How important is a cooker extractor?

8 years ago

Hi everyone I'm doing a kitchen renovation and am relocating a cooker from a tucked away location to a more central point on a L-shaped layout. The room was previously a kitchen and separate dining room knocked through.

As per the photo there is a structural beam running along the area the countertop and hob will be, and there isn't really room to move the counter either side. It will be tricky and costly to add one as I'll be limited to more expensive slimmer design options and it will be positioned quite low down if mounted under the beam.

Personally I'm not too fussed about extractors and never really used them in previous houses and never use mine in the current kitchen.

However - is having an extractor a must-have item that will put off future buyers if I don't have one? Not that I care about selling my house now, but am I missing an opportunity - or is it not that important?

A quick glance at the kitchen galleries and I am seeing plenty of kitchen islands with no extractor.

Featured Answer

PRO

Akiva Projects Ltd

8 years ago

Hello,

I personally think that it is not the most important item of the kitchen. It seems I am not the only one who doesn't use it; I prefer to open the garden door for fresh air rather than listen to the noise the fan is making.

Izabella

StJames Design Interiors

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (22)

PRO
OnePlan
8 years ago
It depends on the build work you are having and what you had previously ...
Here's a link to the planning portal site
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/buildingregulations/approveddocuments/partf/faqs
alant1000
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks oneplan, it's just a new kitchen rather than building work, however I couldn't find their definition of 'building work' on the portal. I'm taking it that I'll be fine if I don't include an extractor, or at least that I have the option not to.

Has anyone not got an extractor in their kitchen - any real day to day issues??
Related Discussions
Hob/extractor/washingmachine/sink/radiator/boiler? Move = costs????
Q
Comments (8)
We moved our entire kitchen into the former dining room (after knocking through). For us the focus was getting the most functional space and the extra cost was worth it. I spend a lot of time cooking and the tiny 30s kitchen didn't work for me. Our range cooker went in the chimney breast with the extractor ducted out behind our larder unit. The boiler went to the loft and the washing machine to a new utility. I'd always spend money on getting the layout right and save elsewhere (we reused all our appliances except the range cooker which came off eBay)
...See More
Integrated extractor fan for 110cm Rangecooker - which one???
Q
Comments (7)
I have a 110cm Rangemaster too with the integrated extractor. We went for a Smeg which is 78cm wide and works really well with the hob. I'm afraid I can't remember the model or the price but it was definitely below £600 and I think it was quite a bit less than that. I was a bit concerned that it wouldn't be wide enough but the cabinet maker assured me it would be fine and it absolutely is.
...See More
Chimney Breast - Gas cooker
Q
Comments (6)
i think your architect should of been aware of this, the information i have regarding part F of the building regs is Part F says that where a kitchen previously had only a recirculating fan this can be retained/replaced if it is made no worse. However, I would always recommend fitting an extractor to deal with condensation. • Kitchen: 30l/s if over the hob and 60l/s if placed elsewhere so you can get away with a recirculating fan over the hob, it doesn't need to be 900 wide as its in a canopy but you'll have to duct this out of the chimney breast either at the front or side as there will be moisture in it. Then fit a 60l/sec fan on an outside wall, up to you if you use it.
...See More
Which cooker hood looks best?
Q
Comments (31)
Thank you all so much. We have had months and months of conversation and research on this issue and I'm just so tired of it. Now we've paid the deposit for the kitchen and the builder is booked for the extension work to start we're feeling the pressure in terms of making decisions. You've all helped to encourage me to reconsider all options again with fresh eyes (we put the whole thing on hold for a coupld of months as we're unable to make a decision). The round chimney is my preference of the two and I prefer it to any other chimney style extractor. My overall preference would be a flush ceiling extractor but this is ultimately down to what the builder says and how this could fit alongside the beam. A venting hob is a compromise for us, which I'm sure we'd get used to very quickly as you always do once things are done. We have already designed the kitchen layout and planned where everything will go so it will take some thinking to lose the drawer/cupboard below the hob. It's exhausting going over and over the same pert of the project and never quite finding a conclusion we're happy with. But if certainly helps to have all your friendly people to talk it through with. Thanks again. Ruth
...See More
PRO
Nicholas Engert
8 years ago
I would always consider having a cooker extractor. Food smells should of course be pleasant but some smells travel and linger - cabbage springs to mind!

There are clever options that do not require ducting such as down draught extractors as in the attached image. These use charcoal filters to remove odours and when not in use are retractable.

Before making a decision consider carefully all of the options but do include an extractor of some kind.
havingfun
8 years ago
I assume by extractor you mean a exhaust fan? I use mine a lot, to keep heat down, you probably don't have a big problem with that. But there is the smell issue. I do not make things that are deep fried or involve fish, or cabbage boiled for 5 hours. If someone did that, yes, I could see a huge problem.
havingfun
8 years ago
how about a down draft one?
minnie101
8 years ago
It's the steam and condensation that worries me more but I live in an old house and am a bit paranoid about damp. I confess I tend to open the kitchen door more often than I use the extractor. However, having had the whole house decorated in one go, I can see the effect of grease building up on woodwork in the kitchen. I should point out I do clean them regularly (!) but I can see the difference in colour compared to other rooms.
allthreeofus
8 years ago
Having bought and sold property recently, it would be something that could potentially knock the price down or put some buyers off, especially if you are having difficulty fitting one in then so will someone else.
PRO
creativeorg
8 years ago
Hi, I'm not a fan of extractors either! I see your point though. The ones that rise out of the work surface as in the picture) are quite effective and they are totally hidden away when not in use. I think this would be the best option if you decided to have one. They don't detract from the rest of the kitchen and are very discreet.
PRO
OnePlan
8 years ago
Personally I use one - it goes on the same time I start cooking on the hob - buy the time the pan is creating vapour the air is being taken away before it goes anywhere else. Like Minnie said really - it's where it ends up that is my worry too !

