What you need to know when buying a hood. Which hood is better to buy for the kitchen? Choosing a filter for a kitchen hood

Operating mode

According to the method of operation, all hoods can be divided into two types: circulation and flow. Moreover, most flow hoods have a circulation mode.

  • Circulating hoods operate autonomously, i.e. do not require connection to ventilation. Dirty air enters the hood, passes through filters (charcoal and grease filters) and returns to the room. This option is ideal for those who do not have the opportunity to vent the hood into the ventilation system or for those who do not cook much. Please note that filters must be replaced (metal grease filters - washed) every few months, otherwise the performance of the hood will decrease.
  • Flow-through Hoods remove kitchen fumes outside the building through the ventilation system. This option is convenient if it is possible to connect the hood to the ventilation system or lead the air duct to the street through special hole. Suitable for medium and large kitchens.

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If you have a small kitchen, it is not stuffy and there are no other sources of air pollution, then you can choose a circulation hood. The quality of air purification will depend on the type of filters and their timely replacement.

If you have a large kitchen or it is connected to another room (studio apartment), then it is better to opt for a flow-through hood. The air will not only be purified, but replaced with fresh air from the street. If it’s winter outside and you don’t want to cool the room, you can turn on the circulation mode.

Installation method

Hoods vary in installation method and are suspended, built-in and fireplace.

  • Hanging hoods They are compact, as a rule, operate only in circulation mode, are inexpensive and are attached to a wall or cabinet. The hood is always visible, so pay attention to the design.
  • Built-in hoods mounted in wall-mounted or floor-standing kitchen cabinets. The advantage is that the entire structure is not visible - you don’t have to bother with the design. In addition to models that are simply built into the cabinet, there are telescopic ones - the hood is not visible, but if necessary, it extends to the size of the stove. Mostly, built-in hoods operate in exhaust and/or circulation mode, but there are also those that operate only in circulation mode.
  • Fireplace hoods(or dome) operate in exhaust mode and are designed for spacious kitchens, because the design itself looks impressive. According to the method of fastening, they are divided into: corner, wall and island. The latter type is only suitable for large kitchens where the stove is located in the center of the room.

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Hood performance and dimensions

Performance refers to how much air the hood can pass through in one hour. There are options with productivity from 150 to 2500 cubic meters of air per hour. This parameter is easy to calculate:

Hood capacity = Room area x Ceiling height x 12,

where 12 is the number full replacements air per hour according to SES.

  • Small kitchen up to 10 sq. m and a ceiling height of about two and a half meters, a hood with a capacity of 280-360 cubic meters per hour with one motor is suitable.
  • An average kitchen (for example, with an area of ​​about 14 sq. m.) needs a more powerful hood with a capacity of 400 cubic meters per hour, and a second motor would not be amiss.
  • A large kitchen or studio apartment should be equipped with the most powerful hood with a capacity of 700 cubic meters per hour.

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It is better to take a hood “with a reserve”. So, in medium mode, it will fully purify the air in the room and will not make much noise, as at maximum speed.

Hood dimensions- this is its width, depth and height. In the e96 rubricator you can set any of the listed parameters. First of all, pay attention to the width.

The width of the hood should match the stove or be larger. This is a mandatory rule.

Height is a parameter that is more relevant for fireplace hoods. This is the maximum possible distance between the ventilation hole and the bottom panel of the chassis. You can find a hood with a height of one and a half meters or one meter.

Depth affects usability. You can choose a model that will fit flush with your kitchen cabinets. This best option in terms of design and practicality (you won't accidentally hit your head).

When calculating the appropriate dimensions of the hood, keep in mind that it is installed at a certain distance above the stove (65-85 cm, depending on the model). If you want to install the hood higher, you will have to pay more for performance. In addition, warranty repairs may be denied due to improper use.

Important parameters

The noise that the hood makes during operation can interfere with conversation and simply tire you. The best option is when the noise level does not exceed 40-50 decibels. It is influenced by:

  • number and power of motors
  • duct type and parameters
  • hood speed

Motors come in different powers. The more powerful the fan motor, the greater the performance, but also the noise produced. Therefore, between a hood with one powerful motor and two weaker ones, it is better to choose the second one.

Air duct if constructed incorrectly, it not only creates additional noise, but reduces the performance of the hood. It is best if it is wide and made of PVC.

