The kitchen is the only room in the apartment where the air is periodically polluted and a specific unpleasant odor appears, associated with the cooking process. A kitchen hood, which can be purchased at any home appliance store, will help to cope with this problem. The article provides information on how to choose a hood for the kitchen: professional advice, device characteristics and an overview of manufacturers.
A properly selected range hood provides effective air purification in the kitchen
Content
How to choose a hood for the kitchen: professional advice
The efficient operation of the hood depends on certain criteria that must be considered when choosing a particular model. The quality of the device depends on its performance. A properly selected range hood can provide six or ten times air exchange in the kitchen. The best models have powerful fans that can operate at 2 or 4 speeds and effectively remove polluted air. The hood of the hood must completely cover the hob.
The wall-mounted hood has a beveled "wing" - a fashionable modern trend
An important parameter when choosing a hood is a low noise level during its operation. For this purpose, devices with a noise index of up to 45 dB should be selected. The noise during the operation of such models will be similar to a quiet conversation coming from a distance of 10 m.
Preference should be given to a hood equipped with a high-quality lighting system for the working area using halogen or LED bulbs located on the device panel. The study of all the advantages and disadvantages of each specific type of device will help to determine which hood is better.
Hood types
The first step is to decide on the type of device case. Modern manufacturers produce the following types of hoods:
- suspended;
- domed;
- embedded;
- dominoes;
- island.
Which hood to choose for the kitchen? Customer reviews give preference to the traditional option - a suspended hood, which fits perfectly into the modern kitchen design. The device body is mounted directly above the hob under the cabinet. It is easy to install and has a relatively low cost. However, the suspended hood has a low efficiency due to the fact that the device operates in the air recirculation mode. It is ideal for small kitchens of 6 sq. m.
AEG-Electrolux hoods are ideal for any kitchen and create a real home comfort
Dome, or chimney, hood has the shape of an umbrella and is attached directly to the wall. Its self-installation does not cause any difficulties. This type of home appliance has a high performance. Among the rich assortment of different hood options, you can choose the most suitable model, depending on the price, which will ideally fit into the kitchen design. Such hoods can be horizontal or inclined.
If you do not want to spoil the interior of the kitchen with a dimensional hood, then you can choose built-in a type of device that is mounted directly inside the kitchen furniture.
A modern type of hood that has been very popular since 2016 is dominoes. Such a device is installed in the worktop and slides out of it when an electric or gas stove is in operation. However, the cost of such a trendy design is 2 times higher than that of alternative options. In addition, this type of device has a low performance, which is suitable for small kitchens.
The ideal option for a kitchen-living room is a ceiling hood, which is placed above the kitchen island. Such a device has impressive dimensions and high performance.
Ceiling mount model designed to "hover" over a kitchen island
Device performance
It is necessary to select a specific model of the hood based on the total volume of the room where it will be installed. The device must have the required performance in order to effectively remove the polluted air into the ventilation shaft. To determine it, the area of the room should be multiplied by the height and the resulting volume should be multiplied by a factor of 12, which corresponds to the number of air updates in the room.
The resulting performance is minimal. Therefore, the hood should be chosen with a certain performance margin.
Hood size
The hood is selected based on the dimensions of the electric or gas stoveover which it will be installed. However, to prevent polluted air from bypassing the fan, the width of the exhaust panel should slightly exceed the width of the hob. Today, manufacturers produce hoods with a width of 45 to 90 cm.The most popular are models with a case width of 50, 60 and 90 cm.
Modern hoods are able to remove up to 96% of odors and air pollution that remain after cooking
How the hood works
According to the principle of operation, hoods are distinguished without venting into ventilation (recirculation mode) and with an air outlet into the ventilation system. Hoods in a private house are usually chosen with a recirculation mode, so as not to additionally install an air outlet. Therefore, the price of a cooker hood for a kitchen without venting into ventilation will be much lower than that of a standard device with air exhaust and will average RUB 2,500. Such models have low performance due to the fact that they simply create air circulation, taking, cleaning and supplying it back to the room. For apartments with a ventilation system, kitchen hoods with an air outlet are considered the most acceptable.
The through-flow hood passes contaminated air through the filtration system, where it is cleaned of oily vapors and excess soot and takes it to the ventilation shaft. The hood is installed near the ventilation hole, connected to it with an air duct.
Useful advice! Keep the air duct as short as possible to keep the air cleaner quieter.
Due to the fact that polluted air is taken out into the street, there is no need to purchase an exhaust hood with an exhaust, with a carbon filter. It is enough that it has a simple metal grease filter to prevent soot and grease particles from entering the ventilation shaft.
