Surely every housewife has suffered more than once, wiping the ceiling and walls from soot and dirt that remain after cooking. Perhaps the only prevention in this case will be a kitchen hood. Such devices prevent grease mixed with dust from settling on furniture and walls, and also rid the room of unpleasant odors and fumes.
So the hood is a necessary and practical purchase, to which you will thank more than once for a clean kitchen and fresh air. Today's market for kitchen appliances is extremely diverse and pleases with a wide range of products. Therefore, for many consumers, more than ever, the question is relevant: “Which hood to choose?”. User reviews left about specific models do not always help, because the theoretical base is first of all important here. That is, you need to clearly understand which design is suitable for your kitchen, what power will be enough and whether additional functionality is needed. These and other critical questions we justconsider in our article.
So, let's try to figure out which hood is better to choose and what to look for first. When compiling the article, the opinions of experts in this field and reviews of ordinary consumers were taken into account. After a short educational program, we will designate several specific models that have distinguished themselves by their high-quality component and good feedback from users.
Design features
In total, there are five main types of equipment: suspended, dome, built-in, island and retractable. Depending on the characteristics of the kitchen room, the furniture available, as well as the stove, it is necessary to choose a type of hood for the kitchen. Let's briefly dwell on each of the options.
Hanging type
This is the simplest and most popular type of equipment. In addition, a good half of suspended hoods have a more than affordable price tag. This design works on the recirculation principle (circular air circulation) and has reusable filters.
Installation of suspended hoods is simple and does not take much time. Most users prefer to install them themselves, which also saves a lot of money. Before choosing a hood, you should know that this type of equipment is great for rooms where there are no air outlets to the ventilation.
Dome Type
This type of equipment looks like a dome or an umbrella. Some craftsmen prefer to use a different name - fireplace. The hood is attachedto a wall above an electric or gas stove.
Unlike suspended structures, dome equipment can operate both in recirculation mode and as a flow system with air exhausted outside the room. If you are wondering: “Which hood to choose for a gas stove?”, Then dome technology would be the best option, because it cleans the air much more efficiently, especially when cooking on a bare flame. This type of equipment costs, of course, more expensive than suspension systems, but it recaptures its money with better filtration.
Built-in type
You can choose a built-in hood if you have a stove of the same type. Here we have well-camouflaged equipment, which, as a rule, looks like a wall cabinet. Installation in this case is noticeably more difficult, so it is best to turn to professionals so that the technique does not stand out from the general style of the kitchen set.
Before choosing a built-in hood, you should know that it can also be both recirculating and flowing. The first option is more interesting in terms of design, because there will be no extra pipes, which means that the overall style of the headset will not be disturbed. But in the case of gas stoves, it is better to stay on the flow system.
Island type
Here we have independently installed equipment somewhere in the middle of the room. This solution is used in cases where the plate is not located against the wall. Island hoods can most often be seen in cafes, restaurants and other catering places. At home, such systems are usually not used.
Before choosing a kitchen hood, you should also know that all island-type equipment works on a flow principle. On the one hand, this technique is convenient, because you can put it anywhere, but on the other hand, the style of the room can suffer greatly.
Retractable type
The main advantage of this type of equipment is its compact size. Moreover, a good half of the equipment has retractable panels. That is, if necessary, the cultivated area can be almost doubled. But retractable type equipment also has its own critical disadvantages, which must be taken into account before choosing a reliable kitchen hood.
Naturally, there is no need to talk about flow systems - only the recirculation principle, so for serious gas stoves this is not the best option. Yes, beautiful, compact and very stylish, but … ineffective. Of course, in the premium segment you can find some kind of "monster" that will filter everything and everything, but it costs a lot of money, and the electric meter will smoke properly with its power.
Which kitchen hood is better to choose - of course, you decide, because first of all you need to look at your kitchen and the room itself. That is, to dance from the headset, and not vice versa, to adjust it to the hood. The market can offer a lot of options for such a plan for any interior, up topainting equipment in the right color, so there should be no serious problems here.
