About Bora
THE CONCEPT
What is a BORA cooktop extractor system?
A BORA cooktop extractor system combines a cooking hob and an extraction unit in a single integrated appliance. Rather than drawing cooking vapours upward through a hood above the hob, BORA extracts them downward through the cooktop surface itself. The result is the same clean air, without any overhead extraction unit in the kitchen at all.
BORA was founded in 2007 in Raubling, Bavaria, by Willi Bruckbauer, who had a simple but radical idea: if extraction happened at the source of the steam rather than above it, you would need no overhead hood at all. The engineering challenge was significant — extraction from below requires a fundamentally different approach to airflow, filter design, and cooktop integration — but the result, when BORA brought it to market, was immediately recognised as one of the most significant innovations in kitchen design for decades.
Today, BORA is the market leader in cooktop extraction systems globally, and its products are specified by leading kitchen designers and architects worldwide as the definitive solution for the modern open-plan kitchen.
"BORA did not improve the overhead hood. It made it unnecessary."
WHY IT MATTERS
Five reasons BORA transforms a kitchen
- No overhead hood - total visual freedom Removing the overhead extractor hood from above the hob changes the entire visual dynamic of a kitchen. The ceiling is clear. The sight lines are uninterrupted. An island or peninsula hob can be placed anywhere in a room without needing a duct run to the ceiling. Windows that would have been hidden behind a hood remain visible. In an open-plan kitchen-diner, the kitchen integrates with the living space rather than dominating it with a large mechanical appliance at eye level.
- Extraction at the source - more effective than overhead Overhead hoods extract vapours after they have already risen from the hob, passed through the air in the kitchen, and potentially dispersed. BORA extracts at the point of generation: directly from the cooktop surface as the vapour is produced. This is more effective at capturing cooking odours, grease particles, and steam before they enter the room. It also means BORA systems can achieve very high extraction rates in a compact, integrated form.
- Two exhaust options - external and recirculation BORA systems can be installed in two configurations. Exhaust air mode vents extracted air to the outside via ductwork, which is the most effective option where ducting is possible. Recirculation mode filters the air and returns it to the kitchen, which is ideal for kitchens where external ducting is impractical, apartments, upper-floor installations, or retrofits where structural work is not viable. Both options deliver effective extraction; your installer will advise on the right configuration for your kitchen.
- Significantly quieter than overhead hoods - Because BORA extraction happens at the cooktop level and the motor can be located remotely, away from the cooking area, BORA systems operate more quietly than comparable overhead hoods. In an open-plan space where the kitchen flows into a dining or living area, this makes a meaningful difference to the quality of conversation and the overall comfort of the room while cooking.
- A complete system - hob and extraction in one A BORA system is not a hob and a separate extractor that happen to be sold together. It is a single, engineered system where the cooktop and the extraction are designed to work in unison, calibrated to each other's specifications, and controlled from a single interface. The result is simpler to operate and more effective in practice than any combination of separate hob and extractor could achieve.
THE RANGE
The BORA system range
BORA produces two categories of cooktop extractor system: modular systems, which offer complete freedom over cooktop configuration; and compact systems, which integrate the extraction more tightly with the cooktop in a single unit. Here is the full range:
BORA Professional 3.0
The flagship BORA system. High-end cooktop extractor with innovative knob operation and individually selectable cooktops. The most powerful and configurable system in the range, with the widest choice of cooktop types and sizes. Designed for serious cooks and for kitchens where performance and design both matter without compromise.
BORA Classic 2.0
The modular cooktop extractor system with intuitive operation and freely selectable cooktops. All the essential BORA qualities, downward extraction, no overhead hood, precision cooking, in a system that offers strong flexibility at a more accessible price point than the Professional 3.0.
BORA X Pure
The purist compact system with maximum cooking space and BORA Assist, intelligent extraction that automatically responds to the intensity of cooking. The X Pure is the premium compact BORA, designed for larger cooktop areas and the highest performance in the compact range.
BORA Pure / M Pure / S Pure
A family of compact systems in three sizes: Pure (standard), M Pure (versatile mid-size), and S Pure (the most compact BORA, designed for smaller kitchens), each offering outstanding BORA extraction in an integrated form. The right size depends on your cooktop area and kitchen configuration.
BORA Basic
The entry-level BORA system with a radiant cooktop and effective downward extraction. The most accessible way to experience BORA's core innovation: no overhead hood, extraction at the source, a cleaner kitchen aesthetic. The right starting point for those new to BORA or working within a tighter budget.
BORA Basic
The entry-level BORA system with a radiant cooktop and effective downward extraction. The most accessible way to experience BORA's core innovation: no overhead hood, extraction at the source, a cleaner kitchen aesthetic. The right starting point for those new to BORA or working within a tighter budget.
Modular or compact?
The key difference between BORA modular and compact systems is configuration flexibility. Modular systems allow you to choose your cooktop type and size independently, induction zones, gas burners, teppanyaki, and combine them as you choose within a larger surface. Compact systems integrate a defined cooktop and extractor in a single unit. Our team at La Fabrico can help you identify which better suits your cooking style and kitchen layout.
