A hood in the kitchen is an essential technique, because it can be used to protect walls, ceilings and furniture from the appearance of soot and greasy deposits, to guarantee clean air from odors, smoke and fumes. However, you need to understand how to choose a hood for the kitchen so that it does not stand idle, but really benefits. When choosing, pay attention to the performance, mode of operation, design and size of the umbrella.
Types of kitchen hoods
It is worth noting that there is no single classification of this technical device. Therefore, when choosing, buyers are guided by the technical indicators of a particular model, as well as external features.
The first step is to decide which hood is better to choose for the kitchen - flow or circulation.
- Flowing. This type of hood is connected directly to the ventilation duct of the house, into which the exhaust air is subsequently discharged. Similar models can work incirculation mode, running fresh air from the street into the kitchen. Experts recommend choosing these hoods if the house has the ability to connect the device to the ventilation shaft of the building. In a combined or small kitchen, such a solution will be really indispensable.
- Circulation. This type of hood does not need to be connected to a ventilation duct. Its mode of operation is called recycling. Its essence is to pass polluted air through the filters, and then run already cleaned air into the room. This type is considered less efficient, since the performance directly depends on the quality of the filters. It is very important to carry out timely cleaning and replacement of these elements. But it becomes indispensable when it is not possible to connect the device to the duct. The cost of such a hood is lower than a flow hood, which is one of the advantages.
Flat hanging hoods in the kitchen
It is not easy to answer the question of which hood is better to choose for the kitchen, because you need to analyze a lot of factors and only then make a decision. One of the common types of hoods are flat, which are mounted above the stove. Fastening occurs below the hanging kitchen cabinet. A clear advantage of this type of hood is that they take up a minimum of space and at the same time do an excellent job of their functions:
- Remove the air above the stove and pump it out into the air outlet.
- They pass air through the filter and send it already cleanedback indoors.
Most often they have a fairly simple filter system installed. It includes 1-2 acrylic layers, thanks to which the device can capture hot fat vapors. These filters are disposable. They are designed only for a certain amount of air that can be pumped. In more expensive models, activated carbon filters are installed. It is more effective in removing various odors. Almost all flat hoods operate in recirculation mode.
The volume of pumped air in most cases is not large, since suspended hoods are equipped with not very powerful engines. These are budget hoods that are very easy to maintain and have a simple design.
Recessed flat cooker hoods
Such devices are already installed inside a hanging kitchen cabinet. How to choose a hood for the kitchen, because subtleties decide everything in such a matter? The best built-in flat cooker hoods are equipped with an air intake retractable panel. This is done to achieve two goals:
- Enhance device performance.
- Increase the air intake area.
In consumer, and especially in technical terms, such hoods are considered more advanced. The simplest and cheapest options are equipped with a disposable grease filter and one motor of medium power. At the same time, you need to be careful and when deciding how to choose a built-in hood for the kitchen, do not pay attention only to the cost, losingoptionality.
Standard settings assume that as soon as the panel is pulled out, the hood itself starts working in the same mode it was in when it was turned off.
Prices for retractable hoods are higher than for their hanging counterparts. Within one manufacturer, the rule that the more expensive the model, the better it really works. However, do not forget that brand popularity also has an impact on pricing.
Before you choose a hood for the kitchen, you need to know about a rather interesting solution, which involves non-standard installation in the table. Such a device is suitable exclusively for hobs, and not for full-fledged stoves with an oven. In small kitchens, such hoods are used extremely rarely, because fully or partially built-in attachments are more suitable here. With partial installation, there must certainly be a special sliding panel, the front part of which must be decorated in a style suitable for the interior, since it goes out. There are no protruding parts in a fully built-in hood, because all elements are closed by a hinged door.
It is very important to maximize the capabilities of the device, so you need to carefully study all the possibilities of the hood and its technical parameters. If these features are not taken into account, the selected device may be difficult to integrate, and during operation it will be difficult to use it at full capacity. It is necessary that the hood matches:
- Dimensions of the hob.
- Cabinet size.
- Performance should match the volume of the room.
Kitchen Dome Hoods
Dome hoods owe their name to their appearance, which is very reminiscent of a cap or dome hanging directly above the stove. In colloquial speech, they are often called simply kitchen caps. In trade, in recent years, there has been a clear trend to call such devices fireplace hoods.
