It's hard to imagine without an air purifier modern kitchen... The smell of cooking food, stuffiness, dirty plaque on the ceiling, walls and furniture, an unfavorable climate in the house - all this is long in the past thanks to the invention of this irreplaceable assistant. Before answering the question, how to choose a range hood? It is necessary to figure out what kind of hoods are, to consider their types and functional features.

Why are hoods so necessary?

A lot depends on the state of the air: from the taste of dishes that are prepared or stored indoors, to the well-being of family members. Inadequate ventilation may cause dizziness and unpleasant odors spoil the mood and impair appetite, which is why it is necessary to purify the air. Ventilation of the room weakly saves from the smell of burning directly in the working area, therefore, in order to improve the climate in the house, it will be better to catch odors immediately above the stove. To accomplish this task, an extractor hood is needed in any kitchen. Especially necessary and important with a gas stove, it catches carbon monoxide, which are released during combustion.

When we choose a hood, we want it to be efficient, quiet, not very expensive, look stylish in the interior, require simple installation, and reliably improve the home climate. How to choose a hood for the kitchen and how to find out which one you need is determined by many parameters that we will list in this article.

Do I need a hood in a kitchen with an electric stove

Many people purchasing an electric stove wonder whether a hood is needed? A fairly common misconception about the unimportance of the hood when using an electric or induction hob... Indeed, electric stoves do not emit carbon monoxide like gas, this is their main advantage. But the smells when cooking on an electric stove are the same as the presence of burning when frying food. The smell of food throughout the apartment is not the most pleasant moment. Therefore, we answer with confidence - you should also approach the choice of a hood for an electric stove if you had a gas stove.

Types of exhaust devices

The shape can be distinguished the following types hoods for the kitchen: flat wall, built-in and domed.

Suspended

The most common type is suspended. Such devices are cheaper than other models, their installation is not difficult and does not require the participation of a specialist. Such a device is located above the hob, and a cabinet can still be placed above it, since the flat model does not require installation under the ventilation duct. Air purifiers of this type sometimes look cumbersome in the interior, however, with proper selection, they will support both classic elements and notes modern design... The flat model is equipped with replaceable filters, which are best replaced in time for efficient operation.

Embedded

Built-in appliances are installed in a special cabinet and are almost invisible, only the exhaust surface itself is visible from the outside. These are equipped with an air duct that goes into the ventilation duct: it is located behind the cabinet doors. Many built-in models are equipped with a pull-out panel that allows you to increase the working surface of the device, when folded, the dimensions are narrow. These units have a low noise level, a laconic design that allows you to remain invisible in the interior, both retro and modern.

Dome

Dome hoods are the most fashionable and interesting option... There are design models that will take center stage in kitchen interior... They resemble a fireplace chimney: a thick channel and a dome, so they fit perfectly into classic styles or retro. These air cleaners are the most diverse in terms of design. White, black or colored, glass, metal or wood, retro or hi-tech - modern design ideas allow you to choose the perfect device that will meet the most demanding taste. Fume hoods of this retro design are popular in country houses.

Sometimes referred to as domed, and sometimes such types are distinguished separately. kitchen hoods as an island air purifier and hood with glass.

Insular

Located in the middle of the room, attached to the ceiling above the slab. Such an interesting installation is used in the interior, where the working area is made in the form of an island. The round shape looks especially interesting, the surface can be either flat or curved. These types of devices are suitable for a retro-design TV show style.

With glass

The hood with glass (modern) is designed to perform not only its main function, but also serves as a design element in the interior. In such devices, the backlight looks especially interesting, especially if the hood with glass is not easy transparent, but white, black or, for example, smoky. Glass types of hoods are not suitable for a retro interior, as they look super modern.

Air purification mode

According to the principle of operation, air purifiers are of three types:

1. flowing;
2. recirculating;
3. combined.

Flow hoods are called kitchen hoods with a connection to the ventilation (air duct). The air is captured by the fan impeller and immediately expelled through the duct from the room. According to this principle, the old classic options in the retro style that are familiar to us work. Flow-through types of devices emit less noise than recirculation ones.

