BEST has a wide selection of black extractors. There’s a downdraft extractor in black glass, too!
 
 
 
 
 
 
Black pendant and island hoods
The Secret pendant hood with black glass features an extraction rate of 700 m3/h. It’s an excellent choice for a large kitchen. Available for recirculation or ducting out. (A chimney kit is required if ducting out).

The Polar Island hood combines stainless steel with black painted glass. This island hood boasts an extraction rate of 800 m3/h. And it’s also our quietest island hood! Available for ducting out or recirculation.

The Gemini, Sphera and Moon pendant hoods are available in black painted aluminium. Their elegant shapes suit any contemporary kitchen design. For a larger hob cooking area, you could install two of the same pendant hoods for extra impact and double extraction performance. For an open plan kitchen, consider using the same hood above your dining table. Each of these hoods features two or three halogen lights, so you can use it to light your table!

The standard versions of Gemini, Sphera and Moon are suitable for ceiling heights of 2.4 to 2.8m. A shortening pole is available for ceiling heights from 2.08m. A lengthening pole is available for ceiling heights up to 3.6m high. Available for recirculation only.

Black wall-mounted cooker hoods
The top-of-the-range Equinox hood is available in a combination of black and mirror glass. Its unusual shape hides a powerful hood: its extraction rate is 745 m3/h. Available for recirculation and ducting out. (A chimney kit is required for ducting out.)

The Polar wall-mounted hood is extremely quiet thanks to BEST Silent Tech. In fact, its noise is almost imperceptible at lower speeds. Don’t be fooled by this quietness, though. This hood boasts an extraction rate of 800 m3/h! Available for ducting out or recirculation.

The Kite is our most popular wall-mounted hood in black glass. It is available in 80cm or 55cm wide (suitable resp. for hobs up to 90cm wide or up to 70cm wide). It has an extraction rate of 740 m3/h making it suitable for most kitchen sizes. A separate chimney kit is available if ducting out. Alternative designs include Surf, Sun, Azimuth and Mask.

Black downdraft extractor
A downdraft extractor is an excellent solution for a cooking island. When not in use, only the black glass panel of the Lift downdraft extractor is visible. The Lift is available in 90cm or 60cm wide. It can be ducted out or used in recirculation mode. To reduce noise levels and save space in your kitchen cabinet, a remote or external motor can be installed. And if you like gadgets, consider our ultra-shiny stainless steel remote control which will impress your friends even when they just look at it. Imagine them being “blown away”, when you use it to move your downdraft hood up or down!

Here’s a list of island cooker hoods that are suitable for 90cm gas and electric hobs:

1. The Double Vertigo hood will turn heads
The curves of the Double Vertigo hood will create a focal point in your kitchen. This hood features two 390m3/h motors (the total extraction rate is 780m3/h) and 6 halogen lights. It’s suitable for recirculation.

2. The Outline hood is for a more subtle look
The Outline has the same extraction power (780m3/h) as the Double Vertigo, but its overall look is more subtle. A special extension kit is available to make the Outline hood suitable for ceilings up to 3.6m high.

3. The Secret hood is customisable for a co-ordinated look
The standard options of the Secret hood are black glass and white glass. For a more personalised look, try matching your work surface, splash back or go for a piece of glass art. The Secret has an extraction rate of 700m3/h and can be used for recirculation or ducting out. An optional chimney kit is available for the ducted mode.

4. The 90cm Polar Island hood – the quietest option!
Despite its powerful motor and an extraction rate of 800m3/h, the Polar Island hood is one of the quietest on the market. The noise level is barely perceptible at the lowest speeds. The Polar Island hood is available with black or white glass and it comes with a circular control. The Polar Island hood can be used for recirculation or ducting out.

5. The 100cm Spark island hood – for a commercial look
As quiet and powerful as the Polar hood, this stainless steel hood with a flat glass panel will give your kitchen a commercial look. The LED lighting makes it environmentally friendly, too. The Spark hood is suitable for ducting out or recirculation.

6. The Gloss island hood – for a polished look
The stainless steel of the Gloss hood is polished for a slightly shiny look. The Gloss has an extraction rate of 630m3/h and it features 3 LED lights. The Gloss island hood is suitable for ducting out or recirculation.

