Exhaust hood in recirculation mode: principle of operation and reviews

There are two modes of operation of the hood. The main difference between them is where the air drawn into the device is discharged.

1. Flowing or exhaust hoods send air "overboard" the apartment, to the mine through specially mounted air ducts.

2. The exhaust hood in recirculation mode blows air back to the kitchen through the outlet, driving it through the filters - reusable and disposable, built-in or replaceable. This mode is the best solution - inexpensive and modern, for small rooms. Or when only one operation mode of the hood is possible - air recirculation, and it is difficult to install the air duct (for example, based on the kitchen design) or unreasonably expensive.

Where does the air come from in recirculation mode?

The first consumer question on the exhaust in recirculation mode: “Where does the air come from?” The answer is through the outlet, the location of which before buying, you need to pay special attention if the hood is built-in. It can not be blocked or shut up. You may have to, for example, use a flexible channel to remove the cleaned air from the outlet to a hole in the wall cabinet. If the hood has a square outlet, then you will need an adapter. Flexible channels round, corrugated, aluminum (100-125 mm in diameter) are the cheapest and easiest to install.

Most often in the market in the price range of 4,000-25,000 rubles. you can find a hood that can work in two modes - recirculation and exhaust, but there are hoods with one operating mode.

Recirculation or air exhaust: consumer and professional reviews?

Why, having the opportunity to build in an air duct, do consumers choose a recycle hood? Customer reviews say that the main plus of the challenge mode is that it has more performance. An additional advantage is the potential opportunity 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 obsolete high-rise buildings.

Great performance is not always relevant. That's why:

1. The medium exhaust hood with recirculation easily copes with a standard kitchen with an area of ​​up to 9 square meters. m., because its productivity is from 200 to 600 cubic meters. m / hour.
2. If the kitchen is rarely cooked using the room as a dining room or only for breakfast, the amount of work is much less.

In both cases, it makes no sense to spend more effort and money on an exhaust hood. In addition, its installation is more complicated, it is preferable to entrust this to professionals. A hood in recirculation mode is cheaper. It is easy to hang on your own.

The principle of operation of the hood with recirculation

Any hood is simple. The engine rotates the screw, creating traction. So in this sense, it is no different from a hair dryer or fan.

If the hood is in the exhaust mode, then a reusable filter is most often in the air path. Further, the flow goes outside the house into the ventilation shaft. To clean the air that is supposed to return to the room, various filters are installed . All suspended in the air (dirt, soot, grease) settle on them. And through the outlet, the cleaned air is blown back into the kitchen.

Filter types

In the exhaust hood in the recirculation mode, the air quality is primarily determined by the filters, which must be regularly cleaned or replaced if they are disposable. Most manufacturers make sure that this operation is easy to perform.

Grease filters are reusable filters in all extractors: both with recirculation and with exhaust. They are metal (or from acrylic plastic in cheaper models) with perforation and removable. Therefore, they are easy to remove and wash by hand or in the dishwasher. If it is, it is worth paying attention to their dimensions when choosing a hood - to fit.

By removing the reusable filter, you can access the hood inside and install the disposable ones yourself. They are grease and coal. The first - inherently 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 exhaust hood in recirculation mode in combination with a charcoal filter collects all small impurities, protects the engine and purifies the air.

Recirculation hood service

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 it is cooked in the kitchen.

If you neglect the replacement and cleaning of the filters - the air quality at the outlet is significantly deteriorated and extraneous odors remain in the kitchen.

The advantage of the exhaust hood is considered to be savings on carbon filters. This is true, but it also needs to be cleaned at the inlet, otherwise the fat will settle inside on the ventilation ducts and the engine. So, probably, disposable grease filters will have to be spent on a regular basis - so the hood will last longer.

The exhaust hood in recirculation mode without exhaust in combination with carbon filters (example in the photo) is a reliable assistant, requiring minimal additional maintenance 2-3 times a year.

This is important to consider when choosing a hood.

1. 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.

2. Energy efficiency, which is affected not only by engine power, but also by the cost of lighting, so it is better to choose a hood with LED lamps.

3. Given the huge range, there is no need to save on the aesthetic side of the issue. It is easy to find a hood that fits and even decorates any interior (for example, it can be a bright color accent).

4. Touch, rather than electromechanical control, additional functions - a remote control, a timer, a delayed shutdown, have more expensive models of hoods. The choice of functionality depends on personal preferences and financial capabilities.

5. The last and most important thing is to "dance from the stove," more precisely, from the stove. It is above it that the hood is placed. It should be equal, and preferably 5-10% more than the cooking surface.

After choosing the shape and size, the question of installation arises, which is better to think about in advance.

Mounting options

The main rule for installing the hood: the installation height (from the hob) is 65 cm and above for electric stoves, from 75 cm for gas stoves.

Further, the question of installation depends on the aesthetic expectations of the consumer, financial capabilities and on which device is selected in the end.

The cheapest hoods on the market are recirculated and recessed. If height allows, it can be attached to the bottom of the cabinet. It is especially convenient if it is already above the stove. It remains to consider only the issue of power supply to the device.

How to integrate the hood into the wall cabinet?

The built-in hoods in the recirculation mode are mounted 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. Fasteners themselves are usually included. The cabinet is bought without a bottom. The lower shelf in it is hung in such a way so that the attached hood is completely hidden. Outside, only the bottom surface remains - a grease trap reusable filter and, if available, a retractable panel.

Another question arises if you use the hood in recirculation mode. How to integrate into the cabinet so as not to block the outlet? Make a hole in the cabinet on top or in the side wall and connect the exhaust outlet with a round corrugation and a pair of adapters.

Dome (or fireplace) hood

More expensive exhaust hoods in recirculation mode are fireplace (or domed):

1. They work in recirculation mode (there are also universal ones), they are often equipped with built-in filters - which means it is even easier to maintain.
2. They win from the point of view of design - the original form, many color schemes, beautiful finishing materials.
3. Just attached to the wall above the stove. There are even angular ones, although usually hobs are not placed in a corner. But it is not necessary to hang the hood just above the stove, although this is most often done.

This hood works on the principle of a fireplace. The density of warm air is less than that of cold. It naturally rises, and the cold stream drops down due to pressure differences. It depends on the density, which, in turn, is affected by temperature. In a similar way, a balloon filled with helium breaks up, because helium has a lower density than air. It is as if squeezed out and pulls the shell behind it, stretched out.

The dome and exhaust pipe act like a chimney by the fireplace. Plus a must-have motor for extra traction. Devices of this type are more expensive, but they have more performance.

Cooker hoods

The hood, built into the countertop, is definitely an innovation in Russia. This hood is in recirculation mode. While on the market it is represented by a small and rather expensive line.

But if the issue of finance is not in the first place, it can be an interesting design decision. 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 under construction with modern designs with a large kitchen, so the popularity of cooker hoods in the countertop will grow. After all, the height of the ceiling can be significant, hanging the hood and pulling air ducts from it to the shaft is not always possible in terms of harmony and design of the room.

Thanks to a large selection, it is not difficult to solve technical issues regarding the purchase and installation of hoods. Perhaps the need to service it 2-4 times a year and buy disposable filters seems like an extra waste. But monthly cleaning of surfaces in the kitchen from grease and other contaminants using detergents takes much more time and energy, and therefore money!