How to choose a hood for the kitchen: professional advice and useful recommendations

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The kitchen is the only room in the apartment where the air is periodically polluted and a specific unpleasant smell associated with the cooking process appears. A kitchen hood, which can be purchased at any hardware store, will help you cope with this problem. The article provides information on how to choose a hood for the kitchen: advice from professionals, device characteristics and a review of manufacturers.

A properly selected hood ensures effective air purification in the kitchen.

Kind of work

When choosing the type of exhaust hood, it is necessary to take into account the presence of a mechanism for removing unpleasant odors and purifying the air. This factor depends on the location of its installation in the kitchen, namely, whether it is possible to connect to a ventilation shaft or whether another method of removing contaminated air is needed. There are the following types of hoods used for any kitchen.

The standard or flow-through type of exhaust unit has a mechanism that allows contaminated air to be discharged into the ventilation hatch, or a special outlet is installed to the street. The diversion option is not suitable for old houses where the shaft is already very dirty or is not designed for heavy loads. In this case, even a powerful exhaust unit will not be able to clean the air efficiently: there will be no free outlet for it. This type of exhaust system is used, as a rule, in dome models of the exhaust hood.

The recirculation type is used for both built-in and mounted units. The principle of operation of such devices is to filter the air. Steam and unpleasant odors are absorbed by the hood and purified through a filter system. The mechanism involves two stages: the first filter of the internal tank attracts heavy particles (grease, soot, soot), and the second, carbon filter, purifies the air, eliminating unpleasant odors.

Combined types of hoods combine the operation of 2 modes. It is possible to switch the recirculation mechanism to a discharge mechanism. The unit will be a particularly great advantage when used in rented housing, when there is a possibility of frequent moves.

To maintain high performance of any type of hood, it is necessary to ensure timely cleaning of filters. And also, if the coal version becomes dirty, replace it.

Criterias of choice

When purchasing a hood, you must be guided by three main criteria:

1. Design dimensions.
2. Configuration and feature set.
3. Price.

The size of the body (umbrella) is one of the main factors determining the choice. For a small kitchen in a typical panel house, it is not advisable to buy a massive, large dome, which will take up most of the room and make work difficult.

It is necessary to decide in advance on the size of the hood, measure the permissible volume and take into account the specific layout of the room.

The functionality of the kit also influences the choice. If intensive extraction of large volumes of air is required, it is better to consider simpler but more powerful models. For rooms where it is more important to clean the air from particles or odors, it is recommended to choose models with circulation capabilities.

The price of the hood often plays a decisive role. Most buyers believe that overly expensive models do not deserve such expenses and prefer cheaper sets. This is reasonable, since the basis of choice is the expected effect.

Types of filters used

When choosing the required option from the many models presented, you need to know that all types and types of kitchen hoods are equipped with special filters. They are the main indicator of cleanliness in the kitchen. The simpler the unit, the more primitive the air purification system.

Cheap hood models include paper filters. The middle class of units is equipped with washing filters. In more expensive modern models, carbon filters are used to improve the quality of absorption of unpleasant odors, facilitating fine cleaning. If they become dirty, they must only be replaced with new ones.

Advice! When choosing an option with a carbon filter, you need to be prepared for the fact that they will have to be changed once every 6 months, so it’s worth asking in advance where and at what price you can purchase them.

Carbon filters require regular replacement

Thus, when choosing an exhaust unit, it is necessary to take into account not only power, design, but also operating conditions. Timely maintenance of the filtration system will not create additional loads on the engine, which will increase its service life.

Recommended power

The operation of the ventilation system is characterized by how many cubic meters of air enter the room through it. To accurately find out this value, you need to calculate the power of the kitchen hood. If the power of the hoods is insufficient, the hood will not work properly. Correct calculation helps to avoid the following:

1. The appearance of thermal fumes from heating devices. These could be combustion products, moisture, overheated air. A well-functioning hood will keep the air in the room clean and cool.
2. Odors that arise during the cooking process. If you do not remove them, they will not only spread throughout the apartment, but will also be able to survive for a long time.
3. If the housewife's food is burnt, this will create rare unpleasant odors. If they persist until the moment of eating, they will not contribute to the appearance of appetite.
4. The constant presence of gas combustion and cooking products in the air increases the likelihood of respiratory tract diseases.
5. The presence of very humid and highly overheated air, which has a destructive effect on the walls, is eliminated. Ceiling and furnishings.
6. High humidity creates a favorable environment for mold to form. If it occurs, you will have to spend significant effort to get rid of it.
7. Odors that are not removed by the hood can create stains on the walls and ceiling. In this case, they will have to be cleaned, which can be a labor-intensive procedure.

Some do without additional ventilation devices. This is only possible in cases where air pollution is insignificant. You can more accurately determine whether a kitchen hood is needed based on the following signs:

1. You need to check if the built-in hood works. This can be determined by the presence of traction. To do this, just bring a burning match to the hole. If it deviates, then we can conclude that thrust exists.
2. To check, you can use a sheet of A4 paper. If you lean it against the exhaust hole and release it, it should lock into place if there is traction. If it falls, it means that the kitchen hood is not working or is working very weakly. In this case, you will need to calculate the kitchen hood to get a more accurate value.