During operation, the grease filter becomes dirty, therefore it is important to periodically clean the hood
The main advantages of flow-through extraction are:
- high performance of the device;
- durable grease filters;
- low noise level.
Disadvantages of the device:
- the hood takes air from the room, the lack of which must be compensated for with air from the street, in winter - cold, and in summer - hot;
- if the hob is located far from the ventilation shaft, complex installation work is required to install the hood.
Hoods operating in recirculation mode pass air through an internal carbon filter, then return it cleaned back to the room. The carbon filters are disposed of after contamination.
Main advantages hoods with charcoal filter without a tap:
- the recirculation hood is mounted at the bottom of the wall cabinet and leaves it free from the ventilation duct;
- the principle of operation of the device allows you to keep heat inside the room, and not throw it into the ventilation shaft, which happens when the hood is operating with a vent;
Kitchen hoods from Britanni have a modern finish in stainless steel and black glass
- you can buy a hood with a charcoal filter without exhaust at a lower price compared to a standard ventilation device with air exhaust;
- installation of the hood is very simple and does not require any special skills.
The main disadvantages of a kitchen hood without an air vent:
- The operation of recirculation hoods is noisier than that of standard devices.
- Every 3-5 months, depending on the intensity of the hood operation, it is necessary to change the filter material.
Helpful advice! If there are doubts about the choice of the hood according to the principle of operation, you can purchase a universal model that combines two modes of operation of the device.
Filtration system
By the type of filtering system, one-stage and two-stage air units and extractors of the first and second level are distinguished.
The tabletop hood is mounted in the worktop near the stove and can be pulled out only during cooking
Single stage systems use a single disposable or reusable filter. In the first case, it is thrown out after clogging, and in the second only the inner cassette is changed. With a two-stage cleaning system, at the first stage, the air is filtered from fat, and the second stage ensures its purification from unpleasant odors. The filter of the first stage changes frequently, while the second stage remains operational for a long time.
First level air filter systems can be acrylic or metal. Their cleaning is reduced to a simple rinse. The filtering hoods of the second level, where a carbon filter is used, are distinguished by a higher efficiency.
Each hood model is equipped with a filter that protects the ventilation shaft from soot. These can be metal, synthetic or carbon filters.
The metal filter is a foil or aluminum mesh. They are easy to clean, even dishwasher safe. Such a grease filter can serve the entire service life of the hood without requiring replacement.
Grease filters trap food particles, leaving air and surfaces clean
The grease filter made of synthetic fibers allows the device to operate almost silently. Such a cleaner consists of a cassette into which a filter material is inserted: non-woven or synthetic winterizer. When the filter layer becomes dirty, the cassette is removed and a new one is installed.
Carbon filters provide fine air purification from impurities and odors. In addition to activated carbon, it can contain cation exchangers, silver and other disinfecting elements. The main disadvantage of such a filter is its high cost and short service life.It requires regular replacement after a specified service life of 6-12 months, depending on the thickness of the carbon powder layer. You can buy a grease filter for the hood at a price of 1.5 thousand rubles.
Helpful advice! The charcoal filter is excellent at absorbing tobacco smoke.
Today, manufacturers produce budget models that do not have a grease filter for the hood. However, one should take into account the fact that such devices are not durable. Since soot and grease particles will gradually settle on the fan blades, which will soon lead to its breakdown.
Only horizontal hoods are installed in the kitchen set
Device control type
According to the control method, all modern models of hoods are of three types:
- touch control allows you to control the operation of the device by lightly touching the desired sector, as a result of which the LED lights up and the hood executes the given command;
- push-button control is the most familiar and standard. Here, each button corresponds to a specific operating mode of the device;
- pseudo-sensory control is carried out using a mechanical slider, which is set to the required operating mode.
Related article:
Exhaust hood to the bathroom: we eliminate excess moisture
Types and advantages of devices. Choice of equipment. Fan power calculation. Recommendations for self-assembly.
For those who want to control the operation of the device from a distance, there are hoods with remote control, which is carried out using a remote control.
Hood material
Daily care of the hood and the price of the device depend on the material of manufacture. A modern hood for the kitchen, the photo clearly confirms this, can be made of aluminum, plastic, stainless or enameled steel and tempered glass.
If the hood is used daily, the charcoal filters must be replaced every three to four months.
The most popular and inexpensive are aluminum hoods. A device made of such material does not require special maintenance. However, it has an unattractive appearance. Stainless steel hoods are more aesthetic and stylish. However, such models are more expensive and more demanding to maintain, since they even get dirty with fingerprints. Tempered glass hoods are the most expensive and time consuming option. But these devices are the most attractive ones that can make the design of the room unique.
