Choosing a kitchen chimney of the right size and suction power is essential. It should installed be at a certain distance from your stovetop to vent out the smokes and fumes while cooking.
Failing to install the correct one may not affect not provide the necessary suction, efficiency and performance.
To avoid all these, it becomes imperative to make a wise decision. If you do not know how to choose a kitchen chimney based on its size and suction power, fret not. We curated this article specially for you. Here we will help you to select the best chimney for your kitchen.
How To Choose A Kitchen Chimney Of The Right Size?
Choosing the right size kitchen chimney is entirely dependent on the size of the stove. The standard size of a chimney usually comes in a width of 60cm and 90cm.
If you choose a chimney less than the standard size, it may not absorb fumes, smoke, and other grease particles when cooking.
Here is the thumb rule. Always install a chimney whose width matches your cooktop. It should cover your entire hob so that the smoke or fumes does not escape. Moreover, it should sit right above the stove. If your hood is of the same size as your stove, make sure that the centre of the chimney and the stove are in alignment.
If you purchase a chimney whose size is smaller than the stove, ensure it has high suction capacity. This way, all the smoke, oil or grease particles, and other fumes get absorbed by the hood. This further prevents them from spreading into your kitchen.
Before purchasing a chimney for your kitchen, take proper measurements of your kitchen. This helps you to choose one accordingly. If you are planning to remodel your kitchen, do not forget to have cabinets of adequate size.
Let us say you are planning to replace your chimney with a new model. In such a case, ensure that the gap between the cabinets is more than 60cms. Since the standard size of a chimney comes in either 60 or 90cms, it is always crucial to consider this parameter.
How Should I Choose A Kitchen Chimney According To The Suction Power?
Do you want to choose a chimney based on the suction power but do not know how to do it? Well, here is everything you should know about the suction capacity and how to calculate it.
The suction capacity of a kitchen chimney is nothing but the motor’s power to absorb the smoke and fumes per hour. The measuring unit of this is cubic meters per hour.
The suction capacity of various chimneys available in the market comes in the range of 700 m3/hr to 1600 m3/hr. Do you want to determine the right suction power of the chimney according to the kitchen’s height and size? Here is a simple mathematical formula that helps you calculate the capacity. In addition to this, your chimney should be capable of removing all the dirty fumes and smoke. Furthermore, it should also clean the air in the kitchen up to 10 times in one hour.
This is how you can calculate:
If you want to find out the volume of your kitchen, this is what you should do. Multiply all the dimensions of the room together. Below is an example to help you with the same: Let us assume the height, length, and breadth of the kitchen are five, eight, and eight meters, respectively. Then, the Volume = Height x Length x Breadth V = 5 x 8 x 8 = 320 sqm Let us calculate the suction capacity of the chimney using this volume. Suction Power = Volume of Kitchen x 10 Suction Power = 320 sqm x 10 = 3200 m3/ hr
This is the minimum power required by your chimney based on your kitchen size. Using this simple formula, you can always calculate the power.
The suction capacity of the chimney is predominantly dependent on the distance between the stove and the appliance.
Let us say your chimney has a lower suction capacity. In such a case, you should not install it
at a greater height than the stove, as it will affect the performance of the appliance.
If you want to install your chimney at a far distance from the stove, always choose one with higher suction power.
What Are The Factors Affecting The Suction Power Of Chimney?
Several factors influence the suction power of a kitchen chimney. Below are the popular ones that come into play:
- Length of the duct pipe
- Too many bends in the chimney duct
- Cooking style
- Chimney design & duct style
1. Duct Size
No home will have the same length of duct pipe. It varies from home to home, depending on the kitchen. If the length of the duct pipe is more, it may not ensure proper suction of the smoke and fumes from the air. This affects the suction power of the chimney. Similarly, if the diameter of the duct is small, it may not facilitate the effective venting of smoke outside. Hence, it becomes essential to have a duct of the appropriate length and diameter.
When installing a ducted chimney, ensure that the length of the duct is smaller and has a large diameter.
2. Too many bends in the chimney duct
If you have more bends or turns in your duct, it reduces the suction rate of the chimney. This makes it difficult for the appliance to vent out the smoke. The preferred number of turns that a chimney should have is a maximum of two. In worst cases, it can be three and not more than that.
3. Cooking style
The cuisine style is yet another contributing factor for impacting the suction power of the kitchen hood negatively. Indian cuisine includes lots of oil, spices in its cooking. Additionally, it is more exotic when preparing non-vegetarian meals. When compared to the vegetarian dishes, the non-vegetarian recipes tend to have more aroma. If you want to get rid of this, you need to have a chimney of high suction capacity.
4. Chimney design & duct style
The design of the chimney is yet another crucial factor that influences its suction power. While chimneys in straight-line style require 700 m3/hr suction power, the decorative line style models use power ranging from 800m3/hr to 1200 m3/hr.
The more suction power the chimney has, the better will be the performance. There is one drawback to it, though. It makes a loud noise when operating.
If you purchased a chimney with higher suction capacity, use a duct pipe with a diameter of six inches for it. If the appliance has lesser suction power, i.e., about 700m3/hr, use a duct pipe with four inches diameter.
Tips to enhance Chimney Suction Power
It is essential to follow regular maintenance to keep your chimney performing at its best. Failing to do this, will hamper its suction capacity. If you ever notice that the suction power of your chimney is reducing, it is a clear indication that your device more care. Here are some useful tips to enhance the suction power of your chimney. Make sure you do not neglect these steps but follow them religiously.
- To boost the chimney power, ensure it has a wide filter.
- It is always advisable to prefer a baffle filter over a cassette filter. It helps in augmenting the efficiency of suction capacity. The other benefit of using a baffle filter is that it absorbs the oil or grease particles and traps them inside without affecting the chimney suction life.
- Regular cleaning and maintenance of the chimney is a must if you want to ensure uninterrupted suction power for five years at least. It increases the performance and facilitates effective absorption of smoke, oil particles, and odour from the air.
- Chimneys come in a variety of options that offer the best working of the appliance. They come at affordable prices, too. You choose one of the many options available within your budget range.
- Never neglect the maintenance part of the chimney. If you notice any issue with your appliance, call the service provider immediately. Get it repaired without any delay. On-time repair and maintenance improve the suction capacity of the chimney.
Conclusion
To conclude, your chimney size and its suction capacity are the determining factors for choosing the best chimney. In this article, we discussed everything you need to understand about those points. I am sure you are now equipped enough to make a proper decision of choosing the right appliance for your kitchen.
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Enjoy your stay at home and stay safe!!!
