The Kitchen Hood Is Not Extracting? Discover Causes and Solutions

Blog Guides Diagnostics Maintenance and cleaning News and Technologies In the kitchen

November 9, 2023 - Updated at January 30, 2025
Tiziano B.
Diagnostics
20722 views

Have You Noticed That Your Kitchen Hood Is No Longer Extracting Properly?

There’s nothing more frustrating than a kitchen hood that fails to perform its primary function—removing smoke and unpleasant odors while cooking. This issue not only makes your kitchen less welcoming but can also affect air quality and, consequently, your health.

In this article, we will explore the common causes of a kitchen hood that is not extracting properly and provide you with solutions to fix the problem.

You'll learn how to resolve this frustrating issue and restore your hood’s efficiency and functionality.

→ I strongly recommend taking action at the first signs of reduced extraction performance. You should never wait until the hood loses efficiency completely.

Other Issues You May Experience:

Is your kitchen hood making noise?

Do you notice excessive condensation on the walls near the cooking area?

Are unpleasant odors or cold air coming from the hood?

Is a warning light flashing or staying on?

Why Is the Kitchen Hood Not Extracting?

To better understand why your kitchen hood is not extracting as it should, it's important to conduct an accurate diagnosis of the problem.

First, it is crucial to distinguish between the two main types of kitchen hoods: extractor hoods and recirculating hoods. This will help determine which components need attention before taking any corrective action.

Specifically:

Extractor hoods are designed to expel dirty air outside through a system of ducts.
Recirculating hoods purify the air through filters and then release it back into the kitchen.

Understanding this fundamental difference between the two types will help you diagnose the issue more effectively.

Kitchen Hood Not Extracting: Causes

If You Have an Extractor Hood:

Grease filters clogged or dirty
Damaged or faulty fan
Obstructed ducts or ventilation pipes
Blocked non-return valve (if present)
Excessive distance from the cooktop
Faulty or worn-out motor
Undersized ductwork

If You Have a Recirculating Hood:

Grease filters clogged or dirty
Saturated activated carbon filters
Damaged or faulty fan
Excessive distance from the cooktop
Faulty or worn-out motor

Kitchen Hood Not Extracting: Solutions

What should you do when you realize your hood isn’t extracting properly?

Clean the grease filters: Start by cleaning the grease filters manually or in the dishwasher. If they are clogged or dirty, the hood will not function efficiently.
Check the fan/blades: Inspect the fan to ensure it is properly connected and not visibly damaged. If it appears faulty, it may need replacement.
Clean ventilation ducts (for extractor hoods): Examine the ventilation pipes that carry air outside. If they are blocked by grease or debris, clean them thoroughly to ensure unobstructed airflow.
Replace activated carbon filters: Check the internal filters. If they are dirty or saturated, replace them following the manufacturer's instructions. Use high-quality activated carbon filters (they typically last around 6 months).
Verify installation: Ensure the hood is installed at the correct height above the cooktop and that the duct diameter is appropriate for the hood’s airflow capacity. If there are installation issues, seek professional help.

➡️ Follow our guidelines in this article for a more in-depth look at kitchen hood cleaning.

When Should You Replace the Filters?

Do you remember when you last replaced your hood filters?

The frequency of replacement depends on several factors, including usage frequency and the level of air contamination in your kitchen.

Extractor Hood: Regularly clean metallic or aluminum filters and replace them if they are severely damaged or clogged.
Recirculating Hood: These hoods require more frequent attention to activated carbon filters. These filters should be replaced every 6 to 8 months, depending on usage frequency and grease/smoke accumulation.

How to Check if Your Hood Extracts Properly? [TEST]

Try this simple test to check your hood's suction power:

Take an A4 sheet of paper. If you want to make the test more challenging, use a paper towel (which is heavier).
Turn on the hood at the lowest setting (speed 1). Place the sheet against the aluminum filters.
At speed 1, the sheet should stay attached to the filters. If it struggles or doesn’t stick immediately, your hood may have a malfunction, excessive grease buildup, or saturated filters.
Increase the fan speed to 2, 3, or 4

If the sheet falls or struggles to stay attached at speeds 3 or 4, this may indicate that the ductwork or exhaust outlet is too small or the ventilation pipes are undersized for the motor’s power.

All Spare Parts for Kitchen Hoods

Are you looking for replacement parts to fix your non-extracting hood?

At Filtro Cappa, you’ll find over 10,000 spare parts, including: filters (grease & carbon), control panels, motors, valves and much more, both original and compatible, suitable for various brands and models.

“What if I can't find the right spare part?”

Contact us, and we’ll get it for you!

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