What types of kitchen hoods are there? Horizontal flat hoods

Gone are the days when a window was also a hood. Nowadays, there are special devices for these purposes. And everyone tries to choose a hood, taking into account both its technical characteristics and appearance. However, in order not to make a mistake in your choice, you should know what kind of kitchen hoods there are and what their main differences are.

Kitchen hood in the shape of a pyramid.

Why is a hood useful?

The most basic function of a kitchen hood is to clean the air from grease, soot, and food odors. In this case, depending on the device, the air can be removed from the room to the street or into a ventilation shaft, or filtered without leaving the kitchen.

Another useful property of the hood is illumination of the work area using built-in lamps. In addition to purely functional properties, there is also an aesthetic advantage, since the presence of a hood gives the kitchen a certain grandeur and completeness.

Construction of modern hoods

The design of a kitchen hood is much simpler than it might seem at first glance. Inside the case there are one or two fans that are driven by motors.

They may be immediately followed by an air duct that leads into the mine or to the street, and there may be several more carbon filters if we're talking about about the suspended structure.

Old models had a grease trap at the bottom of the body; in new ones it is hidden behind a decorative cover.

Types of modern hoods

A hood these days is not considered something outlandish. Literally every housewife dreams of such a simple device, because it is thanks to it that you can maintain freshness in the kitchen, avoiding burning and stuffiness.

Today, hoods are offered by many manufacturers and come in different versions.

1. Hanging. They are also called “flat hoods”. They are mounted on the wall directly above the stove, used in cases where there is no ventilation outlet. Their components is a housing that has control buttons and lighting, as well as a fan and filters. As a rule, such designs contain additional filters in order to clean the air from burning, soot, grease and neutralize odors.

How the hood works of this type- recirculation, that is, during their operation, the air is not removed outside the kitchen area, but is only cleaned of odors, fat, burning and soot, returning again to the kitchen.

The advantages of such designs are their low price and stylish design. In addition, you can easily install such a hood with your own hands.

The main disadvantages are the rather high noise level and the need for frequent changes filters.

1. Built-in hoods. They are installed in a hanging kitchen cabinet located above the stove. Hoods of this type can be divided into two groups: fully built-in and retractable, retractable only when the stove is in operation.

This type is of higher quality than its hanging counterparts. However, its price is slightly higher. In addition, in the case when the ventilation hole is not located next to the stove, such hoods allow you to hide the pipes, as a result of which the appearance of the kitchen does not deteriorate.

1. Dome, which are wall-mounted and island-mounted. These hoods come in a variety of designs and are made from a wide variety of materials. The installation instructions for each individual model have their own differences. Their body can be either all-metal or include finishing elements made of wood and glass.

IN in this case More common are wall-mounted hoods, which are mounted on the wall above the stove. Island ones are a less common species.

Their use is justified only when the stove is located on an external platform. Such structures are attached to the ceiling.

This type of hoods, as a rule, is made from higher quality materials, which is determined by operating conditions.

They are often equipped with special sensors that indicate the level of filter contamination, as well as remote controls. Their main consumer property is the ability to quickly and efficiently remove air.

Performance

The main indicator of the effectiveness of any hood is performance. It is determined by the allocated cubic meters of air per hour.

Based on accepted sanitary standards, the air in the kitchen should ideally be completely renewed at least 10 times within one hour. Thus, you can easily calculate the required power for the hood that is optimal for your kitchen.

To put it simply, the volume should be multiplied by 12. In most cases, hoods have a capacity in the range of 200-600 cubic hours. However, there are also very powerful installations of 1000 cubic meters per hour.

Noise level

Having found out what types of kitchen hoods there are and having chosen a model that suits all parameters, do not forget to check the noise level. According to the standard, it should not exceed 40 decibels.

And this is no less important than productivity. You can see this information in the technical data sheet.

Advice! When purchasing, pay attention to the size of the hood. As a rule, it should be the same size as the stove or larger. Standard hoods are 60, 90, 120 cm.

Conclusion

It is difficult to say unequivocally which type of hood will be better. In this matter, it is necessary to take into account many factors, among which material factors are not the least important.