Hoods for a kitchen with an air duct, although more efficient than recirculation ones, have one serious drawback: complex installation. Plus, it is not always possible to punch a technological hole for, the ventilation duct may be absent or be too far away.

Most modern kitchen hoods with an air duct work in a combined mode (outlet - circulation), you can bring it under the ventilation duct, or you can use it independently. They are also equipped with an ARS system that reacts to the smell of burning. Thanks to this system, the air cleaner turns on automatically according to the signal of the sensor, which makes it possible to better capture even the slightest odors.

Performance

Performance is one of the important parameters, showing how much air the unit "pumps" per unit of time. The larger the dimensions of the kitchen, the greater the performance should be. In order to determine what performance to choose for your kitchen in order to maximize the climate, calculate the volume of the room by multiplying its area by the height, and then multiply the resulting number by 12. But even for a small kitchen, it is better to choose models with a capacity of at least 350 cubic meters / hour. The most common performance of modern air cleaners: 702, 851 and 1020 cubic meters / hour.

Control Panel

Exhaust devices also differ in the way they are controlled. The following types can be distinguished:

• push-button (raised buttons),
• touch (flat non-convex buttons),
• slider (mechanical horizontal switch),
• remote (using the remote control).

It is difficult to say which types of kitchen hoods are better for control - the choice is determined only by your preferences and the general style in technology and interior: a slider or button panel will fit better in retro style, and a touch panel in a modern one. However, it should be noted that sliders and buttons are more prone to dirt and more difficult to clean, which cannot be said about their more modern counterparts.

Connection to communications

Correct installation of the purifier is the key to its high-quality work. To connect the device to the ventilation system, use short pipes. The more elbows the ventilation duct has, the lower the performance of the device (each bend reduces this indicator by 5%).

It is better to choose a duct with smooth walls and a large diameter. Corrugated hoses, despite their convenient installation, significantly reduce performance.

Dimensions (edit)

The choice of the size of the hood depends on the area of ​​the gas or electric stove, the size should be no less (or better - more), narrow devices cannot fully fulfill their functions. Standard sizes, which are most often on sale - 45, 60 and 90 cm. The height of the air cleaner is located depending on the type of hob. Air purification is required by all hobs without exception - from an old Soviet retro stove to a modern electric or induction hob... Above the gas stove, the level at which the air cleaner is installed is no higher than 80 cm, and above the electric one can be lower - in the region of 70 cm.

Noise level

The noise level is one of important indicators when choosing any home appliance. No matter how effectively he copes with his task, the excess noise will cause discomfort to the owners, cause irritation and even provoke a headache. The ideal model should be powerful enough, but at the same time quiet, not create unnecessary noise, in order to effectively purify the air without causing inconvenience to the owners. Experts advise choosing a hood with a noise level of no higher than 50 dB. The lower the manufacturer declares the noise level, the better, it will be right to make a choice in favor of the minimum noise.

Body material

The choice of high-quality material for the hood body is quite important. Inexpensive fume hoods are made of enamel. Polished stainless steel looks much more solid, but this also affects the price of such devices. In addition, steel is more picky in care, soot sticks to it more, and it is impossible to clean it with abrasive products - there will be scratches. The hood with glass is made of tempered glass, resistant to damage and temperatures, it closes the ventilation duct, protects it from contamination. However, the glass surface, especially the white one, needs to be cleaned almost daily, otherwise streaks and stains will ruin the entire appearance... To properly care for such a surface, you need household chemicals for cleaning glass.

Lighting

Lighting above the stove is never superfluous, which is why modern air purifiers are equipped with backlighting. This can be a halogen, fluorescent or incandescent lamp. Most often, light sources are located at the back of the device. In new models, there is a rotary lamp, with which you can focus the light flux in the desired area and change its intensity. A hood with glass is usually equipped with a large number of lamps and can even replace a full-fledged chandelier. In low light conditions, you can choose this type of hood.

