else that you need to know to make your choice as simple as possible.

Why do I need a cooker hood?

A cooker hood helps to keep your kitchen free from smoke, grease and bad smells. Although there are cooker hood types that look great and really finish off the look of your kitchen, they are not all about the aesthetic appeal. Any cooker hood guide will tell you that these are vital to the overall well-being of your kitchen.

A cooker hood is what sits above your hob. It is powered by electricity and its important function is to remove a whole host of nasties such as grease, smoke and odour from your kitchen. All cooker hood types are tasked with doing away with cooking smells as well as any grease and moisture in your kitchen. The difference between an extractor cooker hood and a recirculating hood is that a recirculating hood also helps clean the air and then reintroduces it back into the kitchen.

Which type of cooker hood is best?

There is a vast array of Cookology cooker hood types to suit a variety of kitchen layouts. Trying to select the one that is right for you may be a little daunting, to say the least. If you take a look below, you’ll see that we have the main types covered and you’ll soon know exactly how to choose the perfect Cookology cooker hood:

Wall-mounted cooker hoods

As cooker hood types go, you’ll find that wall-mounted ones come in a range of designs. We’ll be touching on the design types shortly but needless to say that there will be a Cookology hood to suit your cooking space. Depending on the design that you choose, your wall-mounted cooker hood will either sit flush with or at an angle to, your kitchen ceiling and wall. This is one of the most popular cooker hood types due to the great variety of designs, sizes, and shapes that they come in.

Integrated/built-in cooker hoods

If your kitchen is on the smaller side, or if you live in a flat, you’ll find that integrated cooker hoods are ideal. Typically these will be placed behind a wall cabinet in your kitchen so that means that they remain unseen. Built-in cooker hoods work great for those who do not have the space for a large hood or for those who do not wish to make your cooker hood into a feature. If you cook on a large hob then you may find that the compact size and lower power of an integrated hood could mean that it is not the best option for you.

Island cooker hoods

If you are looking for a cooker hood that is elegant and unobtrusive then this is exactly what you will find with an island cooker hood. These tend to be large in size which means that they are ideal for keeping the air clear in an open plan kitchen. Often found in spacious kitchens with large island spaces, island cooker hoods will become a statement feature of your kitchen. These are not recommended if you do not have an island or if you don’t have a large space (or budget).

Downdraft extractors

If you know much about cooker hood types then you’ll realise that downdraft extractors are as modern as they come. If you are looking for a minimalistic look for your kitchen then a downdraft Cookology extractor is the perfect choice for you. These are as subtle as it gets as they remain concealed under your worktop. They only appear when you touch the controls and set your cooker hood to work.

Cooker hood measurement guide

Before you start to look at how to install a cooker hood or how to fit an extractor hood it’s important that you get your measurements right. In this Cookology cooker hood buying guide, there is some key information that you are going to need to ensure that the size is just right.

The general rule of thumb is that you should make sure that the size of your cooker hood matches the size of your hob. You also need to be aware of the hot zone. This is the space where the heat builds and there will be odours and moisture. The measurements of your cooker hood should ensure that the hot zone between the hob and hood do not exceed 75cm.

Cooker hood installation guide

When it comes to knowing how to install a cooker hood, there will be a different approach with a ducted cooker hood and a ductless one. A full extractor hood installation guide can give you the exact detail, but we have the basics covered here:

Ducted cooker hood

A ducted cooker hood does not need any filters. As you’d expect from the name, the hood is attached to a duct and pipes. These ensure that anything in the air is removed and channelled into the great outdoors. This keeps your kitchen smelling clean and fresh as well as being moisture-free.

Ductless cooker hood

Whereas a ducted cooker hood sends all the nasties outdoors, a ductless hood has filters. These remove the particles from the air and then recirculate the air when it is clear. Filters often use carbon or charcoal to capture the particles and these will need replacing from time to time.

Cooker hood design types explained

When looking at cooker hood types you will find that there are various designs to choose from. The Cookology range gives you a great selection so you are sure to find something that appeals to you. Here’s an explanation of the main designs:

Angled/designer cooker hoods

These cooker hoods attach to the ceiling in the same way that chimney cooker hoods do. As the name suggests, they sit at an angle to the wall and make a great visual statement in any kitchen.

Glass cooker hoods

Not a design in itself, as these cooker hoods, can come in a variety of designs, but offer more of a material of choice. The glass refers to the surface of the cooker hood. This not only looks attractive and stylish but is extremely easy to clean.

Visor cooker hoods

If you’re looking for cooker hood types that are subtle then a visor could be for you. Not quite as discreet as a built-in hood, they are still less obvious than other designs.

Popup/downdraft cooker hood

The cooker hood with a modern twist. These are kept hidden underneath a counter and only appear when you say so. The touch of a button sees the hood appear and get to work.

Chimney cooker hoods

One of the most popular cooker hood types that you can find at Cookology, these are either placed in amongst a kitchen wall cabinet or used as a standalone piece. These hoods are not only functional but they are extremely stylish too.