Cooktop Hood: Ducted vs Ductless – Which to Choose

If you’ve ever stood over a frying pan and watched steam roll across the kitchen ceiling, you already know why a good cooker hood matters. But when you start shopping, the choice between a ducted hood that pushes air outside and a ductless one that recirculates it can feel like a puzzle, so this guide breaks down the performance, regulations, and real-world trade-offs for Irish and UK homes — so you can pick the right system for your hob and your budget.

Cooker hoods reduce indoor air pollutants by up to 95%: 95% ·
Annual energy cost for running a standard cooker hood: $25–$40 ·
Minimum ducted hood airflow recommended for a standard kitchen: 400 CFM ·
Retail price range for a 60cm built-in cooker hood: $150–$800 ·
Noise level typical for high-performance cooker hoods: 45–65 dB

The following table summarises the essential specifications for cooker hoods in Irish kitchens.

Which is better, a cooker hood or extractor fan?

In everyday language, a “cooker hood” is a kitchen appliance mounted above the hob that removes airborne grease, smoke, and odors. An “extractor fan” is a broader term that can include wall-mounted fans, but in most Irish and UK homes the two terms are used interchangeably. The real distinction is between ducted (vented) and ductless (recirculating) systems.

Ducted vs recirculating: key differences

• Ducted hoods extract air and pipe it outside through ductwork (Bosch Home Ireland buying guide).
• Ductless hoods filter air through a grease filter and activated carbon filter, then release it back into the kitchen (Bosch Home Ireland).
• Ducted systems are more effective at removing moisture and heat, while ductless systems leave indoor moisture largely unchanged (ROBAM Living comparison).

Two configurations, one pattern: ducted prioritises ventilation performance, ductless prioritises installation flexibility.

Performance comparison table

Four key metrics, one clear split: ducted wins on air-change effectiveness, ductless wins on installation simplicity.

The implication: if your kitchen is open-plan and you cook with high heat, ducted is the safer bet. Ductless works where ducting is impossible, but you’ll trade moisture control for convenience.

Does a cooktop need a hood?

Yes — and in Ireland and the UK, it’s not just a good idea, it’s written into building regulations.

Local building code requirements

• In Ireland, a cooker hood that extracts directly outside must remove at least 30 l/s to satisfy the kitchen ventilation requirement per Part F guidance (Airflow summary of Part F).
• If the hood is recirculating or absent, the kitchen must have separate extraction elsewhere at a minimum of 60 l/s (Airflow summary).
• Northern Ireland’s Technical Booklet K specifies that hoods should be installed 650 mm to 750 mm above the hob surface (Building Control NI).

Health and safety benefits

• Cooker hoods reduce indoor air pollutants, including particulate matter and volatile organic compounds, by up to 95%.
• Even induction hobs produce steam and cooking odors that need ventilation.
• Excess moisture from cooking can lead to mould and poor indoor air quality if not extracted.

What this means: if you’re renovating a kitchen in Ireland, a compliant hood (or alternative extraction) is a legal requirement, not an optional extra.

Which type of cooker hood is best?

The answer depends on your kitchen layout, your cooking habits, and whether you have an external wall for ducting.

Wall-mounted vs island vs integrated

• Wall-mounted canopy hoods offer the highest capture efficiency because they sit directly above the hob against a wall (Bosch Home Ireland buying guide).
• Island hoods require overhead ducting and are typically more expensive to install.
• Integrated models are hidden inside a cabinet, but their lower CFM (typically 400–500) makes them less effective for heavy cooking.

Canopy vs telescopic vs downdraft

• Canopy hoods have a large surface area that captures rising steam and smoke effectively.
• Telescopic (slide-out) hoods are compact and suit small kitchens, but performance is lower.
• Downdraft hoods rise from the hob surface — they are less common and generally less effective because they pull air sideways rather than upward.

The catch: the best type for you is the one that can be ducted outside. If that’s not possible, a high-quality recirculating model with a carbon filter is the next best option.

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

Size is a two-part question: the physical width of the hood and the airflow it needs to move.

Minimum width rule

• The hood must be at least as wide as the hob — for a 60cm hob, a 60cm hood is the minimum (Bosch Home Ireland buying guide).
• For gas hobs, a 90cm hood is recommended because gas burners produce more heat and combustion byproducts.

Airflow requirement for a standard kitchen

• Minimum airflow: 400 CFM for a standard kitchen of about 20 m².
• CFM calculator: multiply total kitchen volume (m³) by 10 air changes per hour, then divide by 1.7 to get CFM.
• Higher CFM is better for open-plan kitchens or heavy cooking.

Why this matters: buying a 60cm hood that only moves 300 CFM might leave your kitchen foggy. Always check the CFM rating, not just the width.

Do cooker hoods need to vent outside?

Not always — but the performance gap is significant.

Ducted hood advantages

• Ducted hoods remove heat, moisture, and smoke completely from the room (ROBAM Living comparison).
• They are generally quieter at the same airflow because the motor can be placed further away.
• They satisfy Irish Part F requirements at 30 l/s without needing additional extraction.

Ductless (recirculating) limitations

• Recirculating hoods pass air through a carbon filter but leave moisture in the room (YouTube explainer).
• Carbon filters must be replaced every 3–6 months, adding ongoing cost.
• Ductless is acceptable where duct runs are impractical, such as in flats or island kitchens (NEFF Ireland product page).

The trade-off: installation ease vs. long-term ventilation performance. Choose based on your home’s structure and your cooking style.

Comparison: Ducted vs Ductless Cooker Hoods

Three major differences, one clear pattern: ducted costs more to install but performs better; ductless is cheaper upfront but weaker on moisture and smoke.

The pattern: if you cook often, the extra installation cost of ducted pays for itself in better air quality. For occasional cooks, ductless is a practical, budget-friendly alternative.

Cooker Hood Specifications at a Glance

Seven critical specs, one takeaway: CFM and filter type matter more than brand name.

Why this matters: a 60 cm hood with 400 CFM and washable mesh filters is the baseline for most Irish homes. Anything less may struggle to keep your kitchen clear.

Pros and Cons of Ducted vs Ductless Hoods

The trade-off: ducted wins on performance, ductless wins on convenience. Your home’s layout will probably make the decision for you.

What We Know and What’s Still Unclear

The evidence is clear: ducted hoods are more effective, but regulatory compliance requires careful planning regardless of type.

Expert Perspectives

The cleaned air is released back into the ambient air of the kitchen.

— Bosch Home Ireland, buying guide

Then it’s piped straight to an extraction point on the outside of your home.

— Bosch Home Ireland, buying guide

A cooker hood above the hob that extracts directly outside must remove at least 30 l/s.

— Airflow, Part F guidance summary

If there is no cooker hood or it is recirculating, there must be extraction elsewhere in the kitchen with a minimum extraction rate of 60 l/s.

— Airflow, Part F guidance summary

For a homeowner in Dublin or Belfast, the choice between ducted and ductless isn’t about brand preference — it’s about whether your kitchen can duct outside. If it can, ducted is the stronger performer. If it can’t, a ductless hood with a fresh carbon filter will still keep your kitchen fresher than no hood at all, but you’ll need to budget for separate extraction to meet Part F. The implication is clear: check your kitchen layout first, then pick the hood that fits. For renters and flat-dwellers, ductless is often the only practical option — just plan for those filter replacements.

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For more on choosing the right model for your kitchen layout, see our detailed guide on cooktop hood types and sizing.

Frequently asked questions