In this article we will talk about what kitchen hoods are and how they differ. A detailed analysis of each type, advice on choosing, visual photos - sure, so to decide when buying will be much easier!
Hoods differ in several characteristics. We propose to study the differences between them, to determine the advantages and disadvantages.
Configuration
The first thing you should pay attention to is the form and principle of air filtration. There are 3 types.
1. Suspended hood
A flat or sloping design is installed directly above the stove on the wall or under the kitchen cabinet.
2. Built-in hood
The main difference compared to the previous type is the presence of a special box or cabinet.
Judging by the reviews, this is the most popular type. A wide range, a lot of additional options ... By the way, here is a good guide of the buyer,.
3. Dome or mantel
They got their name because of the shape that resembles a traditional hood for antique fireplaces. True, now they are quite diverse - many are suitable for the most modern design styles.
As you can see, this is a powerful unit that is not efficient for small kitchens. But for a studio apartment, it fits perfectly: getting smells into the living area is almost impossible.
4. Island hood
Not so long ago, this type met exclusively in restaurants or in foreign films. Now, large exhaust devices, located in the center of the room, are not uncommon in ordinary apartments.
If you do not mind these shortcomings when buying an island hood to clean the air in the kitchen, then you will get a reliable and powerful unit.
5. T-shaped hood
They received their name because of the form: when turned upside down, the device resembles the letter T. These are classic suspended hoods, which, depending on the characteristics, are suitable for almost any kitchen.
6. Decorative hood
Here it is difficult to give an unambiguous definition. This may be an inclined or T-shaped device, or a non-standard shaped gadget. They love them for decoration and unusual appearance: most often these units look very stylish.
Which one to choose? You decide. Consider the area of the room, the frequency of cooking, the presence of ventilation in the house. Doubt? Read the specialized forums where housewives share real model reviews.
The next important aspect is the operating principle of the hood.
Cleansing mechanism
As mentioned above, hoods differ not only in appearance.
Filtration types:
- 1. Exhaust hoods they do not just remove unpleasant odors, but take the air outside or just into the ventilation system. The benefits include the quality of work and high performance. But the air duct must be done very carefully, otherwise you risk disrupting the natural ventilation in the apartment;
- 2. Recirculation hood use more often: it is easier to install, and it is cheaper. It works thanks to the filters through which it passes air to clean them. The main disadvantage is the need for their regular replacement. In addition, the air remains in the kitchen, which means that airing is indispensable;
- 3. Combined type not yet so popular: on sale, these units appeared not so long ago. It combines both systems, which, if necessary, are switched with a toggle switch. The best option, but quite expensive.
It is difficult to say which cleaning method is better. As in the previous section, we recommend focusing on your needs and prioritize.
Separately, I would like to talk about filters - they also have significant differences:
- Metal can be washed, while they are very durable. If you do not violate the conditions of operation, the replacement is not required;
- Synthetic felt filters are considered disposable. Do not be afraid - it does not mean that they need to be changed after each use, only to the extent of pollution. Judging by the reviews, the approximate service life is from 2 months to six months.
- Carbon filters with a fine cleaning system considered the most modern. It cleans much better, but if not changed in time, he begins to pollute the air.
The best option depends on the model of the hood and its working conditions.
The hostesses, who do not represent their life without cooking and culinary experiments, know firsthand about such companions of the creative process as unpleasant smells, grease, stains and soot. To cope with such annoying troubles will help hood for the kitchen, well-chosen and properly installed above the stove. The obvious solution to the problem involves finding answers to additional questions: how to choose it, what criteria should the device meet, which manufacturers are the most reliable? Today's article will be devoted to these current topics.
- recirculation - cleaning the polluted stream is carried out through filters, after which the air is led back to the room;
- flow - types of kitchen hoods, in which the cleaned stream is discharged through the ventilation system to the outside. The main condition - it must be functioning.
- up to 35 dB - the quietest devices, whose work is comparable to a whisper;
- up to 45 dB - relatively quiet units, functioning by analogy with the usual conversation;
- up to 50 dB - permissible noise;
- up to 70 dB - acoustic limit value.
Show all
Purpose and features of work
All modern hoods are based on the principle of forced ventilation of air. Today it is one of the most effective ways to eliminate fumes, odors, small parts and products of combustion. In the kitchen, not only smells are formed, but also fat that accompanies almost every cooking.