Additional functions

1. "Interval switching on" - the hood is periodically switched on after a certain period of time, this function is needed to ensure a constant supply of fresh air.
2. "Residual run" - after turning off the appliance, the fan will run in quiet mode for 5-15 minutes to perfectly clean the air and get rid of odors left on the stove after cooking.

To keep the air in an apartment or house fresh, without foreign odors, an effective ventilation system is needed. In addition, in the kitchen, it is necessary to quickly remove the smells of cooking food, fumes and soot that are formed in the process. The most productive way is a special device - a kitchen hood. This device is placed above the stove and sucks in polluted air with the help of built-in fans. Let's talk about how to choose a hood for the kitchen.

What is a cooker hood and what is it for?

Cooker hood - device forced ventilation, which removes the smell of cooking food, cleans the air from steam, smoke, soot, gas combustion products, etc. It does not allow fumes to spread throughout the apartment, soot does not settle on walls, furniture, textiles. As a result, repairs and cleaning are required less often, and the feeling of freshness and cleanliness lasts longer, and not only in the kitchen, but throughout the apartment or house.

In a kitchen with a gas stove, an extractor hood is needed because it removes the products of gas combustion more efficiently than natural ventilation. But that doesn't mean over electric stove it is not needed. There is vapor in any case - you cook with gas or with electricity. The difference in the required power - for gas stoves, it should be higher than for electric ones.

Types of hoods for the kitchen

It will be easier to choose a hood for the kitchen if you know what types of exhaust equipment are, their advantages, disadvantages, and features. First of all, let's decide on the operating mode. They are of two types:

There are models of kitchen hoods that combine both types (combined), the operating modes are switched by a button. These devices are more expensive, more versatile, but have disadvantages of both types: a powerful ventilation system with sufficient performance and replacement of filters are needed.

Classification by type of location

To choose a hood for the kitchen, you must also decide on the type of its location. With this, everything is simple - we choose depending on where the stove is:

You also need to choose the type of kitchen hood according to the installation method. The difference is the way you interact with furniture. On this basis, they are:

Having dealt with the types, you know how to choose a hood for the kitchen according to this principle, but there is still technical specifications and additional functions and they must be dealt with separately.

Technical specifications

After selecting the type of hood for the kitchen, you need to decide on the technical characteristics. These are performance, power consumption, number of motors and operating modes, noise level, type of control, dimensions.

Lighting is a useful option

It must also be said that most hoods have lamps for illumination. working area... This is almost the norm, the difference is only in the number of lamps and their power, but this is also worth paying attention to. This is a very useful option as there is no need to arrange the lighting in any other way. What else can you pay attention to? The type of lamps. More often there are ordinary incandescent lamps, sometimes halogen lamps, but there are models with LED (BOSCH DIB091K50, NEFF I79MT64N1, IEMENS LC98, etc.). They give brighter light, and consume 9-10 times less electricity.

Performance selection

The performance of a cooker hood is the ability to purify a certain volume of air per unit of time. Usually measured in cubic meters per hour (cube / hour or m 3 / h). To choose a kitchen hood for this parameter, you need to know its volume. This requires the width, length and height of the room. We multiply these data (in meters), we get the volume. For example, a kitchen is 3 * 3 meters with a ceiling height of 2.7 m. Multiplying all three numbers, we get 3 * 3 * 2.7 = 24.3 cubic meters.

According to the norms of SES in the kitchen, the air must change at least 12 times per hour, therefore we multiply the figure found by 12. For our example, it turns out: 24.3 * 12 = 291.6 cubic meters / hour. This will be the minimum performance for this example. There is even some reserve here, since part of the volume is occupied by furniture.

In addition to calculations, it is worth considering the features of the layout and the size of the kitchens. In small kitchens, the intensity of the odors is greater. For faster removal, it is worth having a power reserve of about 25-30%. Since the example considered the kitchen is clearly small - 3 * 3 meters, we multiply the figure found by 1.3. It turns out 291.6 cubic meters / hour * 1.3 = 379.8 cubic meters / hour. That is, you need to look for a kitchen hood with a capacity of at least 380 cubic meters / hour.

