Hello everyone,
We are currently building a new energy-efficient house and are considering whether to have a core drill hole installed for kitchen exhaust ventilation. Our chosen range hood can operate either as exhaust or recirculation. The project manager recommended using the hood in recirculation mode with activated carbon filters. However, the kitchen installer advises exhaust mode, as only this option supposedly eliminates odors and similar issues effectively.
We are now conflicted and thinking about having the core drill hole made but initially not using it, operating the hood in recirculation mode instead. The core drill hole would be fitted with an external grille cover and internally closed off with a cap. If needed later, we could connect the hood with a duct and have the setup ready for that.
From your point of view, is this a sensible approach, or am I missing something? What would you recommend? Should we have the core drill hole made or rather not?
Thanks in advance and best regards
We are currently building a new energy-efficient house and are considering whether to have a core drill hole installed for kitchen exhaust ventilation. Our chosen range hood can operate either as exhaust or recirculation. The project manager recommended using the hood in recirculation mode with activated carbon filters. However, the kitchen installer advises exhaust mode, as only this option supposedly eliminates odors and similar issues effectively.
We are now conflicted and thinking about having the core drill hole made but initially not using it, operating the hood in recirculation mode instead. The core drill hole would be fitted with an external grille cover and internally closed off with a cap. If needed later, we could connect the hood with a duct and have the setup ready for that.
From your point of view, is this a sensible approach, or am I missing something? What would you recommend? Should we have the core drill hole made or rather not?
Thanks in advance and best regards
H
Häuschenbauer417 Mar 2026 14:40As you mentioned, due to the core drilling through the building envelope. However, this does not cause any disadvantage if appropriate wall boxes are used. And based on discussions with other homeowners, the decision was made according to gut feeling.
I believe that neither solution is wrong, as long as it is carried out properly.
I believe that neither solution is wrong, as long as it is carried out properly.
@haus2626 .. the connection for the range hood should preferably be made with a duct rather than a flexible hose.
The kitchen fitter usually has plans for this and can also recommend a good wall duct cover. Naber and Weibel are well-known manufacturers for this. The diameter should definitely be 150 mm (6 inches).
The kitchen fitter usually has plans for this and can also recommend a good wall duct cover. Naber and Weibel are well-known manufacturers for this. The diameter should definitely be 150 mm (6 inches).
M
MachsSelbst17 Mar 2026 22:09A wall vent box from Rotheigner available at Hornbach should also work, and in an emergency, a hood from Siemens or Neff is acceptable too.
To bring in the perspective of the average person who can’t just spend 3,500-4,000 EUR (3,500-4,000 USD) on the wall vent box and hood alone... many people buy their entire kitchen appliances for that amount.
Then it’s not 1,000 "bucks" but only about 150, plus the core drilling. However, you don’t have to keep replacing the carbon filters constantly, since they only last 2-3 years if the kitchen is mainly a design object rather than a practical cooking space or if you just reheat food occasionally.
Anyone who really cooks daily and properly will wear out even the best carbon filter in 3-6 months, because not even Gaggenau and similar brands can work miracles in that regard.
Ventilating for 10 minutes might sound great... but the smell and greasy steam will remain in the air at first...
Of course, everyone can do as they wish, but many arguments here are simply nonsense... a vented hood doesn’t have to be expensive, especially if you have to choose a recirculating model costing 4,000 EUR (4,000 USD) for it to work somewhat properly.
To bring in the perspective of the average person who can’t just spend 3,500-4,000 EUR (3,500-4,000 USD) on the wall vent box and hood alone... many people buy their entire kitchen appliances for that amount.
Then it’s not 1,000 "bucks" but only about 150, plus the core drilling. However, you don’t have to keep replacing the carbon filters constantly, since they only last 2-3 years if the kitchen is mainly a design object rather than a practical cooking space or if you just reheat food occasionally.
Anyone who really cooks daily and properly will wear out even the best carbon filter in 3-6 months, because not even Gaggenau and similar brands can work miracles in that regard.
Ventilating for 10 minutes might sound great... but the smell and greasy steam will remain in the air at first...
Of course, everyone can do as they wish, but many arguments here are simply nonsense... a vented hood doesn’t have to be expensive, especially if you have to choose a recirculating model costing 4,000 EUR (4,000 USD) for it to work somewhat properly.
N
nordanney17 Mar 2026 22:36MachsSelbst schrieb:
Anyone who really cooks every day and properly will wear out even the best carbon filter within 3-6 months, because not even Gaggenau and similar brands can work magic. No. The hood tells you that. At least for Berbel, with intensive daily use, the larger filters last 2-3 years.
MachsSelbst schrieb:
To bring back the perspective of the average person, who can’t just spend 3,500–4,000 EUR on the duct cover and hood alone Did you read the thread? A cheap recirculating hood doesn’t help much. Cheap and ducted – then you don’t need an expensive hood. Expensive hood and ducted exhaust are a luxury – want, not need.
MachsSelbst schrieb:
Of course, everyone can do as they please, but many arguments here are simply nonsense... a ducted hood doesn’t have to be expensive, Nobody said that. Please read carefully.
MachsSelbst schrieb:
if you have to get a recirculating hood, it has to be a 4,000 EUR model to work somewhat properly. Again, nobody said that. No need to exaggerate just because no one jumped on your bandwagon.
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