Can You Install an Elica Extractor Hob Above Drawers?

Yes, certain Elica extractor hobs can be installed above kitchen drawers, but the amount of storage you can retain depends on the model, cabinet dimensions and extraction setup. Elica's NikolaTesla range includes designs that make more efficient use of the space beneath the worktop, allowing drawers to be retained in suitable installations.

However, fitting an extractor hob above drawers requires more planning than installing a conventional induction hob. The extractor motor, ducting, electrical connections and ventilation requirements all affect the available space. Some installations may accommodate a shallower top drawer, while others may need the drawer arrangement to be altered.

The key is to check the installation drawing for your exact Elica model before finalising your kitchen cabinetry. A hob that fits a 60cm base unit does not automatically leave enough clearance for a full-depth drawer immediately underneath.

Which Elica Extractor Hobs Are Worth Considering?

Elica offers several NikolaTesla extractor hobs with different installation dimensions and layouts. The Fit range is a particularly useful starting point when preserving kitchen storage is important.

Elica Range	Installation Consideration	Who Should Consider It?
NikolaTesla Fit 3Z	Compact design specifically promoted by Elica as providing more room for drawers	Buyers prioritising cabinet space and a three-zone hob
NikolaTesla Fit	Designed for installation in suitable 60cm base units, with different hob widths available	Smaller kitchens and customers seeking flexible installation options
NikolaTesla Fit XL	Wider cooking surface with integrated extraction; under-hob clearance requires model-specific checking	Buyers wanting more cooking space while planning storage beneath the hob

These models are useful starting points, not guarantees of drawer compatibility. The final cabinet and drawer arrangement must be checked against the manufacturer's technical drawings and the proposed extraction route.

How Much Space Does an Elica Extractor Hob Need Below the Worktop?

An Elica extractor hob has additional components beneath the glass cooking surface compared with a standard induction hob. These can include the extraction housing, motor, air outlet and ducting connections.

The available drawer space depends on several measurements:

Appliance installation depth: The space occupied by the hob and its extraction components beneath the worktop.
Cabinet dimensions: The internal width, height and depth of the kitchen base unit.
Drawer clearance: The space needed for the drawer box, runners and movement when opening and closing.
Ducting route: Whether extracted air travels behind the drawers, through the plinth or along another permitted route.
Ventilation clearance: Any free space specified by Elica for safe appliance operation.
Maintenance access: Access needed for filters, drainage and other serviceable components.

These requirements must be assessed together. Simply measuring the depth of the hob is not enough to establish whether a drawer will fit.

Can You Keep the Top Drawer Beneath an Elica NikolaTesla Hob?

Potentially, although the top drawer is usually the most affected because it sits closest to the hob's extraction components.

Depending on the cabinet and installation arrangement, it may be possible to retain a shallower drawer or use a drawer box with reduced front-to-back depth. In other installations, an upper drawer may need to be replaced with a fixed front panel or the storage layout may need to change.

Elica specifically designs certain NikolaTesla models to make more efficient use of the space inside kitchen cabinets. However, drawer compatibility should never be assumed from the appliance's advertised width alone.

If keeping drawers is essential, have your kitchen designer or installer confirm the drawer dimensions, extraction layout and appliance clearances before ordering.

Does Ducted or Recirculating Extraction Affect Drawer Space?

Yes. The route used to remove or return cooking air can significantly affect how much storage remains beneath an extractor hob.

Ducted Elica Extractor Hobs

A ducted extractor hob sends cooking air outside through a suitable ducting system. Depending on the kitchen design, the ducting may need to pass behind kitchen drawers, through the cabinet plinth or along another route to an external outlet.

This can reduce the usable depth of drawers or require alterations to the cabinet. Planning the extraction route before fitting the kitchen is particularly important where storage space is limited.

Recirculating Elica Extractor Hobs

A recirculating extractor hob passes cooking air through grease and odour filters before returning it to the kitchen. This avoids the need for an external extraction outlet but does not eliminate the need for ventilation components beneath the worktop.

Compatible Elica recirculation kits can direct filtered air towards the kitchen plinth or through other permitted air-return arrangements, depending on the model.

The required filters, ducting components, air-return openings and clearance requirements must all be allowed for. A recirculating hob does not automatically provide more usable drawer space than a ducted model.

What Should Your Kitchen Installer Check?

Before buying an Elica extractor hob for installation above drawers, ask your kitchen designer or installer to confirm the following:

The exact Elica model and manufacturer's product reference.
The required worktop cut-out and appliance dimensions beneath the worktop.
The minimum cabinet dimensions and any required ventilation clearances.
The position of the extractor motor and air outlet.
The proposed duct-out or recirculating installation route.
The space remaining for drawer boxes, runners and fittings.
Whether filters and other maintenance components remain accessible.
The electrical connection and any additional installation accessories required.

Where an existing kitchen is being modified, the installer should also check whether the current drawers and cabinetry can be adapted without compromising their operation or the appliance's installation requirements.

What If You Cannot Fit Drawers Beneath an Extractor Hob?

If the chosen Elica extractor hob requires more space than your cabinet provides, consider whether a different NikolaTesla model, a revised drawer arrangement or an alternative extraction route would solve the problem.

Another option is to install a conventional induction hob with a separate cooker hood. This keeps the extraction equipment out of the base cabinet directly beneath the hob, although the overhead extraction system will have its own installation requirements.

Explore our Elica Induction Hobs for cooking appliances without integrated extraction, or browse Elica Cooker Hoods for separate ventilation options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you put drawers directly underneath an Elica extractor hob?

Yes, in suitable installations. However, the drawer dimensions and available clearance depend on the exact Elica extractor hob, cabinet layout and ventilation components. Some configurations may require a shallower top drawer or a modified drawer arrangement.

Which Elica NikolaTesla models are suitable for kitchens with drawers?

The NikolaTesla Fit range is a useful starting point because selected models are specifically designed to optimise space beneath the worktop. Elica highlights drawer-space benefits for the Fit 3Z. However, the suitability of every model must be checked against its installation drawing and the proposed cabinet layout.

Can an Elica extractor hob fit in a 60cm kitchen cabinet?

Selected Elica NikolaTesla Fit models are designed for suitable 60cm base units. However, cabinet-width compatibility does not guarantee enough space for a standard top drawer. Check the appliance depth, drawer dimensions and extraction route separately.

Does a recirculating extractor hob leave more room for drawers?

Not necessarily. Recirculating installations avoid external ducting but still require filters and an air-return arrangement. The available drawer space depends on the installation kit and route used to return filtered air to the kitchen.

Can you install an oven underneath an Elica extractor hob?

Elica does not generally recommend installing another appliance directly beneath a NikolaTesla extractor hob because of space and ventilation requirements. Follow the exact product's installation instructions and obtain manufacturer guidance before planning such an arrangement.

Can existing kitchen drawers be modified to fit an extractor hob?

Potentially. Depending on the cabinetry, it may be possible to reduce drawer depth, alter the top drawer or reroute compatible extraction components. Any changes must preserve the clearances and ventilation requirements specified by Elica.