How to choose a kitchen hood

The kitchen is the only place in the house where food is prepared, and, accordingly, air pollution occurs, accompanied by the appearance of an unpleasant odor. In addition to the above, when creating culinary masterpieces, greasy soot is released, which settles on the walls and ceiling. And cleaning surfaces from greasy deposits is a very complicated procedure. It seems that the renovation was done just recently, and now the walls need to be painted and wallpaper put up again. If you don’t do this, it will be unpleasant to be in the kitchen, and inviting guests will be somehow inconvenient. But these difficulties can be avoided. All you need is to purchase a modern kitchen hood.

How to choose a kitchen hood over the stove

Currently, manufacturers offer many models, of various shapes and wide functionality. But which one should you prefer, and what should you pay attention to in the selection process? We choose ventilation according to the parameters in accordance with the advice of professionals:

1. Filtration. Manufacturers build in two filtration systems. The first eliminates unpleasant odors, and the second traps soot and oily particles.The second filters are often presented in the form of a removable cassette, with padding polyester or non-woven coating. If they become dirty, they will need to be replaced. But there are also reusable filters made of steel or aluminum. There is no need to change them, but regular cleaning of dirt will be a prerequisite. There are also disposable carbon filters that neutralize various odors. In addition, there are budget devices that remove dirty air through standard ventilation in the house. They do not have filters, but now this is a rarity on the market.
2. Appearance. Hoods have a variety of shapes and sizes, which is why in the selection process you will need to take into account both the square footage of the kitchen space and the design chosen during the renovation process.
3. Power. One or two fans powered by an electrical network are built into the ventilation unit. And when we talk about selecting a ventilation system based on power, we mean precisely the power of these fans. The level of productivity also depends on it, which, as a rule, ranges from 180 to 700 m3/h.

REFERENCE! High performance also has the other side of the coin, namely a high noise level during operation. And high performance is not at all necessary in an ordinary apartment, for which a hood with average performance is quite sufficient. But more powerful models are suitable for those who like to spend days at the stove or for installation in small catering establishments.

Which size to choose

The purchased device must correspond to the parameters of the kitchen stove or hob.In the first situation, the standard size is from 45 to 90 cm, and in the second it ranges from 50 to 120 cm.

If the dimensions of the ventilation system are smaller than the size of the stove, then you can only dream of high-quality air purification. But with large dimensions, polluted air will be absorbed in full.

In addition, the determining parameter for effective operation is the height of the device. According to established standards, it should be 0.75 m above the surface of the tile. Only in this situation will the operation of the hood be of high quality, and it will be possible to achieve optimal air purification, reducing the risk of soot and greasy deposits to a minimum.

How to calculate the required hood power

As mentioned earlier, the higher the performance indicators, the more efficient the ventilation device will be.

IMPORTANT! But it should be understood that the larger the square footage of the kitchen, the higher the power of the ventilation device must be selected.

To identify the indicators you need, you only need to know the area of ​​the kitchen, and then use an elementary formula to derive the value we need. By multiplying the length, height and width of the kitchen space, you can find out how much air is in it. Then the resulting figure must be multiplied by 12 and rounded to the nearest whole value. This is the power level of the device required for the kitchen.

What types of hoods are there based on their operating principle?

When choosing the right ventilation system, you need to know that they differ in the type of operation. The market is presented with several options.

1. Recirculation models. These models have filters and a forced ventilation system.When active, they pass dirty air masses through filtration units and then send them back into the room. It is recommended to buy such models for installation in kitchens where it is impossible to connect to a standard ventilation system.
2. Flow-through. They are connected to an air duct through which dirty air is removed and clean air is supplied.
3. Combined. Such systems operate in both one and the second of the above modes. The user has the right to choose either cleaning by recirculation or air exhaust using an air duct.
4. Models with automatic switching on. They are activated automatically when there is a need to clean the air.
5. Hoods with filter. There are models with removable cassettes and reusable filters. Having given preference to the first option, the owner will need to regularly replace the filters, and when purchasing the second option, they will need to be cleaned regularly.

What types of hoods come in shape and type of design?

The purchased hood should be in harmony with the interior and not stand out from the design idea. Today, the market is represented by a wide variety of models, which makes it quite difficult for consumers to choose the right option for installation in their own kitchen. But knowing what ventilation devices exist in terms of shape and type of design, the selection process is greatly simplified, and you can add expressiveness to your kitchen design:

1. Wall models. They are installed directly above the stove or hob. Some buyers prefer built-in kitchen hoods.They are installed directly into the kitchen unit, which allows you to rationally manage space. This option will be ideal for rooms with low ceilings.
2. Island hoods. Installing this option involves considerable waste of the financial plan. This hood is located in the center of the ceiling. Great for kitchens with large square footage. After fastening, a connection is made to the vertical air duct. Sometimes these models are used to decorate the kitchen.
3. Corner hoods. These models are designed to be located in the corner of the room. At the moment, only a small assortment is available to the buyer, which is why the demand for the presented type can be called minimal.
4. Dome model. Installation is carried out directly above the slab, after which a kind of dome is formed. This hood has impressive dimensions and a presentable appearance, making it an ideal option for consumers who want to make their kitchen an unusual and stylish room. In addition, this model is similar in price to an expensive fireplace.
5. Hidden ventilation. The presented option is quite practical and is installed inside kitchen furniture. The user only sees a small part on which the device control panel is located. With the right approach, the cabinet where the hood is installed can be used for other purposes, which helps save space in the kitchen.
6. Telescopic hood. This model is characterized by hidden installation. During use, the panel slides out where the grease filters are located.
7. Flat hood. It works in circulation mode and is the most affordable option.Installation will not be difficult even for a beginner, and is carried out parallel to the hob on the wall.
8. Box hood. Combines classics and notes of minimalism. Outwardly it resembles an ordinary box. Installed in the center of the room in an island manner.
9. T-shaped model. Reminds me of the letter "T" upside down. Installation involves connecting to a very wide box.
10. Inclined models. They are attached to the wall, significantly save space and have high performance due to the fact that the air flow moves through a narrower passage.

REFERENCE! Along with the descriptions of the above models, you can also pay attention to consumer reviews, which will certainly simplify the process of choosing suitable ventilation for your kitchen.

Additional characteristics and functions of hoods

For some users, the type of control panel is also a determining factor. They are:

• touch (lightly press your finger on the desired sector);
• slider (slider moved along the plane);
• push-button (control the device and set the necessary parameters using regular keys).

In addition, modern hoods offer additional functionality. This could be a device shutdown timer, a humidity level sensor, several speed modes, the presence of lighting devices, etc. The indicated options greatly simplify the use of equipment and make its work as efficient and high-quality as possible.

We hope that the information presented will make it easier for you to choose a suitable hood, and you will be able to purchase a truly high-quality, durable and efficient model. Enjoy the shopping!