A wide variety of such devices provides a huge choice, and therefore these days you can choose best option not difficult.

If you want to install the hood yourself, you can watch video materials on our website. There is a lot of useful and interesting information here.

Choosing a hood for the kitchen is quite a responsible matter. TO this issue should be approached with special care. Before you visit the store and make a purchase, you should decide in advance on the type of hood. This will avoid many problems. After all, not everywhere you can install a classic hood. In some cases, it is simply impossible to install an air duct. Of course this is a problem. But there is always a way out. In such kitchens, as a rule, a hood without an air duct is installed.

Main types of hoods and their features

On at the moment There are several varieties. Each of them has its own disadvantages and advantages. But the main difference lies precisely in the principle of operation.

Flow hoods

They work on the principle of air exchange. Such hoods draw in air and steam from the kitchen, and then throw it all out into the common area of ​​the entire building or onto the street. This allows you to more effectively remove unpleasant odors. In this case, fresh air comes from the street through loosely closed windows. It is worth noting that such systems are considered the most effective. This is achieved due to the fact that the hood, drawing in polluted air, frees up enough space for clean air. However, the main disadvantage of such a ventilation system is the need for air exhaust equipment. It is necessary to remove contaminated air.

Recirculation systems

Their operating principle is significantly different from the previous one. Hoods without an air duct for the kitchen, photos of which are presented in the article, draw vapors and polluted air into their tank. This is done using a fairly powerful motor. Once in the system, the air is cleaned. In this case, the streams pass through special filters. It's already coming back into the room. It is worth noting that a ductless hood is usually equipped with a two-way filtration system. This makes thread cleanup more efficient. Thus, the first filter is capable of purifying the air from fairly coarse particles of soot, soot and grease, while the second filter performs a deeper cleaning, removing those particles that create unpleasant odors.

Types of kitchen hoods without an air duct

At the moment, many manufacturers produce ductless hoods in just a few modifications. If desired, you can purchase a flat or built-in system. Each of the models has its own characteristics.

A flat hood is a device consisting of a fan, filters and a housing panel. Such units are available horizontal and vertical. It is worth noting that such kitchen hoods without an air duct are quite compact in size. Such models fit perfectly into almost any interior. Chrome hoods, as well as those made of glass or aluminum, look more modern and aesthetically pleasing.

Those built into the kitchen without an air duct are devices that are covered with a special panel or a wall cabinet. Such models can be easily hidden from prying eyes. The telescopic system, which also belongs to the built-in type, is very popular. If necessary, such a hood can be pulled out and then removed, turning it into non-working mode.

Ductless hood: main advantage

Very often, recirculation systems are lenient. Some people are completely satisfied with a ductless hood, while others are not satisfied. However, many do not even know what positive qualities similar systems have.

When the hood with an air duct works, then, in principle, everything is in order. The air in the room is always clean. But what happens if the system is turned off? If the flow hood does not work, then there is a violation of natural air exchange in the room. As a result, the quality of ventilation deteriorates by about half. This occurs because the main channel is blocked by a pipe.

A hood without an air duct works on a completely different principle. When the system is turned on, air recirculation begins. When the hood is turned off, natural air exchange is not disrupted. After all, the main channel is blocked. This is the main advantage of the system. In other words, a hood without an air duct does not interfere with the natural air exchange in the room.

Lightweight design

Another advantage characteristic of a ductless hood is its lightweight design. Such systems are not equipped with massive pipes. In addition, installing the hood does not require additional ventilation connections through the entire room. A ductless system is a flat and fairly compact surface that can be positioned horizontally relative to the floor. In addition, the design does not create loads on the walls, and also does not spoil the overall interior of the kitchen.

Easy to install

A ductless hood is very easy to install. The system can be installed on any flat surface using conventional construction tools, which can be found in every home. All that remains is to connect the hood to the electrical network. This does not require additional adapters. After installation, the system is ready for use.

