The lack of hoods in the kitchen leads to soot and dust accumulating on all surfaces during cooking. As a result, the appearance of the finish deteriorates and repairs are required. To avoid frequent cosmetic repairs, an exhaust device must be installed above the stove, which will clean the air. Today in the stores of household appliances a huge number of models are presented. Before choosing a hood for the kitchen, you need to familiarize yourself with some recommendations that will make the right choice.
The principle of operation of the cooker hood
The actions of this device are directed forced air ventilation. During operation, not only the combustion products, but all kinds of fumes and odors are removed. The design of any type involves the presence of filters of a special type that trap soot, odor. For air circulation, cooker hoods are equipped with a special fan system. The device is controlled using a special panel. Depending on the model, such a dashboard may be mechanical or electronic.
Cooker hoods can be of several types, depending on the method of air purification:
- recirculation hoods are designed for air purification. They do not have access to the street, the air purified by the filter again enters the room;
- flowing copes better with air purification. This system is characterized by the fact that air is discharged through external ventilation to the street.
Before you pick up the hood, it is better to weigh the pros and cons. Assess the ability to install each option. Before buying, you can read customer reviews that can be found on different sites.
The main varieties of hoods
An air purifier is installed directly above the stove. There are all kinds of options for these devices:
- recessed;
- domed;
- mounted;
- flat.
Each type has similarities in functionality, but a completely different appearance. Dome options can be used if the kitchen is large enough. In country houses, the stove can be located in the center of the room; in this case, it is better to use a hood for the dome type kitchen. She will look more attractive. In apartments, kitchens have a small area, so it is better to use built-in options. If desired, the appliance can be completely hidden under the kitchen furniture.
What is important to pay attention to when choosing
The hood in the kitchen, in addition to the appearance, must fully cope with the task of cleaning the air. Preliminarily, it is better to evaluate the qualities of several models and only then make the final decision.
Air filtration system
The hood for the recirculation kitchen is equipped with two filters. One of them is intended for direct air purification, the second for trapping particles of fat and soot. The filter that traps fat is a replaceable cartridge. It is of a disposable type, therefore, as it becomes soiled, it is necessary to change it to a new one. Such filters can be reusable. In this case, they are made of aluminum or steel.In order for the hood to work better, they must be regularly cleaned from contamination.
To neutralize the unpleasant odor, the hood in the kitchen can be additionally equipped with a special charcoal filter. When choosing dome or flat devices, it is better to give preference to options with two filters and normal power.
Exterior view of the exhaust device
An equally important criterion when choosing a device is its appearance. The variety of models in the modern market is simply impressive:
- suspended type of hoods is easy to install and relatively low cost. This is the best budget option that has earned positive reviews from many buyers;
- Dome models are somewhat reminiscent of an umbrella, which is located above the stove. They can be used both over electric and over a gas stove. They can operate in recirculation mode and flow;
- to save space, it is better to use built-in models that are hidden behind the kitchen set;
- if the stove is not located near the wall, an island hood is used. Such models are designed only for flow mode operation;
- retractable models take up relatively little space, so it’s more advisable to install them in very small kitchens.
A correctly selected design will not only perform the basic functions, but also decorate the interior of the kitchen as a whole.
Fan system and power
The hood for the kitchen can be equipped with one or two fans. The power of the device directly depends on the operation of the fans. Product performance depends on this parameter. Today, hoods are produced with a performance indicator of 180 to 700 cubic meters per hour. The speed of the fans can be switched if necessary. Most often, the device can operate at 4 speeds.
Models with high performance can work quite noisily, which is a kind of disadvantage. The choice of power is also influenced by the area of the room in which it will be installed. For a smaller kitchen, weaker models can be used.
Which control panel is better
Management is carried out using the dashboard. Different manufacturers place it in different places on the outside of the panel. The main types of control panel:
- Touch control is very convenient to use. With one touch you can start or stop the operation of the device;
- the slider type is characterized by the presence of a special slider, which moves when switching between modes;
- The keypad is considered a classic option and is very easy to manage.
For convenience, some hoods can be optionally equipped with a trip timer. More expensive models are equipped with sensors with an audio signal that controls humidity and speed. If the air is sufficiently contaminated, the hood turns on automatically. Such add-ons have earned positive customer reviews.
Overall dimensions of the hood
To correctly choose a built-in or hinged hood in the kitchen, you first need to take measurements of free space.
The main rule of choice is the hood should not be smaller than the hob.
Stoves in the kitchen can be of different widths, today models from 60 to 90 cm are presented. A gas or electric stove should be slightly covered by a hood. This ensures complete capture of contaminated air and its purification or removal to the outside.
According to the established norms and standards, the hood should be located from the stove surface at a height of 75 cm. When using an electric stove, the height can be reduced to 65 cm. It is important that the installation is carried out correctly, otherwise dangerous fire situations may occur.
Pay attention to light sources
For normal and comfortable cooking, hoods are equipped with light sources. Depending on the model, conventional small incandescent bulbs or halogen versions can be used. When buying, it is important to pay special attention to this moment. The main thing is that there should be access to the replacement of lighting devices.
Communications Connection
For the ventilation system to function properly, installation work must be carried out correctly. High power allows for a short time to clean the air in the room. If the hood is connected to external ventilation, you must connect to it. It is important to control the number of knees and, if possible, minimize them.
Each bend of the ventilation duct reduces the exhaust performance by 5%
For the duct, it is worth choosing pipes of a sufficiently large diameter with smooth inner walls, this will allow the hood to work at full power. It is not recommended to choose corrugated pipes, since an uneven surface makes it difficult to pass air.
The cost of cooker hoods
A good range hood does not have to be expensive. The cost is calculated taking into account the performance of the model, while the quality of the product will be at the highest level.
- cheap hoods are most often made of plastic. Some parts can be made with metal. The control panel is push-button or slider. Speed mode does not exceed three positions. Product power does not exceed 450 cubic meters per hour;
- The average price range includes hoods made of aluminum, stainless steel and tempered glass. The panel in such models may be touch. This group includes models with a capacity of up to 650 cubic meters per hour;
- the most expensive hood models can be made with different materials. Some models can be trimmed with valuable wood. Most often, touch control panels are installed on them. Additionally, control can be done using the remote control. On these models of hoods, additional sensors are installed that monitor the level of humidity and air pollution. The performance of such models in some cases can reach 1600 cubic meters per hour.
The choice of hoods for the kitchen depends on financial capabilities and the required capacity. Before buying, it is worth examining the characteristics of several different models in order to ultimately make the right choice. Additionally, you can find reviews on a specific model that will help evaluate the device. When installing, you must strictly follow the instructions and not violate the technology. Proper operation and timely replacement of filters will allow you to operate the hood for a long time.
