Cooking at home is a joyful experience, especially when whipping up your favourite dishes. But let’s be honest—smoke, grease, and strong odours can turn a pleasant meal prep into a frustrating chore. That’s where a good cooker hood comes in. Whether you’re a new BTO homeowner, upgrading your HDB flat, or renovating a landed property, choosing the right cooker hood makes all the difference.
In this Cooker Hood Guide 2025, we’ll break down the types of cooker hoods, essential features to look for, and installation tips, especially the cooker hood height above gas cooker and the benefits of a recirculating cooker hood.
1. Why Every Singapore Kitchen Needs a Cooker Hood
Ever tried stir-frying sambal or grilling indoors without a cooker hood? You’d know your entire home can smell like dinner for days! In compact Singapore homes—especially in HDB flats and condos—ventilation can be a real challenge. A cooker hood helps keep your kitchen and living areas fresh by removing smoke, airborne grease, and unwanted odours.
Think of it like your kitchen’s “vacuum cleaner” for air—it sucks in the grime and lets you breathe easy while cooking.
2. Types of Cooker Hoods Explained
When it comes to selecting the right cooker hood, not every type is suitable for compact kitchens like those in HDBs, BTOs, and some condominiums. Here are the two practical and space-efficient cooker hood types Slim Hoods
Slimline cooker hoods are compact, efficient, and budget-friendly options that are installed directly under kitchen cabinets, making them ideal for space-limited kitchens in HDBs or BTOs. Despite their slim design, they provide strong suction power suitable for everyday cooking like frying, boiling, and stir-frying. With simple controls, easy maintenance, and an affordable price point, slimline hoods are perfect for homeowners looking for a practical and fuss-free solution to keep their kitchens smoke- and odour-free.
Semi Integrated Hoods
Semi-integrated cooker hoods are partially visible units that blend into your kitchen cabinetry while keeping essential controls accessible at the front. This design allows for a balance between discreet appearance and ease of use. Suitable for HDB and BTO kitchens, semi-integrated hoods are a great option for homeowners who want a clean kitchen look without fully concealing the appliance. They offer powerful extraction performance, ideal for daily cooking, and come with user-friendly controls and efficient filters for easy maintenance.
Designer Hoods
Designer cooker hoods, on the other hand, are premium models crafted not just for function but also to stand out as a stylish centrepiece in modern kitchens. With sleek finishes, touch control panels, and advanced features like LED lighting and high suction power, these hoods elevate the overall look of your kitchen while effectively keeping it free of grease, smoke, and odour. Ideal for homeowners who value aesthetics as much as performance, designer hoods bring a touch of luxury to Singapore homes.
3. Recirculating Cooker Hood vs Ducted: What’s the Difference?
A ducted cooker hood pushes the air out of your home through an external vent. It’s highly effective but may not be allowed in some HDBs or condos due to structural restrictions.
Enter the recirculating cooker hood. Instead of venting air out, it filters the air (typically using charcoal filters) and recirculates it back into your kitchen.
Pros of Recirculating Hoods:
No external ducting needed
Easy to install
Ideal for apartments and BTO flats
Cons:
Filters need regular replacement
May be less effective for intense cooking
4. Cooker Hood Filters: What You Should Know Before Buying
Cooker hood filters are essential for trapping grease, smoke, and cooking odours, helping to keep your kitchen air clean. The most common types used in many homes are aluminium mesh filter and stainless steel filter both consists of several layers of fine metal mesh that capture grease particles as air passes through. These filters are washable and should be cleaned regularly to maintain good performance. In recirculating cooker hoods, charcoal filters are added to absorb odours before the air is released back into the kitchen. Unlike aluminium mesh filters, charcoal filters are not washable and need to be replaced periodically. Some hoods may also feature baffle filters, which are more effective for heavy-duty cooking and allow better airflow while still catching grease. Choosing the right filter depends on your cooking habits and how easy you want maintenance to be.
5. Recommended Cooker Hood Height Above Gas Cooker
This is a crucial installation factor. Too high, and it won’t work efficiently. Too low, and it becomes a safety hazard. Recommended Height:
750mm – 850mm above the gas hob is ideal in most Singapore homes.
For designer hood, you can go slightly lower—about 450mm
6. Features to Look for in 2025 Cooker Hoods
What makes a cooker hood “smart” or effective in 2025? Here are the must-have features:
High Suction Power (1000–1600 m³/h) – For strong grease and smoke extraction
Touch Controls or Motion Sensors – Easy, modern operation
LED Lighting – Bright and energy-saving
Auto-Clean Technology – For less maintenance
Filter Indicators – Tells you when it’s time to clean or replace filters
7. Best Cooker Hoods for Singapore Homes: Our Top Picks
$648.00Original price was: $648.00.$548.00Current price is: $548.00.Add to cart
Finding the Right Cooker Hood for You
Choosing the perfect cooker hood isn’t just about price—it’s about finding what fits your space, cooking style, and lifestyle. From understanding the right cooker hood height above gas cooker to deciding between a recirculating cooker hood and a ducted one, we hope this Cooker Hood Guide helps you make a smart and satisfying choice. So why wait? Say goodbye to oily surfaces and stubborn smells. At HDDoor, we bring you a range of Hafele cooker hoods that are not just stylish, but also engineered for high performance in compact Singapore homes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the ideal cooker hood height above a gas cooker?
Between 750mm and 850mm is generally recommended to balance safety and efficiency.
2. How often should I replace cooker hood filters?
Aluminium mesh filters should be cleaned every 2 weeks, while charcoal filters (used in recirculating hoods) should be replaced every 3–6 months.
3. Is a recirculating cooker hood good enough for heavy cooking?
It’s decent for light to moderate cooking. For heavy frying or normal cooking, a ducted hood is usually more effective.
4. Do cooker hoods work in small HDB kitchens?
Absolutely. Slim hoods are specifically designed for compact kitchens.
5. Can I install a cooker hood myself?
It’s recommended to hire a professional, especially to ensure proper height and secure mounting.
