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Recirculating vs Ducted Cooker Hoods: Which Works Best?

Choosing the right cooker hood can transform how fresh, clean, and comfortable your kitchen feels.
This guide introduces the two main extraction types—recirculating and ducted—and helps you decide which best suits your home and cooking style.

7–9 min read
Includes comparison table

A cooker hood is more than a finishing touch above your hob—it’s a hardworking appliance that deals with odours,
steam, and grease. But not all hoods work the same way.
Some send air outside through ducting, while others filter and return it back into your kitchen.
Understanding these two systems is key before you buy.

At a glance: Ducted hoods are usually the most powerful at clearing smells and moisture.
Recirculating hoods are easier to install and flexible when ducting isn’t an option.

What you’ll learn in this guide

The key differences between recirculating and ducted hoods.
How each type handles steam, odours, and grease.
Installation, maintenance, and cost considerations.
Which system is better suited to flats, houses, and open-plan kitchens.

How Cooker Hoods Work

At their core, cooker hoods are designed to improve your kitchen environment by dealing with the by-products of cooking.
Whether you’re simmering a sauce or frying fish, they help to keep the air clean and comfortable.

A cooker hood uses a fan to draw in the air above your hob.
This air usually contains a mix of steam, heat, grease particles, and odours.
Once pulled in, the hood then processes the air in one of two ways:

Ducted extraction: The air is pushed outside through a duct, carrying smells, heat, and moisture away from your kitchen entirely.
Recirculating extraction: The air passes through filters (usually grease filters and carbon filters), before being released back into the kitchen cleaner and odour-reduced.

Why it matters: The way your cooker hood handles air will affect its efficiency, installation needs, and how fresh your kitchen feels day to day.

What Is a Recirculating Cooker Hood?

A recirculating cooker hood works by pulling in air from above the hob, cleaning it through a set of grease filters and carbon filters, and then releasing it back into the kitchen. Instead of venting outside, it continuously cycles air within the room.

Key Benefits

Easy installation: No need for ducting, making it suitable for flats and rented properties.
Flexible placement: Can be installed on internal walls where outside venting isn’t possible.
Cost-effective setup: Generally cheaper and quicker to install than ducted systems.

Drawbacks to Consider

Odour removal: Less effective than ducted hoods at eliminating strong cooking smells.
Filter maintenance: Carbon filters need to be replaced regularly to maintain performance.
Moisture handling: Steam and humidity remain in the kitchen, which can lead to condensation.

Good to know: Recirculating hoods are an ideal choice if you want a straightforward, flexible solution without major building work.

What Is a Ducted Cooker Hood?

A ducted cooker hood (also known as an extraction hood) pulls in cooking air and expels it directly outside through a system of ducting. Unlike a recirculating cooker hood, this type does not return air into the kitchen, meaning odours, steam, and excess heat are removed completely.

How It Works

The hood’s fan captures air containing grease, moisture, and cooking smells.
Grease filters trap particles to protect the motor and ductwork.
The cleaned air is pushed through ducting to an external vent or roof outlet.
Air is expelled outdoors, keeping the kitchen fresher and reducing condensation.

Benefits

Highly effective odour removal: Smells are vented outside rather than filtered.
Better steam management: Humidity and condensation are reduced.
Lower running costs: No carbon filters to replace, only washable grease filters.
Comfort: Removes excess heat, making the kitchen cooler during heavy cooking.

Drawbacks

Complex installation: Requires ducting and an external wall or roof outlet.
Limited flexibility: Not always suitable for flats or listed buildings.
Performance affected by ducting: Long runs and sharp bends can reduce airflow.

Best for: Homes where strong odour removal and steam control are essential, such as open-plan kitchens or households that do a lot of frying.

Recirculating vs Ducted Cooker Hoods: Key Differences

Now that we’ve looked at each type individually, here’s a side-by-side comparison of recirculating and ducted cooker hoods. This will help you quickly see which one matches your kitchen needs.

