Start with your cooking line, not the canopy
The right extraction canopy is decided by your kitchen layout and equipment, not the other way around. Before specifying anything, map out where your heat sources sit, how much clearance you have, and whether your cooking line is against a wall or free-standing.
The main canopy types
- Wall-mounted / tapered canopies — the most common choice, fitted directly above a cooking line that runs along a wall.
- Island canopies — for cooking stations, such as chargrills, positioned away from any wall, extracting from above on all sides.
- Theatre canopies — designed to sit over an open, customer-facing cooking display, drawing in supply air through front perforations so diners can watch the cooking without the extraction being obtrusive.
- L-shaped and box canopies — for awkward corners or kitchens where equipment doesn't sit in a straight run.
- Dishwasher canopies — purpose-built to handle the steam and condensation load from commercial dishwashers, rather than grease and combustion gases.
Getting the size right
Standard canopies are typically 1100mm deep, with 1300mm and 1500mm depth options available for larger equipment. Lengths are generally supplied in bands — from under 1.2 metres for a single-station takeaway kitchen, up to 6 metres for large-scale catering — but bespoke sizing is always available where standard bands don't fit your space.
Material and finish matter
Look for 304 (En.1.4301) grade stainless steel, ideally 20 gauge (1mm), with all joints welded and polished rather than just sealed. A canopy that's braced properly won't distort under heat, and a smooth satin finish is both easier to clean and more resistant to grease staining over time.
Don't forget the extras
Baffle filters, integral lighting, drip trays, anti-drip moulding and a full-length filter housing with removable drawers all make day-to-day cleaning and compliance easier. If your site has awkward access or unusual equipment, ask whether fire suppression, anti-bacterial coating or a fire-rated ductwork option should be built in from the start.
