The hood in the kitchen is almost a familiar household appliance. The owners of the unit can talk about the many advantages of using it and complain about some of the disadvantages. The choice of an air purifier is based on several criteria.
Technical issues
The first thing to consider when deciding whether to purchase a cooker hood is power or performance. This indicator is responsible for the quality and speed of air purification in the room. According to sanitary standards, the air in the kitchen should be updated 10-12 times a day. The kitchen hood is designed to provide air exchange, for this it has the appropriate functions. To calculate how much air is in the room, you need to multiply the area of the room by the height of the ceilings.
The calculated power of the hood with a known cubic capacity of the room and indicators of sanitary standards is calculated by simple multiplication. For example: (3 (width, m) x 5 (length, m) x 2.5 (ceiling height, m)) x10 (12)=375 (450) m3/hour. This means that the capacity of the equipment must be at least 450 m3/hour. Feedback from customers who have been using air purification equipment for a long time speaks of the needinstall the device with a power reserve of several units, i.e. according to the above calculations, the required power will be from 400 to 600 m3/h.
General Features
The kitchen hood is a household air purifier. It is no coincidence that manufacturers recommend leaving doors open in all rooms during the operation of the device - a working air purifier is able to renew the air in the entire apartment.
6 reasons to buy a range hood:
- Cleanses the air of unpleasant, often mixed kitchen odors.
- Removes gas combustion products.
- Catches grease splashes.
- Reduces indoor humidity levels.
- Reduces air temperature.
- Renews the air.
Technique types
A properly selected gadget is able to perform all functions, while, thanks to new technologies and engineering developments, the noise level in the room will not exceed permissible limits.
Types of hoods for the kitchen are divided into three types according to functionality:
- Flow.
- Recycling.
- Mixed.
All types of exhaust devices, regardless of design and functional features, operate on the principle of forced air circulation, equipped with a filter system that eliminates pollution.
Flow hood
The operation of the hoodsflow type is based on the principles of capturing polluted air and removing it outside the premises. The outflow of the used air mass occurs through a pipeline led to the general house ventilation system or to a separate hole in the outer wall of the kitchen. Some models of this type of hood are equipped with metal filters, thanks to which small particles of food, grease and water do not get inside the unit.
To appreciate all the positive aspects of the flow hood, you must choose a device in accordance with the requirements of operation:
- The size of the exhaust hood should cover, or better be larger than, the surface of a gas or electric stove.
- The power of the electric motor built into forced ventilation systems must be calculated for the volume of a specific cubic capacity of the room. Usually, the allowed parameters are specified by the manufacturer. But in any case, a calculation is required to understand how much power an extract is needed. By choosing the maximum indicators, you get the risk of unjustified consumption of resources, which will be reflected in the electricity bill. Also, do not lose sight of the level of noise produced: in a large room, the noise will dissipate, and an overly powerful engine in a small room will create a dangerous level of sound vibrations.
Pros and cons of a flow hood
For the full operation of the device, it is necessary to ensure air flow. This means that you need to keep a window or window open in the house for a constant flow of air during the periodtechnical work. For many, this is often a negative quality of this system. When outside the window the minus temperature exceeds the figure 20, it is problematic to keep the window or window open.
Installation of a flow-through air exhaust system of the latest samples is difficult in Soviet-built houses. The openings in the house vent do not match the new designs and therefore transitional installation pipes are required, which adds bends in the piping and physically reduces the efficiency of the unit.
The advantages of flow-through air purification systems are their high performance, ease of maintenance, efficiency and durability. Solve the dilemma of choice: kitchen hood, which one is better? Consumer reviews recommend that if there is space and professional installation, this type of equipment will stop.
Experts warn that it is very problematic to integrate a flow hood into an already finished interior: the design is usually larger than a standard kitchen cabinet, the device is mounted on a wall or built into furniture, access to the ventilation system should be direct and not wind around with an intricate pipe laying route.
Recirculation models
The principle of operation of the device is based on the intake of polluted air, its passage through the filter system and return to the room after cleaning. The air mass sanitation system uses two types of filters.
One of them is designed to capture grease and grime. Until recently, this typefilters were made of non-woven materials (non-woven fabric, synthetic winterizer, etc.), in modern models, metal is most often used. The coarse filter needs to be washed / washed periodically, otherwise the productivity of the hood is reduced. The second filter is carbon. It purifies the air of odors and should be changed according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Pros and cons of a recycling system
The reclamation type air purifiers are popular among our customers. This is due to their availability and the ability to integrate into existing furniture without the involvement of specialists, which often leads to incorrect operation of equipment. This does not stop anyone, because the models are democratic and the technical characteristics of the hoods are suitable for any interior and room size.