Another advantage that a ductless hood has is its ease of maintenance. The filters of such a system are very easy to change and clean. Ductless kitchen hoods are equipped with several cleaning levels. Moreover, each of the filters has its own characteristics. They are made from various materials. For example, a coarse filter is made of metal. In the latest models, several medium-sized products began to be installed at once. In this case, the large filter is simply replaced. It is very easy to care for the products - the filters can be removed and washed thoroughly. For these purposes, you can use non-abrasive detergents. You can wash the filters not only by hand, but also in the dishwasher. It's much more convenient. As for carbon filters, they need to be changed.

Main disadvantage

A kitchen hood without an air duct also has some disadvantages. First of all, regularly replace carbon filters. This requires additional costs. Of course, many people are interested in how much carbon filters cost and how often do they need to be changed? It is quite difficult to answer such questions unambiguously. These indicators directly depend on the frequency and intensity of use of the hood. It is worth noting that the condition of the filter is also affected by the presence of people smoking in the apartment.

As reviews show, on average, one product lasts for 3-6 months. We should not forget that many models of modern flow-through hoods are also equipped with filters that must be replaced after a certain period of time.

In addition, many consumers believe that ductless kitchen hoods are not suitable for everyone. This is far from true. Such systems provide air purification at the proper level. But this is not the main advantage of ductless hoods. After all, recirculation devices are not capable of disturbing the balance of the building’s ventilation system, unlike flow-through devices.

Design is important too

The demand for ductless hoods is not that great. This indicator is influenced by many factors, including the appearance of the devices. Kitchen hoods without an air duct are available in a smaller variety of designs. Of course, in general, the systems are distinguished by their laconic design and simplicity of form. However, unlike flow-through hoods, recirculating hoods look much more modest.

without duct

Before purchasing a ductless hood, there are several factors to consider. This will avoid significant problems in the future. First of all, you need to determine the performance of the device. To do this, you need to multiply the height of the kitchen walls by the area of ​​the room, and then multiply by 12. The number that comes out in the answer will be the necessary indicator of productivity. Choosing electric hoods for a kitchen without an air duct is necessary in a certain segment.

Also worth special attention pay attention to the size of the device. Many people choose according to the principle: the larger the hood, the much better. However, this is not true. It should be remembered that devices that are too large are equipped with motors of appropriate sizes. As a result, such systems create a lot of noise when turned on. You should not install a large hood in a small room.

In conclusion

When choosing a system, special attention should be paid to the noise level. Many manufacturers indicate this indicator in technical characteristics ah to the product. As consumer reviews show, it is best to choose ductless hoods with a noise level of 40 dB. These devices produce relatively quiet sounds.

What should a hood be like for a kitchen without an air duct? Customer reviews indicate that it is worth choosing devices with a fairly wide range of adjustments. The more there are, the better. This will allow you to optimally adjust the operation of the system.

It’s hard to imagine a modern kitchen without a hood. This household appliance has become mandatory attribute in any apartment or private house. Its main purpose is to remove water vapor and odors from food being cooked on the stove from the room. In this article you will learn how to choose the right kitchen hood and not get confused among the numerous offers from manufacturers.

The kitchen is a special room in every home. All family members gather here, and each person spends about half of his time at home. That is why it is very important that the air and atmosphere in the kitchen are as clean and favorable as possible. The problem of air purification is in the first place, because food aromas constantly hover in the room and combustion products are produced. It is very uncomfortable to be in an insufficiently ventilated room under such conditions.

Some believe that to ventilate the kitchen it is enough to open the window, others place all responsibility on natural exhaust ventilation, which is found in every apartment in a multi-story building. However, in reality everything is a little more complicated. Please note that the hood is placed directly above the hob or stove so that combustion products and water vapor enter the appliance as quickly as possible and are removed from the room. If ventilation is carried out only through a window and a grille under the ceiling, vapors with microscopic particles of food, oils and fats will inevitably settle on the walls near the stove and the ceiling above it. Only small part of these will be removed through the ventilation holes, and literally in a year in such a kitchen you will be able to observe darkening of the interior finish or obvious grease stains on the ceiling.

