During cooking, mouth-watering smells not only spread throughout the kitchen and far beyond, but also eat into furniture, walls, etc. As a result, many housewives complain that their home smells like a kitchen. Also, near the stove, tables and cabinets are usually covered with a greasy coating, which also forms during cooking. A good hood for the kitchen will help to solve the problem. But not everyone knows at what height to hang the hood so that it performs its functions as efficiently as possible, but it does not interfere with the cook.
Types of hoods
First of all, you need to decide what type of device will work in the kitchen. The quality of ventilation depends on this.
Filtering. The simplest and cheapest hoods do not require a connection to the ventilation shaft or pipe outlet to the street, outside the window. They let air through the filters and release it back into the room. This principle of operation is called recycling. They are quite effective for small volumes of cooking, but if the stove is used regularly and for a long time, then the filter hood will not be able to provide high-quality air purification, because it has a low efficiency. On the other hand, it is these hoods that are easiest to install, they do not require special connection conditions. Also, most of the design decisions are just such models. Another indisputable plus is silence during work.
All other views are either displayed outside or connected to a ventilation shaft. Depending on the installation method, they are divided into domed, built-in and flat. Pipes that are not aesthetically pleasing are usually hidden behind lockers; in some cases, they can be completely hidden. Such hoods have more power, more efficiently deal with pollution and odor. However, for installation you will have to call professional installers.
How high should the hood be?
The instructions do not always indicate at what height the hood should be hung. This simplifies the task to some extent, since it provides more options. On the other hand, people often hang the hood incorrectly: too high or too low. In the first case, the efficiency of the device decreases, in the second - it is simply inconvenient to cook. Therefore, there are some recommendations that must be considered when placing the hood. Typically, a range of optimum values is given. Further, based on the characteristics of the room and considerations of personal convenience, a decision is made on the final height of the hood.
The patterns of placement depend on the characteristics of the device itself, its type, as well as on the type of plate. So, the height of the hood above the gas stove should be within 75-85 cm, while the distance to the electric stove is less than 10 cm - only 65-75 cm.
If the hood has an inclined shape, then the distance between the device and the hob is calculated on the lower edge. In this case, the distance to the gas stove will be 55 - 65 cm, and above the electric one - 35-45 cm. A larger height variation is acceptable. Within another 10 cm from the indicated ranges.
The installation height of the hood above the hob is the same as above the electric stove.
Why is it so important to place the hood correctly?
However, the maximum approximation does not guarantee the maximum efficiency of the device. Nevertheless, the distance from the stove to the hood is one of the key parameters that affect the productivity of the device, as well as the safety of operation.
So, if it is placed too high, then the hood efficiency will decrease several times.The steam will dissipate before it rises to the required height, therefore part of it will diverge in the kitchen and throughout the apartment.
If the hood is too close, then a fire is likely to occur, because the hood also accumulates grease and dust. They light up quickly and easily. In order for the fire to appear, they need to heat up sufficiently. Then the flames quickly spread over lockers, countertops, etc. And if there is an open fire below, like a gas stove, the hood can instantly flare up.
Also, placement at a low height will interfere with cooking, the cook will have to lean very much to see what is cooked. Therefore, it will be inconvenient.
Socket Location
Another important point is the correct placement of the outlet, since the safety and comfort of using the hood depends on this. As a rule, the outlet is installed at a height of 2 to 2.5 m from the floor. It is shifted slightly away from the center of the device (20-30 cm) so that the duct does not block it. It is good if there is a small distance between them. It is advisable to ensure that the location of the outlet allows you to disconnect the device from the network at any time. This is one of the fire safety requirements.
Installation
In most cases, you can fix the hood yourself. The whole procedure takes an average of 1.5 hours. But even with the worst case scenario - no more than 2 hours. Installation work is carried out in several stages:
- First, carry out preparatory work: remove all unnecessary from the wall, clean the ventilation shaft, etc .;
- Then the hood is applied to the wall and mark the place of attachment;
- Holes for fastening dowels are drilled with a puncher and a hood is attached. It is important to ensure that it is placed evenly;
- The corrugation is attached to the hood (you can strengthen the connections with sealant) and stretches to the ventilation shaft;
- The second end of the corrugation is launched into the shaft as deep as possible. There it is also fixed with sealant or polyurethane foam. However, if additional construction work is planned in the kitchen, it is better not to do this so that it is possible to move the hood and corrugation;
- A special overlay is installed on top of the corrugation, which gives a complete look to the entire structure. As a rule, it also needs to be mounted on screws, screws or dowels.
Hood Care
No matter how expensive and modern the acquired equipment is, it must be looked after. This will prevent the occurrence of fire hazard situations, as well as extend the life of the device.
First of all, it is necessary to regularly change or wash filters and grease traps. The quality of air purification depends on them. The fact is that over time they become clogged and leak air worse. Also, fat is a flammable material, which ignites even with strong heating. Stopping such a fire is not easy.
It is advisable to stock up on filters in advance, this will simplify and speed up the process of replacing them.
It is necessary to monitor the appearance of the hood, otherwise it will quickly become ugly, covered with spots, etc.
So, the device can be installed independently, but you must follow some safety rules and regulations. Do not forget about such a parameter as the installation height. It determines the quality of the entire system, as well as the safety of using the device.