Inside the device there is a special filtration system that absorbs soot, evaporation, as well as a “bouquet of accompanying aromas”. The device includes a small electric motor with a fan, necessary for forced ventilation. The listed components are in the case, the upper part of which includes mechanical or electronic control.
The choice often comes down to specifying the method of cleaning air masses. By this parameter, all devices are divided into 2 types:
The principle of operation of flow and recirculation devices
Most of them fix, or near the ceiling. If it is necessary to preserve the aesthetic integrity and design intent in the kitchen, it can always be hidden in a small wall cabinet. In this case, the device will remain invisible.
Types of kitchen hoods
Classic solutions
Professionals know that the best hoods for the kitchen - suspended flat, which are mounted directly above the stove. The logic here is obvious - the simpler the device, the more efficient and safer it is. According to statistics, up to 80% of such units operate in air recirculation mode.
Classic kitchen option
Works kitchen hood in tandem with disposable carbon filters. This type of units is considered the most affordable and easy in terms of installation. The main disadvantage is that unpleasant odors are only partially absorbed. On sale there are also suspended flow types of kitchen hoods, but they cost more, and for installation it is better to resort to the help of a specialist.
note! They purify the air much more efficiently, and for high-grade and high-quality work they do not require carbon filters.
Embedded Solutions
These kitchen hoods are easily placed above the hob at the base of the hanging cupboard. The main advantage of such devices is a great combination with the interior and immaculate aesthetics. Most of them are equipped with a small sliding panel, through which you can increase the effective area of absorption of vapor and polluted air. built-in type is quite high.
Embedded Model
note! It starts working from the same mode in which and was turned off.
Manufacturers equip all types of kitchen hoods embedded type reliable filtration mechanisms and two productive electric motors. Their cost is somewhat higher than the units of the classical layout, and the performance is the best, not to mention the great aesthetics. And if the choice comes down to traditional or embedded solutions, we recommend giving preference to the latter.
Dome products
Dome hoods are attached to the kitchen above the base of the slab near the ceiling. Visually, they echo the shape of the dome, for which they received the corresponding tension. As for the features of the work, here they are comparable with chimney exhaust systems. The hood in the kitchen is quite simple: the fans draw air, after which it is filtered and redirected to the room or taken to the ventilation shaft.
Dome models
Such models traditionally top the rating of the most popular and popular with buyers. They differ in design versatility, so they can complement the interior of any room. How to choose a kitchen hood hood type? In most cases, you should rely on the design of the device, and technical characteristics are not so important.
Now you know what kitchen hoods are, but this knowledge is not enough to make a full choice. It is necessary to take into account a number of technical features of these household solutions. Let us dwell on them in more detail.
Power and performance
Experienced experts, answering the question of how to choose the right hood for the kitchen, recommend focusing on its performance. This is the most important technical characteristic that directly affects the purity of the air. Under the performance should understand the specific digital value of cubic meters of air masses that the unit is able to filter.
The calculation of the corresponding value can be done in-house. The volume of the room is multiplied by 12 (in accordance with sanitary standards, the frequency of air change in the kitchen is 12 times / hour), and then by a factor of 1.3. We recommend, when choosing home appliances, to carry out at least approximate calculations in accordance with the formula below.
Performance Formula
In addition, a number of additional factors should be taken into account. From the hob it should be located at a height of from 60 to 85 cm. If installed above the specified values, it is necessary to provide for a power margin.
Example! Which hood is better for a kitchen of 17 m2, with a ceiling height of 2.7 m? - The optimal performance option - 716 m 3 / h.
Table for calculating the power of the device, based on the area of the kitchen and the height of the ceilings
In the houses of the old building with a significant load can not cope and the ventilation system, air duct in particular. What to do in this case? It will be good to use the unit, but not to the maximum possible power. Due to this, it is possible to reduce the noise level by several orders of magnitude.
Board! Hood for the kitchen should be selected taking into account the culinary preferences of a particular family. Cook daily and a lot? - Take care of the maximum performance of the device.
Selecting the unit for the plate should consider its performance. The solutions presented in the retail network are characterized by power up to 500 watts. This is quite enough to ensure high performance.
Important selection criteria
The size. Answering the question how to choose the hood for the kitchen, many experts advise to follow simple advice - the width of the device should be slightly larger than the width of the plate. In this case, the machine can effectively absorb vapors and unpleasant odors. You can consider the option of matching these two sizes.
