There are a few schools of thought when it comes to recirculating hoods. The first is that they are great because they remove the need for ductwork. The second is that they don't work as well as range hoods that vented to the outside. And the third is somewhere in between.
Here's a breakdown of the pros and cons of recirculating hoods:
Pros:
-They're less expensive than range hoods that vent to the outside.
-They're easier to install because you don't need to worry about ductwork.
-Some people say they work just as well as range hoods that vent to the outside.
Cons:
-They don't get rid of all smoke and odors like range hoods that vent to the outside do.
-Some people say they can actually make your kitchen smell worse because the filters can get dirty and start to stink over time.