Cooker hood dripping condensation from underneath (all brands)

Water dripping from underneath a cooker hood, especially noticeable after cooking something steamy, is almost always condensation forming inside the ducting or unit itself — moist warm air cooling and turning back to liquid before it fully escapes — rather than a leak from anywhere else.

What to check first

1. Check the metal grease filters aren’t so clogged with grease that condensation is collecting and pooling on them rather than passing through and out — clean them as covered in our extraction guide.
2. For ducted hoods, check the ducting run isn’t excessively long, has too many sharp bends, or runs through a cold unheated space (like a loft) for a long stretch, all of which encourage condensation to form inside the ducting before it reaches outside air.
3. Check the external vent terminal isn’t blocked or has a faulty flap that isn’t opening properly, which can trap moist air inside the ducting.
4. If your kitchen is generally steamy (heavy cooking, no other ventilation), consider whether the hood’s extraction rate is genuinely adequate for how the kitchen is used, or whether opening a window during heavy cooking would help.

When to call an engineer

If filters are clean and there’s no obvious ducting issue you can see or reach yourself, particularly if the ducting run is long, hidden, or goes through a loft space, it’s worth having an installer check the ducting route and insulation rather than continuing to just wipe up drips.