7. Two Lampedusa hoods – a powerful duo
Despite a diameter of only 32cm, a Lampedusa hood has an extraction rate of 630m3/h. Two Lampedusa’s will provide you with the most powerful option of this list: a total extraction rate of 1,260m3/h. The Lampedusa island hood can be used for either ducting out or recirculation.

8. The Lipari hood will add some colour to your kitchen
The Lipari island hood in red adds a nice splash of colour to your kitchen. This hood also features Advanced Sensor Control, so you don’t need to worry about switching your hood on and off – it can be operated fully automatically thanks to its sensor. The Lipari is suitable for recirculation or ducting out.

9. Two Moon pendant hoods – an elegant duo
With a diameter of only 50cm, two Moons could be installed above a 90cm hob. Each Moon hood features 3 halogen lights. If you’re having an open-plan kitchen, consider having a Moon (or two) over your dining table to provide lighting. Each Moon hood has an extraction rate of 390m3/h (recirculation only).

Alternatives to island cooker hoods:

90cm Lift and Movie downdraft hoods
Downdraft cooker hoods are a popular alternative to island hoods. Downdraft hoods are installed behind the hob and are neatly hidden below the work top when they are not in use. BEST offers a selection of stainless steel, white glass and black glass downdraft hoods. All BEST downdraft hoods are suitable for ducting out or recirculation and they can also be installed with a remote motor.

Cirrus, Phobos and Enigma ceiling hoods
Ceiling hoods are a recent addition to the cooker hood market, but their popularity has been growing fast. Ceiling cooker hoods are built into your ceiling. They are available for ducting out only.

If you are not sure what 90cm hood to choose for your kitchen, then don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01253 471001. We’re always happy to help!

Further reading:
Island cooker hoods – 4 things to consider before you buy an island hood
Downdraft extractors – 10 things you need to know before buying a downdraft extractor
Ceiling extractors – 8 things you need to consider before buying a ceiling hoods

1. Pendant style hoods for ceiling heights up to 3.6m
We provide optional lengthening poles for pendant hoods. This means that these hoods can be used for ceilings up to 3.6m high!

The lengthening poles are suitable for the following hoods: Vintage, Sphera, Outline, Gemini and Moon.

The height of the impressive Double Vertigo island hood is adjustable making this hood suitable for ceiling heights up to 2.9m.

2. Ducted hoods for ceiling heights up to 3.05m
If you’d like to have your hood ducted out, then the Polar Island hood and Secret hood are excellent choices. Click here for more information about the advantages of ducting out.

The chimney section of the Polar Island hood is height adjustable, making it suitable for ceiling heights up to 3.05m high. The Polar Island hood features Silent Tech and is one of the quietest hoods on the market. At lower speeds, the noise is almost imperceptible!

An optional chimney kit is required to duct out the Secret hood. This chimney kit is height adjustable – making it suitable for ceiling heights up to 2.9m. To match your kitchen colour scheme, the Secret hood can be customised with panels of your choice.

Please note that both the Polar and Secret island hoods can be used in recycling mode if preferred.

3. Alternatives to island hoods
Downdraft hoods and ceiling hoods are great alternatives to island hoods – especially if you have a high ceiling.

Downdraft cooker hoods are installed behind the hob. As they are not mounted on the ceiling, they are suitable for any ceiling height. They are neatly hidden below the work top when they are not in use. We offer a selection of downdraft hoods in widths of 60cm and 90cm. They are suitable for either ducting out or recirculation.

Ceiling cooker hoods are literally built into your ceiling. They are suitable for ceiling heights of up to 2.5m. For higher ceilings, a false ceiling can be used to lower the fitted height of the hood.

If you are not sure what hood to choose for your kitchen island, then don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01253 471001. We’re always happy to help!

For more information:
Island cooker hoods – 4 things to consider before you buy an island hood
Downdraft extractors – 10 things you need to know before buying a downdraft extractor
Ceiling extractors – 8 things you need to consider before buying a ceiling hoods

The Phobos concept challenges the idea that an extractor requires a noticeable presence above the hob area. The design is so minimalist that only a subtle sculpted form is visible and the hood appears to be integrated in the overall architecture of a kitchen.

The ‘collar’ section of the Phobos ceiling hood is made of white polyurethane and the white central circular section is made of painted metal. Both parts can be painted to match your ceiling colour integrating the hood fully into the ceiling.