This type of hood is attached directly to the ceiling or wall above the stove. There are very few such devices with recirculation (only purification). In most cases, they are connected to an air outlet, so that polluted air is pumped directly out into the street.
Before you choose a kitchen hood over the stove, you need to understand that such devices are important design elements. The following elements are often used in their decoration:
- black glass,
- smoky glass,
- chrome parts,
- plastic parts,
- gold-plated elements.
Various precious woods are also often used in decorating hoods. Perhaps the range of this particular type of device is the most extensive, differing in size, colors and shapes. Pricing depends on:
- used stuffing (very wide list of used elements, but the most expensive among them is the electric motor),
- features,
- quality level,
- technical parameters.
Designers unanimously claim that any hood can radically transform the kitchen and become a central design element. But how to choose the right hood for the kitchen for this purpose? Just make sure that the bright decorative elements of the hood have something in common with the decor elements in the kitchen (dishes holders, door handles and furniture).
Pro tips for filters
If you opted for recirculation hoods, you should understand that the filter is their main working element.
The operation of modern hoods is possible with the following types of filters:
- fine cleaning,
- grease trapping.
The first type uses activated carbon. And grease traps are made from synthetic fibrous material or a metal mesh (very fine). It is no secret that polluted air often comes into contact with the fiber surface of the filter, on which it subsequently settles. Therefore, it is so important to carry out timely replacement and cleaning of this element.
There are these types of filters:
- Metal filter. Its difference from many others is that it can be washed. It does not need to be replaced, and if it is used correctly, then the service life of such a filter can be equal to the service life of the hood. Most of these filters can even be washed in the dishwasher, but this should only be done using non-aggressive detergents. Yes, and when washing, they must be positioned vertically. It is somewhat more difficult to wash them manually, becauseduring the work, the accumulated fat simply zadubevaet.
- Carbon filter. This type of cleaning is equipped with more expensive models of hoods. It is a small container in which activated carbon is located. Various disinfection elements can already be added to it, among which are ion-exchange resins, cation exchangers or silver. With it, even the smallest particles can be retained, and the elimination of odors is really effective. It is disposable. Replacement should be made as clogging. Experts say that once every 4 months it is still worth changing, even if it seems that it is not contaminated. Organic residues that are in the filter itself, during long-term storage, not only do not clean, but also become one of the causes of air pollution.
- Synthetic filter. Refers to disposable types of filters. Its replacement is carried out as it is clogged. Almost silent operation of the hood is ensured by a layer of artificial felt, which perfectly copes with noise. It is believed that this type of filter is more convenient than metal, but its disadvantage is the appearance of additional costs.
But only you can decide how to choose a hood for the kitchen, as well as which filter to give preference to.
Kitchen hood volume: what to look out for?
Every housewife knows how much time you have to spend in the kitchen near the stove. And so a job not very loved by many can turn into a real torment,if an annoying noise is heard overhead at this time. When wondering how to choose a hood for the kitchen, you should also get advice about the noise level.
Despite popular belief, noise can be the result of more than just the motor. No less annoying will be the monotonous noise of moving air, which resembles the howling of the wind.
Noise may come from:
- A very hard material that is used in the construction of a grease filter.
- Filter holes that are poorly designed.
- Loud electric motor.
Modern hoods are equipped with blades with a very complex configuration. This ensures low noise even at maximum performance.
Without exception, manufacturers in the description of the device or its characteristics indicate the value in decibels, thanks to which you can understand the level of noise generated. To the credit of the manufacturers, it is worth noting that they are constantly working to reduce the noise level. If you are wondering how to choose a good range hood for the kitchen, then you should pay special attention to the noise level. This is necessary because noisy hoods (60-62 dB) can be very uncomfortable when working with them for a long time.
How to choose a kitchen hood: performance tips
For each consumer, the main parameter of the operation of a device is its performance, which shows how much air pera certain unit of time can be pumped through the hood. It is measured in cubic meters per hour. This parameter is very important, because thanks to it, the current sanitary standards are observed, which require air changes 10-12 times a day in places where food is prepared.
Productivity is easy to determine if you correctly calculate the size of your kitchen. You can adjust this parameter up or down, taking into account the following points:
- Intensity and nature of fumes in the kitchen.