Power/Performance
Equipment of this kind comes with one or two fans powered by electricity. It is worth warning right away that if you are offered to choose a 60 cm battery-powered hood, then it is better to bypass such offers, because such a purchase will not bring you anything good, much less practical.
As for the power rating, here we are talking about the characteristics of the fan. The performance of the hood itself directly depends on this parameter. It is he who determines how much air the equipment will filter per unit of time. The performance of the exhaust equipment varies between 180-700 cubic meters per hour (m3/h). To choose the right hood, you should also know that in some models the fans can operate at two or four speeds.
But chasing performance, especially in a small kitchen, is not worth it, because the higher this figure, the more noise the equipment makes. In addition, the equipment will rarely operate at its maximum power level. It is not every day that an experienced housewife runs out of milk or burns food. When a soup is quietly cooked on the stove day by day or a stew comes under a closed lid, then fans with a low power indicator will calmly cope with the task.
Additional features
This is not the most essential part of the hood, but the presence of additional functionality orequipment makes it more comfortable to use. So it would be useful to pay attention to this moment, when the turn comes to choose the hood.
User reviews most often point to such a convenient thing as touch control with a display. Such an addition has not only excellent ergonomic characteristics, but also shows detailed statistics on the operation of the hood. Similar models with mechanical control are much cheaper, so here we are talking about convenience, and not about performing the basic tasks of filtering a room.
You can also mention functions such as "Interval switching" and "Remaining stroke". The first addition periodically turns on air purification equipment, and the second involves the operation of an auxiliary fan after turning off the main one for better filtration. Before choosing a cooker hood, be sure to consider that any major addition costs a lot of money, and be sure to weigh the practicality of such an acquisition. For a small kitchen with good natural airflow (windows, doors), it is not necessary to buy a fancy model.
Producers
Choosing a good hood is quite difficult, especially considering the number of companies involved in the production of this kind of equipment. European manufacturers traditionally lead in the field of kitchen appliances: Siemens, Bosch, Asko and Gorenie.
Reviews about the products of these brands are entirely positive. The equipment is distinguished by high-quality assembly, good functionality and a variety of series. Some critical remarkswas not observed for specific models. Users mainly complain about after-sales service and some organizational issues, such as delivery or installation of equipment.
Consumers also speak well of the brands Hansa, Shindo, Kronasteel and the domestic manufacturer Elikor. Companies operate mainly in the mid-price and budget segment, producing decent equipment with an adequate cost. But here you can’t buy at random, because not every series from these manufacturers turns out to be successful. Before choosing a kitchen hood from the budget segment, it is clearly useful to read reviews on specialized forums (on them, and not in online stores).
Next, we will consider several specific models that have distinguished themselves by enviable popularity, as well as their quality component.
Elikor "Integra 60" (embedded)
This is a frankly budget built-in option from a domestic manufacturer, but this does not make it bad. The model with one fan is suitable for owners of small apartments and, accordingly, small kitchens. The equipment can operate both on the flow and on the recirculation principle, if connection to a special ventilation duct is difficult.
The dimensions of the equipment are standard - 60 cm, and the assembly is quite acceptable: the equipment does not crumble, does not creak or play. The performance is also good - 400 m3/hour with two power modes.
Users in their reviews mostlyrespond positively to the model. Naturally, a good half of domestic consumers are attracted by the cost of equipment. But the quality of the hood, despite such a low price, is at a very good level. Before choosing a hood of this series, it is worth considering that all models are very noisy, so you will have to get used to it, well, or cook in tandem with a radio.
Model benefits:
- good power;
- intuitive controls;
- great backlight;
- more than affordable price tag.
Flaws:
- noisy fan;
- Deeply simple design.
Estimated cost is about 4,000 rubles.
Bosch DFS 067K50 (embedded)
This is a premium built-in model from a renowned German brand. The equipment is designed for standard 60 cm slabs. The body of the hood is made of metal, and on the front panel there is an informative retractable screen. Thanks to the innovative coating, the design is perfectly washed (literally in one go) with a sponge.