The same or a greater margin of productivity is needed if either a canteen. Although the volumes are large here, odors must be removed even faster, otherwise they will spread throughout the apartment, which is completely undesirable. The stock can be 40% or more (accordingly, it must be multiplied by 1.4 or 1.5).

Number of motors, operating speeds, noise level

Air is sucked into the hood when the exhaust fan is running. Usually it is one, but there may be two (for some models GORENJE, BOSCH, HANSA, KAISER). By turning them on / off, we change the performance of the equipment. In addition, the fans can have several speeds. By changing the speeds, we more accurately adjust the operating mode to the given situation. This removes odors and saves electricity.

For example, a kettle is boiling on the stove. To remove steam / odor, it is enough to turn on one fan at minimum speed. When all the burners are occupied, in order to cope with the situation, we turn on everything to the maximum. So everything is clear here - the more modes of operation, the more accurately you can control the situation.

When choosing a cooker hood, pay attention to the level of noise generated by the fans. The maximum permissible noise level in an apartment in the daytime is 55 dB, at night - 40 dB. Comfortable 25-35 dB. It is clear that the hood should be as quiet as possible. The problem is that these models cost more.

Anti-return valve

Highly useful thing for hoods with a vent for ventilation, but is usually installed in expensive models. This valve prevents backflow of contaminated air in the event of backflow. If there is a strong wind outside, which blows into the pipe, it blocks the gap. BOSCH DIB091K50, NEFF I79MT64N1 and some other models have such a valve.

The good news is that if this valve is not present, it can be installed on the duct. They are sold in the same stores as corrugation or other types of air ducts.

Control type and additional functions

The kitchen hood can be mechanically or electronically controlled. The simplest, cheapest and most reliable is push-button, with or without sliders. The front panel has buttons / toggle switches and sliders. We change their position, turn on and turn off the motors, change the speed of the fans. The same buttons turn on and off the backlight. This control is understandable, familiar, it is easy to repair it in case of failure. The disadvantage is that in order to change something, you need to go to the installation and press the buttons, it is impossible to organize automatic work.

Mechanical control - familiar and understandable

Electronic control is of varying degrees of complexity. There are models with buttons - tactile or touch (SHINDO Aero Duo, HANSA), with the help of which the operating modes are set. There are models with remote control, sometimes it is also possible to change modes from the panel on the hood. In any case, there is a small LCD screen that displays the current state of the equipment.

Electronic control makes it possible to set the timer to turn off or turn on the motors at a certain time. There is also equipment that automatically changes the speed of work depending on the degree of air pollution (sensors). There are models that can be controlled via Wi-Fi from anywhere in the world. It is clear that this equipment is more complex and expensive. With all this, it is more demanding on the power supply - such control is done on microprocessors, and they often fail during surges in our power grids.

Electronic - gives you more options

In general, it is not too difficult to choose a cooker hood for the kitchen according to this principle. If the budget is limited, mechanical control will be more appropriate. The type of implementation - buttons, knobs or sliders - you choose based on your own preferences. They are about the same in terms of reliability and price, and outwardly - whoever likes what.

If you pay more attention to comfort and are willing to pay more for it, choose an electronically controlled kitchen hood. Select the number of additional functions and types of buttons (if any) according to your tastes, as for manufacturers, it is better to choose well-known brands.

Dimensions (edit)

To choose a kitchen hood by size, you need to know the dimensions of the stove. In order for odors and steam to be removed efficiently, it is desirable that the hood was not less than the width of the plate, or better - even wider. Some models have pull-out panel... It opens forward, covering a large area.

Now you know how to choose a hood for the kitchen in all respects, all the subtleties and nuances.

Different kinds kitchen hoods allow you to experiment with the interior and create the perfect place for cooking. Hoods have won the hearts of housewives due to their ability to remove odors during cooking. With their appearance, there was no need to open windows and ventilate the room. They work efficiently and the new designs fit perfectly into the modern kitchen interior.

