An extractor hood is a device containing a mechanical fan that hangs above the cooker or hob in the kitchen. It is used to remove airborne grease, combustion products, smoke, odors, heat, and steam from the air by a combination of filtration and evacuation of the air.

An extractor hood consists of three main components: a skirt or capture panel to contain the rising gases (also known as the "effluent plume"), one or more grease filters, and a fan or tangential blower for forced ventilation.

There are 5 main types of hoods

Standard - The standard cooker hood or Visor hood, is usually supplied with a charcoal filter included, are at very competitive prices and are available in 60 and 90cm widths. These may be single or twin motor.

Integrated - The integrated cooker hood, most popular size 60cm. These models are only used in fitted kitchens. They are always fitted between wall units and have a door on the front, which matches the other kitchen furniture and effectively hides the appliance except when viewed from below. Opening and closing the door switches the fan on and off at the speeds previously set and also activates the cooker hood lights to illuminate the cooking surface. Very popular with the kitchen trade and price is usually included in the basic cost of the kitchen.

Canopy - Built In and Canopy Hoods are fitted into the base plate of wooden or metal canopies. Available in both 60 and 80cm widths, with single or twin motors. These models are only visible when viewed from below as they are generally fitted into specially made decorative canopies.

Chimney - Chimney Hoods are highly visible, high tech models that are used as features within the kitchen. Usually much more expensive than the other types of hoods. These hoods mainly feature halogen or fluorescent lamps and very high performance fan motor systems. Chimney hoods are attached to the wall above your cooker or hob. Accessories such as spice racks, utensil rails and back plates are available to enhance the appearance of these models.

Island - Island hoods are the same as chimney hoods apart from being attached to the ceiling normally above an island unit.

In the hoods above there are 2 major applications of extractor hoods: ducted/vented or recirculating. In a ducted application, the output collar of the extractor hood's blower motor is attached to a duct system, which terminates outside of the residence. In a ductless application, a filter containing activated charcoal is used to remove odor and smoke particles from the air, before releasing the cleaned air back into the kitchen environment.

A ducted application is generally preferable, since it allows for removal of all forms of airborne contamination, while ductless application recirculates heat and moisture into the kitchen environment. In addition, a ducted application eliminates the need for replacing the activated charcoal filters on a regular basis, and avoids the airflow restriction (and resultant loss of power) caused by activated charcoal filter placement. However, some kitchen environments do not allow ducted application, due to lack of space or ability to install a duct system, make-up air requirements, or the additional cost of heating/cooling the make-up air.

Some range hood designs allow for both types of applications, and are typically noted as such in the manufacturer's product literature.