The saturation of modern life does not exempt housewives from the need to cook food. This often takes a lot of time to spend in the kitchen. During cooking, fat and odors are released. Many housewives think about whether an extractor hood is needed in the kitchen or whether natural or forced ventilation can be dispensed with.
Kitchen exhaust equipment: device and purpose
Many believe that ventilation and cooker hoods are identical concepts. But this is completely wrong.
A cooker hood is a device structurally consisting of a housing, inside of which a filter and a fan with an engine are placed. The latter drives the equipment. The air draft created by the fan traps grease and soot particles with filters, as well as odors. Thus, purified air returns to the kitchen, and appliances and furniture are not covered by settling particles of dirt.
The ventilation system (exhaust hood over the kitchen) is the installation structure inside the wall, which only creates air exchange in the kitchen room (air exhaust).
The place where the hood will be located is usually planned in advance, during the repair in the kitchen. In the matter of choice, the calculation of the right size and the correct performance of the device plays a role.
Some owners do not immediately install such equipment, tormented by the question of whether an extractor hood is needed in the kitchen. Although most have already decided that such a device is useful. It is necessary that the room has clean air. Moreover, modern models organically fit into kitchen furniture, as there are several types of them.
Recirculation hoods
The recirculation device returns the filtered air back to the room. Such filter systems are best used for kitchens with gas stoves. These extracts well clean the air of fat and harmful gas impurities.
The positive qualities of these systems include their simple installation, fairly low cost, beautiful design. In addition, they are economical in energy consumption. Another plus is that these devices do not draw heat from the room, which allows maintaining the temperature inside the room at the same level.
The disadvantage of such systems is that every three to five months you need to change the filters - the specific timing depends on the duration and intensity of the device. Also, they do not remove odors, so such an exhaust device is best installed in a room with good ventilation.
Flow hoods
There is no definite answer to the question of which hood is suitable for a particular kitchen. These devices are selected based on their own tastes, room design, fasteners, technical specifications. Kitchen hoods are distinguished by their performance, types of filters, sizes and the presence of additional functions. An important role is played by the financial side of the issue.
Flow hoods in the kitchen, photos of which can be seen below, are devices that remove air with impurities from the room to the outside. They are distinguished by greater performance, do not require a systematic replacement of filters, but difficulties arise during installation. This is due to the fact that the device is connected to the ventilation system of the kitchen room, installation of air ducts, installation of an anti-return valve are required so that the contaminated air from the ventilation shaft does not return back to the room.
When buying a kitchen hood, it should be borne in mind that there are such models in which there are two modes: recirculation and air exhaust.
Design and Features
When buying an exhaust kitchen device, as a rule, design plays a decisive role. Different designs of hoods differ in appearance and specifics of work.
These types of devices can be found on sale:
- Built-in constructions from which the bottom panel extends. These systems, as a rule, are built into the wall cabinets of kitchen sets. They have a beautiful design, compact enough and equipped with additional features. The downside is the price, which is much higher than other models.
- Dome. Such exhaust systems in appearance are similar to a dome or hood hanging above the surface of the stove. They are mounted directly to the wall or to the ceiling, most often such models by design are flow-through. Their design is quite diverse: they are glass, chrome, decorated with gilded details. Also, designs from this group are distinguished by a wide variety of dimensions, functions and technical parameters. If desired, among them you can find any option for the hood under the kitchen.
- Suspended are usually flat-type models that are mounted on the bottom of the wall cabinets from below. They are compact, do not take up much space. Such hoods are both recirculating and flow type, the former being more common. The disadvantage of these models is the small amount of air flow. They are recommended to be installed in small rooms and in kitchens on which electric stoves are installed.
- Island - these are powerful exhaust systems designed for large rooms. They purify the air not only in the kitchen, but also in other rooms. The design allows them to be mounted anywhere, even in the middle of the ceiling. Such models are universal and can fit any kitchen layout.
Hood filters
In kitchen hoods, two types of filters are used:
- fine cleaning - are containers filled with activated carbon;
- grease - consist of synthetic fiber or a thin metal mesh.
Filters of the second type are installed in all hoods, and carbon filters are present only in expensive circulating or combined models, in which there is a coal tank and a grease trap.
The filter features are such that the metal mesh is designed to trap fatty particles. They are designed for long work and do not require replacement. They are easy to remove and wash with a regular kitchen sponge and non-aggressive detergents.
The difference between filters made of synthetic fiber is that they need to be changed as they become dirty, this entails additional costs. But such models work without noise.
Carbon filters are disposable and designed to filter the air, cleaning it from the smallest particles and odors. Charcoal containers may contain special resins or silver that kill bacteria. The air in such a filter is not only cleaned, but also disinfected. A big minus is the frequent replacement of the filter, but if you do not, it will become a source of harmful bacteria.
Management and functions
Since the exhaust device is an electric device, many are interested in whether a socket is needed for drawing it into the kitchen. Experts say that this is optional. The device can be connected to the wiring in the wall.
When choosing a hood, you need to study what additional functions it has.
Almost all models are equipped with a backlight. Some set color lighting effects that perform not only lighting, but also decorative function. Hoods with a backlight function are very practical, as they allow you to not carry out additional lighting on the stove.
There are models that automatically turn on when the stove starts to work - this is very convenient if the hostess has dirty hands. Also created models with a timer. These hoods are automatically turned off when air cleaning is complete .
The operation of the exhaust system is controlled by buttons, sensors or remotely using remote controls.
Dimension calculation
Manufacturers of modern kitchen exhaust systems take into account many models of stoves and, accordingly, produce exhaust devices of different sizes.
