The kitchen is a place where a large number of odors associated with the preparation and storage of food accumulate. Such aromas can be a serious test for a person's sense of smell. That is why an indispensable attribute of a kitchen set should be a hood. This device literally draws in steam, smoke and the aroma of the food being prepared, preventing them from spreading throughout the house.
The closer the hood is to the source of the odor and the source of the smoke, the higher the chances of effectively eliminating them. For these purposes, manufacturers of kitchen appliances have created a model of hood that is built into the countertop.
Just imagine that now you don’t need to install an additional hanging structure that will spoil the appearance of the kitchen. A hood built into a table does not have many of the disadvantages of wall-hung models. It creates less noise during operation, filters the air and is practically invisible to prying eyes.
How does the hood work?
- At the bottom of the housing there is a strong filter that retains dirt and soot.
- Inside the device there are fans that are driven by a motor.
- Next, an air duct leading to the street or into the ventilation shaft of the house is attached to the upper part.
- Various models of hoods provide additional devices for better cleaning, for example, grease traps.
Which filters for hoods are better?
- Grease filters are designed to capture suspended fat particles from the air. They are divided into reusable and disposable. The latter cannot be washed and must be disposed of after use.
Reusable metal ones require only regular cleaning and will last as long as the unit itself.
- Carbon filters are used in products where air exchange is provided: air is first drawn into the device, and after cleaning it is sent back into the room. The composition is based on activated carbon, which absorbs odors well.
What power does the hood need?
The performance of the device is calculated using the following formula: the width of the kitchen is multiplied by the length and the height of the ceiling, then by another ten. The last figure is the rate of air exchange per hour.
The higher the power of the product, the faster the atmosphere in the kitchen will be refreshed, the more comfortable it will be for you to cook. The minimum productivity of industrial products is 300 cubic meters per hour.
Where is the hood connected?
It is important to correctly connect the device to the ventilation shaft and to the electrical network. The unit itself should be located at a height of 70-90 centimeters from the hob.
To avoid melting of the device, you cannot mount it below the established limits; when installed above 90 centimeters from the stove, the effectiveness of the product is significantly reduced.
The exhaust hole and the installation location of the device are connected by corrugation in the case when this pipe can be hidden in the kitchen unit. When the exhaust duct is located on the outside, it is better to use special duct pipes with a rectangular cross-section.
Where does the hood vent in the kitchen?
The device can be brought out into the ventilation shaft hole, which is available in every house. If this is not possible, then an additional hole is made in the wall with output directly to the street.
Who is it suitable for?
A built-in hood will look great in any kitchen. But still, if we are talking about a professional room for preparing large quantities of food, you will have to install, in addition to the built-in one, a wall-mounted model. Built-in models are great for so-called island kitchens, which are not a separate visit and are separated from the room using zoning. In this case, it is not always possible to install a ceiling hood, so built-in models are the best option.
How to choose a kitchen hood
Please pay attention to the following criteria when choosing:
- Aesthetic indicators. How new equipment will fit into your interior.
- Dimensions of the device. Take measurements before purchasing.
- Product form.
- Power. Choose performance depending on the area of the space.
- The principle of operation of the unit.
Important parameters
Before purchasing, pay attention to the following parameters:
- Equipment. Grease filters in the kit must be provided by the manufacturer.
- Performance. You must understand how much power you need from this unit in order for it to work efficiently.
- Silence. Not all models are quiet. 40 decibels is the optimal parameter, the sound will be quiet.
- Options. Do not buy a product without first measuring the space where you plan to install it.
Minor parameters
- The color of the product does not matter if it is masked by a kitchen panel.
- Manufacturer. If you are satisfied with all the important parameters, then you shouldn’t overpay for the brand.
- Exhaust connection type. Choose corrugated or square pipes; you can even make a move from drywall.
- Additional lighting. Manufacturers offer devices with built-in light bulbs to illuminate the hob, but usually they provide little light.
- Remote Control. Ability to adjust power remotely.
- Sleep timer.
- Switch panel type.
Performance
Appearance is not all that is important to think about when choosing a hood for the kitchen. One of the most important features to look for is performance and power. Here we will talk about how many cubic meters. m of air can be cleaned by a hood in one hour of operation.
The larger the kitchen area, the correspondingly greater performance the hood should have. However, the concentration of harmful substances in the air of small kitchens can be several times higher than in spacious ones. Therefore, it is extremely important that the air contaminated with evaporation is processed quickly, which only high-power hoods can cope with.
