Kitchen extractor fan: how to tell if it is recirculating or ducted

BoyJohn811

Hi, I have just moved into a new rented place and found that the kitchen extractor is super dirty after two decades of use and zero maintenance. I am planning to give it a good clean as it is still working (and as a tenant I have no option for replacement) and was wondering if there was an easy way of telling whether it is the recirculating type or ducted to the wall. At first look, I do not see replaceable carbon filters, does that mean it is ducted?

It is a Hygene APP2211 model.

Thanks for any advice.

coffeehound

If it's recirculating, there would normally be a grille towards the top where air would be blown back out -- you should be able to feel the airflow

Postik

Also, look for a grill or vent on the outside of the house.  If you find one, turn the extractor on full and you might be able to hear the air blowing out of the vent from the outside.  I thought my extractor was a re circulating type until I found a vent on the outside and did this.

DullGreyGuy

Start with the obvious... is it on an external or internal wall?

If it's recirculating it must be coming out somewhere so feel for a draft, especially with the oil trap filters off. Likewise if its vented there must be a vent on the external wall behind it and the flaps on the vent must open when its on. 

Depending on the style, it can be easy to drop the chimney from the ceiling which will expose the motor which will either have a tube going into the wall at the rear for vented or have one pointing up if its recirculating. Sometimes the thing is masticed to the ceiling so may not be great to remove it unless you are happy to reapply the sealant. 

BoyJohn811

Thank you for the responses, I appreciate the help. I did some investigation, there is no visible grill or draft inside when in use (e.g., on top of the cabinet), although it is not connected to the outside wall (I'm in a block of flats). I will just give it a really good clean and, as there are no filters to change, I think I should be fine. Thanks again.

markin

In flats it will vent on the roof, The should be a filter or the vent pipes would get filthy.

ThisIsWeird

Photo, please, BJ. 
Does it have a 'chimney' that goes  right up to the ceiling? If so, if recirculating, it will almost certainly have a grill/vent on one side of this, from which you'd feel the exhaust.

BoyJohn811

 

I'm afraid I stand corrected - I climbed up and I could feel the air coming through a whole on top of the kitchen cabinet, where it appears there are no filters whatsoever.

There is, however, another fan (xpelair ceiling fan) on the ceiling next to the exit point of the fume cabinet, which is definitely ducted in the ceiling. My best, non-expert guess is that they are meant to be used together where the one on top of the cooker pulls the steam/greasy air through the kitchen cabinet all the way through the whole on top of the cabinet and the ceiling one pulls it futher outside.

ThisIsWeird

I'm guessing that your best, non-expert guess is spot on.

Do you know where the switch for the ceiling extractor is? Def have that one on whenever the extractor is running.

There must be the potential to vent the extractor hood directly to whatever duct is fitted to the ceiling fan, and then remove the ceiling fan, but you'd need someone to explore this properly.

BikingBud

BoyJohn811 said:

 

I'm afraid I stand corrected - I climbed up and I could feel the air coming through a whole on top of the kitchen cabinet, where it appears there are no filters whatsoever.

There is, however, another fan (xpelair ceiling fan) on the ceiling next to the exit point of the fume cabinet, which is definitely ducted in the ceiling. My best, non-expert guess is that they are meant to be used together where the one on top of the cooker pulls the steam/greasy air through the kitchen cabinet all the way through the whole on top of the cabinet and the ceiling one pulls it futher outside.

Picture 3 - where air comes out! Therefore not vented to outside and just moves it around inside, likely loads of grease and accumulated dirt on cabinet tops 🤢 

danrv

I recently cleaned and renovated my 
grubby Philips recirculating cooker hood. Similar situation where it hadn't been cleaned in decades. 
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6498140/cooker-hood-replacement/p1
Some grease has collected on top of the cabinets but the ceiling, 24cm above has always been clean.