Operating speeds there are at least two in the hood. Many hoods boast three or even four speeds. This is quite enough for the daily tasks of an ordinary housewife. However, there are also monsters with ten speeds, but they are more suitable for the kitchens of catering establishments. The lower the speed, the less noise.

There are hoods with a noise insulation system and special quiet motors, but they cost an order of magnitude more than regular ones.

Details: backlight and control type

Backlight is an additional function of the hood and helps to assess the readiness of food.

  • Incandescent lamps. If you like nice, warm lighting, then this is the option for you. But remember that they are very energy-consuming and short-lived.
  • Halogen lamps. Their advantage is even, bright light. However, energy consumption is also high, and the service life is short. If you need additional source bright light in the kitchen is your choice.
  • Fluorescent lamps create cool, diffused light. They are considered the most economical, but they do not shine too brightly. They are quite rare in hoods.

Housewives who cannot imagine their life without cooking and culinary experiments know firsthand about such companions of the creative process as unpleasant odors, fat, stains and soot. A kitchen hood, correctly selected and correctly installed above the stove, will help you cope with such annoying troubles. An obvious solution to the problem involves finding answers to additional questions: how to choose it, what criteria should the device meet, which manufacturers are the most reliable? Today's article will be devoted to these current topics.

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    Purpose and features of work

    All modern hoods are basically built on the principle forced ventilation air. Today this is one of the the most effective ways eliminating fumes, unpleasant odors, small parts and combustion products. In the kitchen, not only odors are formed, but also fat that accompanies almost every cooking.

    Inside the device there is a special filtration system that absorbs soot, fumes, and a “bouquet of accompanying aromas.” The device also includes a small electric motor with a fan, necessary for forced ventilation. The listed components are located in the housing, upper part which includes mechanical or electronic control.

    The choice often comes down to specifying the method of purifying air masses. According to this parameter, all devices are divided into 2 types:

    • recirculation - the contaminated stream is purified through filters, after which the air is discharged back into the room;
    • flow-through - types of kitchen hoods in which the purified flow is discharged through ventilation system out. The main condition is that it must be functioning.

    Operating principle of flow and recirculation devices

    Most of them are fixed either to the ceiling. If it is necessary to maintain the aesthetic integrity and design intent of the kitchen, it can always be hidden in a small wall cabinet. In this case, the device will remain invisible.

    Types of kitchen hoods

    Classic solutions

    Professionals know that the best hoods for the kitchen are suspended flat ones, which are mounted directly above the stove. The logic here is obvious - what simpler device, the more effective and safe it is. According to statistics, up to 80% of such units operate in air recirculation mode.

    Classic kitchen option

    The kitchen hood works in tandem with disposable carbon filters. This type units are considered the most affordable and easiest to install. The main disadvantage is that unpleasant odors are only partially absorbed. There are also suspended flow-through types of kitchen hoods on sale, but they are more expensive, and for installation it is better to seek the help of a specialist.

    Please note! They purify the air much more effectively, and for complete and quality work they do not require carbon filters.

    Embedded Solutions

    These kitchen hoods fit seamlessly above the stove at the base of the wall cabinet design. The main advantage of such devices is their excellent combination with the interior and impeccable aesthetics. Most of them are equipped with a small retractable panel, thanks to which you can increase the effective absorption area of ​​evaporation and polluted air. built-in type is quite high.

    Built-in model

    Please note! It starts to work in the same mode in whichand was turned off.

    Manufacturers equip all types of built-in kitchen hoods with reliable filtration mechanisms and two powerful electric motors. Their cost is slightly higher than units of the classical layout, and the performance is better, not to mention the excellent aesthetics. And if the choice comes down to traditional or built-in solutions, we recommend giving preference to the latter.

    Dome products

    Dome hoods for the kitchen are mounted above the base of the stove near the ceiling. Visually, they echo the shape of the dome, for which they received the corresponding tension. As for the operating features, they are comparable to fireplace exhaust systems. The hood device in the kitchen is quite simple: fans take in air, after which it is filtered and redirected into the room or diverted into the ventilation shaft.

    Dome models

    Such models traditionally top the ratings of the most sought-after and popular among buyers. They are distinguished by their design versatility, thanks to which they can complement the interior of any room. How to choose a dome-type kitchen hood? In most cases, you should rely on the design of the device, and technical characteristics are no longer so important.

    Now you know what kitchen hoods are, but this knowledge is not enough to make a full choice. It is necessary to take into account a number technical features these household solutions. Let's look at them in more detail.

