How to choose a hood for the kitchen from a whole variety of models?

The variety of household appliances often causes consumers to make difficult decisions. For example, how to choose a hood for a kitchen from a wide range of a wide variety of models? For the benefit of the device, no one doubts for a long time.

A simple functional device prevents the formation of dense grease and dirt on all surfaces in the kitchen. But only if you act correctly you can count on obtaining the maximum positive result, ease of use of the product and its compatibility with other items in the visit.

Purpose of the hood and the principle of its operation

The main purpose of the hood is air filtration by forced type. During the preparation of food in the kitchen, it is impossible to avoid splashing fat, divorcing steam and spreading smells. Inside the air duct there is a system of filters sucking evaporation and combustion products. At the same time, the atmosphere is ventilated in the room, which allows you to monitor its state. The listed elements are enclosed in a convenient housing, which is installed directly above the plate zone.

The following types of hoods are distinguished by the type of approach to air cleaning:

1. Recirculation. Suck the polluted air, clean it and release it back into the room.
2. Flowing. Absorb the dirty air, pass it through the cleaning system from dirt and soot, is led out with the help of an external ventilation system.

Today you can buy not only standard models of hoods, but also products disguised as a locker, the demand for built-in appliances is growing. There are types of fixtures that are attached to the wall or ceiling, which allows you to originally beat the design of the kitchen. Before choosing a kitchen hood, based on its price or beautiful advertising, it is better to evaluate a number of points that significantly affect the properties and quality of the final product.

Features of the filter system

The quality of filtration is one of the main performance indicators of the hood. A good model characterizes the ability to cope not only with unpleasant odors, but also soot, oily particles. One filter can not cope with this, even if the manufacturer claims the opposite. It is better to look at products with a whole system of filters in the duct cavity.

• Removable cassettes are used to eliminate oily particles and soot. Most often they are made of plastic, to which is attached nonwoven or sintepon. These types of filters are disposable and change as they become dirty. Some experts believe that this is not the best option for a gas cooker. If the flame is too intense, the material may melt and render other elements of the air duct unusable.

Tip: If you do not want to constantly buy new filters for the design, you should pay attention to models with aluminum or steel grilles. Such filters do not need to be changed, but they should be cleaned regularly using detergents or the principle of boiling.

• For the neutralization of unpleasant odors, replaceable carbon filters are best suited. They are inexpensive, they serve for a long time, and they need to be changed every time it becomes clear that the design does not cope with cleaning the atmosphere.

The modern model of medium-range hoods is considered the best option, which cleans the air in a room for 6-8 minutes, eliminating up to 96% of harmful and irritating components. It is strictly forbidden to use systems without elements to catch fat. Otherwise, dirt, rising from the heat of the plate, will adhere to the fan blades and the walls of the duct, gradually leading to its uselessness.

Do I have to pay attention to the appearance, dimensions and design of the model?

Most of all questions when choosing a hood cause its external characteristics. Beautifully - does not mean right. Dimensions, design type and aesthetics are selected only after all the functional features of the model are taken into account.

• Suspension hoods. The cheapest and easiest to install, operate on the principle of air circulation and are usually equipped with reusable filters. Do not take up much space and are installed directly above the plate zone, do not require the possibility of venting air into the ventilation.

• Dome models. Externally reminiscent of an umbrella that is attached to the wall and can work in both modes.

• In the built-in hoods. In those cases where kitchen appliances are built in appliances, the hood is best to choose the same type. The duct housing is perfectly masked by a hanging cabinet with an open bottom.

• Island type. Today, in spacious kitchens, the plates are installed not in the wall, but in the central part of the room. In this case, it is most convenient to use an island type extractor, which extends from the ceiling. Such products usually work on a flow basis.

• The principle of the sliding panel. Built-in appliances are also special products that save space as much as possible. The compact panel is hidden in the recess and is only pulled out when necessary, allowing the air to be processed over the whole surface of the plate.

With regard to the dimensions of the device, they must correspond to the dimensions of the hob surface of the plate or exceed them. Mount the air duct above the gas model no less than 75 cm from the surface. With electronic appliances, this distance can be 65 cm. Neglecting these rules can lead to the inflammation of droplets of fat on the walls of the product and cause a fire.

How to choose the right fan and control panel?

The power level of the hood and its performance depend on the number of built-in fans and their type. In modern devices, 1-2 fans are used, capable of operating at 2-4 speeds. Their productivity ranges from 180-700 m³ / h. It should be noted that with a high level of power you need to be ready for strong noise. True, this moment can be adjusted by means of velocities. The required performance indicator of the device can be correctly calculated and independently. To do this, calculate the volume of the kitchen, from it we subtract the volume of all the furniture in the room. The result is multiplied by 10, which is equal to the required power.

It should be noted that the level of airway performance is significantly affected by the correctness of its connection to the ventilation system, the type of materials used and the number of bends in the outgoing device. Each bend reduces the quality of cleaning by at least 5%.The same effect is provided by the corrugated parts, so convenient for installation. Smooth walls guarantee optimal operation of the device.

Any hood should have a control panel. The ease of use of the entire device depends on its type:

• Sensory. You just need to touch your finger to the desired sector and the device will perform the task. This is very convenient if the hands are dirty during cooking, and clean the air in the room you need urgently. Unfortunately, it is this type of control that most quickly fails.
• Slider. Switching modes and speeds is carried out using sliders, working on a mechanical type. This is the most inconvenient, but the most reliable option, which almost does not break.
• Pushbutton. The desired result is achieved by switching the buttons. According to the housewives, this approach to management is suitable for regular use best.

In addition to the elements for controlling the operation of the duct, timers and sensors can be placed on the panel. They allow the device to switch on independently when the optimal level of harmful components in the atmosphere is exceeded and turn off after air purification.

Suitable lighting and other options

When selecting the hood, you should pay attention to the correct lighting. Disregarding this point, you can face a situation where the products in the process of cooking will look unnatural, which can affect the quality of their processing. To prevent this from happening, it is better to choose halogen type lamps. This is not the cheapest option, but it will last a long time and will allow you to get aesthetic pleasure from the process of creating culinary masterpieces. But fluorescent lamps and incandescent devices will distort the natural shades.

The presence of additional functions in household appliances is encouraged. For example, intermittent switching guarantees a constant flow of clean air into the room and removal of any contaminants( even those that get to the kitchen from other rooms in the apartment).The product will work in the quietest mode, without disturbing anyone. But the residual course implies a slow operation of the device for 5-15 minutes after it is turned off. This allows you to leave the kitchen immediately after cooking and not return to it, and household appliances at the same time will ideally purify the air.

We advise you to read an article on how to choose a frying pan with non-stick coating