Feature	Recirculating Cooker Hood	Ducted Cooker Hood
Installation	Easy to install, no ducting required. Suitable for flats and internal walls.	Requires ducting to an outside wall or roof. More complex installation.
Odour Removal	Moderate – air is filtered through carbon filters but some smells may linger.	Excellent – odours are expelled outside the home.
Steam & Moisture	Remains in the kitchen, can increase condensation.	Removed entirely, reducing humidity and condensation.
Maintenance	Carbon filters need replacing regularly. Grease filters must be cleaned.	Grease filters need cleaning, but no carbon filters required.
Running Costs	Ongoing cost of replacement carbon filters.	Lower long-term cost as only washable grease filters are required.
Noise Levels	Can be noisier due to extra filtering resistance.	Often quieter if ducting is well designed and short.
Best For	Flats, rented properties, or kitchens without outside access.	Open-plan kitchens or homes where strong cooking odours are common.

Cost Considerations

When choosing between a recirculating cooker hood and a ducted cooker hood, it’s important to think beyond the purchase price. Both types come with different costs over their lifetime.

Initial Costs

Recirculating hoods: Generally cheaper upfront and easier to install, so labour costs are lower.
Ducted hoods: May cost more to buy and require professional installation, especially if ducting needs to be added through walls or ceilings.

Running & Maintenance Costs

Recirculating hoods: Require regular replacement of carbon filters, which adds to ongoing expenses.
Ducted hoods: Only need the grease filters cleaned or replaced occasionally, making them cheaper long term.

Energy Use

Both types use a fan to move air, so energy consumption is similar. However:

Recirculating hoods: Work harder to push air through carbon filters, which can make them slightly less efficient.
Ducted hoods: Can be more efficient if the ducting is short and well-designed.

Tip: If you cook often and want lower long-term costs, a ducted hood may pay off. If you rent or move frequently, the flexibility of a recirculating hood might be worth the filter expense.

Which Cooker Hood Is Right for You?

The choice between a recirculating and a ducted cooker hood depends on your home layout, cooking habits, and budget. Here are some factors to help you decide:

Kitchen Layout

Flats or apartments: Often better suited to recirculating hoods due to limited access to external walls.
Houses with outside walls: Ideal for ducted hoods, as installation is easier and performance is stronger.

Cooking Style

Light cooking: Recirculating hoods are usually sufficient if you don’t generate lots of smoke or odours.
Frequent frying or aromatic cooking: A ducted hood is more effective at removing strong smells and steam.

Budget

Short-term savings: Recirculating hoods have lower upfront costs and installation fees.
Long-term value: Ducted hoods cost more initially but save money over time with fewer filter replacements.

Noise Levels

Ducted hoods can be quieter if ducting is efficient. Recirculating hoods sometimes create more noise because of the added filter resistance.

Bottom line: Choose a recirculating hood if you want flexibility and easy installation. Go for a ducted hood if you want maximum odour and steam removal with lower long-term running costs.

Pros and Cons Summary

To make your decision clearer, here’s a quick rundown of the main advantages and disadvantages of both recirculating and ducted cooker hoods.

Recirculating Cooker Hoods

Pros: Easy installation, flexible placement, affordable upfront cost.
Cons: Less effective at odour and steam removal, ongoing filter replacement costs, can be noisier.

Ducted Cooker Hoods

Pros: Excellent odour and steam removal, lower long-term running costs, reduces kitchen heat and humidity.
Cons: More expensive installation, requires external wall or roof access, less flexible placement.

Tip: If aesthetics and quiet performance matter most, either type can work—just balance convenience against long-term efficiency.

Conclusion

Both recirculating and ducted cooker hoods serve the same purpose—keeping your kitchen air clean—
but they achieve it in very different ways. The best choice comes down to your home setup, budget, and cooking style.

If you want flexibility and a simple installation, a recirculating hood is a practical solution.
If you prioritise powerful odour and steam removal and plan to stay in your home long-term,
a ducted hood is likely the smarter investment.

Whichever you choose, investing in a quality hood will make your kitchen fresher, healthier, and more enjoyable to cook in.

Explore CATA’s full range of cooker hoods to find the model that best matches your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Recirculating hoods do not remove steam. They filter odours and grease but return the moist air back into the kitchen.

Yes, ducted hoods can be more energy efficient as they move air directly outside with less resistance than through filters.

Many models can be converted, but you’ll need access to an external wall or roof and proper ducting installed.

Carbon filters typically need replacing every 3–6 months, depending on cooking frequency. Grease filters should be cleaned monthly.

Ducted hoods can be quieter if ducting is efficient, while recirculating hoods sometimes create extra noise due to filter resistance.

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