    Power and performance

    Experienced specialists, answering the question of how to choose the right hood for the kitchen, recommend focusing on its performance. This is the most important technical characteristic that directly affects air purity. By productivity we should understand the specific digital value of cubic meters of air masses that the unit is capable of filtering.

    You can calculate the corresponding value yourself. The volume of the room is multiplied by 12 (in accordance with sanitary standards, the frequency of air changes in the kitchen is 12 times/hour), and then by a factor of 1.3. When choosing household devices, we recommend that you carry out at least approximate calculations in accordance with the formula presented below.

    Formula for calculating productivity

    Among other things, a number of additional factors should be taken into account. It should be located at a height of 60 to 85 cm from the hob. If set above the specified values, it is necessary to provide a power reserve.

    Example! Which hood is better for a kitchen with an area of ​​17 m2, with a ceiling height of 2.7 m? – The optimal performance option is 716 m 3 /hour.


    Table for calculating the power of the device, based on the kitchen area and ceiling height

    In old houses, the ventilation system, the air duct in particular, may not be able to cope with such a significant load. What to do in this case? It will be good to use the unit, but not at the maximum possible power. Thanks to this, it is possible to reduce the noise level by several orders of magnitude.

    Advice! A kitchen hood should be selected taking into account the culinary preferences of a particular family. Do you cook a lot every day? – Take care of the maximum performance of the device.

    When choosing a unit for a stove, you should take into account its performance. Featured in retail network solutions are characterized by power up to 500 W. This is quite enough to ensure high performance.

    Important selection criteria

    Size. When answering the question of how to choose a hood for the kitchen, many experts advise following simple advice– the width of the device should be slightly larger than the width of the slab. In this case, the device will be able to effectively absorb fumes and unpleasant odors. You can also consider matching these two sizes.

    Filtration system. Different ones are capable of absorbing soot, unpleasant odors, fats and even small particles in different ways. To get rid of fats, it is customary to use special metal solutions. Most of them have a removable design. It can be washed without problems and used for a long time.

    Filter options

    Control Features. Modern devices for kitchens are equipped with electronic or mechanical control systems. Some models have slide switches. They are much more convenient and simpler for the user.

    Which hood to choose is entirely up to you, but it’s best to choose a system with remote control. In this case, it will be possible to control the operation of the device using a tablet or smartphone while being at the opposite end of the city. Naturally, you will have to install an additional application.

    Control Panel

    Noise level. When asked which hoods are best for the kitchen, most potential buyers say that they are quiet. And the rating of consumer requests presented below only confirms this opinion. The noise level should be assessed according to the following values:

    • up to 35 dB – the quietest devices, the operation of which is comparable to a whisper;
    • up to 45 dB - relatively quiet units that function in the same way as a normal conversation;
    • up to 50 dB – permissible noise;
    • up to 70 dB – limiting acoustic value.


The kitchen is the room that needs high-quality ventilation more than others. And it’s not even about the smells that arise during cooking. There are almost always particles of steam, grease and soot in the kitchen air. They settle on the ceiling and walls, forming a sticky yellowish coating, but the most unpleasant thing is that these particles are inhaled by all the inhabitants of the house, and this does not improve health in any way. Air conditioners do not provide the necessary air circulation, so in order to avoid all these problems, it is worth installing a hood in the kitchen. We will talk about how to choose the right hood for the kitchen in this article.

Power

The first parameter that you should pay attention to when choosing a kitchen hood is its power. The more powerful the device, the better it will cope with its functions. But powerful hoods also have a higher cost, so when purchasing, it is wiser to use the “necessary and sufficient” rule.

It is not difficult to determine the required hood power for a specific kitchen. First of all, you need to know the volume kitchen area. To do this, just multiply the kitchen area by the ceiling height. At a minimum, the hood should pass through itself a volume of air equal to 10 volumes of the kitchen in one hour. Thus, for a kitchen with an area of ​​8.5 square meters and with a ceiling height of 2.8, a hood with a minimum power of 8.5x2.8x10 = 238 cubic meters per hour is required.

However, there are a number of other factors that need to be taken into account when determining the minimum required power hoods:

  1. If a carbon filter is installed in the hood (we’ll talk about filter types later), then you need to add 10% to the received power;
  2. If the kitchen is combined with a living room or dining room, then the hood power increases by another 30%;
  3. And finally, working “at the limit”, the hood will quickly fail, so a power reserve of 30-40% will not be superfluous.