Filtration system. Different can absorb soot, odors, fats and even small particles in different ways. To get rid of fat, it is common to use special metal solutions. Most of them have a removable design. It can be easily washed and operated for a long time.
Filter options
Management features. Modern kitchen appliances are equipped with electronic or mechanical control systems. In some models there are slider switches. For the user, they are much more convenient and easier.
It is up to you to decide which hood to use, but it is optimal to choose the version of the system with remote control. In this case, it will be possible to monitor the operation of the device using a tablet or smartphone, being in the opposite end of the city. Naturally, you will have to install an additional application.
Control Panel
Noise level. Answering the question which kitchen hoods are better, most potential buyers claim that they are quiet. And the rating of consumer requests presented below only confirms this opinion. The noise level should be estimated by the following values:
Today, the kitchen hood can be called an integral part of each kitchen, because with this type of technology you can quickly save the room from a variety of extraneous and unpleasant odors, as well as fumes that are harmful to human health, arising in the process of cooking.
However, its performance depends on the chosen model and conditions in the house.
What are the hoods?
Today, hoods are available in standard sizes (120, 90, 60, 50 cm), so taking into account this criterion, it is necessary to choose a model based on the size of the cooker (should be slightly smaller than this technique).
It is worth noting that there are hoods of non-standard sizes, but they are quite rare. This type of home appliances can be autonomous or built-in, made of glass, plastic, as well as aluminum and stainless steel.
Principle of operation
According to the principle of their work hoods are divided into two types. The first of them include models through which the outflow of air is carried out outside the kitchen. These systems are connected directly to the chimney or directly to the ventilation duct.
The second group of extracts works on the principle of recycling, which consists in the fact that all extraneous odors are passed through special filters, and then returned cleared into the room.
These functions include the bulk of modern models. However, in order for this kind of exhaust to work as efficiently as possible, they must be additionally equipped with carbon filters.
It is extremely important to know that the combination of the gas column and the exhaust hood is unacceptable.
Power
When choosing a hood, you need to pay special attention to its power. Models are presented on the market, this indicator ranges from one hundred and seventy to one and a half thousand cubic meters per hour.
Hoods with a certain capacity should correspond to the area of the room. Ideally, this technique should do six times the exchange of oxygen per hour, so in order to calculate the optimal power, you need to multiply the cubic capacity of the kitchen by six.
To make it as easy as possible to choose the most appropriate option, sellers and manufacturers almost always indicate in the accompanying documents on the hood the metric area of the room for which the selected model is intended.
The most affordable hoods are designed for kitchens whose quadrature does not exceed sixteen square meters. The most powerful devices cope with the task in a room whose area does not exceed twenty-eight square meters.
The minimum capacity of professional hoods is eight hundred cubic meters per hour.
Noise level
An important factor that you need to pay attention to when choosing a hood model is its noise level. It is logical that noisy operation of the device will cause only negative emotions.
The most optimal are those models that, during their work, create noise, not exceeding forty-eight decibels. The minimum figure in this case ranges from 30-70 dB.
Appearance
When purchasing a hood, it should be noted that it must necessarily fit into the design and interior of the kitchen.
There are models that are able to maximally emphasize the expressiveness of the design of the room, while becoming its dominant object. Other hoods can fit into the kitchen space quite unnoticed.
When choosing this technique, it is important not only to take into account its design decision, but also the principle of its installation. For example:
- Dome hoods are attached directly to the wall. This type can be divided into angular models and models of oblique shapes.
- "Island" hoods can be divided into a separate group. They are intended for installation over the so-called "kitchen island". Models of this type are extremely respectable type, often equipped with original lights.
- Built-in hoods also deserve attention. They can be fully embedded (it can even be built into the bottom of a hinged locker, which is located above the kitchen stove), or partially embedded or telescopic. There are also models that are embedded in the wall and placed directly above the kitchen work surfaces.
Filters
Hood filters also should not be avoided. They are of two types: coal and fat.
Fat filters easily trap the smallest particles of fat, but when they are applied they recommend using reusable metal filters that can be easily washed and dismantled.
The main purpose of carbon filters is to eliminate unpleasant odors. They need to be replaced in accordance with all the rules specified by the manufacturer. The lifetime of such filters may be limited to several months or years.
Lighting
Since the hood is located above the cooking surface, it is also an extremely convenient place to place the lights. Manufacturers use this opportunity willingly and equip hoods with various lamps. These can be fluorescent lamps, ordinary incandescent lamps or halogen lamps.
