Downdraft extractors
Discussion
Hi
I'm thinking of having a downdraft extractor fan instilled in our new kitchen but don't know a lot about them. Reason for the install is purely about the look of the product and the way our kitchen lends itself to having one instead of a traditional canopy.
My kitchen supplier has forward me some info on two brands called Esto Axial and Elica Adagio. I've seen Neff ones on the internet which I would have assumed to be up to the job given their reputation but I'm looking for recommendations from current users.
Thanks!
I'm thinking of having a downdraft extractor fan instilled in our new kitchen but don't know a lot about them. Reason for the install is purely about the look of the product and the way our kitchen lends itself to having one instead of a traditional canopy.
My kitchen supplier has forward me some info on two brands called Esto Axial and Elica Adagio. I've seen Neff ones on the internet which I would have assumed to be up to the job given their reputation but I'm looking for recommendations from current users.
Thanks!
I fitted a Wolf to our kitchen. The main unit is island mounted behind shallow depth base units, then 6 to 8 inch ducting goes down below the floor, and out to the externally mounted fan unit. You'd need to either have the ducting planned and installed before a solid floor was poured, or have a void below a timber floor as we have - unless you're mounting against an external wall. If a kitchen fitter is fitting it make sure they have done one before - only because it's not 'standard' kitchen kit that they'd be used to and it needs a bit of creative thinking (not botching, honest) to fit it all. Mine was sourced cheap from ebay with some parts missing, so I had to get a 110v US-spec transformer to power it, plus get a black glass 'lid' made for the top. List price was plain silly.
Works well, almost too well on maximum. Very quiet, and doesn't block the view like any other extractor would that hangs from the ceiling. You can't help but whistle the Thunderbirds tune as it motors out of the worktop. Complete excess but very cool. Don't leave your drink on the top of it before erection... It also makes the side of the house look like a chinese takeaway with the big 2 foot square ally fan box bolted to the wall
Another option might be Gaggenau's domino extractor that sits in the worktop next to the hob. No experience of those though.
Works well, almost too well on maximum. Very quiet, and doesn't block the view like any other extractor would that hangs from the ceiling. You can't help but whistle the Thunderbirds tune as it motors out of the worktop. Complete excess but very cool. Don't leave your drink on the top of it before erection... It also makes the side of the house look like a chinese takeaway with the big 2 foot square ally fan box bolted to the wall
Another option might be Gaggenau's domino extractor that sits in the worktop next to the hob. No experience of those though.
The most important things to remember are these.
1. The cabinet behind it will have to be either shallow or cut into for the extraction pipe
2. Usually the extraction needs to be within 100mm of the rear of the hob
3. Check, double check and triple check that the builder has installed a 150mm dia pipe under the floor if (like most) your downdraft extractor requires it. Do not listen to any bs from them stating a narrower pipe will do, it won't and the extractor will not extract.
4. Make sure the builder leaves a lip of at least 50mm out of the floor to connect the flexi extraction pipe too. IM just installing one where the pipe finishes within the floor. How the heck am I supposed to connect a flexi to that?
1. The cabinet behind it will have to be either shallow or cut into for the extraction pipe
2. Usually the extraction needs to be within 100mm of the rear of the hob
3. Check, double check and triple check that the builder has installed a 150mm dia pipe under the floor if (like most) your downdraft extractor requires it. Do not listen to any bs from them stating a narrower pipe will do, it won't and the extractor will not extract.
4. Make sure the builder leaves a lip of at least 50mm out of the floor to connect the flexi extraction pipe too. IM just installing one where the pipe finishes within the floor. How the heck am I supposed to connect a flexi to that?
Wozy68 said:
The most important things to remember are these.
1. The cabinet behind it will have to be either shallow or cut into for the extraction pipe
2. Usually the extraction needs to be within 100mm of the rear of the hob
3. Check, double check and triple check that the builder has installed a 150mm dia pipe under the floor if (like most) your downdraft extractor requires it. Do not listen to any bs from them stating a narrower pipe will do, it won't and the extractor will not extract.
4. Make sure the builder leaves a lip of at least 50mm out of the floor to connect the flexi extraction pipe too. IM just installing one where the pipe finishes within the floor. How the heck am I supposed to connect a flexi to that?
Hmmm, I'm forced to agree again with you here... Spot on! 1. The cabinet behind it will have to be either shallow or cut into for the extraction pipe
2. Usually the extraction needs to be within 100mm of the rear of the hob
3. Check, double check and triple check that the builder has installed a 150mm dia pipe under the floor if (like most) your downdraft extractor requires it. Do not listen to any bs from them stating a narrower pipe will do, it won't and the extractor will not extract.
4. Make sure the builder leaves a lip of at least 50mm out of the floor to connect the flexi extraction pipe too. IM just installing one where the pipe finishes within the floor. How the heck am I supposed to connect a flexi to that?
I've just finished installing one in my own new kitchen, a 1200mm wide version, and everything Worzy says is correct, especially the duct diameter. It's vital to get correct. Mine has a remote motor, so needed a bit more space than normal, and if I could learn anything from the experience it's two things... 1) always raise the motor to check for damages as they are rife on these type of products and 2) ideally get the unit on site before you start building as it's a lot easier to plan the fitting if you have the appliance in front of you.
And yes, the thunderbirds effect is great!
Griff Boy said:
Wozy68 said:
The most important things to remember are these.
1. The cabinet behind it will have to be either shallow or cut into for the extraction pipe
2. Usually the extraction needs to be within 100mm of the rear of the hob
3. Check, double check and triple check that the builder has installed a 150mm dia pipe under the floor if (like most) your downdraft extractor requires it. Do not listen to any bs from them stating a narrower pipe will do, it won't and the extractor will not extract.
4. Make sure the builder leaves a lip of at least 50mm out of the floor to connect the flexi extraction pipe too. IM just installing one where the pipe finishes within the floor. How the heck am I supposed to connect a flexi to that?
Hmmm, I'm forced to agree again with you here... Spot on! 1. The cabinet behind it will have to be either shallow or cut into for the extraction pipe
2. Usually the extraction needs to be within 100mm of the rear of the hob
3. Check, double check and triple check that the builder has installed a 150mm dia pipe under the floor if (like most) your downdraft extractor requires it. Do not listen to any bs from them stating a narrower pipe will do, it won't and the extractor will not extract.
4. Make sure the builder leaves a lip of at least 50mm out of the floor to connect the flexi extraction pipe too. IM just installing one where the pipe finishes within the floor. How the heck am I supposed to connect a flexi to that?
I've just finished installing one in my own new kitchen, a 1200mm wide version, and everything Worzy says is correct, especially the duct diameter. It's vital to get correct. Mine has a remote motor, so needed a bit more space than normal, and if I could learn anything from the experience it's two things... 1) always raise the motor to check for damages as they are rife on these type of products and 2) ideally get the unit on site before you start building as it's a lot easier to plan the fitting if you have the appliance in front of you.
And yes, the thunderbirds effect is great!
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