Cooker Hood Extraction Problems

Testing your cooker hood

Note, not to be tested whilst cooking is in progress.Use a small piece of fairly light paper, switch on the extractor hood, and hold the piece of paper to the mesh area and if it stays in place when you let go, your extractor is actually working.

Types of filter available

In general, when you purchase your new extractor hood, it will have two filters fitted, a grease filter and a carbon or charcoal filter.  Not all extractor hoods are fitted with both filters, but all will have a grease filter.

In order to keep your extractor working efficiently you should periodically check the condition of the filter, and replace as necessary.  If you run an extractor hood with clogged filters, not only with this impair the efficiency of the extractor itself, but it can harm the motor as it has to work that much harder.

harm the motor as it has to work that much harder.There is no set time to change the filters as it purely depends on how much cooking you do, and your style of cooking, be it deep frying, stir frying or steaming.  Once you have changed your filter a couple of times, you will have a better idea of how regularly you should check.  

Grease Filter

This is the filter which is fitted to all extractor hoods and is, therefore, the most important.  These filters come in various types:

Foam: This  type of filter has been used for a very long time.  They trap the grease in the hot air produced by cooking, and passes into the cooker hood.  This type of filter is very reliable.

 As for most types of filters on the market theses days, you can pay a bit more and buy filters with an indicator flag that will tell you when the filter needs to be replaced. If you cannot get the exact size you need for your make and model of extractor hood, you can buy a generic foam filter and cut to size.  It won’t fit quite as well, but should work OK.

Metal: The metal filters are usually found on the more expensive extractor hoods.  These are designed to be taken out and washed as and when required and although this is an excellent idea, unfortunately, over time the fittings do start to weaken and you may well have to replace the whole filter after a while.

Unlike the foam filter, you will have to make sure you have the correct filter to match your make and model of extractor hood.  The benefits of this type of filter is that your replacement should fit perfectly and will give you a long service once in place.

Carbon or Charcoal: These filters are designed to extract cooking smells but are only worth having if you don’t have your extractor hood vented to the outside.  If, however, you do have outside ventilation you can remove this filter from your extractor, as it will actually improve the extraction quality. You may not find it quite so easy to source this type of filter but if you don’t know the make and model of your specific extractor hood, you could purchase a universal cooker hood carbon filter.  You will have to cut it to fit.

If you do know the make and model of your extractor hood, the easiest thing to do is to buy your exact filter.  It will be more expensive but it will fit properly and may well last much longer than the filter you have to cut to size.There is much discussion about these filters and whether they do help to extract cooking smells, but this is purely your choice.

Extractor Hood Installation and Ducting

To ensure your Extractor Hood works as efficiently as possible, it is vital that the installation and ducting is carried out in line with the manufacturer’s instructions.  If this has not been done properly, your extractor may not work to its greatest efficiency, and may not even work at all.  

If at all possible, you should vent your cooker hood to the outside as that is the most efficient way for the hood to work.  If it is not possible to vent the hood to the outside, you will not get the best results.