The AEG NCP84C01AZ is an 80cm induction hob with a recirculating extractor built into its centre and an antiscratch black glass top. Steam and smells are pulled down, filtered and returned to the room, so there is no duct to run and no hood above, which suits islands and flats.

Cooking

All four zones are the same: 2300 W, or 3200 W with PowerBoost for up to 10 minutes, taking pans of 125-210 mm. You can bridge the left pair or the right pair to use a long pan or a griddle. The extractor recirculates 250 m³/h at minimum, 465 m³/h at top speed and 585 m³/h on intensive. On its energy label, measured in exhaust mode, the hood is class A+, with a sound power of 49 dB at minimum and 70 dB on Boost.

Controls and everyday use

The hob and extractor each have their own touch control bar. Pick fan speed 1-3 or Boost, which runs for up to 10 minutes before dropping to 3, or leave it on AUTO to follow your heat settings. A hood timer runs from 00-99 minutes, and Breeze keeps the fan on low for up to 20 minutes after cooking.

• Pause, lock and child safety device
• OptiHeat 3 step residual heat indicator and automatic switch-off
• A filter reminder after 100 hours of hood use

The 2-in-1 filter combines a grease filter with a long life carbon filter. AEG suggests cleaning it every 10-20 hours, by hand or in the dishwasher at 65-70 °C without detergent, and regenerating it in the oven at 80-110 °C for 60 min, up to 7 times.

Size and installation

The hob is 830 x 520 mm and needs a 780 x 490 mm cut-out, taking 212 mm below the worktop, with a 220 mm air outlet. It is rated at 7.2 kW, comes with a connection cable and is hardwired; the installer can limit it to as little as 1500 W. If you later want to duct it outside, AEG says it can be converted with a dedicated filter.