There are two operating modes of the hood. The main difference between them is where the air drawn into the device is ejected.
- Flow-through or exhaust hoods send air "overboard" the apartment, into the mine through specially mounted ducts.
- The hood in recirculation mode blows air back into the kitchen through the outlet, driving it through filters - reusable and disposable, built-in or replaceable. This mode is the best solution - inexpensive and modern, for small spaces. Or when only one mode of operation of the hood is possible - air recirculation, and it is difficult to install the air duct (for example, based on the design of the kitchen) or unreasonably expensive.
Where does the air come out in recirculation mode?
The first consumer question about the recirculation hood is: "Where does the air come from?". The answer is through the outlet, the location of which must be paid special attention to before buying if the hood is built-in. It cannot be blocked or closed. It may be necessary, for example, to bring the purified air from the outlet into the hole in the wall cabinet using a flexible channel. If the hood has a square outlet, then you will need an adapter. Flexible ducts are round, corrugated, aluminum (100-125 mm diameter) the cheapest and easiest to install.
Most often on the market in the price range of 4,000-25,000 rubles. you can find a hood that can operate in two modes - recirculation and removal, but there are hoods with one mode of operation.
Recirculation or exhaust air: consumer and professional reviews?
Why do consumers choose a recirculation hood when they have the option of ducting? Consumer reviews say that the main advantage of the tap mode is that it has more performance. An additional advantage is the potential to provide an influx of clean air. But many professional builders do not speak highly of the organization of passive ventilation in houses and its effectiveness, especially in outdated high-rise buildings.
Great performance is not always relevant. Here's why:
- Medium recirculation hood can easily cope with a standard kitchen up to 9 square meters. m., because its productivity is from 200 to 600 cubic meters. m/h.
- If the kitchen rarely cooks, using the room as a dining room or just for breakfast,the amount of work is much less.
In both cases, it makes no sense to spend more effort and money on a hood with a tap. In addition, its installation is more complicated, it is preferable to entrust it to professionals. The hood in recirculation mode is cheaper. It is easy to hang by yourself.
The principle of operation of the hood with recirculation
Any hood is simple. The engine rotates the screw, creating thrust. So in that sense it is no different from a hair dryer or a fan.
If the hood is in exhaust mode, then there is most often a reusable filter in the air path. Further, the flow goes outside the house into the ventilation shaft. To clean the air that must return to the room, various filters are installed. All suspensions in the air (dirt, soot, grease) settle on them. And through the outlet, the purified air is blown back into the kitchen.
Filter types
In the hood in recirculation mode, the air quality is primarily determined by the filters, which must be cleaned regularly or changed if they are disposable. Most manufacturers make sure that this operation is easy to perform.
Grease trapping reusable filters are in all hoods: both with recirculation and with a tap. They are metal (or acrylic in cheaper models) perforated and removable. Therefore, they are easy to remove and wash by hand or in the dishwasher. If it is, you should pay attention to their dimensions when choosing a hood - so that they fit.
Having taken offreusable filter, you can access the inside of the hood and install disposable ones yourself. They are zhiroulavlivayuschie and coal. The first ones are essentially a piece of fabric (synthetic winterizer and similar materials), which repeats the shape of a metal filter and traps relatively large particles and suspensions. The recirculation hood combined with the charcoal filter captures all the fine dirt, protects the engine and purifies the air.
Maintenance of the hood in recirculation mode
The filters themselves can be bought without problems in retail and online stores. Their price is in the range of 200-1000 rubles. They need to be changed every 4-6 months, depending on the model and manufacturer. And, of course, on the frequency of use: it is important what and how many times a day is prepared in the kitchen.
If you neglect to replace and clean the filters, the air quality at the outlet deteriorates significantly and odors remain in the kitchen.
The advantage of a hood with a tap is saving on carbon filters. This is true, but it also needs to clean the air at the inlet, otherwise the fat will settle inside on the ventilation ducts and the engine. So, probably, you will have to regularly spend money on disposable grease filters - this way the hood will last longer.
