During cooking, vapors and odors are released. To prevent the accumulation of all these undesirable mixtures that can adversely affect the health of others, it is necessary to carry out ventilation through an installed hood in the kitchen. Proper ventilation is a guarantee of a beneficial atmosphere that promotes physical and mental health in the home.
Types of ventilation systems
There are several options for removing harmful substances in the kitchen:
- Natural ventilation - due to the difference in pressure from the outside and the inside of the kitchen. Air purification occurs through ventilation ducts, open windows or doors.
- Forced ventilation or mechanical - is carried out under the influence of creating a pressure difference using a fan or injector. This method of ventilation is more effective due to the ability to quickly remove significant amounts of contaminated air.
The mechanical hood is distinguished by the principles of its work:
- Flowing systems are the installation of a hood in the kitchen for ventilation. The contaminated air drawn in by the fan is blown into the street through the ventilation ducts of the house. The main disadvantage of this design is the need to recharge the room with fresh air from the street. Often this function is successfully performed by drafts.
- Recirculation systems - work without ventilation ducts. Absorbed contaminated air enters a special tank, where it is cleaned, and then returns back to the room.
Varieties of hoods
When planning the arrangement of kitchen furniture, it is imperative to determine the place for the hob, over which the hood is installed in the kitchen.
Depending on in which part the stove will be placed, and in direct proportion to the planned design of the room, extracts of the following types are distinguished:
- Classic.
- Inclined.
- Embedded.
- Corner
- Dome.
- Island.
Classic range hood
It is also called horizontal because of the location of the working plane with respect to the surface of the plate. The main advantage is the simplicity of design and ease of installation on the wall. Also, the advantages include:
- High fire and electrical safety.
- Maintainability (to be disassembled, there are no disposable components).
- Simplicity of management.
- High performance.
The main attraction of this model is the installation of the hood in the kitchen, the price of which is much lower than the cost of other models. So, the simplest suspension hood can be purchased from 2300 rubles. At the same time, the device is not inferior in performance, which makes it the most common and popular.
For comparison, we note that dome hoods are offered at a price of 5400 rubles, and built-in hoods - from 6300 rubles. The cost of such equipment from different sellers can vary significantly. The cost of installing the hood also varies widely, which depends on the professionalism and “appetite” of the masters, on the type of device, as well as on the region of residence. The average cost of such a service in Moscow is from 1200 rubles (simple hinged hood) to 6500 rubles (island).
Inclined hood
The working surface is located at an angle to the plane of the hob. This design technique provides the ability to visually and actually expand the space above the stove. Installing an inclined hood in the kitchen will provide free cooking on the stove, since absolutely nothing will bother you.
The appearance is presentable, meets all the advanced design samples, and the possibility of using various materials (ceramics, glass, plastic or metal) will enrich the overall style of the kitchen and satisfy any wishes of the hostess of the house.
This hood has good technical characteristics due to aerodynamic laws. Passing between narrow cuts, the air accelerates, soot and grease remain only on the filter. For good cleaning, fan operation in normal energy-saving mode is sufficient.
Integrated hood
Household appliances mounted in kitchen furniture are in demand among consumers and are quite attractive models due to their simplicity and convenience. This is the best option for lovers of modern design trends.
The main advantages of the built-in hood in the kitchen:
- Reliability of fastening. The hood is fixed in the general array of kitchen furniture.
- Easy to install built-in hoods in the kitchen with your own hands, easy and convenient access for maintenance.
- The use of a common array of furniture with a built-in hood will provide an opportunity to shelter protruding wires and hanging cords.
With all these advantages, there are also disadvantages:
- This hood is higher in cost than non-built-in hoods.
- Minimum ability to install the built-in hood in the kitchen again. After the redevelopment of the interior, finding her place will not be so easy.
Even with such minor drawbacks, the quality of the mounted hoods puts them in the front row among the best models.
Corner hoods
A rather peculiar design that differs from the rest of the models in a special body shape that allows it to be mounted in the corner of the kitchen.
It is perfect for non-standard design ideas or the specific features of the hob communications, installed in the corner in the absence of any opportunity to transfer them.
Corner hoods can be produced in the following options:
- Retro style, displaying the interior of the past century.
- The traditional classic or domed look of the model.
- Hi-Tech style, dominated by cool colors with steel sheen.
Triangular hoods are attached to two walls, due to which there is practically no vibration of the housing when the engine is running. They are silent and powerful enough to provide the kitchen with fresh air.
Dome hoods
They are quite large. The basis of their design is an imitation of an expensive fireplace, a hemisphere configuration with a narrowed upper part, where they are connected to the ventilation system.
The advantage of installing a dome hood in the kitchen is the possibility of placing it in any part of the room. Thanks to the characteristic design, it looks great in other rooms of the house - on the terrace above the brazier or barbecue, in the hall above the fireplace.
The advantages include high engine power, quiet operation, ease of maintenance and sanitary.
Disadvantages include the need to create a large space around the hood hood, which is not at all suitable for small kitchens.
Island hoods
They are made only to order and are an individual design product.
Their main difference is the use in combination with a separate design of a kitchen set called an “island”. In other words, the countertop with the hob are located separately from the rest of the kitchen furniture, most often in the center of the kitchen.
The installation in the kitchen of an island- type hood consists in fixing it to the ceiling. It does not hang on the wall and does not fit into a wall cabinet. The shape of the hood is of three types:
- The flat, thin panel does not block the space in the kitchen and has an elegant look. The main focus is on folding options, when desired, it is possible to raise the hood up, which significantly increases the space in the kitchen.
