Nobody likes having cooking smells lingering in their kitchen long after the last plate has been washed up. That’s why cooking extraction is an almost essential feature for most modern kitchens – but choosing your ventilation isn’t always an easy task. It’s not a one-size fits all solution; there are lots of factors to consider, and your choice of ventilation should suit both your kitchen and your own personal style. At Kitchen Design Centre, we like to make things as simple and as straightforward for our customers as possible – so we’ve put together the ‘ultimate guide’ in choosing your kitchen extractor.
We’ll start with the big one! Before you do anything else, you’re obviously going to decide how much you have to spend, as it’ll govern every other decision. Extractors have a wide degree of variation in price, and can vary from as little as £50 right up to several thousands of pounds, so it’s a good plan to know right off the bat how much you intend to spend.
The second of your most key considerations, the extraction method not only dictates how effective your extractor will be, but also how it physically fits into your kitchen. You’ve basically got two options: ducted out or recirculation extractors.
Ducted-out extractors are exactly what they sound like, passing the air through ducting to totally remove it from the room. You will need to be able to situate your extractor reasonably close to an exterior wall for maximum effectiveness and efficiency. (The further away your extractor is from an outside wall, the more ducting you’ll need to bridge the gap – which could end up being expensive!) That’s the only major consideration with ducted out extractors though – if you have clear exterior wall access, a ducted-out extractor is an effective, powerful way to clear lingering cooking smells.
A recirculation extractor, on the other hand, works by drawing in air and processing it through a filter to before dispersing it back into the room. You would need to ensure you changed the filter every few months to keep it in full working order, but it’s more convenient in other ways. Firstly, it gives you more freedom in terms of where to place your extractor, since you don’t have to worry about funnelling the fumes out of the building. Recirculation extractors are also quick and easy to install, making them cost effective, and there are some fascinating design options to choose from too! (We’ll go into more about those in a moment.)
Speaking of which, choosing between ducted-out and recirculation extractors doesn’t always have to limit you in terms of design – lots of hood styles can be configured to either one. If you’re not sure, you can always talk to one of our kitchen designers about what you want from your kitchen extractor. In almost every case, our talented designers will be able to recommend a creative solution!
As you can imagine, the more powerful your fan is, the more effective it will be. But on the other hand, you don’t want to get a kitchen extractor that’s too powerful for your kitchen, as you may quickly start to see an impact on your energy bills. It can be a tricky balancing act.
When working out how powerful you want your extractor to be, an easy way is by using the volume of your kitchen. Your kitchen’s volume is its length x width x height. That number is multiplied by ten to become the approximate number of air changes per hour, which indicates roughly what capacity extractor you should buy.
It’s also a good idea to take into account what sort of cooking you’ll be doing. If you’re a lover and hot and spicy foods, for example, you might find that frying requires greater extraction capacity to clear properly than other types of cooking. So although the equation above can help, your judgement will come into it too!
With all the functional elements decided on, now it’s just a matter of choosing a style that suits you. (We won’t delve into too much detail here; this post is pretty detailed as it is! Besides, we’ve explored these types of extractor individually before on the blog – we’ve linked to previous entries where appropriate.
Ceiling Extractors – Built into ceilings or bulkheads, ceiling extractors look fantastic in modern kitchens with clean crisp lines, because they offer no obstructions in your line of sight.
Downdraft Extractors – These stunning examples of cutting-edge technology rise smoothly up and out from islands and kitchen worktops, before lowering to conceal themselves again when no longer needed.
Island or Feature Extractors – Feature extractors are designed to be eye-catching focal points for your kitchen, and many have unique little technological quirks that do wonders for both their function and aesthetics.
With all these decisions to make, you can see why most people take a little while to decide on what type of kitchen ventilation is best for them. But once everything is said and done, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of watching your brand-new kitchen extractor at work, and that first afternoon relaxing in your wonderfully clean, fresh-smelling kitchen.
