Cooker hoods: How to buy
Large, shiny cooker hoods look great but take up lots of space
Large shiny hoods might be fashionable but they also take up a lot of space and won’t be suitable for all kitchens. So remember, your hood needs to be right for your kitchen, your budget, your cooker and you.
Do looks really matter?
Viewers of Property Ladder know that looks matter - a shiny new kitchen complete with a trendy range cooker and hood could help to sell your house. However, island and chimney hoods aren’t for everyone; your hood purchase should suit the size of your budget, your kitchen and your cooker.
Does your hood fit your hob?
If you've got a four-ring hob or cooker a smaller hood would be best for you. 60 cm wide integrated and freestanding hoods are widely available with built-in hoods being 53 cm in width. You will also be able to find some 60 cm chimney models.
Range cookers
Buy a cooker hood to suit the size of your budget, your kitchen and your cooker
For a range style cooker you'll need a bigger hood to cover all six of the burners. Chimney and island hoods are 90 to100 cm in width and will cover all of your hob.
Installation
Retailers don’t offer hood fitting services for free – this is true whether you’re buying a hood on its own or as part of a new kitchen. So you’ll need to pay them to do this for you, get a qualified electrician to do this for you or do this yourself.
Costs
Hiring an electrician to fit your hood for you will cost around £100. Fitting the hood should take about two hours and we were quoted £45 per hour.
Costs will vary according to the size of hood you buy; island hoods are large and will take longer to install.