Cooking is impossible without smells, which are not always pleasant and can fill the entire apartment. It is in order to avoid the spread of unpleasant odors hoods are used.
A cooker hood is a household appliance whose main task is to refresh and remove fumes that circulate not only in the kitchen, but also in other rooms of the house. The exhaust power allows you to quickly and efficiently ventilate the apartment soot, from combustion products, fat, constantly released during cooking. Unpleasant odors and mustiness in the apartment unpleasantly affect human health. A high-quality exhaust system ensures freshness.
Types of filters
Depending on the installed filter, there are two types of exhaust systems:
- extractor hood to the kitchen with a grease filter;
- cooker hood in the kitchen coal.
Hoods with a grease filter can protect against soot and small particles. These are coarse filters, the main function of which is to protect the walls of the air duct and various elements of the internal structure from dirt. Grease filters are used in both flow and circulation bends. In size, such filters can be large or small, reusable or disposable. Acrylic, synthetic winterizer, aluminum, steel or non-woven are the materials used to make these parts.
The second type of hoods is a sorption device designed to eliminate unpleasant odors. This is a fine cleaning that eliminates steam impurities. Charcoal filters must be replaced; they cannot be cleaned. The manufacturer indicates the period in which it is worth replacing the filter. Charcoal filter devices are indispensable in conditions of poor ventilation.
How the filter works
There are two principles of operation of the device - recirculation and air exhaust. The second principle of operation means that the hood extends into the ventilation shaft. When installing the device, tubes are attached to remove contaminated air. The engine creates traction so that grease, combustion products, and dirt are removed quickly enough. A ventilation shaft is a source of purified air, the appearance of which becomes possible due to pressure surges. We can’t say that the air is fresh and completely clean. It is advisable that at the time of cooking there was an additional air source. For example, an ajar window or window. Such hoods are called flow hoods.
The choice of coal hood
What should I look for when choosing a cooker hood with a charcoal filter? First of all, it is necessary to build on the type of hood. The most ergonomic are flat devices operating in recirculation mode. What does it mean? Air enters the middle of the device, the filtration system cleans, and then enters the room. Dome devices remove air from the room and operate in the exhaust mode. Carbon filters are installed for both the first mode and the second. After choosing the type of device, it is the turn of choosing the right model. It is worth paying attention to the technical characteristics of the device.
Hood Specifications
The main characteristic when choosing a hood is considered to be performance, which is calculated by the formula:
12 x 1.3 x S x H
| Recommended Air Updates Per Hour | Correction factor | Room Area | Ceiling height |
| 12 | 1,3 | S | N |
The connection method is also important, since the presence of bends reduces the performance of the device by 10%.
High-performance hoods are equipped with powerful enough engines that work noisily.This is one of the disadvantages of such hoods. The normal noise level is considered to be 55 dB.
Next, when choosing, it is worth paying attention to the control method:
- sensory;
- push-button.
The latest models of hoods are also equipped with a backlight that allows you to illuminate the work surface. Distinguish LED, halogen, fluorescent backlight. Incandescent bulbs are also used. Here it is worth choosing the model that fully meets the necessary requirements.
The finishing touch is the choice of housing. Expensive hoods are made of glass and stainless steel, aluminum, and cheap ones are made of plastic.
Features of the carbon filter
According to reviews, many users prefer hoods operating in recirculation mode, which significantly increases the requirements for air purification. It is necessary not only to collect all the fat, but also to clean the smallest air pollution. A carbon filter can only handle this task, which is placed behind the grease filter.
At the core is activated carbon, which is known for its adsorbing properties. Activated carbon not only absorbs pollution, but also retains them. The only drawback is the frequent replacement of filters, the cost of which depends on the manufacturer.
Quality affects the operation of the device. Air permeability drops by 20% in recirculation mode. This is due to the difficulty of air movement in the device itself, which differ in density coefficient. Air travels harder as it fills. Cartridges must be replaced on time.
Coal cartridge life
Such filters last 4 months on average. However, each company gives its own recommendations regarding the period of service. Bosch filters should be changed only once a year, Gaggenau - 2 times, Krona - 1-2 times, Falmec - 1 time in 4 months, Elica - 1 time, Jetair, Elicor - 1 time. Buying hoods does not include spare cartridges. Various manufacturers advise leaving the hood for five minutes plugged in, which extends the period of use of the filter. Thus, there is the possibility of removing excessive moisture, the adsorbent does not cake and retains its characteristics of the adsorbent.
Overview of cooker hood models
The Turbo Tilly WH / F / 60 flat hood is a budget solution with a width of 60 centimeters. It has three operating speeds, ordinary lighting (incandescent lamps), one motor, filter. User reviews suggest that this model performs fine cleaning and is in great demand.
The VENTOLUX GARDA 60 DIGITAL INOX (900) retractable hood is far from a budget model. It has three speeds, the width is 60 centimeters. The model is intended for use in rooms with a large area. Performance only confirms this - 900 cubic meters per hour. Reviews on the network confirm the effectiveness of this model.
According to reviews, one of the most popular hood models is the dome model KAISER A 6411 W. The width of the device is 60 centimeters, height - 50 centimeters. It has three speeds, halogen lighting with a capacity of 780 cubic meters per hour.
