A game-changing invention: the cooktop extractor fans that set the stage for better kitchen design

Informed by 20 years’ experience in the kitchen design industry, founder Willi Bruckbauer started BORA with one simple goal: to design more attractive kitchens. For Willi, the biggest challenge in elegant kitchen design was overhead extractor fans. Noisy, bulky, and generally an eyesore, overhead extractor fans restrict kitchen layouts, sequestering the cooktop to the back wall. For home chefs and avid entertainers, this configuration makes it difficult to hold conversations and share the joy of cooking with guests. Not only is the chef forced to have their back turned, but the noise of an average overhead extractor can reach up to 80dB — equivalent to a hairdryer or city traffic.

BORA’s solution was an advancement in kitchen technology. By incorporating the extractor fan into the cooktop, Willi solved all three problems overhead extractors present.

“Steam rises at a rate of 1 metre per second, expanding as it goes, which is why overhead extractors are so large. BORA cooktop extractor systems capture the vapours and odours at the source, sucking at a rate of 4 metres per second, which allows our systems to be more compact,” Sean Burrell-Sinclair, Country Manager BORA APAC, explains. “They’re also quieter due to the design and technology used and the placement of the fan. Overhead extractors are at head height, so you’re getting the full force of the noise. Our extractors are contained within a cabinet at waist level, giving you an extra layer of soundproofing.”

​BORA first launched their flagship modular downdraft cooktops in the early 2010s, allowing designers and homeowners to build their ideal cooktop configuration with an extractor between each cooking surface. Soon after, they launched the first compact system consisting of a cooktop with a circular extractor built into the centre of the cooking surface.

“The whole premise of BORA is to break the constraints of overhead extractors. You have the freedom to put your cooktop anywhere you want, whether it’s enhancing your view of the landscape or engaging with guests. There’s no odour or steam, and less noise, which really opens up the design possibilities.”

​BORA’s cooktop extractors operate using either exhaust air or recirculation methods. Exhaust air channels the steam outside through a discrete vent, while recirculation filters the steam to remove all odours and grease before releasing it into the room as fresh air. Both styles take up minimal space below the benchtop, allowing room for drawers or shelves that are often lost to overhead extractors.

​Alongside the system’s sleek, efficient design, BORA’s filters are a key component of its success.

“Our stainless steel filters use a five-ply criss-cross pattern to effectively catch grease particles. We’ve designed the system for easy maintenance, so you can take it apart and put the filter in the dishwasher about once a week to avoid grease buildup,” Sean explains. “We also have filters that use activated charcoal to absorb and neutralise all odours — even stubborn fishy smells — which is ideal for recirculation systems. These filters need to be replaced once a year, which can be easily accessed from above.”

BORA’s design innovation has resulted in a number of patented components unique to its systems, setting BORA’s original cooktop extractors apart from the rest. Alongside the extractors, BORA has expanded into oven design with their benchtop BORA X BO Steam Oven, and is preparing to introduce a larger portfolio of premium, built-in kitchen appliances including fridges and freezers. The business has also collected a number of awards over the last 20 years, including the German Design Award, Plus X Award, and Red Dot Award, each celebrating the brand’s contribution to the evolution of kitchen design. We look forward to seeing where BORA’s inventive spirit will take both the business and our kitchens in the future.

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