Downdraft

Downdraft extractors eliminate the need for a separate overhead cooker hood by integrating the extraction system directly into or behind the hob. When activated, a panel rises from the hob surface or worktop and draws steam, smoke, and odours downwards through a duct beneath the floor or through the base cabinetry.

This format is the natural solution for island hobs where there is no wall or ceiling structure above to mount a conventional hood. It is also popular in kitchens where ceiling height is limited or where the design intent is to avoid any visible extraction element. The trade-off versus a ceiling-mounted or overhead hood is that very high extraction rates are harder to achieve because physics requires more energy to pull air downward.

Woodalls stocks downdraft extractors from Siemens and Bora. Bora's integrated hob and extractor systems — which combine the hob and downdraft motor as a single unit — are a showroom highlight and among the most technically refined downdraft products available. Our NW11 team can advise on ducting requirements for island installations.