How the hood for the kitchen is organized

Hood

The operation of all extractor systems is similar to that of a vacuum cleaner, but their purpose differs significantly. A kitchen hood is specifically designed to remove combustion particles, vapors, and unwanted odors that result from cooking. The purpose of a kitchen hood is to prevent fats from settling on walls and cabinets, ensuring that the air in the room remains fresh and clean.

The exhaust system operates by using forced ventilation to remove soot, fumes, and odors. It includes specialized filter elements that are located inside the system to trap these pollutants. An electronic or mechanical control panel is mounted on the exterior of the system. In most cases, the kitchen hood is installed on the ceiling or wall directly above the cooking surface or oven. To improve the visual design, it can be concealed in a small hanging box. This article provides a detailed discussion on the construction of kitchen hoods and their key components.

Specifics of operation

This system has been developed by experts to offer air filtration, ventilation, and the elimination of pollutants in the kitchen, including grease splatters and soot from the stove.

Important! Its main objective is to remove combustion components of natural gas that can have a negative impact on human health.

Furthermore, the kitchen hood also serves the functional purpose of removing carcinogens and maintaining a suitable air concentration in the workspace. It achieves this by continuously supplying clean air, which is in line with current sanitary and technical requirements where a minimum of 10 air exchanges per hour is necessary. In other words, the extraction system should clean the room’s air at least 10 times per hour.

The kitchen exhaust ventilation device is directly linked to the way it operates. In present-day hood designs, there are two possible technological methods: removing the polluted air or purifying the air.

Types of kitchen extractor hoods

The installation of the kitchen hood is directly dependent on the specific model chosen and understanding how it works.

There are several different options:

• Suspended hood – mounted underneath the cabinet above the cooking surface;
• Built-in cooker hood – installed within the wall-mounted cupboard to blend seamlessly with the room’s design;
• Wall hood – mounted directly on the wall above the stove and can be combined with various cabinet designs;
• Corner hood – installed in the corner of the room;
• Island hood – designed for kitchens with an island.

Before buying an extractor hood, it is important to ensure that the dimensions (length x width) of the cooking surface of the hob match. The dimensions of a built-in cooker hood should be slightly larger or at least similar.

If a smaller hood is used, it will reduce the suction efficiency of the exhaust air. This will immediately impact the overall microclimate inside the kitchen and may lead to disappointment with the purchase. Another crucial factor to consider is power, which can be determined by calculating the volume of the room. Simply multiply the area of the kitchen by its height. The capacity (m3/h) should be at least 10 times higher than the resulting value.

When it comes to electric and induction stoves, it is recommended to install the fume cupboard at a minimum height of 45 cm from the work surface. However, for gas stoves, this height should be increased by 10-15 cm. It is important to avoid reducing the distance between the hood and the stove, as it can lead to discomfort while working and increase the risk of fire due to excessive appliance heating.

Classification by type of cleaning

Based on the specific characteristics of the air purification method, all hoods can be broadly classified into two main types. The first type is the recirculation systems. These hoods take in the air from the kitchen area and pass it through specialized filters before sending it back into the room. They are not technically exhaust systems since they don’t fully remove the air from the room. Instead, they provide basic purification by utilizing specific elements within the device.

Hoods of the second kind are known as flow hoods, which allow the exhausted air to enter the home’s ventilation system and be released outside, effectively ventilating the kitchen. These systems are equipped with a specialized pipe, which can be designed as a corrugated or metal channel with a round or square shape. The device is connected to the ventilation system through this pipe.

Important! When it comes to size, devices in the first category are relatively smaller and easier to connect.

Currently, there are combined models of exhaust systems available for sale. These models incorporate both types of devices, allowing users to switch between them as desired.

Design and material of the fume cupboard

When choosing a kitchen hood, two factors are crucial: its design and how easy it is to maintain. With a wide range of models available on the market, every cook can find a hood that matches their kitchen interior perfectly. Nonetheless, there might be some challenges when it comes to cleaning and maintaining it.

To avoid this issue, it is advisable to avoid choosing fume cupboard models constructed from cheap, heat-resistant plastic and instead opt for hoods made from enameled or, better yet, aluminum. These alternatives are known for their enhanced durability and ease of cleaning. While heat-resistant glass is an aesthetically pleasing alternative, it can be quite costly and less convenient for everyday maintenance of the appliance. Ultimately, the effectiveness of the kitchen hood and the ease of its cleaning depend on the materials chosen and how promptly it is maintained.

