Which cooker hood for the block? Choose wisely!

Which Kitchen Hood for a Flat? Choose Wisely!

The accumulation of moist vapours, grease, and dirt in a flat primarily originates from the kitchen. Cooking, frying, and baking are what cause the air in the home to become contaminated. We offer advice on which kitchen hood for a flat would be the best choice.

Why Have a Kitchen Hood in a Flat?

The main task of a kitchen hood is to filter the air in the kitchen. This is an essential process if we want the place where we cook, eat meals, and spend a lot of time to be clean and hygienic. It’s important because contact with food happens there 24/7.

The air in the kitchen should be cleaned, whether we live in a flat or a detached house. The risks are similar in both cases. In a kitchen without a hood, greasy particles of dirt accumulate on furniture, walls, and other appliances. Smoke, unpleasant odours, and burnt smells permeate curtains, tablecloths, and furniture upholstery. Month by month, the kitchen becomes dirtier and sooner or later (usually sooner) requires renovation.

Which Kitchen Hood for a Flat?

Kitchen hoods can be divided into two main categories that differ in terms of connection and operation:

• extractor hoods, connected to an external ventilation duct via a pipe


• recirculating hoods, not connected by a pipe, but operating with a carbon filter

The first decision when choosing a hood for a flat should be to decide between these two options. The rule is that it’s always best to choose an extractor. It is more effective and quieter. The effectiveness of the extractor comes from the fact that vapours are expelled outside and do not return to the room. In the case of a recirculating hood, water vapour is filtered through activated carbon in the carbon filter, which traps unpleasant odours, and the air is then released back into the kitchen. Naturally, the first solution is more effective.

Kitchen Hood in a Flat – Check the Housing Association Regulations

While this is usually not a problem in single-family housing, in multi-unit and multi-storey buildings, the most important issue is the structure of the ventilation system.

For a long time, most buildings have been equipped with so-called gravity ventilation (or natural ventilation). This is the drawing of air (draught) through chimneys due to the pressure difference inside and outside the building. It is a continuous stream of air not assisted by any mechanical devices.

If the building you live in does not have a separate ventilation duct planned for it, installing a kitchen extractor hood will be impossible. Why? Imagine connecting an extractor in your kitchen to a shared gravity ventilation system via a pipe. From that moment, every time you turn it on, all the vapours from your cooking will spread into your neighbours' flats! Additionally, it will disrupt the natural gravity ventilation in the building.

If the flat has a separate exhaust duct (in addition to natural gravity ventilation), but the ducts are collectively routed and only branch out to individual flats – it is also not possible to install an extractor hood.

In newer buildings, mechanical ventilation, i.e., assisted by a motor, is also used. If, in addition to the duct dedicated to this mechanical ventilation, there is an extra ventilation duct (chimney), there are usually no objections to installing an extractor.

Some property managers also impose restrictions related to the maximum hood capacity. For example, it may not exceed 200 m3/h.

Before deciding whether to connect a hood to ventilation in a flat – be sure to check if this is allowed in the building you live in.

Extractor Hood for a Flat

If there are no restrictions on installing an extractor in a flat, we suggest a model that is quiet, efficient, and discreet.

The Globalo Lomero built-in hood has a maximum efficiency of 580 m3/h and operates quietly, with a sound level of just 48 dB on the first speed. These parameters will perform well even in larger kitchens or kitchens open to the living room. When installing the Lomero hood in a flat, ensure proper installation. The pipes used should be smooth and as short as possible. We recommend using PVC pipes with a diameter exactly matching the outlet of the hood. The shorter the exhaust pipe and the fewer bends it has leading to the ventilation grille, the quieter and more efficient your hood will be.

Recirculating Hood for a Flat

Installing a recirculating kitchen hood in a flat does not interfere with the existing ventilation system, so it can be installed in almost any kitchen without any concerns. Most hoods available on the market can operate as both extractors and recirculators. You simply need to install a replaceable carbon filter in the kitchen hood, and it will function as a recirculating hood.

However, there are models designed solely for use as recirculators, which cannot be connected to ventilation. One such model is the island hood shown below.

The Globalo Serina kitchen hood resembles a modern lamp. It is mounted to the ceiling on sturdy, adjustable steel cables. It is not only a recirculator that captures unpleasant fumes from above the hob, but also an interesting interior design element. It will be especially appreciated by those with a kitchen island in an open-plan kitchen that connects to the living room where guests are entertained. Visitors' admiration is guaranteed!

Which Kitchen Hood for a Flat – Summary

To conclude, let’s summarise the most important information from this guide:

• kitchen hoods operate as extractors (open circuit) or recirculators (closed circuit)


• a recirculator can always be installed in a flat


• if there are no objections (a separate ventilation duct is provided) – an extractor is the recommended kitchen hood for a flat


• if only gravity (natural) ventilation operates in the building, installing an extractor hood is not possible


• before purchasing and installing a hood, always check the housing association regulations and consult a specialist