Domakihub How to Install a Cooker Hood: A Step-by-Step DIY Guide
Everything you need to know to fit a kitchen extractor hood safely and correctly.
Reviewed by Domakihub home & decor pros · 2026-06-23 · 5 min read
A cooker hood is one of the most practical upgrades you can make to any kitchen — whether in a family home, holiday rental, or hotel suite in Greece. The video above walks through a real installation from start to finish, while this guide lays out every step in writing so you can plan the job confidently before you pick up a drill. With the right preparation, most homeowners can complete the installation in two to three hours.
Ducted vs. Recirculating: Choose Before You Buy
A ducted hood vents grease-laden air outside through a wall or ceiling duct — the most effective option and the default choice in newer Greek builds. A recirculating (filterless) hood passes air through charcoal filters and returns it to the kitchen; no external duct is needed, making it ideal for apartments or rentals where cutting through an exterior wall is not feasible.
Check the manufacturer specifications before purchasing. Ducted models need a duct diameter that matches your planned route (typically 125 mm or 150 mm). Recirculating models need periodic charcoal filter replacement, usually every three to six months depending on cooking frequency.
Tools and Materials to Have Ready
You will need: a power drill with masonry bits, a spirit level, a pencil, a tape measure, a jigsaw or hole-saw for ductwork, wire strippers, a voltage tester, wall plugs and screws rated for the wall type, and the duct or flue kit supplied with the hood. For ducted installs, also have rigid or flexible ducting, a wall-cap or ceiling vent, and duct tape or pipe clamps.
If the existing electrical circuit does not already serve the hood location, you will need a qualified electrician to run a spur from the consumer unit. In Greece, any permanent electrical installation must comply with ELOT HD 384 and should be signed off by a licensed electrical engineer (Ηλεκτρολόγος Μηχανικός).
How to Install a Cooker Hood: 5 Steps
- 1
Mark and prepare the wall
Hold the hood template (usually included in the box) against the wall, centred over the hob. The bottom of the hood must sit at least 65 cm above an electric hob or 75 cm above a gas hob — confirm the exact minimum in your hood's manual. Use a spirit level to keep the template straight, then mark the screw holes and the duct aperture with a pencil. Drill pilot holes for the wall plugs, using a masonry bit if your wall is concrete or blockwork (common in Greek construction).
- 2
Run the ducting route
If you are fitting a ducted model, cut or core the duct hole through the wall using a hole-saw or jigsaw before hanging the hood — it is far easier to work at this stage than after the unit is in place. Feed rigid or flexible ducting from the hood position to the exterior wall cap or ceiling outlet. Keep bends to a minimum; each 90-degree elbow reduces airflow efficiency by roughly 10%. Seal joints with duct tape and secure the wall cap with silicone sealant to prevent moisture ingress, which matters especially in coastal areas prone to wind-driven rain.
- 3
Mount the hood bracket and hang the unit
Insert wall plugs into the drilled holes and screw the mounting bracket firmly to the wall. With a second person to help lift, hang the hood body onto the bracket — most models slot onto keyhole fixings so you can fine-tune the position before tightening the locking screws. Recheck with a spirit level. Connect the duct collar on the hood to your ducting run using the supplied adaptor and clamp or duct tape. For recirculating models, fit the charcoal filter cassettes at this stage as instructed.
- 4
Make the electrical connection
Before touching any wiring, switch off the circuit at the consumer unit and verify it is dead with a voltage tester. Most cooker hoods in the EU come fitted with a short mains cable and plug for connection to a fused spur or 13 A socket; do not use an extension lead. If a permanent fused connection unit (FCU) is required, have a licensed electrician make the final connection. Restore power, switch the hood on, and confirm all fan speeds and lights function correctly.
- 5
Fit the chimney flue or cover panel and test
Slide the decorative chimney sections over the ducting run and clip or screw them into the mounting positions on the wall. Adjust the telescopic upper section so it reaches neatly to the ceiling. Switch the hood on to maximum speed and hold a paper towel near the edge of the hob — you should feel strong suction within a few seconds. Check all joints in the duct run for air leaks by running your hand along them while the fan is running. Finally, clean the grease filter before first use if it arrived pre-fitted, as factory residues can cause odours when the hood first heats up.
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FAQ
- What height should a cooker hood be installed at?
- As a general rule, install the bottom of the hood at least 65 cm above an electric hob and at least 75 cm above a gas hob. Always check the minimum height stated in your specific model's instruction manual, as some manufacturers require greater clearance — and going too low can be a fire risk with gas burners.
- Can I install a cooker hood without external ducting?
- Yes — a recirculating (also called filterless or carbon-filter) hood works without any duct to the outside. It draws air through grease filters and charcoal filters, then returns the cleaned air into the kitchen. The trade-off is that recirculating hoods are less effective at removing steam and heat, and the charcoal filters need replacing every three to six months. They are a practical choice for apartments or properties where cutting through an exterior wall is not possible.
- Do I need an electrician to install a cooker hood in Greece?
- If the hood will plug into an existing, correctly rated socket or fused spur, a competent DIYer can make that final connection. However, any new circuit, new fused spur, or permanent hard-wired connection must be installed and certified by a licensed electrical engineer (Ηλεκτρολόγος Μηχανικός) in compliance with ELOT HD 384. For rental properties and hotels, a signed electrical inspection certificate is also required by Greek law.