If you’re still not quite sure where to begin in terms of choosing your kitchen extraction, not to worry – that’s where we come in! Just pop into your local designer kitchen showroom, and our friendly and knowledgeable kitchen designers are on hand to help with any questions you may have. We’ve got designer kitchen showroom locations in Blackburn, Manchester and Colne, so we’re never too far away!
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Introducing Beth Ainsworth to our Blackburn showroom. Beth brings fresh ideas and plenty of enthusiasm to kitchen design. Off the clock, I’m most likely in the gym.
We’re passionate about tailoring our designs to fit your lifestyle, so whether you want a space to entertain or a family-centric kitchen to spend quality time together, our designers know exactly how to make your dream kitchen a reality.
When you book an appointment, you’ll be introduced to your personal kitchen designer, who will sit down with you in our dedicated meeting space to discuss what you want for your dream kitchen. Then, when you’re happy with the final design, they’ll become your dedicated project manager as they oversee every aspect of the installation, guaranteeing exceptional customer service as we deliver the kitchen of your dreams.
Our Summer Sale is officially ON! ✨
If you’ve been dreaming about a new kitchen, there’s never been a better time to make it happen. From timeless designs to modern family spaces, now is the perfect opportunity to save on the kitchen you’ve always wanted.
Visit our showroom or link in bio to get in touch to find out more.
AS SEEN ON GEORGE CLARKE’S BEAUTIFUL BUILDS: FROM DATED LAYOUT TO DREAM ENTERTAINING SPACE
When Katherine and Andrew purchased their property, they always knew a full renovation would follow.
With both the outdated kitchen and untouched garden requiring significant transformation, the project soon became part of Channel 4’s George Clarke’s Beautiful Builds – it was an opportunity they felt perfectly aligned with their vision for the property.
While searching for a local kitchen specialist, Kitchen Design Centre immediately stood out thanks to its long-standing reputation, glowing customer reviews and welcoming showroom experience.
The brief focused on creating a sleek, contemporary kitchen that would feel open, social and highly functional, while complementing the wider architectural renovation of the home.
The finished design delivers a beautifully balanced space that combines clean lines with luxurious detailing.
One of the standout features is the striking worktop design. The waterfall edge peninsula creates a bold focal point within the room, while the continuation of the material across the side panels introduces a seamless, premium aesthetic.
Functionality was equally important throughout the design process, with carefully considered storage solutions and high-quality appliances helping to simplify everyday living. Among Katherine and Andrew’s favourite additions is the Neff oven, praised for both its versatility and pyrolytic self-cleaning function.
The completed result is a sophisticated contemporary space that completely transforms how the home looks, feels, and functions, perfectly reflecting Katherine and Andrew’s original vision from the moment they moved in.
More details in our bio
SUMMER JUST GOT EVEN BETTER FOR YOUR DREAM KITCHEN!
You don’t have to keep waiting for your dream kitchen. With flexible finance options on kitchens over £20,000, it’s ready when you are. Spread the cost of your kitchen plans and move forward in a way that works for you this summer.
With our exclusive Quooker offer, when you purchase any Quooker Tap and Tank system with a kitchen over £20,000, you’ll receive a FREE Quooker CUBE worth £1,250, plus free installation worth up to £384, and 4 free CO₂ cylinders worth £70. It’s everything you need to enjoy chilled, filtered, sparkling and boiling water straight from your tap.
And when you step into our showrooms, there are even more opportunities waiting for you, including exclusive savings on selected ex-display kitchens and up to 50% off selected stock appliances. Don’t miss this rare chance to secure something special, with design and value combined.
That said, like all great things, these summer offers are only available for a limited time — once they’re gone, they’re gone!
The kitchen isn’t just a place to cook — it’s the heart of the home.
At our Kitchen Design Centre, we believe your kitchen should be the centrepiece of your house, where style meets functionality and every moment matters. From morning coffees to family dinners and everything in between, your kitchen is where life happens.
That’s why we design spaces that bring people together — beautiful, practical, and tailored to you. Whether you’re dreaming of a sleek modern look or a warm, classic feel, we’re here to help you create a kitchen that truly feels like home.
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