Cooking is impossible without odors, which are not always pleasant and can fill the entire apartment. It is in order to avoid the spread of unpleasant odors that hoods are used.
A cooker hood is a household appliance, the main task of which is to refresh and remove fumes that circulate not only in the kitchen, but also in other areas of the house. The power of the hood allows you to quickly and effectively ventilate the apartment of soot, from combustion products, fat constantly evolving during the cooking process. Unpleasant smells and mustiness in the apartment have an unpleasant effect on human health. A quality exhaust system ensures freshness.
Filter types
Depending on the installed filter, there are two types of exhaust systems:
- hood for the kitchen with a grease filter;
- coal extractor hood for the kitchen.
Hoods with a grease filter are able to protect against soot and small particles. These are coarse filters, the main function of which is to protect the walls of the air duct and various elements of the internal structure from dirt. Grease filters are used in both flow and circulation outlets. These filters can be large or small in size, reusable or disposable. Acrylic, synthetic winterizer, aluminum, steel or non-woven are the materials used to make these parts.
The second type of hoods is a sorption device designed to eliminate unpleasant odors. This is a fine cleaning that removes steam impurities. The charcoal filters must be replaced and cannot be cleaned. The manufacturer indicates the period in which it is worth replacing the filter. Devices with a charcoal filter are indispensable in poorly ventilated rooms.
How the filter works
There are two principles of operation of the device - recirculation and air extraction. The second principle of operation means that the hood goes out into the ventilation shaft. When installing the device, pipes are attached to remove polluted air. The engine creates thrust so that fat, combustion products, dirt are removed quickly enough. The ventilation shaft is a source of purified air, the appearance of which becomes possible due to pressure surges. It cannot be said that the air is fresh and completely clean. It is advisable that there is an additional source of air during cooking. For example, a slightly open window or window. Such hoods are called flow-through.
Choosing a carbon hood
What should you pay attention to when choosing a cooker hood with a charcoal filter? First of all, it is necessary to build on the type of hood. The most ergonomic are flat devices that work in recirculation mode. What does it mean? Air enters the middle of the device, the filtration system cleans and then enters the room. Dome devices remove air from the room and operate in an exhaust mode. Carbon filters are installed for both the first mode and the second. After choosing the type of device, it is the turn of the choice of the required model. It is worth paying attention to the technical characteristics of the device.
Hood specifications
The main characteristic when choosing a hood is considered to be performance, which is calculated by the formula:
12 x 1.3 x S x H
| Recommended number of air updates per hour | Correction factor | Room area | Room ceiling height |
| 12 | 1,3 | S | H |
The connection method is also important, since the presence of bends reduces the performance of the device by 10%.
High-performance hoods are equipped with sufficiently powerful motors that run noisily. This is one of the disadvantages of such hoods. The normal noise level is considered to be 55 dB.
Further, when choosing, you should pay attention to the control method:
- sensory;
- button.
The latest range hoods are also equipped with a backlight that illuminates the work surface. Distinguish between LED, halogen, fluorescent backlight. Incandescent lamps are also used. Here it is worth choosing the model that fully meets the necessary requirements.
The finishing touch is the choice of the case. Expensive hoods are made of glass and stainless steel, aluminum, and cheap ones are made of plastic.
Features of the carbon filter
According to reviews, many users prefer recirculating hoods, which significantly increases the requirements for air purification. It is necessary not only to collect all the fat, but also to clean the smallest air pollution. Only the charcoal filter, which is placed behind the grease filter, can cope with this task.
It is based on activated carbon, which is known for its adsorbing properties. Activated carbon not only absorbs impurities, but also retains them. The only drawback is the frequent replacement of filters, the cost of which depends on the manufacturer.
The quality affects the performance of the device. Air throughput drops by 20% in recirculation mode. This is due to the difficulty of air movement in the device itself, which differ in density coefficient. Air passes harder as it fills. It is necessary to replace cartridges on time.
Lifetime of carbon cartridges
Such filters work on average for 4 months. However, each company makes its own recommendations regarding the length of service. Bosch filters should be changed only once a year, Gaggenau - 2 times, Krona - 1-2 times, Falmec - 1 time per 4 months, Elica - 1 time, Jetair, Elicor - 1 time. The purchase of hoods does not include replacement cartridges. Various manufacturers advise leaving the hood plugged in for five minutes, which prolongs the filter's usage period. Thus, it is possible to remove excessive moisture, the adsorbent does not cake and retains its adsorbent characteristics.
Overview of models of kitchen hoods
The Turbo Tilly WH / F / 60 flat hood belongs to a budget solution with a width of 60 centimeters. It has three operating speeds, conventional lighting (incandescent lamps), one motor, and a filter. User reviews indicate that this model performs fine cleaning and is in high demand.
Retractable hood VENTOLUX GARDA 60 DIGITAL INOX (900) is far from a budget model. It has three working speeds, the width is 60 centimeters. The model is designed for use in rooms with a large area. Productivity only confirms this - 900 cubic meters per hour. Reviews on the network confirm the effectiveness of this model.
According to reviews, one of the most popular models of the hood is the dome model KAISER A 6411 W. The width of the device is 60 centimeters, the height is 50 centimeters. Has three speeds, halogen lighting with a capacity of 780 cubic meters per hour.