- Dome hood, well suited for rooms where there is no spatial deficit. These are the best exhaust systems that absorb all unusable air due to their design and powerful fan.
- The arcuate panel is a fairly successful model, combining a flat panel and a dome. Its main advantage is a designer look with many configurations that make up the elements of the working part, which can be made of glass, wood or steel.
Preparations before installing the hood
Having decided on the model of the hood, which will stand in the kitchen, we proceed to the preparatory work. This section is useful for those who want to use a flow ventilation system.
Preparation for installing an exhaust hood for a kitchen with a tap is to make a hole for mounting the ventilation pipe. To do this, adhere to certain rules:
- You must know exactly where the ventilation ducts of the house go. The connection point and the piping scheme will depend on this.
- If the exhaust duct is to be led directly to the street through the load-bearing wall of the house, it is necessary to find out the question of the need for special permission and registration of relevant documents for redevelopment.
- If there is a water heater near the hob, it is strictly forbidden to connect the duct to the flue.
- The diameter of the hole should be at least 150 mm. It should not be less than the diameter of the exhaust pipe of the hood itself.
Checking and cleaning the ventilation duct
When the hole in the natural ventilation channel is ready, it must be cleaned. This is especially advisable when installing the hood in the kitchen in the apartment of a multi-storey building.
Cleaning must be done as debris, dust and cobwebs drawn in from the inside gradually accumulate in the channels. As a result, the cross section of the channel is reduced, which leads to a deterioration or complete blocking of the throughput of the hood.
There are several signs of air duct contamination:
- In the area of the exhaust opening, litter and cobwebs have accumulated, which reappears some time after cleaning.
- A black coating of soot and grease formed on the ventilation grill .
- When you bring a burning match, candle or lighter to the ventilation, the light with good traction should lean towards the hood. Before this experiment, you must open the window or door.
Cleaning the ventilation ducts of multi-storey buildings is carried out by specialized services.
Self-cleaning can be carried out only with minor contamination in the area where a metal ruff or wire allows you to get. After that, it is advisable to clean the channel with a vacuum cleaner.
Standards for installing hoods in the kitchen
The size of the device in question is directly proportional to the size of the surfaces of the hob or hob. It should be slightly larger, which will completely absorb all the harmful fumes emanating from cooking.
When planning a kitchen, you need to know where the hood will be located, what is its height above the stove. The last parameter is very important.
The correctly selected installation height of the hood in the kitchen will maximize the use of its power to maximize air purification from harmful fumes and odors. In addition, the distance from the stove to the hood should be optimal for cooking and ensuring fire safety.
According to existing standards, the minimum installation height of the hood for the kitchen is 60 cm above the electric stove, the maximum is 75 cm. Accordingly, for a gas stove, the height is in the range of 75-85 cm.
The exact size is determined individually. In addition to the type of plate, the following parameters are taken into account:
- The growth of the hostess of the kitchen.
- General style and structural features of the room.
- The power of the exhaust device.
The standard is allowed to increase the height, but it is strictly forbidden to reduce it.
Hood installation
The process of installing the hood in the kitchen with your own hands does not have any difficulties and is carried out taking into account the type of design of the device.
Consider the methods of fastening the most common models of the flow system, as they are more labor intensive compared to recirculation ones due to the need to connect to the natural ventilation channel.
For work, we need the following tools:
- Hammer or electric drill with a set of drills for drilling a concrete or tile surface.
- Level for correct installation (it is important that there are no distortions).
- Dowels for attaching the hood to the wall.
- Corrugation or a plastic pipe for conducting an air duct connecting the hood with the natural ventilation opening of the house.
- An electric wire with a socket for wiring.
- Metal clamp and flange for fixing the duct.
- Polyurethane foam - polyurethane foam sealant for sealing and additional fixation of the overall structure.
Mounted hood installation process
Stage 1. Initially, we draw the markings on the wall, for this we use the level. It is necessary to adhere to the standards for height and take into account the features of the mounting units on the hood itself.
Stage 2. We drill the necessary holes with a puncher, trying not to chip the walls. After installing the dowels, we again check the correct layout. If there is such a need, we carry out adjustment.
Stage 3. We fix the outlet pipe in the wall hole using the flange.
Step 4. On the side of the wall we install a check valve to prevent the flow of contaminated air back into the kitchen. We hang and fix the hood.
Step 5. When connected to the duct, install a protective insect screen.
Electrical wiring to connect the hood should be done by an electrician or someone with knowledge of installing an electrical circuit. It is important not to forget that grounding must be present in the wiring.
The installation process of the integrated hood
The general technology of the process is similar to that described above, but there are some peculiarities. When installing a built-in hood in the kitchen, you need to solve the problem with a hanging cabinet in which it will be placed. It should be more than the installation itself.
Stage 1. It is necessary to make a hole in the lower part of the cabinet, which should correspond to the dimensions of the hood. On top of the furniture structure, a hole is also cut out for the outlet of the duct.
Stage 2. After preparatory work, we mount an exhaust device inside the cabinet. It is advisable for reliability to mount the hood to the kitchen wall through the holes in the back of the cabinet.
Step 3. The connection of the hood to the natural ventilation channels is the same as for the hinged version.
Finally
You can do without special devices for air purification in the kitchen. Then you have to open the window in the process of cooking in winter and summer. With this method of ventilation, soot will inevitably settle on the ceiling, walls and surfaces of furniture. Therefore, in modern residential buildings when designing a kitchen, the installation of a hood is mandatory.