Choosing a 60 cm cooker hood is a key decision when planning your kitchen. This standard size fits most hobs and is available in a wide variety of designs and performance levels. The right choice depends on your kitchen's layout, your cooking habits, and your desired technical specifications. This guide breaks down the crucial criteria and presents a selection of models, each with a distinct focus.
Buying Guide: Key Technical Criteria for Your Selection
Before making a decision, it's essential to analyse the technical parameters and your personal requirements. The following points define the functionality and suitability of a cooker hood.
The most fundamental choice concerns the operating mode. Both systems have specific technical requirements and principles of operation.
- Extraction Hood: With this system, cooking vapours are drawn in, purified by a grease filter, and vented directly outside through ductwork. This method is highly effective as it also removes humidity from the room. It requires a wall opening and an exhaust duct. Installation can be complex or prohibited in rental properties or low-energy homes.
- Recirculation Hood: This system draws in air and passes it through two types of filters: a grease filter and an activated carbon filter. The grease filter traps oil and grease particles, while the cooker hood with an activated carbon filter neutralises odour molecules. The purified air is then recirculated back into the kitchen. This system requires no structural changes and offers flexible installation. However, the activated carbon filter must be replaced regularly.
An Overview of Designs
The design determines not only the look of your kitchen but also its ergonomics.
- 60 cm Under-Cabinet Hood: These compact models are mounted underneath a wall cabinet or directly onto the wall. They are a space-saving solution that can be discreetly integrated into existing kitchen units.
- Wall-Mounted Hood: This classic design is mounted directly on the wall above the hob. Stainless steel wall-mounted hoods are particularly popular due to their durability and ease of cleaning.
- 60 cm Angled Hood: These modern hoods feature an angled design, which provides an unrestricted view of your pots and pans and offers significantly more headroom. They are especially beneficial for taller individuals or for those who use their hob intensively.
Key Technical Specifications
- Extraction Rate (in m?/h): This value indicates how many cubic metres of air the hood can circulate per hour. A common formula to calculate your needs is: Room Volume (Length x Width x Height in m) x 10 = recommended extraction rate in m?/h. For an open-plan kitchen, a higher value should be chosen.
- Noise Level (in dB): A quiet cooker hood is a crucial factor, especially in open-plan kitchens. Values below 60 dB on a medium setting are considered relatively quiet. Manufacturer specifications usually refer to the highest performance level.
- Energy Efficiency Class: As with other home appliances, the scale from A+++ (very efficient) to G (less efficient) indicates the power consumption relative to performance.
- Filters: Metal grease filters are standard on most models and are typically dishwasher-safe. For recirculation hoods, the quality and lifespan of the activated carbon filter are critical for effective odour neutralisation.
Our Top Cooker Hood Picks
The following selection is based on an analysis of the products' technical specifications and functional design.
1. Comfee SLIF17SS-60 Under-Cabinet Hood
- Why we recommend this product: The Comfee SLIF17SS-60 is a functional 60 cm under-cabinet hood that focuses on the essentials. Its compact dimensions and simple stainless steel design make it a practical solution for small to medium-sized kitchens or for retrofitting into existing kitchen units.
- Advantages:
- Extraction Rate: With 200 m?/h, it is designed for smaller, enclosed kitchens.
- Flexible Operating Modes: Supports both extraction and recirculation modes (recirculation filter sold separately).
- Simple Operation: Control is managed via intuitive push-buttons for three speed levels and the LED lighting.
- Compact Design: With a height of just 8 cm, it can be discreetly integrated under a wall cabinet.
- Who it's for: This model is suitable for users looking for a straightforward, space-saving 60 cm cooker hood for a standard kitchen. It's an excellent choice for rental properties or as a replacement for an older unit.
2. Ciarra 60cm Angled Hood with Touch Control
- Why we recommend this product: The Ciarra Angled Hood combines a modern design with solid performance. As a 60 cm head-free hood, it offers ergonomic advantages while cooking. The combination of glass and stainless steel, along with the touch controls, highlights its contemporary character.
- Advantages:
- High Extraction Rate: At approx. 580 m?/h, it is also suitable for more intensive cooking sessions and open-plan kitchen concepts.
- Complete Package for Both Operating Modes: The delivery includes both an exhaust hose for extraction and an activated carbon filter for recirculation mode.
- Modern Controls: The flush-mounted glass touch control panel is hygienic and intuitive to operate.
- Efficient Grease Filter: The 5-layer aluminium grease filter is dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.
- Energy Efficiency: The appliance is rated Energy Efficiency Class A+.
- Who it's for: Ideal for design-conscious users who value ergonomics and a modern kitchen aesthetic. Its high performance makes it a great option for ambitious home cooks and open-plan kitchens.
3. Midea-Comfee 60cm T-Shape Wall-Mounted Hood
- Why we recommend this product: This T-shaped model from Midea-Comfee is positioned in the upper performance segment. With a very high extraction rate, an A+++ energy efficiency class, and innovative control concepts like gesture control, it is aimed at demanding users.
- Advantages:
- Very High Suction Power: An airflow of up to 650 m?/h effectively removes steam and odours, supported by four speed levels.
- Innovative Control: The hood can be operated via a touchpad as well as contact-free with gesture control.
- High Energy Efficiency: The brushless DC motor (BLDC) achieves an A+++ energy efficiency class rating, which minimises energy consumption.
- Robust Materials: The stainless steel construction and the reusable, dishwasher-safe 5-layer aluminium filter ensure longevity.
- Low Noise Level: According to the manufacturer, the noise level is 59 dB, which is a remarkable figure for a hood in this performance class.
- Who it's for: This model is designed for users seeking maximum performance and the highest energy efficiency. It is well-suited for large, open-plan kitchens and appeals to tech-savvy individuals who appreciate modern features like gesture control.
Alternatives to the Classic Cooker Hood
While a functional cooker hood is essential for air quality, the visual centrepiece of a modern kitchen can also be defined by atmospheric elements. To create additional ambience in an open-plan kitchen, decorative features like an LED fireplace could be an interesting addition to your kitchen design.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
1. How often should the activated carbon filter be replaced in a recirculation cooker hood? The lifespan of an activated carbon filter depends heavily on the frequency of use and the type of food being cooked. As a general guideline, replacement every 3 to 6 months is recommended to ensure effective odour neutralisation. Some manufacturers offer regenerable filters that can be reactivated in an oven.
2. What extraction rate (m?/h) does my cooker hood need? For a rough guide, you can multiply your kitchen's volume (Length × Width × Height) by a factor of 10. For example, a kitchen with a 15 m? floor area and a height of 2.5 m has a volume of 37.5 m?. Multiplying this by 10 gives a recommended minimum value of 375 m?/h. For open-plan kitchens or frequent frying, a higher performance level should be selected.
3. Can I install an extraction hood in a rental property? Installing an extraction hood requires a wall opening, which is a structural alteration. This must be discussed with and approved in writing by the landlord or property management. In many cases, a recirculation cooker hood is the more straightforward and often the only permissible solution in rental properties.