It is advisable to calculate the required extraction capacity
The best hood without duct
Recirculation-type products differ from flow-through ones in that they do not have an outlet pipe to discharge contaminated air into the ventilation shaft.
In this type of device, the air is purified internally by a two-level filtration system and then released back.
Characteristics
- No air duct.
- Compact design.
- Several operating modes with the possibility of adjustment.
pros
- Unlike a flow-through system, a stationary one will continue to operate regardless of surrounding influences.
- Lightness of design. No additional pipes or fasteners required. It looks elegant and does not clutter up the space.
- Easy to install. Several fastenings and connection to the network without additional laying of air ducts.
- Grease filters are easy to clean and replace. They can be washed in the dishwasher.
- Low cost compared to flow-through models.
Minuses
- You often have to change carbon filters. You cannot wash them; you need to throw away the used material and buy new one.
- Small selection of models.
- These units are more suitable for kitchens with a large area, as they take up a lot of space.
Rating of the best models
- The most reliable option in its category is Bosch DHU646 U.
- Cata Ceres 600 Negra is functional, has three speeds and touch controls.
- Pyramida MN20-60 is an excellent option for small kitchens up to 9 square meters.
CATA P - 3050 INOX
The 50 cm CATA P - 3050 INOX can be easily mounted under a wall cabinet, so it will not “eat up” the free space. In addition, such parameters allow you to completely cover the perimeter of a classic hob.
Important: made from a material that is not subject to mechanical and corrosive damage, the body of the equipment lasts a long time, and the classic design allows it to fit into the interior of the room “like a native one.”
What's good about this hood:
- Controlled by quick-acting mechanical buttons: this type of design lasts longer than electronics.
- The efficiency indicators - the device cleans 320 cubic meters in just an hour - are enough for a room whose area reaches 10 square meters.
- The aluminum grease filter is easy to clean with a brush and detergent or in the dishwasher.
- The unit operates as a flow unit, diverting the flow into the ventilation pipe, and as a circulation unit, passing air through the filtration element and returning it cleaned to the space.
- The device operates at three speeds, which allows the owner to choose the optimal one.
- Operates silently (50 decibels) - communicate, watch a movie without headphones: the unit cleans, but does not interfere.
The defects of the device include the light bulb used for illumination, which is an incandescent type, characterized by a shorter service life than the LED versions. In addition, the device does not come with a mounting kit.
Interesting read: Why does the hood make a lot of noise? 3 most common situations
The best fully built-in hood
The product is completely built into the kitchen set.
Characteristics
- Additional sliding panel.
- The body length varies from 45 to 90 centimeters.
- Possibility of flow-through air exhaust or recirculation.
- Mechanical and electrical models.
- High performance.
pros
- Space saving.
- The retractable panel increases the air suction area.
- Compact and ergonomic design.
- Easy to install.
- Aesthetic beauty.
Minuses
- The duct space in cabinets is not suitable for storing other things, since the duct takes up a lot of space in the unit.
Rating of the best models
- Electrolux egf 50250S is easy to use and is the best in its category.
- Zanussi ZHP 615 X is easy to use, adjustable with a mechanical slider.
- Elica eliblok 9 LX is equipped with two engines of maximum performance.
The more powerful the better?
Our man, taught by bitter experience and the phrase “We are not so rich to buy cheap things,” if he has already taken on repairs, prefers to buy the very best. Does this principle work with hoods and is it worth using a “reactor” for a six-meter kitchen in a Khrushchev-era building?
— To easily understand the performance of the hood, you can use the universal formula: V (room volume - H×W×D) multiplied by 10 (the number of kitchen volumes cleaned per hour), and then multiplied by 1.3 (loss coefficient when laying ventilation ducts) . The resulting value should correspond to the second speed of the hoods. If the numbers correspond to maximum performance, then a person will have to regularly turn on the hood at maximum speed, which will bring discomfort into his life due to the increased noise level.
Example: for a kitchen with an area of 6 square meters. m. with a ceiling height of 2.6 m, the minimum productivity will be 6 × 2.6 × 10 × 1.3 = 203 m 3 / h (at second speed). It is also necessary to remember that, in addition to the outflow of 203 m 3 /h, there must also be an influx of air of a similar volume. Therefore, when the hood is operating, the window should be slightly open if there are no air supply systems in the house.
Source
The best inclined hood
The inclined model has an impressive design; the glossy surface fits best with modern headsets.