Their number and location can be varied. The most common option is the distant part of the model, the least convenient is at the wall (in this case only the back row of the burners is effectively illuminated). In modern models there is the possibility of changing the intensity of the light flux, focusing the light only above the work surface or over the entire kitchen.
Control Panel
All modern hoods have simple intuitive controls. Usually, the panel consists of a button with which the backlight is turned on, as well as buttons for selecting the operating mode with different performance. This control option is the most reliable, simple and cheap.
Sometimes the buttons change to sensors. In this case, to activate the functions you need a light touch. Often, touch controls are accompanied by LED displays. Sometimes a mechanical switch can be used to switch power.
However, there are complex control systems, including a special LCD display, which reflects information about performance, operating modes, backlight level.
Modern technologies
To date, there are models of hoods that are equipped with unusual features to maximize the process of operation.
These include remote control, programmable electronic systems, automatic switch-on sensors (activated when the humidity in the kitchen increases), the ability to work from the cooking surface (without human intervention).
How to choose the right exhaust hood for a gas stove: highlights
Thus, in order to choose the right exhaust hood for a gas stove, it is necessary to take into account its size, necessary power, noise level, type of lighting desired, control method, type of filter.
Only after a thorough study of all the features, advantages and disadvantages can the kitchen be as secure as possible from extraneous odors and create comfortable conditions for cooking.
List of online stores at a discount on the hood
So that the air in the apartment or house is fresh, without odors, an effective ventilation system is necessary. In addition, the kitchen must quickly remove the smells of cooking food, evaporation and soot, which are formed in the process. The most productive way - a special fixture - kitchen hood. This device is located above the stove and with the help of built-in fans sucks polluted air. About how to choose the hood for the kitchen and talk further.
What is a kitchen hood and what is it for?
The kitchen hood is a forced ventilation device that saves the room from smells of cooking food, cleans the air from steam, smoke, soot, products of gas combustion, etc. It does not allow fumes to spread around the apartment, soot does not settle on the walls, furniture, textiles. As a result, repairs and cleaning are required less frequently, and the feeling of freshness and cleanliness lasts longer, and not only in the kitchen, but in the whole apartment or house.
In the kitchen with a gas stove exhaust hood is needed because it removes the products of gas combustion more efficiently than natural ventilation. But this does not mean that it is not needed above the electric stove. Evaporation is in any case - on gas you cook or on electricity. The difference in the required power - for gas stoves it should be higher than for electric ones.
Types of kitchen hoods
It will be easier to choose a kitchen hood if you know what types of exhaust equipment are, their advantages, disadvantages, features. First of all, we define the mode of operation. They are divided into two types:
There are models of kitchen hoods, combining both types (combined), modes of operation are switched by the button. These devices are more expensive, more versatile, but have both types of drawbacks: you need a powerful ventilation system with sufficient performance and filter replacement.
Classification by location type
To choose the hood for the kitchen, you must also decide on the type of its location. With this, everything is simple - we choose depending on where the stove is:
You also need to choose the type of kitchen hood according to the method of installation. The difference is the way to interact with the furniture. On this basis they are:
Having dealt with the types, you know how to choose the hood for the kitchen on this principle, but there are still technical parameters and additional functions and you need to deal with them separately.
Technical specifications
After selecting the type of hood for the kitchen, it is necessary to determine the technical characteristics. These are performance, power consumption, number of motors and operating modes, noise level, control type, dimensions.
Lighting is a useful option.
It should also be noted that most of the hoods have lamps installed to illuminate the working area. This is almost the norm, the only difference is in the number of lamps and their power, but this is also worth paying attention to. This is a very useful option, as there is no need to arrange the backlight in any other way. What else can you pay attention to? On the type of lamps. Often there are ordinary incandescent bulbs, sometimes - halogen, but there are models with LED (BOSCH DIB091K50, NEFF I79MT64N1, IEMENS LC98, etc.). They give a brighter light, and they consume 9-10 times less electricity.
Performance selection
The performance of a kitchen hood is the ability to clean a certain amount of air per unit of time. Usually measured in cubic meters per hour (cube / hour or m 3 / h). To select the hood for the kitchen on this parameter you need to know its volume. For this we need the width, length and height of the room. We multiply these data (in meters), we get the volume. For example, a kitchen of 3 * 3 meters with a ceiling height of 2.7 m. Multiply all three figures, we get 3 * 3 * 2.7 = 24.3 cubic meters.