Functional control is fully touch-sensitive, and the panel itself is not afraid of high temperatures and even more so dirt, so it is not necessary to wipe (well, or lick) your fingers before setting the next task on the display.
Two powerful fans (700 m3/h) received excellent sound insulation, so you will only know about the operation of the hood in the basic mode by the indication on the taskbar. It also has efficient LED lighting with adjustableintensity.
Separately, it is worth noting intelligent automation. If you transfer the equipment to a fully automatic mode, then you can forget about the hood, as well as about polluted air. The attractive appearance of the model, which will please the eye, can also be attributed to the pluses.
As far as reviews go, users are overwhelmingly positive about this series. The only thing that a good half of consumers complain about is the price. But exceptional German quality has never been cheap. So, what did you like about the model?
Exhaust hood pluses:
- huge functional set;
- high performance;
- intelligent automation (turned on and forgot);
- informative touch display;
- presence of an air pollution sensor;
- great coverage and hassle-free washing;
- exceptional assembly without a hint of marriage;
- quiet operation.
Cons:
the cost of the model is too high for the average domestic consumer
Estimated price is about 44,000 rubles.
Gorenje DU5345W (outboard)
This hanging fixture would be a great option for small kitchens. Before choosing a hood, be sure to check the dimensions of your stove, because this model is designed for a width of no more than 50 cm.
Technique works on the recirculation principle on replaceable carbon filters. The performance of the hood ranges from 300 m³ / h, with 3 fan speeds. There is also a heat filter andgood halogen lighting.
Users are generally positive about the model. With the dominance of equipment from no-name manufacturers from the Middle Kingdom, equipment from Gorenie is perhaps the best choice in this category. It is reliable, pretty and has real power, unlike Chinese consumer goods.
Benefits of the model, judging by consumer feedback:
- efficient work in small kitchens;
- 3 fan speeds;
- good backlight;
- good looking;
- quality build;
- quite an adequate price for the available features.
Flaws:
noisy fan
Estimated cost is about 5,000 rubles.
Elikor Agate 60 (dome)
Powerful dome equipment can be made not only in Europe, but also here in Russia. So before choosing a hood from the venerable "Europeans", be sure to pay attention to the "Agate" series from Elikor. The model, judging by the reviews, turned out to be decent and quite competitive.
Equipment is designed for standard 60 cm wide slabs. Fan power ranges from 1000 m3/h, with four speed modes. Also, the model boasts a clear and informative touch display, a shutdown timer, excellent backlighting, a stainless steel case and low noise levels. You can also add sensible automation here, which itself will adapt to the environment and carry out competent filtering.air.
Given the cost of European counterparts, Agat is an excellent and very inexpensive option for a patriotic consumer. Reviews about the model are entirely positive. Users have no complaints about the build quality, ergonomics, as well as the work itself. The benefits of the model can also be recorded and service. If the equipment breaks down, which happens extremely rarely and in most cases due to the fault of the user, then maintenance, as well as components, will cost many times less than if it were the venerable Bosch or Siemens.
Consumer-reported benefits of the model:
- high power and performance;
- abundance of functionality;
- smart auto mode;
- informative display on touch control;
- 4 speed settings;
- great backlight;
- virtually silent fans;
- quality build;
- stainless steel case;
- attractive value for the features available.
Cons:
some users complain about the protruding body (you can hit your head)
Estimated price is about 13,000 rubles.
Summing up
When choosing a technique of such a plan, you must first of all focus on your kitchen. If the room does not have an impressive area or has good natural ventilation, then it makes no sense to consider powerful, as well as expensive options. It would be much more practical to choosean inexpensive solution, but with some additional functionality.
Separately, it is worth noting models from Chinese no-name manufacturers. Yes, such equipment is cheap, but as such there is no practicality in acquiring it, because it will break down in a week or two. And the equipment from trusted manufacturers, who care not only for their reputation, but also for each client, has been working for years - you just need to wipe it and change the filters.