Views

A wide variety of types of cooker hoods that are available on the market helps the buyer to find the best, profitable option.

• Flat. Such models are installed above the gas stove and mounted on the wall. This is a separate structure, which has no outlet in ventilation pipe... The hood consists of a casing, a medium power fan and an air purification filter. The advantages of flat hoods are that they are inexpensive, neat and attractive in design, and easy to install. Disadvantages: low suction power, high noise level, filters need to be changed frequently, and they can be expensive.
• Embedded... High-quality types of hoods that are built into a special cabinet. It hides the entire structure, including the branch pipe. Interesting design, reliability, high quality - attractive characteristics. In addition, the cooker hood copes with its tasks perfectly. Thanks to its excellent performance and power, it works as efficiently as possible and makes almost no noise. The downside is that the model is not cheap and should be looked after more often.

• Fireplace or domed. Quality and modern look hoods for the kitchen. This model fits perfectly into any interior, complements it, creates coziness and does not hide free space. A domed hood is made of metal, which can combine wood and glass elements. The model range of domed hoods is wide, and includes island, wall-mounted. They differ from each other in the way they are installed. The plus is that the chimney hoods are powerful, they can be controlled remotely, there is no need to change filters.
• Corner. Manufacturers try to please their customers and produce hoods in different shapes, sizes, installation methods and installation locations. Corner hoods fit perfectly into corner kitchen and save space.
• Combined... Hoods for gas stoves, combining two methods of air purification - diverting the air flow into the ventilation system and eliminating impurities using a charcoal filter. Its replacement takes place every six months. You can recognize that the filter needs to be replaced by the noise that the hood makes during operation. When installing an exhaust system, pay particular attention to the air outlet. The fewer bends there are, the better the device will perform.

Control methods

Despite the technical functionality of the cooker hood, it should be easy to operate. Today hoods have several control methods:

• Slider... The model has a slider switch with which you can change the extraction modes.
• Push-button... The easiest way to control the hood. The button block is located on the front or side panel. Modes are switched by pressing buttons.
• Electronic. Convenient and modern management... Models of this type are equipped with a special display or indicator lights.

Principle of operation

Everyone knows what function the cooker hood performs in the kitchen, but not everyone can say how it functions. The work of kitchen hoods consists of two principles: conventional and recuperative. The first cleans the air by drawing in the vapors of the food being cooked. The vapors pass through the filters and are discharged into the ventilation pipe. The hoods, which work on the principle of recuperation, let the vapors pass through the filtration system and return the air purified from unpleasant aromatic impurities.

Such models of hoods are the most expensive, besides, they need maintenance... If you want to get rid of unpleasant odors in the kitchen, pay attention to hoods with charcoal filters. They need to be changed frequently as they wear out quickly. The efficiency of the models is in direct proportion to the quality of the filters.

How to choose

The choice of hoods for the kitchen should be approached carefully if you want to purchase a model that is profitable in all respects. Before buying a device, ask the seller about the advantages and technical characteristics of the hoods. All varieties can operate at high temperatures and are highly resistant to hot vapors, moisture and condensation. Hoods are classified according to the principle of operation, performance, design features and price.

The cost of the device may be affected by the availability of additional features. When choosing a hood, be guided by the type of device, its pros and cons. The hood must match the dimensions of the kitchen and the general style of the room.

The first thing buyers pay attention to is design. Experts advise to be guided not by the appearance, but by the power of the device.

