Cooker hood for the fireplace

Modern kitchen is unthinkable without a variety of household appliances. They allow you to make the cooking process simple and enjoyable, and also relieve us of many inconveniences. One of the important elements of any kitchen is the hood, which not only makes the stay in the kitchen comfortable, but also allows you to extend the life of decoration and kitchen furniture, saving the air from the abundance of odors, water vapor and fat. A special place among the variety of these indispensable kitchen appliances is occupied by a fireplace type hood. Consider what it is, how it differs from other models and in which cases you should choose it.

Fireplace hoods for the kitchen: what is the device?

Fireplace, or domed hoods got their name due to the shape of a truncated pyramid or cone resembling a dome. They differ significantly from other types of exhaust equipment both in structure and functionality. Devices are available in a variety of designs and styles. The most common options are:

• pyramid-shaped metal;

• metal with glass, often in the form of an inverted letter "T";

• classic or "country" - reminiscent of the upper part of the fireplace or stove, decorated with wood or stucco;

• ultra-modern inclined with metal and dark glass surfaces.

The main functional difference between a fireplace type hood is its higher productivity and degree of air purification, due to its special shape and internal structure.

How does a fireplace hood work?

Depending on the type of operation of this device may vary significantly. According to the method of functioning, two main types of fireplace hoods for the kitchen are distinguished:

Output (flow)

Devices of this type draw and discharge polluted air into the ventilation shaft, or directly to the street. These devices have high performance and allow you to quickly clean the room from polluted air and unpleasant odors. They have a built-in grease filter (grease trap), which allows you to clean the air of grease and dust. As a rule, it does not need to be changed, it is enough to rinse it regularly.

Filtering (circulating)

Circulation hoods do not draw air from the apartment, but pass it through several filters. In such a device, two filters are usually installed - coal and grease. The first relates to consumables, it must be periodically changed. Of course, filtering devices have lower performance than output ones, but they have a number of advantages.

• Firstly, filter hoods are much cheaper.
• Secondly, they are much easier to install, since they do not require a connection to the ventilation shaft.

Carbon filter to be replaced every 4-6 months. It is necessary to change it in a timely manner, otherwise the exhaust device will not be able to provide high-quality air purification.

The benefits of a fireplace hood

Fireplace hoods are the most sought after. This is due to the presence of important advantages, which include:

• Appearance. In the case of purchasing a fireplace-type device, there is no need to hide the device itself and air duct into the cupboard. Such a hood will become a real decoration of the kitchen and will revive the interior. Dome type devices are available in different styles and colors, so picking it up to your kitchen furniture is not difficult. Some models have a special shelf that can be used to store useful little things, which is very convenient.
• High efficiency. Fireplace hoods are usually much more powerful than other types of appliances. Their high performance is due to their special structure: most models have 2 built-in motors, as well as high-quality grease filters.
• A wide range of prices. This is not to say that a fireplace hood is the cheapest option. However, the cost of such devices varies greatly, you can choose a not too expensive model with wide functionality, which will be an order of magnitude higher than that of other varieties of this device.
• Easy installation. This is one of the important points, since embedded devices are often difficult to mount. Fireplace hoods are easy to install, they are attached to the wall using screws and dowels.

Another important advantage: many fireplace hoods can work in two modes - both in the air exhaust mode and in the circulation mode. For different conditions, you can choose the appropriate mode, which helps save energy.

How to choose a device by size?

One of the main parameters of the hood is its dimensions. It depends on them how well the air will be cleaned in the kitchen. There is a general rule for determining the required size, which applies to fireplace devices.

To choose the size of the appliance, you need to measure the dimensions of the stove. For effective air cleaning, the width of the hood should be no less than the width of the plate. In extreme cases, they can be the same. However, it is still very desirable that the edges of the hood extend slightly beyond the limits of the plate, and then maximum productivity will be ensured.

Fireplace hoods have a standard width of 50, 60 or 90 cm. There are wider models for larger rooms.

Installation methods

Depending on the configuration of the kitchen, you can choose the appropriate method for installing a fireplace hood. By installation methods, several types of devices are distinguished:

1. Wall mounted. Suitable for the most common and simple installation method when the device is mounted on a wall directly above the hob of the stove.
2. Corner The devices of the angular type have a slightly different design, and are used when the plate is located in the corner of the room. This arrangement saves space in the kitchen.
3. Island. They are installed if the stove or hob is located in the center of the kitchen, not adjacent to the walls of the room.

Popular manufacturers

Fireplace hoods are produced by almost all companies that manufacture kitchen appliances. The most popular of them are:

• Bosch, Siemens, Kuppersberg, Backer (Germany);
• BEST, Zanussi, JetAir, Elica (Italy);
• Cata (Spain);
• ELIKOR, Hephaestus (Russia);
• Gorenje (Slovenia);
• The Pyramid (Ukraine-China).

Noise level

Any hood has such an important parameter as the noise level. When buying a device, this factor needs to be given special attention, since powerful monotonous noise can negatively affect a person’s health and psyche. The noise level during operation of the hood in standard mode is about 40 dB. This indicator can be compared with ordinary human speech at a distance of 1 meter. If the hood operates at maximum power, the noise figure can reach 60–70 dB.

The best option is hoods, the noise level of which does not exceed 40-50 dB. It will not cause discomfort or discomfort during operation of the device.

Control

Many are interested in the issue of controlling a fireplace hood. There are several types of control mechanism:

1. Push-button control. This is a traditional and therefore the most common option. Buttons are installed on the body of the device with which you can adjust the operation of the device.
2. Touch control. Another fairly common form of management. However, it is not convenient for everyone, since the buttons do not always respond well to touch, it is difficult to press them blindly. Also, devices with this control method are highly susceptible to power surges.
3. Slider (slider type). This type is not considered very convenient, since the controls are located at the bottom of the hood. In addition, they are often contaminated.

Recently, a remote control is attached to many models in the kit. This is really convenient, since you can control the hood remotely, in addition, there are no fingerprints on the shiny surface.

Service

The cleanliness of the air in your kitchen, as well as the life of the hood itself, depend on proper care and maintenance. This is especially affected by filter elements, so their contamination must be eliminated on time. To understand how to care for your hood, you need to find out exactly which grease filters are installed in it. There are several types of filters:

• Sinteponovye, non-woven or paper. Such filters are disposable; they must be changed periodically. Through the protective grille of the hood you can see the signs on the filters. As soon as the signs disappear, the filter should be replaced.
• Acrylic filters. They are reusable, for cleaning they must be washed with warm water and soap. This procedure should be repeated once a month.
• Aluminum filters. These filter elements are reusable. They must be cleaned once a month with special tools. A degreasing composition is best suited for these purposes.

Aluminum filters can be washed in the dishwasher, which is very convenient. However, it is important to remember that you need to wash them separately from the dishes.

With proper care, the fireplace hood will last a long time and will delight the cleanliness and freshness of the air in the kitchen, as well as its stylish appearance.