Don’t be fooled by the hidden nature of the Phobos, though. Its subtle shape hides a powerful cooker hood with an extraction rate of 910 m3/h.

The Phobos – with a minimum noise level of just 49 decibels – is ideal for open plan kitchens. It features 12 LED lights set in a circle and just half the lights can be used to create a relaxed after-dinner ambiance.

The extraction rate can also be called airflow. It refers to the amount of air (in m3) that can be extracted in one hour. The higher the extraction rate, the more air can be removed.

Here we answer three key questions on extraction rates.

1. Is the extraction rate the same for recirculating and ducted hoods?
If a hood is used in recirculation mode, then the air is forced through a charcoal filter. This will reduce the airflow by up to 30%.

If a hood is ducted out, then the extraction rate will be affected by the length and diameter of the ducting run and the number of bends. The more bends and the longer and narrower the ducting run, the lower the extraction rate. You may notice a reduction in efficiency if the ducting run exceeds 3-4 metres and has more than 2 bends. Most manufacturers recommend rigid 150mm diameter ducting for optimum results.

2. What extraction rate do I need?
To calculate the appropriate airflow level for your kitchen, you should multiply the volume of your kitchen by 10.

For example: If your kitchen is 3 metres wide, 5 metres long and 2.7 metres high, your calculation will be:
(3 x 5 x 2.7) x 10 = 405

This means that a hood with an extraction rate of 400 m3/h should achieve efficient ventilation of the room.

3. How is the extraction rate reported?
Most manufacturers, including BEST, comply with the European standard IEC EN 61591. This means that the airflow is measured in a realistic scenario: after one meter of ducting plus one 90° bend plus one more meter of ducting.

If a hood can only be used in recirculation mode, then the airflow should be measured at the point of the metal grease filter with the charcoal filter in place (which reduces the airflow). This lower airflow figure is reported for BEST recirculation-only hoods.  Not all cooker hood brands use this accurate reporting method.

1. What are recirculation cooker hoods?
Recirculation cooker hoods clean air before recycling it back into your kitchen. These hoods are also called recycling or recycle-only cooker hoods.

2. How does it work?
The air in the kitchen is drawn into the cooker hood. The air first passes through metal grease filters in which fats are trapped. Then the air is further cleaned by charcoal filters which help absorb cooking smells. After this cleaning process, the air is circulated back into the kitchen.

3. What is the difference with ducted hoods?
Ducted hoods remove the air from the kitchen to the outside. This means that steam and condensation are removed from the kitchen – hoods in recirculation mode are not able to do this. Also, ducted hoods will circulate more air than recirculation hoods (depending on the extraction level and the number of bends and length of the ducting run).

4. Can all hoods be used as recirculation hoods?
All BEST cooker hoods can be used as recirculating hoods. BEST ceiling hoods are the only exception – these can only be used as ducted out models. Other brands in the market may have more models that can only be used as ducted models – check the specifications or speak to your retailer.

5. In what cases should a recirculation hood be used?
Your choice of hood depends on several factors. If there is, for instance, a fossil fuel burning appliance in the kitchen, then you must use a recirculation hood. Recirculation hoods are also ideal for passive houses and buildings with heat recovery systems; or when it’s not possible to duct out.
In new builds or extensions, however, you need to use a ducted model (or you can use an additional wall or ceiling fan in addition to your recirculation cooker hood).
If you regularly deep fry food or do a lot of wok cooking, then it may be better to consider a ducted model. You should also consider what hood design suits your kitchen style. Some hood styles are only available as recirculation models, such as pendant-style hoods.

6. What cleaning needs to be done to maintain performance?
Grease filters need to be cleaned regularly, but all BEST grease filters can easily be cleaned in a dishwasher! Charcoal filters need to be replaced every 2 to 3 months or earlier depending on usage. Charcoal filters are an optional extra (unless otherwise indicated) and can be purchased through your kitchen retailer or our Spare Parts department (0871 871 8680).

Browse our cooker hood catalogue to find a recirculation hood that suits your kitchen design. Or is there anything else you want to know about recirculation cooker hoods? Call our Technical department (0871 871 8680) or e-mail us enquiry@besthoods.co.uk.

