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28th January 2021
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Top five tips to capitalise on cooker hoods
Comments provided by Jacqui Hoctor, commercial manager at Best
Cooker hoods can often be overlooked by both consumers and kitchen retailers. However, choosing to stock stunning, stylish hoods can be both a business boost for kitchen specialists, and also invaluable for consumers who are looking for a complete kitchen solution.
1. Choosing a suitable, eyecatching design
Displaying a spectacular hood can draw footfall into your showroom. The style of the environment will obviously influence what style of designer cooker hood will create the perfect finish. If the kitchen is traditionally-styled for example, then you may want to opt for a more conventionally shaped hood; if this is displayed above a range cooker, a colour-matched hood offers an interesting option.
However, if the kitchen in question is modern and minimalist, it may be worth investing in a statement pendant cooker hood to provide a focal point and designer finish. If possible, it is always worth investing in several options, so that you can make a suggestion tailored to an individual's requirements and own design plans.
2. Offer a selection
As different kitchen layouts require different types of hoods, where possible it is best to offer a variety of options. Hood styles include:
Ceiling Hoods - Ideal above cooking islands in open plan kitchens as they fit directly into the ceiling offering an uninterrupted view. Installed into a false ceiling, with additional lighting, the designer feel of the whole space is enhanced.
Canopy Hoods - Compact hoods that are designed to fit into kitchen cabinets, so again they don't impact on design schemes.
Wall Mounted Hoods (as pictured above) offer the widest choice of designs, finishes and colours. They fiteatly against the wall and complement any kitchen space. Certain sophisticated features avoid the need for chimney sections to cover ducting on exterior walls. Ideal for retaining the lines of minimalist design treatments. Angled hoods are perfect for those or who are taller and want to avoid banging their heads!
Downdraft Hoods - Mainly used in island units sitting behind the hob, these hoods rise from the work surface and are neatly hidden away when they are not in use.
Island/Pendant Hoods - Hang down from the ceiling and are commonly installed above a kitchen island or close to a wall. Some sophisticated designs can easily be mistaken for lighting. These look particularly great in pairs above a larger hob or set of dominoes and even above a dining table.
3. Help consumers to plan for their space
If a consumer has an open plan kitchen or particularly enjoys entertaining in the kitchen, it may be best to steer them towards quieter hoods that won't interrupt the flow of conversation. A quiet hood will operate below 70dB on full power, with the most silent on the market operating at under 50dB.
It is also worth considering how the buyer uses their kitchen. For example, if a lot of wok cooking and griddling is done then a particularly powerful extraction rate may be required and ducting out would be recommended where feasible.
4. Get clued up
One helpful tip when it comes to selling hoods is to help the consumer to select the right extraction rate. In order to work out the required rate, simply multiply the total space of the open plan room by 10. For instance: An open plan room which is 5m by 6m and which has a ceiling of 2.3m high, requires a cooker hood with an extraction rate of (5 x 6 x 2.3) x 10 = 690 m3/h.
It is also worth familiarising yourself with the latest technological innovations that might help optimise extraction. For example, some hoods are now available with Advanced Sensor Control (ASC). This feature automatically switches on the hood when odours, steam or smoke are detected by the sensors. The correct speed is automatically regulated and extraction continues for a few minutes until all residual odours have been eliminated. Great for cooks who forget to use their extractor until they burn something!
5. Think of the bigger picture
Hoods are often not top of the buying agenda when designing a kitchen. However, this is the ideal time for the retailer, as the expert, to advise on the benefits of good extraction. Brands specialising in cooker hoods, offer quality, performance and superior design to add the finishing touch to any kitchen and complement any other appliance brand.
For further information about Best extractor hoods:
T: 0844 463 9705
W: www.besthoods.co.uk
16th May 2014