Choosing the right cooker hood for your kitchen can make a world of difference in keeping your space clean, fresh, and free from lingering cooking smells. With so many sizes and styles available, it’s not always clear how to pick one that fits both your kitchen design and your cooking habits. The key is understanding how size, extraction power, and placement work together to give you the best performance.
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Understanding Cooker Hood Sizes
Cooker hoods come in a range of sizes, but one of the most popular options for larger cooktops is the 90cm cooker hood. This size is ideal for wide hobs with multiple burners because it offers full coverage over the cooking area. A hood that’s too small may fail to capture all the steam, grease, and odours, while one that’s too large might look out of proportion or waste energy.
A simple rule of thumb is to choose a hood that’s at least as wide as your hob, ideally a little wider. For example, if you have a 90cm hob, a 90cm cooker hood ensures that the extraction zone covers the entire surface area, making it more efficient in drawing up smoke and vapour.
Matching Extraction Power to Your Cooking Style
Size isn’t the only factor that matters — power is equally important. The power of a cooker hood is measured in cubic metres per hour (m³/h) and determines how much air it can extract. To find the right level of power for your kitchen, multiply the room’s volume (length × width × height) by 10. The result gives you the minimum extraction rate needed to effectively clear the air around ten times per hour.
For example, if your kitchen has a volume of 30 m³, you’ll want a hood with at least 300 m³/h extraction power. However, if you often cook meals that generate lots of steam, smoke, or strong odours — such as frying or grilling — choosing a more powerful hood will help maintain air quality and prevent greasy residue from settling on surfaces.
The Importance of Quiet Operation
Noise level is another consideration that many homeowners overlook. A high-powered cooker hood doesn’t necessarily have to be loud. Many modern designs, such as the Ciarra ONE, are engineered to combine strong extraction with whisper-quiet operation. This allows you to enjoy conversation or background music while cooking without the constant hum of an overworked fan.
If your kitchen is open-plan, quiet performance becomes even more valuable. Look for models with multiple speed settings so you can adjust the fan power depending on what you’re cooking — lower speeds for simmering and higher speeds for frying or boiling.
Ducted vs. Ductless Cooker Hoods
When selecting the right cooker hood, you’ll also need to decide between ducted and ductless systems. A ducted hood vents air outside through a pipe, which provides the best extraction performance and removes moisture completely. Ductless hoods, on the other hand, filter the air and recirculate it back into the kitchen, making them easier to install in spaces where external venting isn’t possible.
The Ciarra ONE, for example, is designed with flexible installation options, allowing it to operate in both modes. This makes it suitable for various kitchen layouts, whether you live in an apartment or a detached home.
Style and Design Considerations
A cooker hood isn’t just a functional appliance — it can also be a design feature. Sleek black glass, stainless steel, or integrated designs can add a modern aesthetic to your kitchen. The 90cm cooker hood size often complements contemporary layouts by providing symmetry over large hobs and islands.
When matching the design, think about the overall look you’re going for. Wall-mounted hoods make a bold statement, while integrated or ceiling-mounted options are ideal for minimalist spaces.
Energy Efficiency and Lighting
Modern cooker hoods now include LED lighting and energy-efficient motors, helping to reduce electricity consumption. LEDs not only save energy but also provide bright, even illumination over your cooking area. This improves visibility when preparing food and enhances the overall kitchen atmosphere.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right size and power for your cooker hood doesn’t have to be complicated. By understanding your kitchen’s dimensions, cooking style, and design preferences, you can easily identify a model that suits your needs. A 90cm cooker hood offers excellent coverage for larger cooktops, while advanced models like the Ciarra ONE deliver efficient extraction, quiet operation, and stylish design.
Investing in the right cooker hood ensures a cleaner, fresher, and more comfortable cooking environment — one that lets you focus on the joy of preparing meals without worrying about smoke, odours, or noise.
Harold Price is a home improvement blogger who strives to improve his life and the lives of others. He provides homeowners with helpful tips on how to renovate their homes. His goal is not only to provide easy-to-follow instructions, but also share his own personal experiences for those seeking guidance.