How to install a hood in the kitchen
How to properly install the hood above the gas stove so that it works at maximum performance? The main point when installing the device is to determine at what height to hang the hood relative to the hob. If it is set too high, its performance will be ineffective. This means that all smells and vapors will be in the room. If placed too low, the device will interfere with the operation of the hob. The optimum height of the hood above the gas stove should be 75 cm to its bottom panel.
The next point that affects the efficiency of the hood is its location relative to the ventilation hole. The device should be located as close to it as possible in order to exclude the use of a large number of elbows and pieces of the air exhaust pipe, which significantly increases the noise and reduces the performance of the hood. After connecting the hood to the ventilation duct, make sure that it is completely blocked off. For this, special grids or valves are used.
Wall-mounted hood with modern perimeter suction system provides better and faster ventilation
Useful advice! The diameter of the duct should be slightly larger than the outlet of the hood.This will significantly reduce the load on the engine of the device and allow it to operate more efficiently with low noise levels.
How to hang a range hood over a gas stove
The installation of the hood depends on the type of device. Flat hoods are mounted to the bottom of the hanging cabinet or directly to the wall using special hooks that must securely hold it in the attachment points. Hoods with a corner strip are built into a hanging cabinet, in which a hole is previously made for an air duct of the required diameter. Dome models are fixed to the wall.
After the installation of the filtering device, an air duct channel adjoins its outlet, which is also fixed with hooks. A corrugated or PVC pipe with a smooth wall or a rigid metal or plastic box can be used as an air outlet.
Flexible corrugated pipe is the most budgetary option. However, it requires constant maintenance throughout the entire period of operation. A metal box is more convenient to use. But its installation requires significant costs. The best option is a PVC pipe. It requires little maintenance and is easy to install. However, it must be installed strictly above the hood. Thanks to these recommendationsm it became clear how sdeat a hood in the kitchen.
Suspended hood - the most popular and inexpensive, mounted directly above the stove
Rating of cooker hoods
Before thinking about which hood is better to buy for the kitchen, it is necessary to compile a rating of world manufacturers of air cleaning devices, which, in addition to a wide range of elite models of equipment, offer budget-class equipment. Many experts prefer such global brands as Siemens, Bosch, Kronasteel (Krona), Hansa, Gorenje, Elikor, Samsung. They successfully combine high quality, reasonable price and attractive appearance of the products.
The hoods of the German brand Siemens are the embodiment of laconicism and functionality. Such models have a low noise level, provide high performance, and the built-in type of case helps to advantageously disguise them in a kitchen set, as can be seen in the manufacturer's catalogs, on diagrams and photos. The price of a cooker hood for the kitchen of this company starts at 12 thousand rubles.
Received worldwide recognition, which is confirmed by numerous flattering reviews, the Krona hood from a German manufacturer. The company produces 7 main collections of cleaning equipment. The entire offered lineup has a high build quality. Low noise, powerful motors are installed here, ensuring high performance of the device. But, despite this, the price of a cooker hood for a Krona kitchen is minimal and starts from 3 thousand rubles.
In the kitchen, decorated in a modern style, original island models look harmonious
The German Hansa extractor technology is compact and easy to operate. A functional model of this manufacturer can be purchased at a price of 2.5 thousand rubles.
A demanding customer who is not accustomed to saving on quality, when asked which hood is better for the kitchen, will firmly choose the German manufacturer Bosch. This is a serious technique of high quality workmanship, the design of which corresponds to the latest fashion trends. The price of a kitchen hood is in the range of 5-35 thousand rubles.
Elikor is considered one of the best Russian manufacturers of exhaust hoods. Hoods, reviews of which confirm the high quality of technology, are represented by a wide range of different designs, designs and colors. You can buy Elikor hood at a price ranging from 2.5 to 30 thousand rubles.
Samsung brand technology is associated with high quality and durability of products. Modern models never cease to amaze customers with technical perfection and new functional characteristics.The standard model of this brand will cost about 6 thousand rubles.
A cooker hood with a modern design can become a key element of the kitchen interior.
Gorenje ranks 7th in the ranking of the world's best brands for the production of household appliances. She uses an innovative approach and sustainable materials in the design and creation of new models that are able to satisfy any client's request, which is reflected in numerous reviews. Which hood is better to buy for the kitchen in order to get reliable protection of the room from grease, dust and soot for a reasonable fee? The hood of the Gorenje trademark will take care of clean and fresh air in your kitchen. The price of a kitchen hood is 3.5 thousand rubles.
This article described in detail how to choose a hood for the kitchen. It turns out it's not that hard. It is important to competently study all the advantages and disadvantages of each specific model and choose the ideal option among the wide range of devices that can satisfy all your requirements and requests. Only then can you get a reliable assistant in the kitchen who is able to cleanse the air from harmful impurities and unpleasant odors.