A hood in recirculation mode without a drain in combination with carbon filters (example in the photo) is a reliable assistant that needs minimal additional maintenance 2-3 times a year.
This is important to consider when choosinghoods
- The noise level during operation in any mode should not exceed 60 dB, but it is better to stay in the range of 45-50 dB.
- Energy efficiency, which is affected not only by engine power, but also by lighting costs, so it is better to choose a hood with LED lamps.
- Given the huge assortment, there is no need to save on the aesthetic side of the issue. After all, it is easy to find a hood that fits and even decorates any interior (for example, it can be a bright color accent).
- Touch, not electromechanical control, additional functions - remote control, timer, delayed shutdown, more expensive models of hoods have. The choice of functionality depends on personal preferences and financial capabilities.
- The last and most important thing - "you need to dance from the stove", more precisely, from the stove. It is above it that the hood is located. It should be equal, and preferably 5-10% more than the area of the hob.
After choosing the shape and size, the question of installation arises, which is better to consider in advance.
Mounting options
The main rule for mounting the hood: installation height (from the hob) 65 cm and above - for electric stoves, from 75 cm - for gas.
Further, the issue of installation depends on the aesthetic expectations of the consumer, financial capabilities and on which device is selected in the end.
The cheapest range hoods on the market are recirculated and built-in. If the height allows, it can be attached to the bottom of the cabinet. It is especially convenient if he is alreadyis above the stove. It remains to take into account only the issue of power supply of the device.
How to build a hood into a wall cabinet?
Built-in hoods are mounted in recirculation mode in a hanging kitchen cabinet (above the stove). On top of the case, each manufacturer provides holes for attaching the device to the bottom shelf of the cabinet. The fasteners themselves are usually included in the kit. The cabinet is bought without a bottom. The lower shelf in it is hung in such a way that the attached hood is completely hidden. Outside, only the lower surface remains - a reusable grease filter and, if any, a sliding panel.
Another question arises if you use the hood in recirculation mode. How to build in a cabinet so as not to block the outlet? Make a hole in the cabinet on top or in the side wall and use a round corrugation and a pair of adapters to connect the hood outlet to it.
Dome (or fireplace) hood
More expensive recirculation hoods - fireplace (or dome):
- They operate in recirculation mode (there are also universal ones), often equipped with built-in filters - which means even easier to maintain.
- Win in terms of design - the original form, many colors, beautiful finishing materials.
- Simply attached to the wall above the stove. There are even corner ones, although usually hobs are not located in the corner. But it is not necessary to hang the hood just above the stove, although this is most often done.
This hood works like a fireplace. The density of warm air is less than that of cold air. It naturally rises up and the cold stream sinks down due to the pressure difference. It depends on the density, which, in turn, is affected by temperature. Similarly, a helium-filled balloon bursts upward because helium has a lower density than air. It seems to be forced out and pulls the shell along with it, stretches out.
The dome and chimney act as a chimney for a fireplace. Plus the obligatory motor for extra traction. Devices of this type are more expensive, but they have more performance.
Hoods built into countertop
The hood built into the countertop is definitely an innovation in Russia. This hood is in recirculation mode. So far, it is represented on the market by a small and rather expensive line.
But if finance isn't a top priority, it can be an interesting design choice. Especially if the room is designed in high-tech style. After all, this is a very elegant device. So far, most often designers recommend it for kitchen islands. These are increasingly appearing in houses being built according to modern projects with a large kitchen, so the popularity of countertop hoods will grow. After all, the height of the ceiling can be significant, it is not always possible to hang a hood and pull air ducts from it to the shaft from the point of view of harmony and design of the room.
Due to the large selection, technical purchase questions andinstallation of the hood is not difficult to solve. Perhaps the need to service it 2-4 times a year and buy disposable filters seems like an extra expense. But monthly cleaning of surfaces in the kitchen from grease and other contaminants with detergents takes much more effort and time, and therefore money!