EXHAUST vs RECIRCULATION
Understanding your installation options
One of the first questions to answer when specifying a BORA system is how the extracted air will leave the kitchen. There are two options:
| Mode | How it works | Best for | Things to plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exhaust air | Extracted air is ducted outside the building via a duct run through the kitchen unit, wall, or floor | New kitchens, ground floor installations, renovations where ducting is practical | Duct route must be planned at kitchen design stage. Requires an external exit point |
| Recirculation | Extracted air passes through active carbon filters and is returned clean to the kitchen. No external ducting required | Apartments, upper-floor kitchens, retrofits, or anywhere external ducting is impractical | Carbon filters require periodic replacement (typically once or twice a year depending on cooking frequency) |
PLANNING YOUR KITCHEN
Adding BORA to your kitchen renovation
BORA is best specified at the kitchen design stage, before cabinet layouts and worktop cutouts are finalised. The cooktop extractor requires a cutout in the worktop and, for exhaust air installations, a duct route that must be integrated into the kitchen unit construction. Planning BORA from the outset makes the installation straightforward; retrofitting it after a kitchen is installed is significantly more complex.
BORA and kitchen design
The design freedom that comes with removing the overhead hood has implications for the whole kitchen plan. Island hobs can be positioned with views to the garden without a duct running to the ceiling. Window placement above the hob is no longer restricted. Ceiling heights and lighting positions can be planned without accommodation for an overhead appliance. When we plan a Schüller or next125 kitchen at La Fabrico, we work with the BORA specification from the very first drawing.
Cooktop choice within the BORA system
Modular BORA systems allow significant flexibility in how your cooking surface is configured. Induction zones are the most popular choice: precise, responsive, and easy to clean. Gas burners are available for those who prefer cooking with an open flame. Teppanyaki cooking surfaces are available within the Professional 3.0 range for those who want to extend the cooking repertoire of their kitchen beyond conventional hob cooking. Speak to our team about which combination best fits the way you actually cook.
La Fabrico note
We display BORA systems in our Exeter showroom alongside our Schüller and next125 kitchen displays. You can see the systems in real kitchen settings and experience the extraction performance first-hand — one of the most convincing demonstrations we offer. Visit us or call to arrange a convenient time with our kitchen team.
COMMON QUESTIONS
BORA questions answered
How does a BORA cooktop extractor work?
A BORA system extracts cooking vapours downward through the cooktop surface itself, rather than upward through an overhead hood. Air is drawn in through an extractor unit integrated into the hob, filtered or ducted outside, and returned clean (in recirculation mode) or expelled externally (in exhaust air mode). The result is effective extraction without any overhead appliance in the kitchen.
Is downward extraction as effective as overhead extraction?
Yes, and in many situations more so. BORA extracts vapours at the point of generation, directly from the cooktop surface as steam and odours are produced. Overhead hoods extract after vapours have already risen through the air of the kitchen. BORA's extraction is more immediate and captures a higher proportion of cooking emissions before they enter the room.
What is the difference between exhaust air and recirculation mode?
Exhaust air mode ducts extracted air to the outside via ductwork built into the kitchen construction. Recirculation mode filters the air through active carbon filters and returns it to the kitchen, no external ducting required. Exhaust air is marginally more effective and requires no filter replacements, but needs a duct route to be planned into the kitchen. Recirculation works in any location. Both are highly effective in practice.
Can I use BORA on a kitchen island?
Yes, and this is one of BORA's most compelling applications. A BORA system on a kitchen island eliminates the need for a ceiling-mounted duct and hood above the island, which is often the most visually and structurally challenging element of an island kitchen design. With BORA, the island can be positioned freely and the ceiling above it remains completely clear.
What is the difference between BORA modular and compact systems?
Modular systems (BORA Professional 3.0 and Classic 2.0) allow you to choose your cooktop type and size independently, combining induction, gas, and teppanyaki elements as you choose. The extractor sits separately within the cooktop area. Compact systems (X Pure, Pure, M Pure, S Pure, Basic) integrate a defined cooktop and extractor in a single unit. Modular systems offer more configuration flexibility; compact systems are more space-efficient.
Where can I see BORA in person in Devon?
La Fabrico in Exeter is a BORA stockist in Devon. You can see BORA cooktop extractor systems in our showroom kitchen displays, experience the extraction performance in a real setting, and speak to our kitchen team about specifying a BORA system in your renovation. Visit us at Marsh Barton, Exeter EX2 8QX, or call 01392 848487.
See BORA in action at our Exeter showroom
Visit La Fabrico in Marsh Barton, Exeter to see the BORA cooktop extractor range in real kitchen displays. Our kitchen design team can demonstrate the extraction performance, talk you through the full system range, and help you plan the right BORA specification for your kitchen renovation. No pressure. No obligation.
No pressure. No obligation. Just expert advice.