Characteristics
- Touch or button control.
- There is an automatic shutdown timer.
- Additional lighting included.
- Glass front panel.
pros
- Large air suction area.
- Wide functionality.
- There is more space above the working area when cooking, thanks to the inclined plane.
Minuses
- High price
- Requires regular wet cleaning, as the glossy surface gets dirty quickly.
Rating of the best models
- Eleyus Lana 700 60 Bkl. Air exhaust and recirculation, three speeds, low noise.
- Krona Irida 600 is electronically controlled and equipped with air exhaust and circulation functions.
- Faber Cocktail XS BK A 55 is equipped with touch controls and meets all the stated characteristics. Low noise and maximum efficiency are the main advantages of this model.
Additional selection criteria
Noise level
The noise a hood makes during operation can be annoying and distracting. Moreover, the greater the performance of the device, the higher the noise level may be, which may depend on many factors: the diameter of the air duct, its length, the presence of bends, etc. That is why, while in a sales area, it is quite difficult to determine the real noise level by ear. When purchasing, it is better to focus on the noise indicators (measured in DB) specified in the instructions:
- 45 dB – these are the indicators for the quietest operating devices;
- 50 dB is the average noise level and the norm for most hoods;
- 55 dB – quite noisy, but at the same time powerful hoods;
- 60 dB or more is a very high noise level, harmful.
To achieve low noise levels, manufacturers equip hoods with special anti-vibration gaskets that separate the motor and housing, and sound-absorbing plates.
Lighting
Lighting is provided in hoods using various lamps. Budget models are usually equipped with one lamp, while more expensive ones have from three to five lamps. There are hoods with focusing lighting, scattering light, and some models have built-in sensors that respond to the approach of a person.
Additional features
Many hoods have a set of various useful functions, for example, such as:
- Residual stroke , which allows you to clean the room after completely turning off the hood.
- Interval mode , which ensures that the device turns on independently at the lowest power with an interval of 5-10 minutes, so that the air in the kitchen will be renewed regularly.
- An electronic timer turns off the hood after a certain period of time.
- Remote control is present in expensive models that are equipped with a remote control that allows you to control the hood from a distance. Some models have a remote control type, with which you can regulate the operation of the device from a smartphone or computer.
The best hood with filter
All harmful impurities are removed through the air duct; with good draft, you can do without a filter, but in case of reverse flow, all the dirt will return to the surrounding atmosphere.
Characteristics
- Filters are used for grease and carbon.
- Standard case parameters.
pros
- Clean air comes back through recirculation.
- Work efficiency increases significantly.
- Spare parts can be purchased easily.
- Ease of access to necessary elements.
Minuses
- Regular replacement of carbon filters.
- Grease trapping elements are cleaned and washed as they become dirty.
Rating of the best models
- Bosch DFS 067K50 is a built-in model of the best quality.
- Siemens LI 67SA530 IX, assembled in Germany, has a low noise level, halogen lamps illuminate the stove.
- Elikor Integra 60 is inexpensive and is very popular among consumers.
Content:
- Built-in hood Weissgauff Aura 1200 Remote BL
- Fireplace hood DACH NUBIA 90 BK
- Built-in hood FALMEC Gruppo Incasso 50 IX (600)
- Built-in hood MAUNFELD Urania 53 stainless steel
- Fireplace hood EXITEQ EX-1069
- Fireplace hood DACH ARDIS 60 black
- Built-in hood MAUNFELD Fantasy 60 white
- Fireplace hood EXITEQ EX-1106
- Built-in hood Korting KHI 6997 GW
- Fireplace hood De'Longhi Wave 60 BL
The best hood with recirculation
Recirculation means that the sucked air, having been cleaned by the filter system, enters back into the room. Such units do not have an air duct.
Characteristics
- Two-stage filtration system.
- Compact design.
pros
- Due to the movement of the same air, the room becomes warmer.
- Ease of installation.
- No need for ductwork.
- Space saving.
Minuses
- Frequent replacement of filter elements is required.
- Low efficiency, the air is purified only 80 percent.
- After finishing work in the kitchen, it is recommended to turn off the unit and ventilate the room through the window to restore the temperature.
- With recirculation, the power is less than in a flow-through system.
- Cannot be installed above a gas stove.
Rating of the best models
- Liberty Base 251 X is the best in its category.
- VENTOLUX Bravo 60 has a modern design and extensive functionality.