Thus, the minimum power of a hood with a carbon filter for a kitchen with an area of ​​8.5 m2 is approximately 477 cubic meters per hour. The average power of kitchen hoods ranges from 500 to 700 cubic meters per hour, so almost any of them is suitable for work in a small and medium-sized kitchen.

Filter type

The second most important parameter of kitchen hoods is the type of filtration used in them.

For flow-through hoods, one grease filter is sufficient, while for circulation hoods, a double filtration system is required - a carbon filter is added, which neutralizes unpleasant odors. Let's look at each type of filter in more detail.

Grease-catching

Grease filter

These filters are a cassette with an insert made of filter material - padding polyester or non-woven fabric. When the filter layer becomes dirty, the cassette is thrown away and a new one is inserted in its place.

There are also reusable aluminum filters that need to be cleaned periodically.

Carbonic

These filters are also called fine filters. Filtration in them is carried out by passing air through a layer of powder activated carbon, which perfectly absorbs excess moisture, unpleasant odors and even tobacco smoke. The thicker the layer of carbon powder, the better the filtration will occur. True, such filters also require a larger power reserve. The service life of the fine filter is from 6 to 12 months.

Carbon filter

If you purchase a flow-through hood, you can get by with a model with one filter, but if you have a circulation hood, then you cannot do without a fine carbon filter.

There are budget models of hoods that do not have filters at all. But it is not recommended to purchase these, since particles of fat and soot will then settle on the fan blades, which can lead to breakdowns.

Hood size

The size of the hood is a parameter that does not affect its functionality. However, it can be decisive, especially when it comes to small-sized kitchens. The width of the hood cannot be less than the width of the stove. Otherwise, the hood will not completely capture the polluted air. In addition, it is necessary to take into account the minimum permissible distance from hob before the hood. It should be no less than 65 centimeters for electric stoves and 75 centimeters for gas stoves. Thus, install in the kitchen with low ceilings high dome hood it won't work.

Hood design

The size of the hood directly depends on its design. There are five types of designs: built-in, dome, island, retractable and classic.

Classical

Classic circulation hood

The simplest and most inexpensive hoods. Classic hoods operate in circulation mode and differ in a simple way installation You can install such a hood in any kitchen.

Dome hood

Dome hood

These hoods are shaped like a dome and can operate in both circulation and flow modes. In terms of its dimensions, this is the largest type of hoods, but their operating efficiency is much higher than that of other models. Installation of such a hood is carried out only in those places where it is possible to connect them with ventilation.

Retractable

When the hood is turned off, the hood panel can be hidden (retracted) into the housing, which saves space. This type of hood is relevant for small kitchens However, they usually have low power.

Built-in

The main feature of these models is that they do not have an external casing, but are designed to be built into kitchen furniture. The cabinet for the hood will have to be ordered specially, but it will be hidden, thus not disturbing the design of the kitchen.

In their design, island hoods resemble dome hoods, the only difference being that they are not attached to the wall, but only to the ceiling. Recommended for use in large kitchens where the stove is located in the middle of the room.

Air duct

The presence of an air duct (connection to ventilation) in the hood significantly increases its performance, although it increases the overall dimensions. When installing the air duct, it should be taken into account that each bend (bend) reduces the hood performance by 5%, accordingly requiring a proportional increase in power. Thus, if you purchase a hood with an air duct, we recommend that you decide on its design in advance in order to correctly adjust the minimum required power of the device.

Please note that smooth pipes The air duct facilitates better air flow, and corrugated hoses, despite the ease of their installation, impede it.

Lighting type

Almost all modern hoods are equipped with lighting. The cost of a hood may vary, although not significantly, depending on the type of lamps used in the lighting system. Halogen lamps are more expensive than others, but they consume a minimum of electricity and create the most natural light. Conventional incandescent lamps are the cheapest, but they burn out quite quickly and are the most “uneconomical”. Fluorescent lighting lasts quite a long time, but such light distorts the natural colors of dishes, which can negatively affect the culinary process (for example, when visual definition degree of doneness).

Noise level

The noise level produced by the hood is directly proportional to its power. That is, the more powerful the fan motor, the more noise it produces. On the other side, powerful fan To clean the air in a room, you need to work “at maximum” for a much shorter period of time. So it’s up to you to decide whether you want to hear the “noisy hood” for a short time or “enjoy” the quiet hum of a low-power motor all day.