Pluses of circulation hoods:
- Variety of models.
- Easy to install.
- Ease of maintenance.
- Price variety.
Cons include:
- Quick clogging of filters.
- The high cost of carbon filters.
- Dramatic drop in efficiency when the filtration system becomes clogged.
Many customers have opted for this air purifier in their kitchen space. So, what is the best range hood for the kitchen? Customer reviews of recirculation models speak of satisfactory work in small kitchens, where they do not cook too often and actively, and therefore the volume of the room is quickly freed from harmful impurities. Also, such hoods are suitable for electric stoves, where there are no combustion products.gas.
Combined types
Most manufacturers of kitchen appliances produce combined hoods, but they are only suitable if the unit is purchased at the planning stage of the kitchen space. This is reported by everyone who once successfully solved the question: kitchen hood, which one is better? Reviews of professional kitchen appliances installers, designers and consumers are unanimous in one thing: it is worth planning first and only after purchasing appliances and furniture.
In this case, the hood can simply be connected to the air duct and, if necessary, use different air purification modes integrated into the combined air purifier models. For installation in a finished project or equipped space, recirculation models should be preferred.
Choose and use
The question is often solved: which hood for the kitchen is better. Customer reviews first of all pay attention to the fact that you need to decide on the power of the device. It should be sufficient for the volume of the room and quickly free the space from the smells of the kitchen, tobacco and gas combustion products. Consumers focus on the manufacturer of appliances: it is better to opt for a company that has been specializing in the production of kitchen gadgets for more than one year.
The indicator of the noise level produced by the hood turned out to be important. For many users, it was the high noise level from the operation of the motor that became an excuse not to use the already installedtechnique, leaving open the question: which hood is better for the kitchen? Reviews call for attention to models with a motor placed in a plastic case with increased sound insulation. At the same time, it is desirable that the motor does not come into contact with the main body, which is achieved with the help of gaskets. Quiet models can be considered with a noise figure of 35 dB or more.
Types of hoods
The external design of the exhaust device is no less important than the functions embedded in it. The design solution helps to choose a harmonious version of the kitchen hood for the room. All functional features of kitchen hoods are made out by types of devices:
- Suspended. Exhaust equipment of this type most often has a concise appearance. These are flat models of circulation hoods. Suitable for small kitchens, the device can be built into a standard wall cabinet, having previously rid it of the bottom bar. The part of the hood where the motor is located is placed in the furniture space and is masked behind closed doors. Above the hood inside the cabinet there is free space where you can place a shelf for kitchen utensils. This type of appliance often has a retractable panel that increases the surface area of the hood, which improves air purification above the stove.
- Dome models of kitchen hoods. The second name of the circulation, combined hoods in this design is fireplace. The most popular models of air cleaning equipment. They look like a truncated pyramid or cone,an inverted umbrella with a pipe going up. Exterior finish supports any direction in design: hi-tech, Provence, modern classics, etc. This type of equipment is mounted on a wall or built into furniture.
- Island hoods - design with a vertical duct. Attaches to the ceiling. All communications are mounted in the ceiling. In most cases, these are design models of equipment. In terms of functionality, they belong to the combined type of devices.
- Domino is a recent development of kitchen appliances specialists. The peculiarity is that the air exchange systems are built into the table next to the stove, and are not placed above the hob.
What you need to know to determine what is a good built-in range hood for the kitchen? The reviews are unanimous in one thing: the equipment must have the appropriate power. The choice between recirculation, flow or combined models is the ability to mount the device in a particular room. The combined model is preferable because it contains all the functions. If desired, the air in the flow mode is quickly replaced, and with a small load on the stove, the circulation mode is quite suitable. You need to carefully choose hoods for the kitchen, reviews of which are best studied before buying.
Pro Tips
To determine the qualities, pros and cons of technology, you often need a specialist's opinion, and the kitchen hood is no exception. Which is better? Reviews from architectural professionals summarize as follows:
- You should start withtechnical specifications and calculate the power of the air purifier in your kitchen, installation methods (built-in appliances or self-sufficient design).
- The width of the hood should match the width of the hob or be a few centimeters larger on each side.
- Determine the model of equipment so that it performs all functions and matches the general style of the room. Dome options are the most popular, they correspond to the price / quality balance and are presented in a large assortment.
When choosing a cooker hood, pay attention to additional features: the control method, the number of speeds, the presence of a back draft valve and safety in use. It is better to trust the installation of complex equipment to professionals, and then it will delight for many years.