According to the norms of SES in the kitchen, the air should change at least 12 times per hour, because the found figure is multiplied by 12. For our example it turns out: 24.3 * 12 = 291.6 cubic meters / hour. This will be the minimum performance for this example. There is even some stock, as part of the volume is occupied by furniture.
In addition to calculations, it is worth considering the particular layout and size of the kitchens. In small kitchens, the intensity of odors more. For faster removal, it has a power reserve of about 25-30%. Since in the example the kitchen was considered obviously small - 3 * 3 meters, we multiply the found number by 1.3. It turns out 291.6 cubic meters / hour * 1.3 = 379.8 cubic meters / hour. That is, we must look for the hood for the kitchen with a capacity of at least 380 cubic meters / hour.
The same or greater performance margin is needed if or dining. Although there are large volumes, it is necessary to remove odors even faster, otherwise they will spread throughout the apartment, which is completely undesirable. The stock can be 40% or more (respectively, multiply by 1.4 or 1.5).
Number of motors, speeds of work, noise level
Air is drawn into the exhaust when the exhaust fan is operating. Usually it is one, but it can be two (on some models GORENJE, BOSCH, HANSA, KAISER). Turning on / off in their work we change the performance of the equipment. In addition, fans can have multiple speeds. Changing speeds, we more precisely adjust the mode of operation to this situation. This allows you to remove odors and not waste extra electricity.
For example, a kettle boils on the stove. To remove steam / smell, it is enough to turn on one fan at minimum speed. When all the burners are busy, in order to cope with the situation, we put everything to the max. So everything is clear here - the more modes of operation, the more accurately you can manage the situation.
When choosing a kitchen hood, pay attention to the level of noise that the fans produce. The maximum permissible noise level in an apartment at daytime is 55 dB, at night it is 40 dB. Comfortable 25-35 dB. It is clear that the hood should be as quiet as possible. The problem is that such models are worth more.
Anti-return valve
A very useful thing for hoods with a vent to ventilation, but usually installed in expensive models. This valve prevents the return flow of polluted air in the event of return thrust. If there is a strong wind outside that blows into the pipe, it blocks the gap. Such a valve is in BOSCH DIB091K50, NEFF I79MT64N1 and in some other models.
The good news is that if this valve is not, it can be installed on the duct. They are sold in the same stores, where the corrugation or air ducts of other types.
Type of management and additional functions
Electrical installation in the kitchen can have mechanical or electronic control. The most simple, cheap and reliable - push-button, with or without sliders. On the front panel there are buttons / toggle switches and sliders. We change their position, turn on and turn off the motors, change the speed of the fans. The same buttons turn on and off the backlight. This management is clear, familiar, it is easy to repair in case of failure. The disadvantage is that in order to change something, you need to go to the installation and press the buttons, it is impossible to organize automatic work.
Mechanical control - familiar and understandable
Electronic control is of varying degrees of complexity. There are models with buttons - tactile or touch (SHINDO Aero Duo, HANSA), which are used to set the modes of operation. There are models with remote control, sometimes it is also possible to change modes from the panel on the hood. In any case, there is a small LCD screen that displays the current state of the equipment.
Electronic control allows you to set a timer to turn off or turn on the motors at a certain time. There is also equipment that automatically changes the speed of work depending on the degree of air pollution (sensors). There are models that can be controlled via Wi-Fi from anywhere in the world. It is clear that this equipment is more complex and expensive. With all of this, it is more demanding on the power supply - such management is done on microprocessors, and they often fail at jumps in our power grids.
Electronic - gives more opportunities
In general, choosing a hood for the kitchen on this principle is not too difficult. If the budget is limited, mechanical control will be more appropriate. Type of implementation - buttons, knobs or sliders - choose based on your own preferences. They are about the same in terms of reliability and price, and outwardly - who likes what.
If you pay more attention to comfort and are willing to pay more for it, choose an electronically controlled kitchen hood. The number of additional functions and the types of buttons (if they exist) should be selected according to your tastes; as for manufacturers, it is better to choose well-known brands.
Dimensions
To choose the hood for the kitchen in size, you need to know the dimensions of the plate. In order for odors and steam to be removed efficiently, it is desirable that the hood should not be less than the width of the slab, and better even be wider. Some models have a sliding panel for increased efficiency. It opens forward, capturing a large area.