- The Bosch DWW 063461 model is equipped with two modes; in addition to recirculation, exhaust through the air duct is provided.
PERFELLI PL 521 IV
Hiding under a familiar-looking skin, fearless from corrosion and external influences, PERFELLI PL 521 IV has a width of half a meter and a bright lamp that serves as illumination. The hood is equipped with an element whose task is to filter the air, which prevents soot from settling on the interior kitchen items.
Important: the filtration element made of aluminum can be cleaned in a dishwasher.
Advantages:
- Two motors are built into the hood, so it processes 850 cubic meters of space in 60 minutes. Such a device is effective in a room with a square area of more than 12 meters.
- The unit is attractive not only for its two engines, but also for its ability to purify the air in two ways: exhaust (the dirty flow goes into the ventilation) and circulation (after the flow is cleaned in the filter, it returns to the room). This allows the owner to decide exactly how to connect the device.
- Control the speed with three switches.
- Enjoy silence, even with the hood on: its volume will not exceed a threshold of 55 dB.
The disadvantages of this device include the casing, which collects fingerprints and dust, as well as the light bulb that wears out quickly.
Interesting read: Ductless stove hood: 5 key advantages
The best hood with fan
Used when there is no sufficient draft in the ventilation shaft. This fairly primitive device is easy to use, just press one button.
Characteristics
- Fans are divided into: axial, radial, diametrical.
- Compact dimensions.
- Presence of a check valve.
- Safety of use.
- Standard white color.
pros
- High efficiency at low cost.
- Long service life.
- Protects against harmful insects.
- The fan can suck out the fluff.
- They don't take up much space.
- Low cost.
- Easy to operate.
- Ease of use.
Minuses
- Operation volume.
- Low efficiency; pollution directly from the stove will not reach the exhaust vent where the fan is located.
Rating of the best models
- Vents 100 C is the best in its category.
- The Optima 4 D 100 offers optimal performance.
- Domovent 100 C is easy to use and inexpensive.
The best range hood with microwave
It is installed above the stove and performs several functions at once.
Characteristics
- High power.
- Large dimensions.
pros
- Multifunctionality.
- There is no need to buy additional equipment, two in one.
- Ease of use.
- Space saving.
Minuses
- If any element breaks down, both devices will become inoperative.
- When using a microwave oven, the ventilation system will not operate at full capacity.
- Rarely seen on Russian shelves, such specimens are more to the taste of Americans.
- High price tag.
Rating of the best models
- The retractable panel of the MWGD 750.0 E model increases the suction area. The microwave has maximum performance.
- CATA Chorus has nine programs, halogen lighting and push-button control.
Installation type
Based on the type of installation and their design, kitchen hoods are divided into several types.
Traditional or hanging
Hoods that are mounted immediately under the kitchen cabinet or above the stove. They are the most budget-friendly and, due to their small size, are great for small kitchens. Suspended models have low-power motors (one or more) and, as a rule, operate in recirculation mode. Such hoods are most often equipped with disposable acrylic filters that trap grease. Additionally, the hood can be equipped with a carbon filter, which traps the smallest food particles and slightly neutralizes odor, and the acrylic filter can be replaced with a metal one. Suspended models, to which an additional corrugated hose is attached, are much more expensive, but they also clean the air much better.
Built-in
They are mounted in a special box or kitchen cabinet in such a way that only a small front panel remains visible. Some built-in hoods are equipped with a retractable panel that increases the area of vapor intake. This improves productivity and makes the device easier to use. There are models on sale that are installed between two kitchen cabinets. In this case, the front part is hidden behind a false panel, which is faced like the rest of the set. As a rule, built-in hoods have two motors and multi-layer grease filters.
Dome
Dome hoods have a catchy design and a fairly high cost. The dome-shaped design allows you to effectively eliminate fumes and odors from the kitchen. Hoods of this type are divided into:
- Wall-mounted (fireplace) - attached horizontally to the stove or hob or at an angle. Wall hoods are the most popular among consumers.
- Island units are mounted directly to the ceiling, so they can be located in any part of the kitchen. Such hoods, as a rule, have good performance, are distinguished by a wide variety of design solutions and a fairly high price.
- Corner - a special design allows you to mount the hood in the corner of the room. But this option is not very common due to the high cost and small range.
Also, before purchasing, it is advisable to measure the width and depth of the niche in which the hood will be installed. Ideally, the dimensions of the hood should correspond to the hob or have an even wider air intake hood.
Photo: granfosto.ru