1. Location of your cooker hood
Can you plan your cooker and hood onto an outside wall? This is recommended planning because it will shorten the ducting run (and therefore maximise the extraction performance and minimise noise levels).

2. Ducting run
The shorter the duct run and the fewer the bends, the higher the performance of your cooker hood will be. There is some trade off between the two – you can have more bends if the ducting run is shorter. It is, for instance, recommended that the ducting run is not longer than 4 metres if you have one 90° bend. If you have two 90° bends, then the ducting should be no more than 3 metres.
Where possible, the direction of the ducting should decline downwards slightly to the outside wall to prevent condensation running back into the hood, and onto your hob.

3. Ducting size
You always have to buy ducting separately from the hood, so that you can get the right ducting for the requirements in your kitchens. All cooker hoods are developed for a specific size ducting. For optimal performance of the cooker hood, it is important to use the correct size ducting. Don’t use reducers because it will negatively affect the performance of your hood. Most BEST cooker hoods have outlets that will accept ducting with a diameter of 150mm.

4. Ducting type
You should always use rigid ducting because flexible or ribbed ducting will reduce the extraction performance of the hood and increase the noise level.

5. Ceiling joists
If you are having an island or ceiling hood, then you need to consider the direction of the joists. It is not possible to run ducting in the opposite direction to the joists. It is also wise to check the height of the joists. Joists are often 5” high – our Megaducting kit (flat channel ducting) is especially developed for these.

6. Chimney kits
Some BEST cooker hoods (such as the Kite and Equinox hoods) require a separate chimney kit if you want to duct out your cooker hood. Chimney kits can be purchased as an optional extra from your kitchen or appliance retailer.

Please note that with the only exception of pendant hoods, all BEST cooker hoods can be ducted out. Browse our product catalogue to find your cooker hood.

Click here to download the ducting information PDF

Can’t duct out? Most of our hoods can also be used as recirculation cooker hoods.

1. Oil from shallow frying, deep frying or wok cooking can be deposited on your cabinets making it difficult to keep your kitchen clean. A kitchen extractor will remove grease from air in the kitchen by filtering the air through the grease filters.

2. Isn’t it awful when you come down for breakfast in the morning and the whole kitchen (and maybe the living room) still smells like the curry you made yesterday? A kitchen extractor will remove smells from your kitchen – especially if you leave the hood switched on for a while after you finish cooking.

3. Cooking creates lots of steam and condensation. In the worst case this can create mould in your kitchen. If your extractor is ducted out and used correctly (click here to find out more about improving the performance of your cooker hood), it will remove steam and condensation from your kitchen.

4. A kitchen extractor can add to the overall look of your kitchen. Extractor designs have evolved in recent years and there are many styles to choose from now.

Find out more about different extractor types.

1. Pendant hoods
Shortening poles are available for most of our lamp-style island hoods (also called pendant hoods). These shortening poles make the hoods suitable for ceiling heights of 2.08 to 2.3 metres (6.8 to 7.5 feet). There are quite a few options: pendant hoods in stainless steel, chrome or painted aluminium (in black or white). Have a look at the Vintage, Sphera, Outline, Gemini and Moon pendant hoods. These hoods are only suitable for use in recycling mode. Please note that the shortening pole needs to be ordered separately and is only suitable for those hoods where “shortening poles” are listed under the “Optional accessories”.

2. Downdraft cooker hoods
If you need a hood that is ducted out, then downdraft cooker hoods are a great option for low ceilings. Downdraft cooker hoods are built in the work surface, so they are suitable for any ceiling height (the hood only rises 310mm out of the work surface!). Have a look at BEST downdraft hoods. Or continue reading about the 10 things you need to know before buying a downdraft extractor.

3. Vertical wall mounted cooker hoods
If you use these hoods in recycling mode, then you don’t need to install a chimney kit. Vertical cooker hoods need to be installed 500mm above a gas hob and only 400mm above an electric hob and their total height (excluding chimney kit) is 530mm. This means you can use them for a ceiling height of around 2 meters or 6.5 feet. Have a look at the Surf, Kite, Sun, Mask and Azimuth cooker hoods. Please note that most other chimney hoods need to be installed 650mm to 750mm above the hob.

4. Canopy hoods
Canopy hoods (also called built-in or built-under cooker hoods) are fitted into the base of a chimney-breast style housing or into overhead cupboards, so you don’t have to worry about ceiling height at all. Visso canopy hoods can be ducted out or used in recycling mode.