Case material and appearance

Everyone is free to choose the appearance of the hood, as well as the material from which it is made, according to their preference. Some people prefer a stainless steel hood in a high-tech style, some prefer a domed hood, stylized as an antique stove, while others will prefer discreet plastic models. The main thing is that the material from which the hood is made is of high quality and durable.

Stainless steel hood

Please note that a stainless steel hood requires significantly more complex care than plastic or laminated models. On metal, even small drops of water are much more visible after drying.

Control Panel

There are three types of control panels for kitchen hoods.

Push Button Control

The simplest version of the panel, in which each hood function has a separate button. The downside is that you have to press the button several times to change the power.

Slider or slider control

Switching functions is carried out by moving the slider handle along the corresponding indicators. Reliable type adjustments, allowing you to adjust the power as accurately as possible.

Touch control

Touch control of the hood

The most “elite” type of panel, in which switching is carried out by lightly touching the sensor.

Additional features

All other things being equal, the decisive factor when choosing a hood may be the presence of additional functions. Here are the main ones:

  • Timer. The function allows you to set the time to turn the hood on/off;
  • Humidity and smoke sensor. Automatically turns on the hood if necessary;
  • Periodic activation. Unlike a timer, which allows you to simply turn the hood on or off at a certain time, the periodic switching function allows you to set a constant operating mode. For example, turn on the hood every hour for 15 minutes;
  • Residual fan stroke. After turning off the hood, the function continues to operate the fan at low speeds for 10-15 minutes. Due to this, maximum ventilation of the room is achieved.

Selection by manufacturer

The most popular hoods are from trusted brands such as Siemens, Bosch, Electrolux, Kuppersberg and Zanussi. Most models of hoods from these manufacturers belong to the middle and high price segment, but the quality and reliability of the devices fully justify their high cost.

Among the relatively inexpensive, but at the same time sufficient quality hoods we can mention Slovenian Gorenje, Polish Hansa, Russian ELIKOR and South Korean Samsung.

We do not recommend purchasing hoods from unknown Chinese and Taiwanese manufacturers, even despite their low cost.

In conclusion, we invite you to watch a video from Channel One on how to choose a hood for the kitchen.

As you can see, when choosing a kitchen hood you need to pay attention to many aspects. We hope that the article will help you make the right choice and purchase a hood that will be most suitable for your kitchen.

Born in 1977 in Donetsk, Ukraine. Graduated from the Donetsk Polytechnic Institute (now Donetsk State Technical University) with a degree in Automated Control Systems. Worked at the Donetsk Metallurgical Plant. In 1997 he moved to Moscow, where for 8 years he worked in several construction teams.

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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? So that the kitchen always sparkles with cleanliness, and your new renovation stayed fresh as long as possible, you just need to install a hood over 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

All hoods work based on the principle of forced ventilation. They remove not only unpleasant odors from the air in the kitchen, but also combustion products, which cannot be avoided during cooking.

Inside the hood there is a system of special filters that capture soot, odors and fumes. Any model has a forced ventilation system. All this is enclosed in a housing that is equipped with an electronic or mechanical control panel. All hoods are divided into two types, depending on how the air is purified in them: circulation and flow.

Circulating hoods

The principle of operation of such hoods is that they pass polluted air through them, clean them and release them back into the room. Their design is simple, they are equipped with special coarse filters, which remove particles of soot, grease and dust. But such hoods also have fine filters, these are carbon filters that neutralize odors and capture even the smallest particles that pollute the air.

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 the 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, and this additional costs. 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, clean it and release it out using external system ventilation. 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 of such a cleaning system is 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 new kitchen. Before installation, it is necessary to carefully consider the location of such a hood relative to vent. 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 through an open window is necessary, and this is not always convenient or 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. The need for free air access

Types of kitchen hoods

Traditional or classic hood

These are flat and suspended hoods, mounted on the wall under the suspended 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 often need to spend 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 exhaust system 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, it 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 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. Such models are equipped 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 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 In an hour of operation, a hood can 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 ability ventilation duct limited, since even during construction it was envisaged natural ventilation premises, and throughput mines may be lower than the capabilities of the hood you choose. What to do then? Do not turn on the hood 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 hoods have a power rarely 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 work surface slabs! 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 sensors smoke. 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 the apartment, city and 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 appliances, 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.

Lighting devices. Almost all hoods are equipped with them. Conventional incandescent, halogen or fluorescent lamps can be used. 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 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 at 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 of the model.