Now you know how to choose the hood in the kitchen in all respects, all the subtleties and nuances.
To begin, let's see, why do we need a hood in the kitchen and is it really necessary? This device performs two important functions:
- Protects furniture, walls, ceiling and textiles from the appearance of fatty deposits and soot;
- Removes and cleans the air from smoke, odors, combustion products, vapors and other impurities that are harmful to health, formed from cooking on the stove.
By the way, the air in the kitchen during the heat treatment of products becomes the dirtiest in the house. Therefore, if you often cook, your kitchen is not the smallest and / or you use a gas stove and a column, you cannot do without a kitchen hood.
Do I need a hood in the kitchen? Our answer is yes, it is really needed if you cook regularly, use a gas stove, and also if your kitchen has more than 10 square meters or is combined with a living room / hallway.
However, in order for the hood to really benefit, and not to stand idle, it needs to be chosen correctly: in terms of performance, mode of operation, size of the umbrella and design. Understand all the nuances of the kitchen hood extract will help you our 8-step guide with photos of appliances in the interior.
Step 1. Determine the type of exhaust
The first thing you need to decide: flow or circulating hood you need.
- The flow hood connects to the ventilation duct of the house and takes the exhaust air into it. Flow models can not only completely (!) Remove the exhaust air in the exhaust mode, but also operate in the circulation mode and run fresh air from the street into the room. If your kitchen has the ability to connect the hood to the ventilation of the building, then it should be done, especially if the kitchen is not small or combined.
Flow hood in the kitchen-living room interior
- The circulation hood is not connected to the ventilation channel and works only in the recirculation mode - it passes the polluted air through the filters, and then the cleaned air is discharged into the room again. This type of exhaust is less effective, in many respects its performance depends on the quality of the filters, so they need to be changed / cleaned in a timely manner (let's talk about filters a little lower). But the circulatory rescues when there is no possibility to connect the hood to the ventilation chamber. For example, in case the island table with a stove is installed too far from the ventilation channel, and you don’t want to pull the air duct through the whole kitchen.
Circulation hood in the kitchen interior
And still, circulation hoods are cheaper than flow-through ones, so if you want to save money and your kitchen is small, the circulation hood is quite suitable.
Now let's talk a little about filters.
- Kitchen extractor filters are divided into two categories: coal and grease. Circulating devices are equipped with carbon filters, and flow - with grease catchers. The first detain particles of fat, soot, smoke, evaporation. They are involved in any mode of operation of the hood, can be disposable or reusable.
Step 2. Decide which device we need - built, suspended or domed?
- Suspended hoods (from 2300 rubles) are always only circulating, compact and the most inexpensive. Most often, they are mounted under the kitchen cabinet above the stove or mounted to the wall.
Sample type suspended instrument
- Dome hood is a construction of an umbrella and a pipe and resembles a fireplace with a chimney (because they are often called mantels). Such models always require connection to the duct and are more expensive, but they also look more elegant. And, as a rule, have greater productivity. If you often cook, your stove / kitchen is large and you want the hood to decorate the interior, then the fireplace model is what you need.
Dome hood in the interior of a classic kitchen
- Built-in hoods are built into the cabinet above the stove or in the decorative dome and are connected to the duct. They are good because they are simply not visible, moreover, due to the lack of decorative finishes, embedded models are cheaper than dome ones.
- In addition to stationary built-in hoods, there are telescopic (retractable) models, which, if necessary, can be increased to the size of the plate.
Both dome and built-in hood can be angled as in the photo below ...
... or island. Island hoods are attached to the ceiling above the stove in the table-island, they are beautiful on all sides. In this category, hoods can be found as circulating devices, and flow through, working on the exhaust air. Another feature of island hoods - some models can be lowered to the stove only if necessary (such hoods are called mobile).
Step 3. Specify the dimensions of the plate and hood
The main principle of choosing the hood according to size is simple: the width of the umbrella should correspond to the plate width or be greater than it (but not less!).
- For this reason, the most running gear are hoods 50 cm wide, 60 cm wide and 90 cm wide.
For very large plates, you can choose a hood with a width of 120 cm or 100 cm, although their choice is not too large.
- The depth can be from 30 to 50 cm. This parameter, although not so important, is still better, pick up the device so that its visor does not protrude strongly above the slab, otherwise it can be hit.