5. Ceiling hoods
BEST ceiling hoods are made with a standard ceiling height of 2.3m in mind, a lower ceiling height of say 2m (6.5ft) would be totally acceptable. The Cirrus and Enigma would be the most suitable over an island feature, as their designs are flush to the ceiling making them ideal for restricted heights.

Which is the most suitable cooker hood for your kitchen with a low ceiling? It really depends on what design you like. Also, consider these questions:

Do you have a cooking island? If so, a downdraft, ceiling or pendant cooker hood is the best option.

Do you need good extraction performance? You will need to duct out – go for a downdraft, ceiling cooker hood or a canopy hood.

Have a look at these cooker hood designs:
Pendant hoods
Downdraft hoods
Wall-mounted hoods
Canopy hoods
Ceiling hoods

1. Are downdraft extractors only for cooking islands?
Downdraft extractors can be used close to a wall or in a cooking island. Downdraft extraction is especially popular for cooking islands as it creates a minimalist look. Unlike island hoods, downdraft hoods are out of sight when not in use. And when in use, a downdraft hood doesn’t obstruct your view as the hood only rises 310mm above the work surface.

2. Does a downdraft extractor need to be ducted out?
You can have your downdraft extractor in recycling mode or ducted out. Please note that you have to order the charcoal filters separately if you use the hood in recycling mode. A small amount of filtered air will blow into the cupboard cavity when the hood is used in recycling mode.

3. Do downdraft extractors work as well as island hoods?
As with all extractors, you need to compare extraction rates. BEST downdraft cooker hoods have an extraction rate of  770 m3/h (or more) which is sufficient for most cooking styles and a room size of up to 77 cubic meters (e.g. a kitchen with a length of 6m, a width of 5.5m and a height of 2.3m). You also need to consider whether you can have your downdraft extractor ducted out. If you have it ducted out, then it will work better than when you have it in recirculation mode.

4. How does the ducting work?
The motor can be fitted at either side of the downdraft extractor. The ducting can run from the top, bottom or either side of the motor. It can then pass under the flooring, below the cupboards or along the back of the cupboards. Click here for more information on ducting options. It’s best to decide on your cooker hood before you start the refurbishment of your kitchen! Also, keep in mind that the length of the duct run will affect the extraction performance. Try to keep your duct run as short as possible with as few bends as possible.

5. What is the advantage of having an external or remote motor?
As the motor is not sited in the kitchen, the noise level of the hood will be a lot lower. And, because you don’t have the motor below the work surface, you have some extra cabinet space for other things. The BEST external motor also has a slightly higher extraction rate than the standard integrated motor, so it will clean more air. If you’re having an external or remote motor fitted, then you need to order the hood without the standard motor (as you can’t have two motors).

6. What is the difference between an external and a remote motor?
They are both sited outside the kitchen. A remote motor is located inside your house but away from the kitchen, for instance in another room or loft space. The external motor is fitted outside the house on an exterior wall or on the roof. Please note that you need to order the motor separately.

7. How close should the downdraft be fitted to the hob?
There is no specific distance recommended by BEST. However, the extraction will work more efficiently if it is closer to the hob.

8. Is the downdraft hood safe to use?
All BEST downdraft extractors are fitted with a safety feature which stops the downward movement when an obstruction is detected. The hood will then start to reverse upwards. Once the object is removed, the hood will operate in the normal way. Also, if the filter or glass panels are not fixed correctly a visual warning signal on the control panels will show and the hood will not move until the panels have been correctly fitted.

9. Are downdraft hoods only suitable for electric hobs?
You can use downdraft hoods with a gas or electric hob. Moreover, BEST downdraft hoods are available in either 60cm or 90cm wide.

10. What are the differences between the Movie and Lift downdraft extractors?
The Lift extractor has a higher specification than the Movie. The Lift is operated by touch control while the Movie hood has push buttons. Thanks to its perimeter design, the extraction of the Lift is slightly higher at 800m3/h (the extraction rate for the Movie is 770m3/h). The perimeter design of the Lift looks good, because the grease filters are hidden behind a glass or stainless steel panel. The Lift extractor also features LED lighting.

Click here to find out more about BEST downdraft extractors.