Kitchen Guides
Which Chimney Is Right for Your Kitchen?
Here is all you need to know about the different chimney options available in the market
Fabulous food, yes; the house full of smells of frying onions and masalas, a big NO. This is where a good kitchen chimney comes in. A kitchen chimney helps eliminate the smoke, steam, heat, smells and airborne droplets of grease that are a by-product of cooking. It also takes out the toxic gases produced during heating and combustion. Another advantage of installing a kitchen chimney is that it prevents the accumulation of grime on the cabinets and the tiles, so your kitchen maintains its pristine freshness and smart looks. Also, it looks pretty cool and can be the focal point of your kitchen’s looks. Why not just an exhaust fan? you ask. It may not be enough: it just extracts smoke and stale air from the kitchen but cannot capture the grease cloud that hovers over a frying pan and then settles on all surfaces. Convinced? Here’s more information that will help you decide yes or no, and if you are planning to purchase a new chimney for your kitchen, to choose the kind you want.
Kitchen chimneys can be primarily categorised as ducted and ductless (or recycling) chimneys. Both these types are available as wall-mounted, built-in or island chimneys.
A ducted chimney pulls in the dirty air, traps the heavy particles of grease and spices in its filters while expelling the smoke, fumes and odours from the kitchen via a PVC pipe. It costs more, but is also more effective in clearing the air.
A recycling (ductless) chimney draws in the polluted air, absorbs the pollutants and releases the clean, deodorised air back into the kitchen. It is considered less effective, as it returns the same air into the kitchen, and cannot remove heat and moisture.
The most important components of both kinds are the motor, the exhaust fan and the filters that catch the pollutants. The chimney’s air suction capacity determines how effective it will be. It’s measured in cubic metres per hour – referred to as m3/hr in the trade. The higher suction capacity does a better job but the motor is noisier and the system costs more.
There are additional trimmings, such as LED lights, sensors and controls – you can pick and choose according to your requirements and budget.
A ducted chimney pulls in the dirty air, traps the heavy particles of grease and spices in its filters while expelling the smoke, fumes and odours from the kitchen via a PVC pipe. It costs more, but is also more effective in clearing the air.
A recycling (ductless) chimney draws in the polluted air, absorbs the pollutants and releases the clean, deodorised air back into the kitchen. It is considered less effective, as it returns the same air into the kitchen, and cannot remove heat and moisture.
The most important components of both kinds are the motor, the exhaust fan and the filters that catch the pollutants. The chimney’s air suction capacity determines how effective it will be. It’s measured in cubic metres per hour – referred to as m3/hr in the trade. The higher suction capacity does a better job but the motor is noisier and the system costs more.
There are additional trimmings, such as LED lights, sensors and controls – you can pick and choose according to your requirements and budget.
Wall-mounted chimney
A wall-mounted chimney is fixed on the wall just above the stove as in this image. It gives a modern look to the kitchen; the hood is available in a pyramidal shape or a sleek straight-line design.
Tip: Make sure that the size of the hood is equal to the size of the stove or hob so it covers the entire cooktop and absorbs the smoke effectively. Also, the distance between the chimney and the hob should be 26 to 30 inches to ensure optimum suction of smoke and fine particles.
A wall-mounted chimney is fixed on the wall just above the stove as in this image. It gives a modern look to the kitchen; the hood is available in a pyramidal shape or a sleek straight-line design.
Tip: Make sure that the size of the hood is equal to the size of the stove or hob so it covers the entire cooktop and absorbs the smoke effectively. Also, the distance between the chimney and the hob should be 26 to 30 inches to ensure optimum suction of smoke and fine particles.
Built-in chimney
A built-in chimney is most suitable for small and compact kitchens because it saves space. These chimneys are fixed on the walls and integrated within the woodwork of the kitchen.
Tip: If you’re fitting a ducted chimney, choose an appropriate position for the chimney such that the piping that connects to the outdoors is short, with minimum or no bends. This enhances the suction efficiency of the chimney.
A built-in chimney is most suitable for small and compact kitchens because it saves space. These chimneys are fixed on the walls and integrated within the woodwork of the kitchen.
Tip: If you’re fitting a ducted chimney, choose an appropriate position for the chimney such that the piping that connects to the outdoors is short, with minimum or no bends. This enhances the suction efficiency of the chimney.
Island chimney
An island chimney is specifically for a kitchen with a cooking island. In such kitchens the cooking platform and hob are away from the walls and placed in the centre of the kitchen and the ducts are tucked away within a faux ceiling.
Here it is important that the chimney is exactly above the cooktop and is at least six inches wider than the cooktop so that kitchen fumes do not escape from the sides. Also note that a higher ceiling will require a longer chimney over the hood.
Tip: Installing an island chimney cannot be an afterthought. Make sure that the position of the hob and chimney are aligned before installing the faux ceiling and the electrical wiring.
An island chimney is specifically for a kitchen with a cooking island. In such kitchens the cooking platform and hob are away from the walls and placed in the centre of the kitchen and the ducts are tucked away within a faux ceiling.
Here it is important that the chimney is exactly above the cooktop and is at least six inches wider than the cooktop so that kitchen fumes do not escape from the sides. Also note that a higher ceiling will require a longer chimney over the hood.
Tip: Installing an island chimney cannot be an afterthought. Make sure that the position of the hob and chimney are aligned before installing the faux ceiling and the electrical wiring.
Chimney finishes
Kitchen chimneys are manufactured in stainless steel and are available in a variety of colours and finishes. For a stylish look, opt for chimneys with a combination of glass and stainless steel, as seen in this example; such chimneys effortlessly enhance the overall look of the kitchen and become a focal point.
Chimney filters
The chimney contains a modular filter that cleans up the air by trapping particles and grease in a removable compartment. Filters can be classified into three categories.
Kitchen chimneys are manufactured in stainless steel and are available in a variety of colours and finishes. For a stylish look, opt for chimneys with a combination of glass and stainless steel, as seen in this example; such chimneys effortlessly enhance the overall look of the kitchen and become a focal point.
Chimney filters
The chimney contains a modular filter that cleans up the air by trapping particles and grease in a removable compartment. Filters can be classified into three categories.
- Cassette filter: A cassette filter comprises multiple layers of a metal mesh which capture pollutants like grease and oil and expels the smoke through a duct or a PVC pipe. One major drawback of a cassette filter is that the mesh of the filter gets clogged with grease particles, affecting the suction power of the chimney. For routine maintenance of the chimney, it is advisable you clean the filters at least once a week with warm soapy water.
- Baffle filter: A baffle filter is best suited for the Indian style of cooking. These filters are made of overlapping layers of steel and aluminium, which change the direction of air flow. This ‘cut-and-chop’ technology separates grease from smoke. The best part about baffle filters is that even if the filter is full of grease and other pollutants; the suction power of the chimney will not get affected.
- Carbon filter: A carbon filter is used in ductless chimneys. The air first passes through the grease filter, which traps grease particles, and then through the charcoal filter, which absorbs smoke, gases and odours. The purified air is circulated back into the kitchen. This filter type needs to be regularly replaced – within three to six months, depending on the usage.
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Which type of chimney would work best for your kitchen? Tell us why in the Comments section below.
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NIKHIL CHOUDHARY