Now it becomes obvious that the hood not only helps to keep the air in the kitchen clean, but also significantly extends the life of the interior decoration. All hoods operate on the principle of forced ventilation, drawing air inside and passing it through a filter system. But what will then happen to this air depends on the design features of the device. There are recirculating and flow-through hoods. The first, as the name suggests, passes air through filters, cleans it and releases it back into the kitchen. The latter only remove water vapor and combustion products through the external ventilation system. They are easily recognized by the pipe leading from the device into the wall or ceiling. Flow hoods are considered more efficient than recirculating hoods and remove waste air from the room faster.

To know how to choose a kitchen hood, you need at least general outline study the design features:

Functional Features

A properly selected modern hood can remove up to 97% of polluted air from the kitchen, but the emphasis here should be on the word “correctly.” Most people do not know which kitchen hood to choose and are guided only by the price factor or quantity positive feedback on the seller's website. However, the issue should be approached from a completely different angle, and first of all, determine the required performance of the device. Performance is affected by power, which in turn affects the noise level of the device. Appearance, dimensions, case material, etc. also play a significant role. There are quite a lot of factors that should be taken into account, but you need to understand them so as not to buy an expensive, beautiful and completely useless “toy”.

When choosing, pay attention to the air pressure generated by the motor. If they are high, then the hood has good performance. Pressure is pumped up by fans, therefore, a powerful hood must have powerful fans: 1 or 2 pcs. They can operate at 2 or 4 speeds respectively. The power of the hood is the strength of its fans, and the performance of the device depends on this. Productivity is the ability of a hood to remove a certain amount of air per set time. For modern hoods, this parameter ranges from 180 to 700 m³/h. However, there is one pitfall here - a powerful hood with high performance will make a lot of noise. Fortunately, for home use you rarely need to turn the device on to maximum, and if you do sometimes need to properly remove fumes or smoke, if the food is burnt, you can wait a few minutes.

To determine how powerful the hood should be specifically for your kitchen, you need to make simple calculations. Find the volume of the room and the volume of furniture in it. Subtract the second from the first indicator and multiply the “net” volume by 10. This number will determine the required hood performance. In this case, it is also necessary to take into account the established sanitary standards, requiring complete replacement air in the kitchen 10-12 times per hour.

There is another way to calculate productivity that you may find easier. So, first find the area of ​​the kitchen, multiply it by the height, and then multiply this number by 12 (air exchange rate according to sanitary standards). Multiply the result by 1.3 (safety factor) and get productivity. For example, you need to choose a hood for a kitchen with an area of ​​6 m² and a height of 2.5 m: ((6*2.5)*12)*1.3=234 m³/h.

How to choose a kitchen hood

So, the most important parameter - the performance of the hood - has already been determined, but this is not all that needs to be taken into account when choosing.

Main selection options:

1. Size – In theory, the larger the hood, the better, but a bulky device is unlikely to decorate the interior, and ergonomic devices are very expensive. Here you need to start from the size of the slab - the width of the hood should be the same or slightly larger than the width of the slab. Otherwise, it will allow some of the fumes and combustion products to pass through, which will slowly but surely spoil the hanging kitchen furniture and interior decoration. For example, if the slab is 60 cm wide, it needs a hood with a width of at least 70 cm, and better yet 90 cm, if there is free space.
   
   
2. Controls - at each hood outside The housing contains a control panel: touch, push-button or slider. In terms of use and maintenance, the touch panel is much more convenient than the slider panel, where the operating mode of the hood is selected by a mechanical slider. With buttons it’s still easier, but, as practice shows, over time small particles of dirt and food become clogged in them, which worsens the appearance and operation of the device. Simply wipe the touch panel with a cloth.
   
   
3. Operating modes - you already know that hoods can be recirculating or flow-through. If you decide to buy a recirculation model, we recommend that you immediately purchase a supply of replacement filters for it and choose a model for which filters are easy to find on sale.
4. Filters – filters trap microscopic particles in the exhaust air. Thus, there are fine and coarse filters. All of them are metal meshes with different cross-sections - the efficiency of odor capture depends on the cross-sectional dimensions. Metal filters are reusable and should be washed when they become dirty. An additional filter in the form of a disposable mesh made of synthetic fibers can also be installed in the hood. Such meshes are not intended for washing and must be replaced with new ones. The frequency of replacement depends on the intensity of use of the hood in circulation mode. By the way, almost all models can be converted to recirculation mode. Some budget devices operate without metal grease filters at all, removing exhaust air through the ventilation duct, but the efficiency and durability of such devices are quite low.
   
