Extractor Hoods: Advantages and Disadvantages

Among the most useful appliances in kitchens, extractor hoods stand out. Apart from their decorative aspect, it is their functionality that attracts the attention of those who use them as a resource to suck the smoke formed while preparing food.
Extractor Hoods: Advantages and Disadvantages

Last update: 20 February, 2023

You can install extractor hoods on the ceiling or on the wall. Some look quite modern and others have a traditional cut. However, in any of their types, you will find attributes and disadvantages that you deserve to know before purchasing and installing an extractor hood. We’ll tell you more in this article.

What are extractor hoods?

Consumoteca refers to extractor hoods as devices installed above the kitchen for the purpose of extracting smoke. They add among other benefits the suppression of fat suspended in the air and the elimination of odors and heat.

In order not to contaminate the environment, the idea is that the smoke that goes to the outside comes out clean. For this reason, they have a filter, which is indispensable in the steam outlet and helps get rid of pollutants produced by gas stoves, such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide.

In their domestic version, hoods are just as useful as in the professional field. In this regard, the industry magazine HVAC&R explains that ventilation is essential during cooking operations since these are generally done in closed rooms.

There are recirculation hoods, as well. In this case, they return the purified air to the kitchen. The good thing is that most of them support both systems in the same appliance.

Extractor hoods are manufactured in stainless steel and come in different sizes and innovative designs so that they’re utilitarian and aesthetic.

Cocinar en familia.
For households that enjoy cooking, an extractor hood is key in maintaining hygiene and keeping the air clean.

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The advantages of installing extractor hoods in the house

Apart from renewing the air in the kitchen, extractor hoods extend the life of the rest of the furniture, since they fight the humidity that deteriorates them. They also reduce the chances of accumulating dust mites and mold from the heat.

Here are some other advantages of installing hoods to extract steam from the kitchen area:

  • Variety: There are extractor hoods for all tastes and for any style of kitchen. Check the commercial catalogs, seek advice from experts in these devices, and take home the one that corresponds to your demands.
  • Suction power: Although most of them are effective in air extraction, it’s best to opt for those that adapt to the dimensions of your kitchen; don’t get carried away only by large volumes or appearance. The secret is in the suction capacity.
  • Make the most of the space available: The location of these devices saves space, since they’re located above the kitchen and to incorporate them you do not modify the distribution of other furniture. Their arrangement is ideal so that the room doesn’t look cluttered, especially if it’s a small room.
  • Style: The traditional ones are still very popular, but the decorative hoods are also quite in style. From rustic to minimalist, they fit in with the rest of the furniture. They have a light above the burner and are available in classic silver, black, and gold, although it’s also possible to find other tones.
  • Easy cleaning: They sell special products for cleaning hoods. Just follow the manufacturer’s instructions. However, homemade degreasers are also useful. You can apply them with a sponge or a loose wool cloth, wet with water and baking soda. You can also use a solution of water and white vinegar.

If the dirt is very encrusted, a toothbrush helps to clean extractor hoods.

The disadvantages of installing exhaust hoods in the home

It’s important to know the drawbacks associated with installing exhaust hoods. This is not to say that there are bad aspects to this investment, but there are certain details to keep in mind so that you are not taken by surprise during use.

Here’s what you should keep in mind:

  • Noise: While not all hoods are excessively noisy, keep in mind that they work with a motor and this tends to be felt. Sometimes the sound disturbs conversations in the kitchen.
  • Price: There are prices for every budget, but if you want a decorative hood, you should be prepared to pay more. When your budget is limited, it’s a good idea to purchase fixed or telescopic extractors – that is to say, those that you place under the cabinets.
  • Electricity costs: In large kitchens, “normal” power may not be enough to extract smoke and odors. If you want to ensure absorption, you have to activate the maximum power, and the consequences are higher electricity costs and more noise.
  • Commitment to maintenance: Cleaning grease from the hoods is a daily responsibility to avoid fire hazards and to keep the kitchen from looking unpleasant. Regularly remove the filters, wash them and, if necessary, replace them with new ones.
Cambio de filtro de campana extractora.
The hood filter isn’t difficult to put on and remove, but it needs periodic attention to prolong the life of the appliance.

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How to choose the best extractor hood

Three keys prevail in the choice of stove hoods. One of them is the decorative flow of the room, as it visually attracts a hood that matches the rest of the interior design. Whenever funds permit, look for colors, designs, and styles in keeping with the trend evident in the room.

The size of the stove, as well as the size of the appliance, influences the right purchase. Choose the one that measures at least the same width as the stove. At the moment of installation, verify with the technician that the distance between the burners and the extractor is safe; generally, this should be 70 centimeters when the top is glass ceramic and 75 centimeters for gas stoves.

Power is the third important factor to keep in mind. If you want to estimate the capacity of an extractor hood, multiply the square meters of the room by the height; then, bearing in mind the size of the product, multiply it again by 12, and you will have calculated its suction force.

So, now that you have the recommendations, would you give your kitchen a hood as a gift?


All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.



This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.