5 hood selection criteria

Criterion 1. Type of hood

The choice of the type of hood depends on your preferences, the style of the kitchen, as well as on the stage of readiness of the repair. Hoods are built -in - such models are built into a wall cabinet above the hob. Their advantage is that they are practically invisible in the kitchen, but you need to buy and install them when you “collect” and equip your kitchen with furniture. Traditional (wall / wall) hoods can be installed and connected even when the kitchen already has a complete set of furniture, but it is advisable to choose a model in advance. This is necessary in order to leave enough space between the lockers. Wall hoods also include corner models. Island hood - the most original. It is suitable for kitchens where the hob with the working area is located not against the wall, but in the centre of the room. Models of island hoods are completely different - from classic to modern, and in addition to air purification, such hoods can also be a stylish element of the interior. An island hood should be provided only at the repair stage.

Criterion 2. Mode of operation

An equally important selection criterion is the operating mode of the hood. There are two of them - this is recirculation and air exhaust. Air extraction is considered the most efficient. The principle of operation of the extraction mode is simple - the hood captures the fumes from the stove and brings them to the vent or to the street. The recirculation mode works like a filter - the hood draws air through the filter, removes smoke, grease and odours, and then returns it back to the room. But there are also disadvantages - the filters will have to be changed regularly (or cleaned if they are reusable).

Criterion 3. Which filter is better

There are 2 types of filters in the hoods - grease-absorbing, which absorbs soot and grease, and coal, which absorbs odours. In most cases, hoods are equipped with a grease filter. Coal is bought separately and is necessary so that the hood can work in recirculation mode. Keep in mind that charcoal filters clog fairly quickly.

Criterion 4. Optimum performance: how to calculate

No matter how expensive and high-quality the hood is, if its performance does not match the footage of the kitchen, it will be of little use. The performance of the hood is measured in cubic metres of air that passes through the hood in an hour. According to sanitary standards, the air in the kitchen, when the hob is operating, must be changed at least 12 times in 1 hour.

To calculate the performance, there is a universal formula: 1.3 x 12 x kitchen area x ceiling height 1.3 is the power factor 12 – the number of times the air is changed By simple multiplication, you will get the desired performance of the hood. As an example, for a kitchen with a footage of 9 m ² and a ceiling height of 2.5 m, the optimal performance of the hood will be 350 m ³ / h (1.3 * 12 * 9 * 2.5), provided that the duct is connected to the ventilation .

When calculating, it is important to take into account the conditions in which the hood will operate: whether it will be connected to the ventilation system, have a separate air duct, brought out into the street, or work as a filter. If the air duct is brought outside (although this is the best option, but not always available), the power factor may be lower. If the hood will work in circulation mode, the power factor should be higher.

Criterion 5. Type of management

It can be mechanical or electronic. The first option is simple and inexpensive. Of the minuses - with insufficient care, the buttons will quickly get dirty. Electronic control has, usually, a digital or liquid crystal display, which displays all information about the work. Such models are more expensive, but also look more solid. In addition, microprocessor hoods can support automatic on and off functions - by timer or sensor.

Nice bonuses

This, in fact, the main criteria and end. Based on this, you can already choose the most efficient range hood for your kitchen. But we also want to talk about pleasant additions. What else can you pay attention to when buying?
Material. There are hoods made of steel, plastic and even with a wooden edging. It all depends on the manufacturer and the cost of the model. Stainless steel hoods are considered the best - they are easier to care for and look great in any interior. One way or another, when choosing a material, consider whether you can regularly clean them so that the surface retains its original appearance for as long as possible.
Lighting. Each hood is equipped with lamps. They can be different: conventional (incandescent lamps are budgetary, but not profitable), fluorescent (profitable, but difficult to replace on their own), halogen and LED. Here is the price of the issue, your capabilities and preferences.
Dimensions. As for the size, the hood should be equal to the width of the plate. The width of the most common wall-mounted and built-in hoods is 60 and 90 cm. There are also hoods up to 180 cm wide. The width of island models is from 40 cm.
Additional elements. Hoods can be supplemented with automatic on and off functions (they react to the temperature of the hob or air humidity), they can have a filter contamination indicator (a signal will remind you that it is time to change the filter), a timer, and a remote control.
Anti-return valve. If the hood will be installed with an air duct leading outside or into the ventilation, pay attention to the presence of an anti-return damper. It does not allow air from the ventilation to enter the apartment when the hood is turned off.