If you choose a chimney hood, the height of the device also matters. After all, she says about what the maximum allowable distance between the bottom surface of the umbrella and the vent hole it allows. Some hoods have a height of 1.5 m, and others - just 1 meter.
- By the way, important information: the hood must be installed at least 60 centimeters from the stove.
Step 4. Calculate optimal performance
It is time to talk about the most important criteria for choosing a kitchen hood - about performance.
- The exhaust capacity is an indicator of the maximum air volume that the device is able to catch in an hour of work. The performance of the weakest kitchen hood can be 150 m 3 / h, and the most powerful - 2500 m 3 / h.
How powerful your hood should be depends on the size of the kitchen (including the size of the attached rooms, if any).
To find out the minimum performance of the device, carry out the following calculations:
- Multiply the kitchen area by the height of the walls;
- Then multiply the resulting product by 12 (this is the air exchange rate per hour according to SES);
- Finally, multiply this value by a factor of 1.5 or 1.7 (for an electric cooking surface) or by 2 (in case you have a gas stove);
- Now that you have learned the required minimum exhaust performance for your kitchen, add another 10% to it for each duct bend and for each meter of its length (from the ventilation duct to the exhaust hood), and also another 10% in case of emergency - the need to remove smoke , smell of burning or, say, fish.
Step 5. Pay attention to the noise level
Want to cook with relative silence? Choose a hood with a noise level of up to 45 decibels. True, there are quiet hoods significantly more expensive, and sometimes their silence is achieved by reducing the engine power.
- Which hood is better - with one super-powered motor or with two slightly less powerful ones? The second option is preferable, because it allows the hood to work not too loud and at the same time quite effective.
- Cheap hoods are always noisy. Models with noise levels greater than 50 dB can make noise almost as loud and annoying as a hair dryer or a vacuum cleaner.
Step 6. Select the type of control
Different extracts have different controls: push-button, touch, electronic (with remote control) or slider control (see photo).
- In our opinion, it is worthwhile to give preference to the device with the touch control panel with backlight - it is much easier to keep it clean than protruding buttons now and then threatening to “stick” in fat.
Step 7. Understand the extra features.
- Almost all hoods are equipped with lamps. This simple addition often helps out while cooking, so it makes sense in the store to test the backlight for ease of switching on and changing the lamp. Ideally, the light bulbs in the hood should be LED - they are safe, do not fade for a long time, do not heat up and are easily recycled.
- Depending on the “tricked out” you can see models with 1-2 speeds of air intake and even from 10. In our opinion, there is not much point in paying for the abundance of speeds, 3-4 modes will be quite enough for most non-professional chefs.
- Also, modern hoods are almost always equipped with a timer or a residual stroke button, which makes it possible to synchronize its work with the stove.
- When buying a hood, you should make sure that it has safety shut-off sensors and a sensor that reminds you that it is time to replace / clean the grease filter.
- Some manufacturers (for example, Siemens) build in the hoods even TVs.
Step 8. Plan the design of the hood
If you decide to purchase a built-in or suspension model, then the need to choose a design disappears by itself. But when choosing a chimney-type exhaust device, the appearance of the body is of great importance. Here are some tips to help you:
- For classic and "Rustic" interiors It is necessary to choose the built-in stealth hoods or domed devices in retro or country style. Carving, artificially aged body finish, inserts made of brass or antique silver - all this will be very appropriate in traditional kitchens. The blessing of the retro-style model today is presented on the market by almost all manufacturers. By the way, the standard hood can be closed with a decorative dome.
Retro hood in the kitchen interior
- For modern interiors more suitable device concise design with clear or rounded shapes. Possibly colored and printed, with a glossy, matte or chrome finish. The main thing is that their size and shape should not be to the detriment of the functionality of the technology, as is often the case in practice.
- For example, we advise you to abandon the popular slant hoods as in the photo below. Due to the inclination of the body, such devices become ineffective, although they look great, take up little space, are easy to use and do not allow high users to accidentally hit their heads on the visor.
Another unfortunate example of choosing a hood is that this “cylinder” is too small for a 4-hob stove.
- The color of the hood is the safest to choose in the tone of the facades, walls or apron.
- The easiest way to take care of metal hoods, as well as light-colored devices, such as metallic or white.
- The most difficult in the care - it hoods of dark colors with a glossy surface as in the photo below.
On black hoods, dust, fingerprints, stains and stains become doubly noticeable.
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