• Performance and power... This criterion indicates the amount of air that the hood processes in one hour. The higher the power rating, the better it will perform. But the power rating is not yet a factor in the right purchase. Calculate required power kitchen hoods according to the formula: multiply the volume of the room by 10. The resulting figure will be minimal, so the hood should be taken a little more powerful.
• Noise level. The noise level of the hood is influenced by its performance. If this figure is high, the device is noisy. Expensive and high-quality models can be quiet but powerful, so if you choose a cheap range hood, you will have to put up with the hum in the kitchen. Silent models are equipped with special spacers that prevent vibration and block noise. If possible, check the function of the hood in the store. This will help avoid a bad purchase, focusing only on appearance.
• Filters... These elements are responsible for the quality of the hoods and affect the life of the hood. Filters trap unpleasant odors, dust, grease, fumes and other heavy airborne components. If the filter is dirty, such a hood will not work for a long time. Filter performance, noise level and durability depend on the filter. They are of two types: fine and coarse cleaning. The former consist of a thin, carbon filter that absorbs odors. These filters are replaceable and it is very important to monitor their condition. The second ones are of very high quality. They are made of metal, acrylic and non-woven fabric. Coarse filters purify the air and protect the hood from contamination. They must be promptly replaced with new ones or washed in water. It all depends on the filter material.

• Dimensions (edit)... Whatever the parameters of the hood were, today there are no models that work absolutely silently. The dimensions of the hood depend on the dimensions of the room and the length of the hob. Dome hoods are suitable for large gas stoves, for 40 cm - small built-in devices. Remember that the hood should not be smaller gas stove!
• Design. Most main criterion of choice for housewives - appearance. In spite of specifications The hood design plays a big role. It should match the color and style of the kitchen, not bulky or too small. At the peak of popularity, matte, glass, metal surfaces with a mirror effect.

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

Cooker hood in the shape of a pyramid.

Why is the hood useful?

The most basic function of a cooker hood is to remove grease, soot, and food odors from the air. At the same time, depending on the device, the air can be removed from the room to the street or into the ventilation shaft, or filtered without leaving the kitchen.

Another useful property hood is lighting the work area with 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.

The device of modern hoods

The device of a kitchen hood is much simpler than it might seem at first glance. There are one or two fans inside the case, which are driven by motors.

They may be immediately followed by an air duct that leads to a mine or to the street, or there may be several more carbon filters in the event that we are talking about a suspended structure.

Older models had a grease trap in the lower part of the case, in new ones it is hidden behind a decorative cover.

Types of modern hoods

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

Hoods are currently offered by many manufacturers and exist in different versions.

1. Suspended. They are also called "flat hoods". They are mounted on the wall directly above the slab, used in cases where there is no outlet for ventilation. Their integral parts are 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 purify the air from burning, soot, grease and neutralize odors.

The principle of operation of this type of hood is recirculation, that is, during their operation, the air is not removed outside the kitchen room, but only cleared of odors, grease, burning and soot, returning to the kitchen again.

The advantages of such structures are their low cost 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 filter changes.

1. Built-in hoods... They are installed in a suspended Kitchen Cabinet located above the stove. Hoods of this type can be divided into two groups: fully recessed and retractable, which are pulled out only when the stove is in operation.

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

1. Dome, which are wall and island. These hoods differ in different design solutions and are made from a wide variety of materials. The installation instructions for each of the efficient models have their own differences. Their body can be either all-metal or include finishing elements made of wood and glass.

In this case, wall-mounted hoods are more common, the installation of which is carried out on the wall above the stove. Insular are less common.

Their use is justified only when the plate is located on the outrigger platform. Such structures are attached to the ceiling.

This type of hood is usually made from more quality materials, which is determined by the operating conditions.

Often they are 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 evacuate air.

Island hood. The photo shows the pollution sensor.

Thanks to the invention of cooker hoods and their availability, it became possible to avoid the problems of odor, smoke, burning and grease. If you do not have a cooker hood yet, we recommend purchasing one. What parameters should you pay attention to when buying a kitchen hood? And how to do right choice yourself? Everything in this article.

How modern hoods work

This device works on the principle of forced ventilation. It removes combustion products from the air as well as unpleasant odors and vapors. does not allow fat to settle on walls or cabinets with a ceiling, catches odors and any vapors, and the air in the apartment remains clean and fresh.

Inside the hood there is a system of special filters that capture vapors, odors and soot. In addition, it has a forced ventilation system. All this is enclosed in a housing on which the control panel is located, either electronic or mechanical type.