The most compact ones have dimensions of 50 by 60 cm, they are most often installed over small electric stoves with two burners. In this case, the relevant question is whether an extractor fan is needed in a small kitchen. Some experts argue that with a window and good ventilation in a small room, you can not install such a device. Over various large cooking surfaces, dimensional models of devices are mounted.
In order to choose the right hood, you need to take into account the fact that its working area should be slightly wider than the surface of the stove.
Variations in the sizes of plates usually range from 60 to 90 cm, in the maximum case the hood should be at least 120 cm wide. But such dimensions do not mean that the hood will look bulky. Thanks to the thoughtful design, the models look very compact and do not spoil the interior.
Before you make the hood in the kitchen, you need to make the correct calculation of its dimensions. To do this, it is better to consult a specialist, he will also advise on how to install a recirculation hood without an air duct or how to mount a built-in device.
What affects the operation of the device
The main function that the device must perform is the removal of contaminated air and its purification. If the hood is not intended for filtration, but only for the removal of contaminated air from the room, then care must be taken to ensure that the replacement receives as much air mass as has been removed.
This suggests that when the window is closed in the kitchen and if there is no ventilation in the room, such a working hood will draw air from the nearest ventilation shafts of the toilet or bathroom. In this case, the air will no longer be fresh. Therefore, when operating such an exhaust system, a window is necessarily ajar. In an isolated room, models are installed that filter the air.
Also, correctly calculated performance affects the operation of the device. If a powerful exhaust device is installed in a narrow ventilation duct, then it will not be able to work at full strength. No matter what power the device has, it will not be able to let in more air masses than the ventilation duct can bring. On the contrary, in this case, excessive power will contribute to poor-quality air purification in the kitchen.
Do I need an exhaust device in the kitchen
Today, among those who equip their kitchens, one can hear a debate about whether a hood is needed in the kitchen. Some believe that this is a completely useless device, others convince that it is necessary to destroy odors in the kitchen.
As for the opinion of professionals, they unequivocally say that a few decades ago this hood for the kitchen was considered a luxury. And now, people's ideas about this have completely changed.
It is believed that the room should not have any odors that remain after cooking or baking. The air must be fresh and clean, and this cannot be achieved without special appliances. Built-in ducts are not able to solve this problem. Moreover, the design of modern hoods fits almost any design of kitchen furniture, and not only fits, but even decorates. All this also concerns the question of whether a hood in the kitchen with an electric stove is needed.
Beautiful and compact models can clean the air of impurities that without them would settle on the shiny surfaces of new kitchen furniture and modern appliances. In addition, they effectively remove odors that can be absorbed into clothing, hair and curtains.
In order to finally answer the question about the need to install such a device in the kitchen, then we will consider the arguments for and against it.
Hood arguments
When asked whether a hood is needed in the kitchen, reviews in many forums give a positive answer and recommend the installation and use of these devices.
Speaking about the benefits, people say that it consists in the following:
- Getting rid of smells during cooking that penetrate the rest of the room. This problem especially concerns those whose design provides for studio apartments, where the kitchen is combined with the living room.
- The hood improves ventilation through a forced increase in air exchange if the air masses from the natural ventilation are insufficient.
- The device draws particles of soot and fat, so they do not settle on furniture, utensils, walls and appliances.
- The appliance removes excess moisture from the air that forms during cooking.
- The hood allows you to install an additional cabinet above it, which could not be mounted directly above the stove. This increases the shelf space.
- Most users note that they like devices that are routed to the natural ventilation system, since the exhaust air, even if it is cleaned, does not go back into the room.
Also, the hostesses like additional features such as built-in lighting, various speeds of the devices, and in some models automatic inclusion is implemented.
Arguments against the hood
Those who negatively answer the question of whether an extractor hood is needed in the kitchen above the stove, justify their opinion that the installation of these devices is imposed by manufacturers.
In this regard, the following arguments are given:
- not satisfied with the noise of the device that it produces during operation;
- it is believed that in a small kitchen there will be enough ventilation through the built-in ducts, also an open window will help;
- the cooker hood must be cleaned systematically, otherwise various bacteria will form on it in the deposits of fat and dirt.
Also, many housewives say that hood models are simply not suitable for their kitchen furniture.
All these arguments can be answered that, if desired, justification can always be found. Indeed, the noise in the kitchen is always present - this is the work of the gas stove, and running water from the tap, and the food prepared on the stove.
At the expense of inappropriate devices, the opinion is also not quite right - the modern market offers a large number of different hoods that are suitable for furniture of any size.
Air cleaning
Customers and designers who positively answer the question of whether a hood is needed in the kitchen and advise them to be installed say that the devices even help to save money. This is because, filtering the air from particles of soot and fat, they do not allow impurities to settle on wallpaper, utensils, appliances and furniture. These surfaces remain clean, without a yellowish coating, their color does not lose saturation over time. Kitchen utensils will not need to be cleaned, and the wallpaper should be re-glued, and energy, time and detergents spent on cleaning furniture and equipment.
It can be clearly stated that when you have a large family and cooking is carried out constantly in large quantities, the hood will become a daily necessity, which will save the surrounding area from sticky yellow-gray coating.
Expert Advice
When answering the question of whether a hood in the kitchen with an electric stove is needed, experts advise to purchase low-power models, since in this case a lot of performance is not required. The main condition is the removal of fat and odor.
As for the ventilation duct, experts do not recommend creating excessive pressure in it with a powerful exhaust, otherwise the ventilation of the entire apartment may be disturbed. If other dwellings are also connected to this mine, then this will affect them.
Designers advise, if it is difficult to choose a device to your liking, then you can buy one so that it is completely invisible in the kitchen room, or complement its design.