   
5. Functionality – In addition to the ability to remove grease and unpleasant odors from the air, hoods may have additional functions. For example, the residual fan stroke helps save energy consumed by the hood - the device continues to purify the air for another 5-15 minutes after switching off, operating at the lowest power. Many hoods are equipped with an electronic timer that turns off the appliance after cooking is complete. Also, almost all appliances have built-in lighting, and since hoods are installed above the stove, additional light helps when cooking. It is more economical and convenient to choose hoods with halogen rather than conventional incandescent lamps.
   
   
6. Noise level – we mentioned earlier that the more powerful the fans in the hood, the higher its performance, but the louder it makes noise. Noise levels are measured in decibels, and a hood can be called “very quiet” if it produces no more than 45 decibels of noise. For isolated kitchens that are not combined with other rooms, hoods up to 50 decibels are suitable. But if this indicator rises to 70, the switched on hood will be very disturbing - the noise from it can be compared to a situation when someone is talking loudly 5 meters away from you.
7. Body material - not only the technical component of the model is important, but also external data, of course, if you do not need to choose a built-in kitchen hood, which you will then simply disguise as a cabinet. The body can be made of aluminum, stainless or enameled steel, plastic, tempered glass. Processed aluminum has proven itself best - its cost fully corresponds to its good quality. The surface of such hoods is matte, which fits perfectly into any interior. The main advantage of this material is that fingerprints are not visible on it, which cannot be said about glossy surfaces or glass. Glass hoods certainly look very stylish and modern, but to maintain this appearance they require constant maintenance.
   
   

Cost of hoods

There are a huge number of models on the market from a variety of manufacturers, and accordingly, the price range is very wide. First of all, it is worth immediately noting that in this case it would be a mistake to follow the rule that the higher the cost, the better product. For example, inexpensive Hephaestus kitchen hoods have proven themselves to be durable and comfortable. We remind you once again that it is more important to choose the right model with the required technical characteristics, and its cost will play a secondary role. You should also take into account the fact that the price of the device is greatly influenced by its appearance - stylish designer models cost an order of magnitude higher.

Differences between hood models of different price categories:

1. The cheapest hoods are those with a plastic body and a small amount of metal parts. Their control panel is usually push-button or slider; there are no more than 3 operating modes (fan speeds). The productivity of such devices, as a rule, is no more than 450 m³/h. Additional lighting is usually represented by one or two incandescent lamps.
2. The middle category includes models with a body made of stainless steel, tempered glass or aluminum. Here you can already find devices with simple touch panels and even displays. Lighting can be provided by halogen lamps or incandescent lamps. The productivity of such devices is slightly higher compared to the previous line - up to 650 m³/h.
3. Expensive hoods have the highest productivity up to 1300 m³/h. The body of such models is made of tempered glass; natural wood can be used for finishing. Functionality very diverse - temperature sensors, smoke sensors, humidity sensors, filter contamination, remote control, etc. Lighting only with halogen lamps.

Review of manufacturers

Finally, we invite you to familiarize yourself with a small list of the most famous manufacturers kitchen and household appliances, which offer hoods in various price categories. At the beginning of their searches, many people immediately pay attention to the products of the “promoted” German and Swiss brands Bosch, Siemens, Electrolux and Kuppersberg. The cost of such devices is quite high, but the quality and external data are fully justified by such a price.

We will look at these and other brands that have proven themselves to be the best:

A range hood is undoubtedly a necessary kitchen appliance. It helps not only to enjoy constantly clean and fresh air, but also protects furniture and interior decoration from premature wear. Choose the hood correctly, and then even an inexpensive model will create a perfect comfortable conditions in the kitchen.