What are the types of hoods according to the principle of operation

There are two types of cooker hoods, according to the types of air purification:

It is better to choose a hood with a plastic ventilation unit, since, unlike metal cases, the use of sound-absorbing and flexible plastic is more effective in absorbing noise from vibration and turbulence of moving air.

What filters are used and how often should they be changed

Filters are an important element of the recirculation hood. They are of two types: fat-trapping and carbonic.

The first type, which is also called a coarse filter, is designed to treat the intake air from evaporated fat, soot and soot particles. The main purpose of such a filter is to protect the motor and exhaust blades from contamination and, accordingly, to extend their service life. Such a filter is available in any type of hood.

In turn, they coarse filter can be either metal or paper-based. Most hoods use a metal filter: in the form of a perforated sheet or in the form of a fine mesh. In this case, it is reusable, approximately once every 3-6 months it must be washed with water and powder, soap or dishwashing detergent, and then it can be installed back. Paper filters are disposable and must be changed as they become dirty. On average, the replacement period is also about 6 months. Here it is important to determine what is more important - the possibility of periodic cleaning of the filter and its further use (saving money) or the ease of replacing the filter at the expense of the home budget.

Charcoal, or filter fine cleaning, is a container with activated carbon, to which disinfection elements can be added: silver, cation exchangers, ion-exchange resins. The charcoal filter effectively removes odors and perfectly traps even the smallest particles. Charcoal filters cannot be serviced or washed in any way - just change. Typically, the replacement time for the charcoal filter in the hood is 3-6 months. If the carbon filter is not changed for a long time, then over time it becomes more and more clogged, and the extraction efficiency drops by up to 50%.

How hoods differ by type of control

On the outside of the hood there is a control panel. It can be push-button, touch or slide type.

• e control is convenient in that it is enough to touch the desired sector of the panel with your finger. The LED will immediately turn on and the device will complete the task.
• The type control panel allows you to select the desired mode using a mechanical slider that moves along the plane.
• Everything is simple - each of them on the panel corresponds to a particular mode of the device.

Additionally, a remote control may be present, which is of course convenient, but the cost of these hoods is usually higher. The controls regulate the engine operating mode, performance, turning on and off a quartz or ultraviolet disinfecting lamp, if provided, turning on the backlight.

What kind of lighting is used in hoods

Almost all hoods are equipped with a lighting system. Usually they are built in, or. Such lamps are installed at the back wall (it is easiest to install them there), which is why the distant burners are well illuminated, but not the nearest ones. However, in new models of hoods it is possible to adjust the intensity of the backlight, direct the lighting to the desired point or scatter the light around the kitchen, and the lamps themselves can be located not at the rear edge of the hood, but along its perimeter or in the center.

What other functions do hoods have?

In the models of hoods of the highest price category, there may additionally be quite useful functions:

• Residual stroke. Following this command, the hood works in a weak mode for several minutes after it is turned off. This way you can achieve an almost perfect purification of the kitchen air, which may still remain for some time after cooking.
• Interval inclusion. Periodic switching on of the exhaust device at intervals of one hour ensures a constant flow of fresh air into the apartment. In this case, the fan runs at its quietest speed, and air is immediately removed from the room.
• Electronic speed switch. This option improves the performance of the device when there is an increased smoke content in the air.
• Timer. Thanks to him, the device turns off on its own after a user-specified time.
• Filter status indicator. A special sensor monitors how clogged the charcoal and grease filters are. As soon as the amount of dirt exceeds the critical limit, the sensor will signal with a light or a message on the display.
• Motion sensor. This sensor controls the luminaires, increasing their power if the user approaches and decreasing them if the stove is empty.

A good range hood will save you the hassle of your daily general cleaning kitchens. With a cooker hood, you can save energy, time and money, because you do not have to make frequent repairs, saving the kitchen from droplets of grease and ugly stains. And the flow of fresh air in the apartment will not hurt, because a comfortable microclimate affects not only health, but also mood.