In cases where it is obvious that ventilation does not clean the air, you need to think about installing a hood. Before choosing a model, you need to calculate what the required power of the equipment will be.

It is important to calculate in advance how much air supply should be provided. The purchase must be made on the condition that the exhaust power is sufficient to ensure the required quality of work. To do this, you need to make a ventilation calculation.

In most cases, such devices provide a supply of 200-300 cubic meters. m. per hour. In most cases, this power is not enough for a kitchen hood. If you do not make the necessary calculations and buy standard equipment, it may turn out that the kitchen will not be ventilated to the required extent.

In most cases, the minimum requirements even for conventional kitchens exceed the capacity of a kitchen hood of 500 cubic meters. m. per hour. Devices that are too low-power can only be suitable in certain cases, when the area of ​​​​the room is small, and cooking is rarely done here. The cost of such devices is relatively low, but the quality of work is only suitable in rare cases. Installing such a hood in the kitchen may not be enough.

If you work a lot in the kitchen and cook regularly, then in most cases a 600 cubic meter unit may be suitable. m. per hour. You can verify this by doing your own air exchange calculations. Sometimes it will be better if you buy a unit that provides a capacity of 1000 cubic meters. m. per hour. Such hoods are more expensive, but can provide high-quality indoor air. Before choosing equipment, you need to clarify the required parameters.

Types of hoods by control method

Today the market offers three main options for controlling household hoods.

Budget home air purifiers for small spaces are equipped with a button panel. Simply pressing a key starts air handling tasks at different speeds or lights up the backlight.

Push-button control is used in the budget segment

Slider control mechanisms are based on the operation of external “sliders”, which can be moved horizontally along the built-in scale. This is a mechanical way to switch functions for adjusting power, turning on the backlight, starting or stopping the hood.

Slider mechanisms are available in most types of fume hoods: built-in, dome, hanging or tilting. The control work area can be stationary or retractable. On tilting models, sliders may include adjustment of the direction of air flow drawn in for cleaning. The versatility and reliability of slider mechanisms allows them to be built into devices with recirculation or when vented into ventilation.

Slider or slider control

Touch panels are considered the most convenient, as they often come with a remote control. Such displays control all functions of the hood, indicating the switched on mode by backlighting on the panel. An added bonus is that the smooth surface is easy to maintain, which compares favorably with textured buttons or sliders. The only downside of the system is its high cost.

Touch control is convenient, but is used only in expensive models

Types of kitchen hoods

There are many types of kitchen hood kits. They all differ in the shape and design of the umbrella, since the other elements operate in the same mode and perform similar tasks.

Experts distinguish the following types of hoods:

• built- in These are models that form a single whole with kitchen units. They are often sold together with it, but there are also separate sets;
• canopy hoods . These are flat models equipped with an air filter. They are rarely connected to ventilation, which sharply reduces their effectiveness;
• dome (fireplace) hoods . These are bulky structures of a traditional shape, but the beneficial effect from them is considered to be maximum due to the large umbrella coverage area. There are straight or inclined models;
• wall (or wall) models . They are attached to the wall, usually under or near the vent;
• island hoods are used in conjunction with island tables located in the middle of the kitchen.

There are also models of kitchen hoods built into the countertop. They are not equipped with umbrellas, which increases the usable volume of the room. At the same time, such structures must be powerful enough to obtain the desired effect.

Material of manufacture

The composition from which the hood body is made can be assessed by the ease of cleaning and the beauty of the design. The operation of the device will not change depending on the material, unless we are talking about retractable structures that are subject to regular wear.

1. Plastic is used in the lowest-power, cheapest models, as it has a limited service life.
2. Enameled steel is the second most common material; it does not require large manufacturing costs; with high-quality coating, it can last about 10 years.
3. Stainless steel is an excellent durable, lightweight material, but has a problem with retaining fingerprints and stains on the surface unless the manufacturer has treated it with a special protective compound.
4. Aluminum is a famous alloy used in aircraft construction with a long wear life but a higher cost.
5. Tempered glass is a premium material for designer models. It has excellent durability characteristics and is most often combined with the latest touch control panels, remote/mobile control, and the function of receiving voice commands.

Glass hood - a stylish solution for the kitchen

Care and maintenance

Typically, such installations do not require any special steps. Periodically clean the housing and fan impeller (if there is access to it). Sometimes the device needs to be repaired, but this requires calling in specialists, since you have to disassemble the air duct or disconnect the umbrella from the rest of the kit.

Self-repair of hoods can only be carried out by trained people with appropriate education. Mistakes made may result in accidents to family members or other users.

A kitchen hood with a connection to ventilation is considered the most effective and reliable design option. It removes exhaust air and removes excess moisture, heat, odors and other unwanted components.

Experts recommend using this type of design. Since it is also the most economical, since it does not require constant replacement of expensive filters. The only difficult part is installation and connection to ventilation. It is necessary that the channel in the wall is not clogged with debris and operates normally.

Advantages and disadvantages of different types of hoods

Each range hood model will have its own strengths and weaknesses that need to be taken into account when purchasing.