- Cooking frequency.
- Height of ceilings.
- Kitchen structure.
Quite often performance is referred to as power. But this is wrong, because the concept of power refers to the energy expended on the operation of electric motors. This parameter is logical to determine the efficiency of the device. Before choosing a hood for the kitchen, the advice of professionals must be listened to and taken into account, paying especially close attention to the motor part.
Practically all modern hoods have several engine operating modes. In this case, the instructions may indicate the maximum consumer power, but in addition to it, many manufacturers also prescribe intermediate values \u200b\u200bfor all modes.
Exhaust control modes
If you are wondering which hood to choose for the kitchen, reviews of these devices will help you decide. The most popular hoods with touch control,which fit perfectly into the interior of a modern kitchen. Based on their experience, hostesses recommend paying attention to the possibility of automatically turning on the functions necessary for operation (for example, backlighting).
The most comfortable were:
- Bosch DFS 067 K50. It has an automatic selection of modes depending on the amount of evaporation from the stove. And 10 minutes of residual stroke will help clean the air even after turning off the stove.
- Siemens LI 67SA530 IX. Incredibly high capacity - 740 m3/h. Equipped with auto-off intensive mode and residual stroke, which the owners of this equipment find very convenient.
- Elikor Integra 60. Domestic equipment is always treated with caution, but this model has earned the trust of customers due to its reliability.
- Gorenje DVG 65 W. Captivates not only with performance, but also with stylish design and quiet operation.
The following control schemes can be implemented in modern hoods:
- push-button,
- sensor-electronic,
- slider-slider.
The whole science is to find today the usual control with the help of mechanical buttons, because the electronic filling of devices involves more modern solutions. The following elements are subject to configuration:
- Performance.
- Engine operation mode.
- Turn on/off the backlight.
- Turn on/off the disinfection lamp.
Very often, models are equipped with a built-in clock and timer. To a large extentthe automation system and LED indication will help to improve the usability of the hood. This has a positive effect on the economic properties of the device.
Kitchen hood lighting
If you are thinking about how to choose a hood for the kitchen (60 centimeters or other sizes), you need to pay attention to the backlight, which greatly simplifies the work with this device. The light source can be both halogen lamps and conventional incandescent lamps.
Most often, manufacturers cover the lamp with a special light-scattering or frosted glass. If such an element is out of order, it will not be difficult to replace it. You can do it yourself, because you don’t have to do a global disassembly of the case.
Installation of the hood: basic rules
Once you have decided on how to choose a hood for the kitchen, you should also listen to advice about installation. There are several options for installing such a device:
- Wall mounted. Assumes installation directly above a cooking surface against a wall. Depending on the type of device, installation can be carried out either separately or as a set of furniture. The latter option is very convenient for kitchens with low ceilings, because it allows you to visually stretch the space, and not clutter it up.
- Island. How to choose a kitchen hood if the stove is supposed to be installed on an island? It should be understood that this type of installation is typical for the most expensive hoods. It is installed most often in the center of a spacious and large kitchen. Fasteningmade to the ceiling. The device is equipped with a vertical air outlet. These range hoods must match the design as they occupy an important place in the kitchen.
- Angular. Installation is carried out on the wall in the corner of the kitchen. Such a hood can help in the implementation of even very original design ideas. True, such devices are not presented in a very large assortment.
How to choose a kitchen hood (60 cm or 90 cm) with a minimum noise level?
A quiet hood, like other kitchen appliances with minimal noise, can provide a pleasant atmosphere in the house. After all, so many appliances are installed in modern homes that guaranteeing a minimum noise level is a simple necessity. Therefore, when wondering how to choose a hood for a gas stove in the kitchen, you should try to stop at such a device that can minimally affect the overall noise in the apartment.
Quiet hood will become a must in such cases:
- If the TV is on or music is on in the kitchen, then the extra noise will interfere.
- If there are small children in the house. A noisy device may simply interfere with their sleep.
- In a studio apartment. In this case, the question of how to choose a built-in hood for the kitchen is not even worth it, since you need to ensure a minimum noise level.
We talked about how to choose a hood for the kitchen. Tips from professionals and buyers were given in the article.