• For classic and rustic interiors, it is important to choose discreet built-in hoods with a retro or country style. Carvings, artificially aged bodies, natural brass or antique silver elements – all of these will create a harmonious look in traditional kitchens. Additionally, many companies offer models in a retro style. By the way, a standard wall-mounted hood can also be covered with a decorative cover.
• For modern interior design, minimalist devices with clear or rounded shapes are more suitable. They can be colored or printed and have a glossy, matte, or chrome finish. The main priority is that their size and shape should not compromise the functionality of the appliances, which is often the case.
• Despite their attractive appearance and space-saving design, inclined built-in hoods are inefficient due to the tilted body. However, they are user-friendly and minimize the risk of accidental head collision for tall individuals.
• For the most cohesive kitchen design, it is advisable to choose a hood color that matches the facade, wall surface, or apron. Hoods made of metal are the easiest to maintain, along with light-colored appliances like metallic or white. On the other hand, dark hoods with a glossy surface require more care and attention.

Controls

The hood can be managed in two ways: mechanically or electronically, depending on its design. In the first option, the user can change the operating mode and control the lighting using mechanical buttons. In the second option, there is an electronic control system with an indicator that displays the selected operating mode.

Aside from aesthetics, the main benefit of electronic control in fume cupboards is the timer feature for turning them on and off. Some advanced models can also automatically adjust the operation based on the level of air flow contamination, and some even offer remote control through a dedicated remote or smartphone app. Whether or not these features are necessary depends on the individual customer and their specific requirements for the functionality of the electric hood.

One of the alternative modes is the intensive version of the device, where the fume hood operates at its highest performance level for a specific period of time before switching to the standard version. Another mode is the intermittent operation, where the hood is activated periodically according to the user’s set duration.

One thing that should be mentioned separately is the kitchen hoods that are specifically designed to function with stoves. In this case, the compatibility is ensured by the manufacturer and it must be completely identical. The control of these fume hood systems is directly done by the cooker: depending on its usage, the cooker determines the optimal mode of operation for the hood at any given time, taking into account how the hood operates in the kitchen.

The main components

The concept behind the design of the kitchen fume hood is relatively straightforward. In the case of flow hoods, the lower section functions as a grease filter or a rough cleaning detention element, specifically created to collect grease fractions and soot.

The fans are situated on the interior of the air intake and are powered by motors exclusively designed for the fume hood. In a direct flow system, there is a duct located behind the fans that connects to the home’s air handling unit.

For recirculating kitchen hood systems, charcoal filters are positioned behind the fans to filter out fine particles and eliminate unpleasant odors as the airflow is redirected back into the kitchen area. These high-quality charcoal filters are constructed from durable aluminum alloy, allowing them to be easily cleaned, much like greasy dishes.

Furthermore, they have a lightweight and non-corrosive nature, providing protection for the electrical circuitry of the unit against factors that can compromise its integrity. Carbon filters are installed using a special cassette and have a thin structure, requiring replacement in strict accordance with the recommendations outlined in the instruction manual for a specific model of the fume cupboard.

The housing component is constructed from thin metal or composite materials with a built-in noise suppression feature, catering to the needs of modern fume extraction systems. The design features are virtually identical, allowing each buyer to make their selection based on personal preference.

The operation principle of the kitchen extractor hood:

• Connect the plug of the power cord to the electrical outlet;
• Press the button corresponding to the desired intensity of the extraction unit;
• The motor velocity rises, and the ventilation system operates.

Crucial! If the domestic network has a grounding connection, it is advantageous. Otherwise, it is advisable to install the electrical wiring separately, as there is a gas pipeline in close proximity.

Electrical components

In nearly every kitchen range hood, you will find a minimum of two components:

• Lighting: It is not advised to use LEDs for this purpose due to the formation of a complex circuit, resulting in flickering that can be harmful to human health. Typically, either a regular incandescent bulb or energy-efficient elements located inside the hood are utilized.
• The second essential component is the hood motor, which incorporates several safety mechanisms. It is composed of fuses and capacitors, which are used to prevent sparking in motors that operate on a collector principle. To safeguard against spark discharge, the motor circuit includes the incorporation of varistors, which have a varying resistance based on voltage fluctuations. These elements are always installed in pairs. When sparking occurs, the voltage is directed into the housing compartment of the hood and spreads throughout the entire system, protecting the household electrical network from excessive load and preventing the electric motor winding from burning out.

A built-in hood can be equipped with a motor specially designed to withstand excessive heat. However, to ensure safety, manufacturers also include thermal fuses as part of the standard equipment. Consequently, the noise level may exceed the permissible norm, as this depends on the type of electric motor used in the fume cupboard. Therefore, it is more cost-effective and efficient to use an induction motor with a squirrel cage rotor, especially when connected to the electrical system of the kitchen hood.

In conclusion, it is important to emphasize the significance of lighting elements. Many users tend to overlook their importance, but this is a mistake. Halogen lamps are a better choice as they are energy-efficient, durable, and emit a diffused light that is gentle on the eyes.

