1) Cooker Hood Replacement and Ventilation Upgrade – Wibsey, Bradford
We were recently contacted by a customer who asked us to replace an existing cooker hood they had supplied. Thankfully, they’d chosen a quality Bosch model — one we know performs well and is worth fitting.
At first glance, this looked like a simple swap-out job. But as is often the case with kitchen ventilation, a closer inspection revealed a few issues that needed sorting before we could do the job properly.
Back to top2) The Problem: Poor Ventilation Setup
The previous cooker hood had been set up with a recirculating configuration. In other words, the extracted air was just being filtered and blown back into the room — not ideal for removing cooking smells, grease, or moisture.
To make matters worse, the vent outlet for the original installation was off-centre and didn’t align with the new Bosch cooker hood. Because of the design of the new hood, this meant it wasn't possible to connect the ducting to it without major compromise. Unless we drilled a new, correctly positioned core hole, it simply couldn't be connected up to vent externally using the existing opening.
Back to top3) What We Did – And Why It Matters
We explained to the customer the long-term benefits of switching to a proper externally vented setup — and they agreed. So, we got to work:
- Drilled a new ventilation hole through the external kitchen wall, ensuring it was centrally aligned with the new hood for optimal airflow
- Used our core drill with dust extraction to carry out the work neatly and with minimal disruption to the kitchen
- Installed the Bosch cooker hood in line with the new vent and securely connected the ductwork to ensure a clean and direct route out
- Carried out electrical testing and verification, ensuring safe operation
- Tested airflow using an anemometer to confirm the system was performing correctly
4) Why External Ventilation Is the Smarter Choice
While recirculating hoods may seem like an easier or cheaper option upfront, they’re far less effective at:
- Removing grease and steam from the kitchen
- Tackling strong cooking odours
- Preventing condensation buildup on walls and windows
They also come with ongoing running costs, such as charcoal filters that need replacing regularly.
By comparison, a properly vented cooker hood:
- Offers better air quality while cooking
- Is lower maintenance long-term
- Helps reduce the risk of damp and mould forming in your kitchen
In this case, the customer now has a setup that does the job properly — with no need to rely on filters or suffer with smells and moisture in the air.
Back to top5) Need a Cooker Hood Installed Properly?
If you’re replacing your kitchen extractor and want it done right — including clean coring and external ducting — we’re here to help.
Fill out the form below or give us a call and we’ll be in touch to chat through your project.
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