1. According to the principle of operation, the recirculation type mechanism will attract with its compactness. Such hoods do not require the installation of a ventilation system, since they purify the air only with the help of a set of filters, without disturbing the kitchen microclimate during the cold season. However, the quality of cleaning will be significantly inferior to the classical flow-type mechanism. Connecting to an air duct eliminates the need to replace filters, but can be quite noisy due to the power of operation.
2. As for the type of filter, metal mesh is considered more practical; it can be cleaned from grease and soot in the dishwasher. Coal consumables provide better air quality, but require regular replacement.
3. When choosing a control method, slider or touch mechanisms will be preferable, especially if the manufacturer offers the use of a mobile application as part of a “smart home”.

The shape and design always depend on the size of the room and the design style chosen by the owner. If the area of ​​an apartment or house allows you to organize a classic dome hood with outlet to a ventilation shaft or to the street, then the quality of air purification will always be excellent. For small apartments or studios, it is worth choosing purifiers made of tempered glass or aluminum with regular filter replacement. A pleasant factor for the owner will be the low noise level.

Rating of the most powerful kitchen hoods

The modern household appliances market offers a wide range of hoods. The budget segment is not inferior in range to expensive brands. The list of popular models will help you make the right choice based on the parameters of the device.

MAUNFELD BERTA 90

The stainless steel island hood has a futuristic design. Allows you to work in both air exhaust and circulation modes. The grease filter is made of aluminum, it perfectly retains soot. Halogen lamps provide good illumination of the work surface. The versatile design allows it to be placed above an island or against a wall. The powerful 35 kW motor operates silently. Push-button control allows you to select one of three speeds. The productivity is 1050 m3/h, which will clean the air in a large kitchen. The noise level is very low. Carbon filter is not included.

MAUNFELD LEE ISLA 40

The island hood is available in two colors: white and black. The metal body is easy to clean from dirt. The productivity of the device is 1050 m3/h. Touch control includes a timer function. 4 LED lamps make the cooking process more comfortable. The hood operates in two speed modes. The maximum width of the hob at which the device will function normally is 90 cm. With high motor power, the maximum noise level is only 49 dB.

Elikor Onyx 60

The quiet inclined hood has an original appearance. The high level of performance allows you to absorb even the most pungent odors. It has four modes, the highest of which removes polluted air in a matter of minutes. The aluminum filter traps soot and grease. The workplace will be illuminated by two bright lamps. The touch buttons are protected by glass, which ensures flawless gear shifting. The noise level in turbo mode is 59 dB. The 15-minute timer absorbs residual odors after the hob has finished operating.

Faber Glassy Isola/SP EG8 X/V A90

The most powerful island hood on the list. Completely eliminates combustion products, fat and soot. The built-in diffuser suppresses noise and ensures efficiency even with problematic ductwork. It is possible to install additional cleaning filters. The model provides 3 speed modes. The maximum noise level is 68 dB. The design allows the hood to fit harmoniously into any interior. Halogen lamps illuminate the hob. The glass surface can be used as a shelf for necessary things.

Jet Air Miki IX/A/90

A budget option for a fireplace hood. The case is made of stainless steel. Power is 310 watts. Two decorative boxes allow you to set the hood exactly in height. High performance allows you to clean the air even in large rooms. Light sources are located at the front of the device. The keypad switches on one of three speeds and has a timer. A grease filter protects internal parts from fumes; a carbon filter is purchased separately and lasts for about six months.

A kitchen hood is not a tribute to fashion, but a necessity and a manifestation of caring for the family. Vapors of liquids, detergents and drops of vegetable oils pollute the air of the apartment, furniture, and ceiling. After preparing delicious food, you have to start cleaning. You should choose a hood for your kitchen based on power so that it copes with the tasks. Correct calculation of performance will make it possible to buy a high-quality model. In everything else - design, color, type of case and lighting, you can safely rely on your taste.

Installation features and dimensions

Need to know! The size of the hood should be slightly larger than or equal to the size of the work surface.

A good solution for a standard hob of 60 cm would be a hood with a width of 90 cm.

There is no point in installing a large electrical appliance with a wide neck over a small stove.

Since the noise level will significantly exceed the norm, but the efficiency will remain at the same level.

You also need to take into account the fact that according to the rules, the air purifier is installed at a distance of 80 cm above the gas stove and 70 cm above the electric one.

Features of calculating performance and power

For high-quality purification of polluted air, you first need to focus on the performance of the device.

The indicator indicates how much air the purifier can pump per unit of time.

That is why
the larger the area of ​​the room, the more productive the kitchen hood should be.
To calculate the performance of an air purifier, you need to know the dimensions of your kitchen .

For a standard room, you will need to determine the width, length and height, and then multiply the data expressed in meters to find the total volume of air inside.

If the kitchen is of a non-standard shape, you should multiply the ceiling height by the area of ​​the room.

Then the found value must be multiplied by 12 and rounded to the nearest higher performance value.

Reference! The most common capacity of modern kitchen hoods is 702, 851 and 1020 cubic meters/hour.

The higher this value, the higher the power consumption.