Understanding Extraction Rate: A Guide to Choosing the Right Cooker Hood

What Is Cooker Hood Extraction Rate – And How Much Do You Need?

Cooker hoods are essential for keeping your kitchen clean and fresh by removing smoke, steam, and cooking odours. One of the most important things to consider when buying a cooker hood is the extraction rate, but what does that actually mean?

What Is Extraction Rate?

The extraction rate is the amount of air a cooker hood can remove in an hour. It’s measured in cubic metres per hour (m³/h). The higher the number, the more air the hood can extract—making it more effective at removing steam, smoke, and smells.

How Do You Know What Rate You Need?

To work this out, you first need to know the volume of your kitchen. You can calculate this by multiplying the room’s length × width × height.

Example:
If your kitchen is 3m × 3m × 2.5m, the volume is 22.5 m³.
To keep the air fresh, your cooker hood should replace the air 10 to 12 times per hour.
So:
22.5 m³ × 10 = 225 m³/h (minimum)
22.5 m³ × 12 = 270 m³/h (ideal)

If you regularly fry, grill, or cook meals that produce a lot of steam or smoke, it’s best to choose a more powerful hood—around 300 m³/h or more.

The table below shows recommended cooker hood extraction rates based on different kitchen sizes. It uses the general rule of 10 to 12 air changes per hour to help you choose the right extraction power for your space. Use it as a quick guide to find the ideal extraction rate for your kitchen dimensions.

Room Size (L × W × H)	Volume (m³)	Minimum Extraction Rate (10x)	Ideal Extraction Rate (12x)
2m × 2m × 2.5m	10 m³	100 m³/h	120 m³/h
3m × 3m × 2.5m	22.5 m³	225 m³/h	270 m³/h
4m × 3m × 2.5m	30 m³	300 m³/h	360 m³/h
4m × 4m × 2.5m	40 m³	400 m³/h	480 m³/h
5m × 4m × 2.5m	50 m³	500 m³/h	600 m³/h
6m × 5m × 2.5m	75 m³	750 m³/h	900 m³/h

Another important factor to consider is the size of your hob and how you use it. Larger hobs or ranges with multiple burners in use at the same time produce more heat, steam, and cooking fumes, which means you'll need a more powerful extractor to keep the air clear. If you often cook with high heat, fry, or prepare meals that generate strong smells, it's worth choosing a cooker hood with a higher extraction rate and a wider canopy that can effectively cover the entire cooking area.

Other Things to Consider

While extraction rate is important, it’s not the only factor to think about. You should also consider:

• Hood type – wall-mounted, integrated, or island-style

• Noise level – some hoods can be quite loud on higher settings

• Design – choose a model that suits your kitchen layout and style

• Budget – higher extraction rates can mean a higher price

In Summary

The extraction rate shows how efficient a cooker hood is at clearing the air in your kitchen. By choosing the right model for your kitchen size and cooking habits, you can enjoy a cleaner, fresher environment every time you cook.