An efficient cooker hood is a basic piece of equipment in every home. We use it every day, often not paying attention to the type of our equipment.
The problem comes only when we move into a newly built apartment or when our current appliance breaks down. Suddenly, it turns out that the choice of a hood is not that simple.
As is the case with all household appliances, there are many types and kinds of cooker hoods. They differ not only in the way they work but also in their appearance. To prepare for this choice, you need to first determine in which building it will be installed and what style you want to achieve in your kitchen.
To begin with, it would be appropriate to clarify a very common mistake in naming. Many people do not know that hoods (in the correct sense of the word), also called extractors, can only be used in single-family housing. In order to work properly, they have to be connected directly to the chimney. They can then draw in the air and steam and discharge them outside.
In a block of flats, such a connection is impossible mainly because it requires the construction of a separate duct for the exhausted air. If it were connected to the common ventilation, the collected grease and dirt would be introduced into other apartments.
So what is the name of the device, confusingly similar to the extractor, which discharges steam in the block? This is the so-called absorber. Although visually it is almost indistinguishable from an extractor, its mode of operation is fundamentally different.
It does not take the air outside, but passes it through a system of filters. Then, the already purified air is reintroduced into the apartment, which allows to avoid building a separate duct. This solution is just as effective, however, you have to remember to change the filters regularly. Otherwise, you may expose yourself to breathing bad air.
Being at filters, it is worth paying attention to the type that will work best in our kitchen. Their operation is based on the passage of air through carbon particles. They are mainly used in absorbers, because they work very well in suppressing unpleasant odors. They should be replaced at least once a year.
So-called fleece filters should be replaced every few months. They are most often found in under-cabinet hoods. They work on the basis of several layers of a special non-woven fabric.
When the engine and the inner casing of the hood are exposed to grease contamination, special grease filters can be used. However, metal filters are definitely the easiest to maintain. They consist of a dense, several-layer metal mesh, which needs to be removed and wiped from time to time.
In addition to the filters, there is another issue to consider – the energy class. It is responsible for how much electricity a given hood consumes. The best hoods are those with a class A or higher.
It’s also important to remember that a well-chosen cooker hood can become a real decoration in your kitchen. The choice is wide here: the market offers the most classic wall-mounted hoods, island hoods to hang over a kitchen island, built-in hoods – telescopic, under-cabinet and ceiling hoods
If there is absolutely no room for a hood above your stove, then countertop hoods will help. It’s also worth noting that some stoves already have them built in. In a word: everyone will find something for themselves.
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