Exhaust fan

An essential component of the kitchen exhaust hood is a fan that removes the contaminated air from the space. Diametral or tangential fans have been deemed effective in kitchen extractor hoods and can handle heavy loads with stability.

The design of the extractor fan’s impeller bears a resemblance to that of a hollow cylinder, featuring blades that are slightly curved forward. This design allows for a consistent and balanced flow of air. These ventilation devices are known for their high efficiency, with a rating of 0.7, as well as their ability to produce a high volume of airflow. The direction of the airflow can be easily controlled to suit the specific needs of the operation. Furthermore, these fans operate with minimal noise disturbance. Additionally, the system operates with a relatively low pressure level, which is dependent on the functionality of the kitchen hood.

Choosing between a recirculation hood and a direct flow hood

To achieve the most effective removal of foreign odors, it is recommended to use a direct flow hood for most situations where it is feasible. This type of extractor will efficiently extract contaminated air and clean the room more effectively than filtration.

The straight fume cupboard can be conveniently installed in any location, as long as there is a nearby ventilation system to connect it to. There is no need to extend the ventilation pipe for a long distance, as it is not recommended by the exhaust setup. Besides being aesthetically unpleasing, it can also reduce the performance of the exhaust system. Experts advise against including a 90-degree turn in the ventilation channel, as it can cause a decrease in the efficiency of the ventilation system by approximately 5%.

The direct-type extractor is fitted with a primary metallic grease filter that serves to prevent the entry of greasy residues onto the internal components of the appliance – namely the motor elements and housing parts. This can eventually result in engine malfunction and gradually evolve into an unpleasant odor source. Typically, this filter element is detachable and can be cleaned, functioning throughout all stages of the range hood’s operation. However, experience has shown that cleaning it can often prove challenging, thus occasionally necessitating the user to replace the filter.

A typical kitchen hood with air recirculation usually has two filters: one for removing oil contaminants and another for eliminating unpleasant odors. The charcoal filter, which is one of the filters, needs to be replaced periodically. It is important to note that these cleaning elements can be quite expensive, especially if you cook frequently at home.

Many kitchen exhaust systems come with an audible alert that signals when the carbon filter needs to be replaced or when preventive maintenance is required for the metal grease trap filter. This alert can be displayed through a light indicator on the control panel. In some cases, the filter itself may have special markings that disappear once it has been cleaned.

The recirculation hood is commonly used in kitchens when it is not possible to install a direct exhaust system. This can be due to a lack of access to a ventilation shaft or for aesthetic reasons, such as when a duct cannot be laid above a kitchen "island". It is important to consider how the kitchen hood is organized and to understand that recirculation hoods do not lower the temperature in the room, which may be important in a country house setting.

Straight-flow kitchen hoods often offer the option to function in recirculation mode, but an additional filter element must be purchased separately as it is not usually included in the standard equipment.

However, it is advisable to ignore budget straight-through hoods that lack any filters: although they may eliminate polluted air, they will quickly become heavily polluted themselves, making it difficult to clean them and causing them to stop functioning. This issue is also applicable to homemade hoods, as they require high-quality factory-standard filtering components for proper operation.

Classes of exhaust systems and their cost

The price of kitchen fume hoods depends on several factors:

• The device’s design;
• The power and performance characteristics;
• The type of control (electronic or mechanical);
• The number of speed and operating modes;
• The presence of additional functional options.

The categorizations of fume extraction systems are as follows:

• Economical. Cost-effective equipment with a capacity of up to 450 m3 / h. The equipment supports up to three speed modes and uses mechanical control.
• Standard. Equipment in the mid-price range with a capacity of up to 650 m3/h. The control system can be either mechanical, electronic, or sensor-based.
• Luxury. High-end equipment with a capacity of up to 1250 m3 / h. The control system utilizes sensors and a remote control. The fume hoods are equipped with sensors for humidity, temperature, and filter element contamination. The equipment offers automatic operation modes and a timer.

A few practical tips

If you’re not constrained by budget, consider getting a kitchen fume cupboard that can operate in two ways – diverting the airflow outside of the room or in automatic recirculation mode.

Regarding the motor, it’s advisable to use two low-power motors instead of one high-performance motor to prevent any negative impact on your hearing. Additionally, there are extraction systems available that are extremely quiet, with a noise level of no more than 40 dB.

When it comes to specialty retail stores, there’s a wide range of options available for kitchen hoods, making it challenging to make the right decision. However, by considering the suggestions highlighted in this article, you can confidently choose a dependable kitchen hood that will not only simplify your everyday cooking tasks but also ensure the safety and well-being of your loved ones.