Head turning cooker hoods from Falmec

Continuing my news from the KBB show at the NEC. One of the main features of the show was the variety of cooker hoods on display. It’s perhaps easier to come up with a novel design for a cooker hood than it is for a more prosaic appliance like a fridge or an oven.

I’ll need to split up my report because there were so many cooker hoods to look at. And I will come back to the more technical aspects of choosing a cooker hood … but to start with … it’s all about looks! The Falmec hoods, in the picture on the right, were on the Euroline stand (they’re importers and distributors of Italian cookers and cooker hoods).

The Italians seem to be particularly good with quality cooker hoods. Elica have been trail blazing innovative designs in the UK for some years. The Elica Om was introduced a few years ago now; the one below left is a Mini-Om which was introduced later and in a wider choice of colours. That was right at the start of the trend for angled cooker hoods – very appropriate for the tall amongst you (you’re less likely to bang your head on them!). Elica then pioneered stylish suspended hoods that look more like big light shades. The one in the centre is “Star” which featured in an episode of Grand Designs. They’re not designed for super efficient extraction … most of them re-circulate the air … they’re designed to make a statement about your style choices; especially in big living kitchens where an island hob is often a central feature.

Cooker hoods on show from Elica

The Elica hood on the right, above, is a new model called “Galaxy” which I don’t think is available yet. It has an ultra slimline look and is, I suspect, one of Elica’s more practical models with very efficient, quiet extraction. They also had a new downdraft extractor on display. I’ve not been a big fan of these in the past … although I can see the attraction, if you don’t like the idea of a statement cooker hood in the middle of your ceiling. Several manufacturers have introduced new models of this type recently.

Downdraft cooker hoods are difficult to extract out (if the hob is in an island) and some models are not suitable for gas hobs. The Elica model can be used with gas, though, and it does have the advantage that you can use a remote motor, to increase extraction efficiency (and reduce the space taken up beneath the hob, for an internal motor).

The cooker hoods in the pictures below are, again, Italian made. They’re a brand called “Best” which is being distributed in the UK by Britannia Living, who make Britannia cookers. The ones in the pictures come from Best’s “Platinum” range which are extremely stylish (and at the expensive end of the market). They also do a “Living” range of more standard looking (and less pricey) hoods.

Italian cooker hoods from Best's "Platinum" range

I’ve never seen anything quite like the “Vertigo Double” model, on the left (sorry – it’s not a brilliant picture). You’d have to be fairly brave to site that in the middle of your living kitchen … but it would be a statement and a half, if you did!  The model in the centre is “Sun White” for wall mounting and on the right is “Gemini White”. These are less “in your face” in style but still very clear design statements and I like them both.

Best also do a high performance downdraft extractor with the option of using a remote or an external motor … and the choice of white or black glass panels.

More highly expensive … but oh, so cool … cooker hoods next week. Plus some suggestions for slightly less expensive options too.

Tags: kitchen design, Kitchen Equipment, Kitchen Gadgets and Appliances, Kitchen Planning & Installation, new kitchen