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.

The modern market offers a huge range of modern hoods from various manufacturing companies. Such devices differ in their functionality, dimensions, design solutions. Sometimes it is quite difficult to choose the most optimal product for yourself. Therefore, the best option is to seek qualified help from professionals. After all, it is very important which parameters should be taken into account when selecting a device, as well as what mistakes are the most common when choosing. In this publication, we will look in detail at how to choose a hood for the kitchen - advice from professionals for you.

Depending on the principle of operation, there are several types of hoods:


Kitchen hood housing type

First of all, it is important to decide which type of hood body will be the best option for your kitchen. Today, the line of the most popular manufacturers includes the following designs:


How to choose hood power for the kitchen

When thinking about how to choose the right hood for a kitchen in a private home, you should correctly determine the required level of performance, which is measured in m3/h. After all, if there is a need to select this type of equipment, then it is better that it removes polluted air from the room as efficiently as possible. Accordingly, power indicators should not be neglected.
According to experts, the calculation formula is very simple. You need to multiply the kitchen area by the height and then by a factor of 12. This number reflects the generally accepted sanitary standard, which says that the device must extract every cubic meter of air in the room in one hour and must be renewed 12 times. In addition, you need to take care of the power reserve, so the finished value will need to be increased by 20%.

How to choose a good hood: about dimensions

Choosing the correct dimensions of the hood is quite simple. In this regard, the advice of professionals sounds like this: the width of the exhaust panel should be slightly larger compared to the stove. This is necessary to prevent dirty air from rising past the fan. Today there are numerous devices of different widths on the market (from 45 to 90 cm). That's why you should choose your most good option, considering individual characteristics, not at all difficult.

Nature of management

When deciding how to choose a kitchen hood, be sure to inquire about the type of control of the device you like. In modern units, parameters can be adjusted using a touch system, pseudo-sensors or mechanical buttons. If you need to choose an inexpensive hood, then it is better to focus on the last two options. If the budget is not strictly limited, then a hood with touch control is quite suitable.

Kitchen hood lighting

It is convenient when the work area is illuminated using light bulbs located on the hood panel. When choosing one or another technology option, keep in mind that such lighting must be of very high quality; you should not save money and take the cheapest options. It is better if it is represented by LED or halogen lamps, since such light sources provide a higher quality luminous flux. And this parameter is very important during cooking.

Noise level

Choosing a hood and taking care of home comfort we always wish that it was not noisy. That is why, before purchasing, be sure to consult and clarify the data in the technical data sheet regarding the solution you have chosen. Consider the following noise levels:

  • 60 dB – the volume level of a normal conversation;
  • 90 dB – scream;
  • 100 dB and above is the noise that occurs when a lawn mower is operating.

If you need a quiet kitchen hood, the best solution there will be indicators not exceeding 45 dB.

Material of manufacture

This parameter is extremely important, since the complexity or ease of daily maintenance of the hood depends on its choice. The easiest way to remove dirt and grease is from an enamel surface. This material is also good for its inexpensive cost, as well as excellent reliability and durability. Stainless steel is more expensive. It looks very impressive in the interior of the kitchen, and also attracts with its long service life. Tinted glass is considered the most expensive. This material is very attractive in appearance, but is too labor-intensive for daily care.

Additional options

Among the additional parameters of modern hoods, it is worth paying attention to the following:

  • Automatic speed switching. Models that support this function are equipped with a special sensor on the body. It reacts to the appearance of soot and immediately switches to the most optimal fan speed.
  • Creating air flow. This option redirects air flow directly to the fan from the front panel. In this case, the evaporation for work area will not be distributed.
  • Emergency indication and protective shutdown when threats arise. This function is the key to the safety of the device.
  • Residual move. Models equipped with this option leave the fan on in a special slow mode for another ten to twenty minutes after switching off, which allows you to better clean the air from fumes.
  • Interval switching on. This functionality ensures freshness in the kitchen by periodically turning on the fan (one or several times per hour).

When choosing a high-quality model, be sure to pay attention to products manufactured by leading global companies. Such companies use high quality materials And innovative technologies, which ultimately significantly increases the service life of the hood.

Main conclusions

You can't do without a hood in the kitchen. When choosing your best option, be sure to consider:

  • Dimensions;
  • Functional;
  • Design features;
  • Design.

This is the only way to buy a good device that will not only please your appearance, but will also make the air inside the kitchen fresh and clean.