Professionally do I encourage people to install one... Ceiling fans in bulkheads over island hob's, in modern kitchens, and visible chimney hoods in traditional mostly - but it could be an expelair type in a wall somewhere even ...

If you haven't got building work going on that require regs and you didn't have one in the previous kitchen then it appears you don't need to have one. So sounds like it's your choice, in this instance !
PRO
OnePlan
8 years ago
Oh - hang on - just re read your opening post 'never use mine in the current kitchen '..... So you will need to replace it if it's an outside vent !
alant1000
Original Author
8 years ago
Yes mine was an external one - that's answers that question then!

I've seen the rising extractors but at £1500+ and taking up valuable cabinet space it's not at the top of my list.

So if I need to fit an extractor under the beam, what's the typical or suggested clearance from the top of the hob to the bottom of the extractor from a kitchen designers perspective?
PRO
OnePlan
8 years ago
What kind of hob are you going for ? As it makes a difference !
alant1000
Original Author
8 years ago
It will be indiction so it won't singe the bottom if I get it too close. However I think I might have worked out a solution, I could get an island version with a filter such as this - http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/70272064/

It could be mounted at the back of the beam on the ceiling, which would mean I could shorten the suspension cables and it would probably sit reasonably inline with the back board area of the island run.

A couple of pics of the current ceiling beam position and plan attached. Note how the worktop overhangs as per the plan.

Could this work??
PRO
OnePlan
8 years ago
Well it's called an extractor hood - but it doesn't look like it actually sucks the air outside - just through a grease filter ... One to ask your local council - I'd expect that they'd say it would only be ok if you put a wall ( like in a bathroom ) one in the hole left when you take the old one out ...

NB induction is the best for clearance - as long as there's a min of 450mm between the hob and something flammable above it !
Sam Fisher
8 years ago
Totally agree with St. James - I rarely use one and it doesn't seem to do much anyway. Opening a window is much more effective.

The counter popup ones are really nice looking but I've yet to see one for less than c. £1,000. That's a very expensive gadget that doesn't get used.

I don't think it would have any effect whatsoever on resale value. How much are prospective buyers, EVEN if they notice it doesn't have one and EVEN if they think it's a big deal really be able to knock off the price? Answer; much less than the cost of installing one. Not worth it.
PRO
Davonport Kitchen & Home
8 years ago
Hi Alant1000,

An extractor not only helps to remove odours from cooking but it also makes cleaning the kitchen easier, removing some of the grease that would otherwise settle throughout the room.

Extractors do however come in many shapes and sizes, in terms of aesthetics you could opt for a pendant extractor which appears as a pendant light or you could choose a downdraft extractor, which will be hidden within the worktop.

It's difficult to give you a definitive answer but we certainly design all our clients' kitchens with appropriate extraction. If you would like more information about the importance of extraction and the different options there are for extractors please do read our blog - Extraction: the secret to a clean kitchen and odour-free home.

Hope this helps.

Kindest regards, Davonport.
PRO
Amber Jeavons Ltd
8 years ago
Hello alant1000,

I'd say it's really really good to have one... Even if you don't have full external extraction but opt for charcoal filters.. It's still far more appealing to have. Smells, fat and steam would otherwise permeate other areas of your home, especially if it's open plan... : ))
alant1000
Original Author
8 years ago
I think a ceiling extractor with a built in bulkhead might be the option, I'd ask the builders when they start next week. The ceiling ones tend to be approx 30cm high with all the internal mechanism so it's the best option to avoid having something massive and clunky. I'd still rather not have one at all - but my head tells me I should!!
charlie_bill
8 years ago
hi Alant100 - we have the same issue and are going for a "cloud" effect with recessed extractor to overcome it - no idea if the builders can do it yet but that's the solution we think will work though how low it's going to comes a worry. Would love to hear how you get on.
drpepe101
8 years ago
You can have an extractor on another wall in the room. Like a bathroom extractor rather than a kitchen hood.
charlie_bill
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
is there any way of making them look less term "bathroomy" drpepe, i guess it would save a lot of expense however i really don't like the look of them.

How important is a cooker extractor?

Akiva Projects Ltd

Comments (22)

OnePlan

alant1000
Original Author

Related Discussions

Nicholas Engert

havingfun

havingfun

minnie101

allthreeofus

creativeorg

OnePlan

OnePlan

alant1000
Original Author

OnePlan

alant1000
Original Author

OnePlan

Sam Fisher

Davonport Kitchen & Home

Amber Jeavons Ltd

alant1000
Original Author

charlie_bill

drpepe101

charlie_bill

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

How important is a cooker extractor?

Comments (22)

alant1000Original Author

Related Discussions

alant1000Original Author

alant1000Original Author

alant1000Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

alant1000
Original Author

alant1000
Original Author

alant1000
Original Author

alant1000
Original Author