Do you like to cook and experiment in the kitchen? But at the same time, you don’t want soot, grease and unpleasant odors to be companions of this room? To keep your kitchen always sparkling clean and your new renovation to stay fresh for as long as possible, you just need to install a hood above the stove. But the question immediately becomes, which model to choose, how to choose a hood for the kitchen, which best suits all your requirements, because retail chains offer us such a wide variety of models that our heads are spinning. This article will help you make a worthy choice.

Types of hoods

The biggest advantage of such hoods is that they do not require connection to the air duct, which means that you can easily install such a hood yourself, and your kitchen will not be disfigured by unnecessary pipes and hoses. In addition, the price of circulation hoods is much lower. Such devices are perfect for old houses, where the ventilation system is not able to cope with large air flows that are created by another type of hood - flow-through.

However, it should be noted that circulation hood models are leaders in noise. Therefore, before purchasing, be sure to listen to how noisy the model you choose is. Although it will be difficult for you to assess the full extent of the noise in a store environment, try looking at the instructions and look at the noise indicators. If they are within 35-45 dB, then this is quite normal, even for a small kitchen. But if the level exceeds 55 dB, consider whether such noise will create some inconvenience for you.

As we mentioned above, such hoods are also equipped with carbon filters. But these filters create additional resistance, which reduces the performance of the hoods themselves. In addition, such filters are not washable, and when they become clogged they must be replaced with new ones, which is an additional expense. A special indicator installed on the hood will inform you about the need to replace the carbon filter.

Now let's summarize. Pros of circulation hoods:

1. Price.
2. Easy installation.
3. Lack of pipes and hoses during installation.
4. Lack of connection to the ventilation system.

Cons:

1. High noise level.
2. Consumables.
3. Low performance.

Flow hoods

The design system for such hoods is quite simple. They draw in dirty air, purify it and release it outside using an external ventilation system. Such hoods must have an air duct that is connected to the ventilation system. They are also equipped with a fan, which creates air flow, as well as filters for cleaning. Such filters, usually metal, must be cleaned periodically, simply washed. Although there are more budget models of such hoods, they do not have filters. Flow hoods also need to be washed manually, since as the fan and other parts become dirty, their performance is significantly reduced.

Flow hoods are mounted on the ceiling or wall above the stove. It can also be hidden in a wall cabinet that is open at the bottom, this will give you the opportunity to “disguise” the hood and your kitchen will look aesthetically pleasing.

Flow hoods much more productive than circulation ones. In addition, almost all models can operate in exhaust mode and air recirculation mode. Installation is like this cleaning system much more difficult due to the presence of an air duct in the design of the exhaust hood. It is best to purchase it complete with a new kitchen. Before installation, you must carefully consider the location of such a hood relative to the ventilation hole. Try to avoid corners in the duct system, because even one right angle can significantly reduce the performance of the device. If your kitchen has an already decorated interior, then installing a flow-through cleaning system will be more problematic.

The performance of a flow hood is highly dependent on the quality of your building's ventilation system. If the house is old, then productivity will greatly decrease. The disadvantage of this cleaning system is that for high-quality operation of the hood, free access of air is required through open window, and this is not always convenient and possible.

Advantages of flow hoods:

1. High performance
2. Work in several modes
3. Easy cleaning of filters (washable)
4. Low noise level
5. Mounted in furniture

Cons:

1. Difficult installation
2. Necessity free access air

Types of kitchen hoods

Traditional or classic hood

These are flat and hanging hoods, mounted on the wall under a hanging kitchen cabinet above the stove. Typically, such devices operate in recirculation mode, which means they will require disposable carbon filters that trap small particles. Hoods of this type belong to the cheapest, easy to install, but they partially neutralize odors.

There are hoods of this type that operate in flow mode, but they are more expensive and installation will require some effort. They will be much more effective at purifying the air in your kitchen, and you won’t have to spend a lot of money on carbon filters later on.

Built-in hoods

Such hoods are easy mounted in a hanging cabinet above the stove. It looks quite aesthetically pleasing and does not spoil the overall interior of the kitchen. This type of hood is usually equipped retractable panel, which significantly increases the air intake area. This device is easy to operate and its performance is quite high. This hood turns on in the mode in which you turned it off.

