Cooktop Hood Guide: Types, Size, Venting & Buying Tips

Anyone who has roasted a chicken knows that steam and grease don’t stay in the pan—they spread into the kitchen. A good cooktop hood traps that moisture, odours, and airborne grease before they settle on your cabinets and walls. This guide covers the key choices Irish buyers face, from ducted versus recirculating systems to the right size for a 60cm hob, so you can pick a hood that actually works for your cooking and your home.

Typical extraction rate range: 400–1,200 m³/h ·
Standard width for 60cm hob: 60 cm or larger ·
Recommended max noise level: 45 dB for quiet models ·
Height above electric hob: 45–64 cm ·
Height above gas hob: Minimum 65 cm

The table below summarises the key specifications to check before buying.

Does a cooktop need a hood?

Legal requirements in Ireland

• Irish building regulations (Part F) require mechanical ventilation in kitchens with hobs, according to guidance that applies in the UK and EU context (Ciarra Appliances – UK/EU appliance retailer).
• For commercial kitchens, the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 mandate effective ventilation (High Speed Training – UK workplace safety training provider).

Health reasons for kitchen ventilation

Cooking releases grease, moisture, and particles that can affect indoor air quality. A hood reduces condensation on windows and walls and helps control lingering smells. Even a recirculating hood with a carbon filter is better than no hood at all.

Do cooker hoods need to vent outside?

Ducted vs recirculating hoods explained

• Ducted (vented) hoods expel air through a duct to an external wall or roof (My Appliances – UK appliance specialist).
• Recirculating hoods clean air through filters and send it back into the kitchen (DID.ie – Irish appliance retailer).

When ventless (recirculating) is acceptable

Many Irish kitchens, especially in apartments or older houses, cannot easily support ducting. Recirculating hoods require a carbon filter to remove odours; the filter must be replaced every few months. While less effective at removing moisture and grease, they are a valid option when external venting is impossible.

Which type of cooker hood is best?

Wall-mounted canopy hoods

The most common type, installed directly above a hob against a wall. Sizes and extraction rates suit standard setups.

Under-cabinet hoods

Compact units that fit beneath a cabinet, ideal for smaller kitchens or low ceilings.

Freestanding cooktop hoods

Designed for island cooktops, with a chimney that drops from the ceiling. Often more powerful to cover an open layout.

Ceiling extractors

Flush-mounted in the ceiling for a minimalist look; can be effective but typically require professional installation.

The best type depends on your kitchen layout and whether you can run ducting. For a standard wall hob, a wall-mounted canopy hood remains the most practical choice.

The pattern: layout constraints drive the choice more than raw power. A ceiling extractor in an apartment with no ducting path is a non-starter, while a wall-mounted canopy works in most standard kitchens.

What size cooker hood do I need for a 60cm hob?

Width matching rule

• The hood should be at least as wide as the hob – a 60cm hob requires a 60cm hood or larger (KitchenAid – manufacturer guidelines).
• Some guides recommend going 15 cm wider than the hob for better capture (Ken’s Appliance – home improvement guide).

Extraction rate calculation for kitchen volume

A simple rule: the hood’s extraction rate in m³/h should be at least 10 times your kitchen’s volume in cubic metres. For a 30 m³ kitchen (say 4m × 4m × 2.4m), aim for 300 m³/h minimum. Gas hobs typically need higher rates than electric.

The implication: buying a hood with too low an extraction rate will leave grease and steam hanging in the air, even if the width is correct. Always check the m³/h rating against your kitchen volume.

Which is better, a cooker hood or extractor fan?

Performance comparison

The table below shows how cooker hoods and extractor fans stack up on key metrics.

Installation differences

• Cooker hoods: wall or cabinet mount, may need ducting; installation cost €150–€400.
• Extractor fans: wall or window mount, simpler wiring; installation cost €50–€150.

Cost comparison

• Cooker hood: €100–€1,500 depending on brand, size, and type.
• Extractor fan: €30–€300; lower upfront but less effective.

For serious cooking, a cooker hood is the clear winner. An extractor fan can be a budget stopgap in a kitchen where a hood won’t fit.

Confirmed facts and what remains unclear

Expert perspectives on choosing a hood

“The height of the cooker hood above the hob is critical for effective extraction. For an electric hob, 45–64 cm is the sweet spot.”

— Bosch Home Ireland buying guide

“We offer several types of cooker hood – wall-mounted, island, and ceiling extractors. The choice depends on your kitchen layout and whether you can duct to the outside.”

— NEFF Ireland product page

For Irish households, the decision between ducted and recirculating often comes down to whether ducting is feasible. A ducted hood offers the best performance for serious cooks; a recirculating hood with a fresh carbon filter is a solid second choice when external venting isn’t an option.

Related reading: The Ultimate Cooker Hood Buying Guide · Range Hood Size Guide

If you’re comparing ducted and recirculating options, our detailed range hood guide offers a thorough breakdown of costs and trends.

Frequently asked questions

For the average Irish homeowner replacing a 60cm hob, the choice is clear: pick a ducted canopy hood at least 60cm wide with an extraction rate of at least 10 times your kitchen volume. If ducting is impossible, a recirculating hood with a fresh carbon filter will still make a noticeable difference. Either way, a hood beats an extractor fan for any kitchen where real cooking happens.