Built-in hoods usually have two motors and multi-layer grease filters. In terms of price, they are slightly more expensive than classic ones, but in terms of performance they are much better, and in terms of aesthetic requirements they are superior to pendant ones. So if you are faced with a choice of which hood to give preference to: classic or built-in, choose the second option.

Fireplace (dome) hoods

These hoods are mounted to the ceiling above the stove. They got their name because of their dome shape, which resembles a fireplace chimney, and the operating system of such a hood is very similar to the exhaust system of a fireplace. First, the air enters the hood housing, which is located above the hob, and then goes through the air duct into the ventilation shaft, or, after passing through the filters, returns to the room.

These hoods are the most popular, so they are very varied in design. Moreover, they fit perfectly into kitchens where the work surface with the stove is not located against the wall. There are hoods with an inclined intake part, which increases the area to be treated, and the risk of hitting your head is minimal. Often, the price of a device may depend on the design rather than on the technical characteristics. But thanks to such a variety of models, it is easy to find the most suitable option for your interior.

Island hoods They are distinguished by the possibility of installation not only against the wall, but also in any part of the kitchen. These models are equipped with a ceiling mount. They are, of course, expensive, but they have high performance and are distinguished by a wide variety of designs. Such hoods are ideal for spacious kitchens, for example, if the work area is in the center.

Corner hoods They are distinguished by their shape, which allows them to be installed in the corner of the kitchen - an excellent option for small kitchens. Due to the fact that such hoods are installed only because of the peculiarities of the room, they are not popular, so the range of this type of device is small.

Performance and Power

Performance is one of the most important technical characteristics of any hood, because the cleanliness of the air in your room will depend on this indicator. It depends on him how many cubic meters of air per hour of operation can a hood draw in and remove? through the air duct into the ventilation shaft, or pass it through filters and return it back to the room.

To calculate the required performance it is necessary to take into account the characteristics of the room, the length and bends of the air duct if your plans include purchasing a hood in exhaust mode. In this case, the volume of the kitchen must be multiplied by 12, since according to sanitary standards, the air in the room must change 12 times per hour, and the result obtained must be multiplied by a factor of 1.3. If you want more accurate calculations, then you must also subtract the volume of furniture from the total volume of the kitchen. But this is not necessary.

Additional factors also need to be taken into account. Average hood should be at a distance of 65-85 cm from the surface of the slab. If you plan to install it higher, then choose a model with higher performance. Let's look at an example. Your kitchen area is 12 m2, the ceiling height is 2.7 m, a good option here would be a hood with a capacity of 505 m3/hour.

It should also be taken into account that in some houses ventilation duct capacity is limited, since during construction natural ventilation of the premises was provided for, and the throughput of the shaft may be lower than the capabilities of the hood you have chosen. What to do then? Do not turn on the hood at maximum power. In addition, the noise level will be significantly reduced.

The ideal solution may be to exhaust the air not into the ventilation shaft, but directly to the street, through a hole in the wall, to which the air duct is connected. The solution is good, but not always feasible, especially in multi-story buildings.

It is also worth considering your family's culinary traditions. If you cook a lot and often, then you need a device with maximum performance. Well, if you cook rarely and little, and often eat out, then you don’t need a high performance hood.

If you have a small kitchen, then the concentration of odors during cooking will be higher; it is better to purchase a hood with a margin of performance.

Device performance directly depends on its power. So be sure to pay attention to this parameter when purchasing. Modern models of hoods rarely have a power exceeding 500 W. This power is quite enough for high level productivity.

Size

It's best to The width of the hood exceeded the width of the hob, then it will absorb all odors and fumes as much as possible. Acceptable dimensions are the same as the surface of the slab. But in no case should the width of the hood be less than the width of the working surface of the stove! In this case, the hood will poorly capture and purify the air.

Filter system

The hood, of course, is not a 100% air purifier, but it does a pretty good job of removing fats, odors and soot from the air that gets into it.

Metal grease filter and serves to remove fat. It also prevents grease from settling on the elements of the hood motor, which can lead to its failure. This filter is usually removable, it is easy to clean and works throughout the life of the hood.

In circulation hoods A carbon filter is used to remove odors. In some models it is included in the package, but sometimes you have to purchase it separately. This filter needs to be changed, the frequency will depend on operating conditions, but on average once every 4-6 months. Many hoods have a feature that reminds you when the filter needs to be replaced. Depending on the model, this is either a light indication or simply special symbols on the filter that disappear as it gets dirty.

Control method

Modern hoods can be equipped with mechanical and electronic controls. Which control method to choose will depend only on your preferences.

In hoods with mechanical control operating speed and lighting are activated by pressing the corresponding buttons; they usually have a convex shape. Sometimes used to adjust speeds slide switch. This control is simple and familiar to users.

At electronic control a display is provided; the working settings of the hood are displayed on it. Switching speeds and activating lighting in such installations is done by touching the sensors, although some models retain the push-button format. In such models it is often available timer function, if desired, you can set the time to turn off or switch to another mode.

Only electronically controlled hoods have the function "auto-on". It's very convenient. Thanks to the installed temperature and humidity sensors, the hood will “understand” that the cooking process has begun and will turn on. At the same time, the intensity of work also changes, depending on the saturation of the air with vapors and odors. After finishing cooking, this hood still works for some time, completely removing all odors and soot, and then automatically turns off. Such a “smart” hood- just the dream of every housewife.

There are also hoods with installed smoke detectors. They also automatically turn on or increase productivity if smoke in the kitchen increases (something is burnt, someone has smoked, etc.).

Well, the highest aerobatics - hood control remotely: from a smartphone, tablet, when you are anywhere in your apartment, city, or even the world! To do this you just need to have a home. wireless internet. You install an application on your mobile gadget to control the hood, or any other kitchen appliance, and you can easily turn the hood on and off, set speeds, and set the timer while away from home.

Noise level

• The work of the hood can be considered very quiet, if the noise that the motor creates during operation up to 35 dB(compare with whispering).
• Quiet operation – up to 45 dB(comparable to a conversation at a distance of 10 m).
• Normal noise level – about 50 dB(soft conversation at a distance of 3 m).
• High noise level – 70 dB or more(compared to a very loud conversation at a distance of about 5 m).

Additional features

When choosing a hood for the kitchen, you should pay attention to the presence of additional functions, such as residual fan stroke, interval activation of the hood.

Residual fan stroke ensures that the hood operates within a few minutes after being turned off, this allows you to completely clean the air in the kitchen after cooking.

Interval switching the hood ensures that it is turned on for a short time at minimum power. For example, once an hour for 5 minutes. This is necessary for a constant tide fresh air to your premises.

Electronic timer built into some models of hoods. It can be turned on after cooking, so that the hood turns off after a specified time.

Lighting devices. Almost all hoods are equipped with them. Can use regular incandescent, halogen or daylight. Hoods with incandescent lamps are cheaper, but the presence of halogen lamps reduces energy consumption. Bulbs that fail are easy to replace.

The number of lamps and their location vary depending on the model of the hood. Hoods are also on sale with LED lamps. In more expensive models of hoods, the level of illumination can also be adjusted, it is even possible to automatically adjust to the lighting in the kitchen.

Very interesting function focusing light. It is found in some models of hoods. Using this function, you can focus the lighting either on the hob, or diffuse the light to illuminate the entire kitchen or a specific part of it.

TOP 5 best hoods 2016

The most common hood with a minimum set of necessary capabilities. In terms of price-quality ratio, this is an excellent option, but maximum speed The noise from the hood may seem loud. The bonus of this model is the retractable panel.

A stylish and functional hood that will become a real decoration of any kitchen. High performance, timer, filter contamination indication, automatic switching on and switching off - all this, together with the design, affects the final high cost models.

You can buy the hood from the article at RBT.ru

An excellent functional hood with a glass folding hood and the ability to install a carbon filter. The compact and attractive model makes noise at maximum speed, which can cause discomfort, but often the most high speeds are not used in hoods at all.

Compact, powerful hood with two halogen lamps. It can operate in two modes, and at the first speeds it is quite quiet, but at the same time quickly and efficiently removes all pollutants.