5 Best Kitchen Chimneys

A Complete Buyer’s Guide for Best Kitchen Chimney

We understand the many thoughts and features of a kitchen chimney might be confusing you. Well, if you are someone who has zero or no knowledge about chimney and its functioning, then don’t worry! We have covered all the information that you’ll need before investing in the best kitchen chimney.

What is a kitchen chimney?

A kitchen chimney sucks the smoke and passes it through a filter. The filter then clears the air by trapping oil/grease particles and gives it to the charcoal filter. This filter then absorbs the smoke and odours. In exchange, pure and clean air is circulated inside.

Types of Chimneys

The first thing that you’ll need to know before buying is the types of kitchen chimneys available. There are mainly two types of vents commonly used in India. The classification of chimneys, in this case, is done based on their installation method.

Duct Chimney

The ducting chimney is the one that works in a way that it sucks the air in from the kitchen and passes it through the filter. The filters absorb the grease or oil and release air outside through the PVC outlet. These chimneys are highly efficient.

This type of chimneys is commonly used in homes these days and also in commercial kitchens. You will have to get this chimney installed from the engineers of the brand. They cost more, but are easy to maintain. These chimneys use more efficient filters and have more extraordinary suction powers.

Ductless Chimney

A ductless chimney is more straightforward in design and works well for smaller kitchens. These chimneys work using a motor and a fan/ blower.

The chimney absorbs the air. This absorbed air is then passed to the charcoal filters, which absorb heat, smoke, and odour.

Clean air is then released in the kitchen in exchange. These are easier to install and can be used anywhere. However, the fan and motor create a lot of noise.

Also, one needs to change the filters frequently. These chimneys use charcoal filters, and they cost less than the ducting chimney.

Types of Kitchen Chimney Filters

Now, that you know the two different types of installations available in kitchen chimneys, it is time we understand more about the second essential feature of the kitchen chimney. Kitchen Chimney Filters play the most crucial role in determining the efficiency of the chimney.

Many companies offer many models of kitchen chimneys with different types of filters. Here, we are going to discuss some commonly used filters.

Mesh Filters

As the name suggests, this type of filter is formed in a mesh-like pattern with tiny holes. These holes trap the solid particles like oil and grease inside. The smoke that escapes out is clean and filtered.

However, as these solid particles acquire over the mesh filter, the suction power of the kitchen chimney starts reducing. These filters need regular cleaning.

Baffle filters

Baffle filters are a relatively new technology. These filters are more efficient than the mesh filters. They have multiple curved layer structures. These filters are generally made of aluminium or steel. These filters are apt for Indian kitchens.

These filters separate the oil from the smoke. In these filters, the suction power of the kitchen chimney is not reduced. It needs lower maintenance (2-3 months) than mesh filters.

Carbon Filters

The third type of filters used in kitchen chimneys is a Charcoal or carbon filter. This filter comes with granules of charcoal and is used in addition to baffling filters.

Charcoal filters are, however, no washable and needs replacement in 3-6 months. It depends on the cooking you perform. The holes of the carbon filter absorb oil and smoke particles.

Kitchen Chimney Features

Size of the kitchen chimney

Your kitchen chimneys purpose is to absorb all the heat from your stove, so it isn’t diverted to other rooms. While buying a kitchen chimney, you’ll need to calculate the size of your stove. Most kitchen chimneys come in the size of 60 cm and 90 cm.

If you have a 2-4 stove, then 60 cm chimney would be sufficient. For a 3-5 stove, you’ll need to buy a 90 cm kitchen chimney. Also, there is no harm in buying a bigger stove size chimney, but it will consume more power.

The suction power of the chimney

The second essential feature of buying the best kitchen chimney is its suction power. The suction power of the chimney would directly depend upon the size of your kitchen.

The minimum suction power of the chimney should be 700 m3/hr. It can go higher till 1200 m3/hr. A kitchen chimney with more suction power is beneficial but might produce more noise.

Noise Level

If you have already used a kitchen chimney, you know the amount of noise kitchen chimneys make. The amount of noise depends upon its speed, fan/motor, and suction power. As the speed of chimney is increased, the noise increases.

Auto-clean feature

Auto clean chimneys are the latest technology chimneys. These chimneys clean themselves with a press of a button, saving your time of changing and cleaning the filters again and again. The kitchen chimneys with auto clean filter require less maintenance. Such chimneys have a separate collector for oil particles. You have to click the auto clean button and wait for your chimney to clear out the waste.

Filterless technology

The latest addition in kitchen chimneys is the introduction of filterless chimneys. These are next-generation auto clean chimneys. As the name suggests, these chimneys do not have a filter. The filterless chimney requires lesser maintenance and provides durability.

The technology keeps the chimney cleans throughout. All you have to do is clear the oil collectors as it is where the particles are sent.

Advanced Features

With the advancements in technology, kitchen chimneys have started offering the latest features. While investing a whopping amount on the chimney, you’ll like to choose the one with the latest features.

These features include pushbuttons, LED indicators, a separate oil collector to improve performance, and auto heat sensor. More features include smart sensing technology where the chimney understands your hand gestures.

Type of kitchen chimneys Structures

Different chimneys come in various structures. Let us first learn about the other chimney hoods.

Corner Chimney

Corner chimneys are advanced chimneys. These are retractable chimneys. They stay in a corner and can be drawn over the stove while using and sent back with a push of a button.

Wall Mounted Chimney

These are the most commonly used chimneys. They can be fixed into the wall just above the stove. You can choose from a wide range of wall mount chimneys.

Island chimney

An island chimney is similar to the wall-mounted chimney, but it hangs with the ceiling. These chimneys stay at the top of the stove and work well for the counter-top cooking ranges in western style design.

Designs of kitchen chimneys

Most people think the design of the chimney has nothing to do with its efficiency. However, this factor helps you decide which chimney will work best for your kitchen. You can choose from several designs. Some standard designs of kitchen chimneys are:

Curved glass chimney

The most popular design of chimneys used in India. These chimneys look classy and make minimal noise. They have separate units for indoor and outdoor. No matter what the size of the kitchen is, these design chimneys work well.

Angular chimneys

Angular chimneys look highly elegant and stylish. It is best for Indian kitchens as it serves the oil and smoke issues well. It enhances the interiors of your kitchen.

If you do a lot of frying in your kitchen, then these chimneys have an excellent suction power with high efficiency.

Box-type chimneys

Box type chimneys use high-quality glass and steel. The LED lights over the panel provide efficient illumination—an elegant choice for your kitchen, and dirt resistant.

Pyramid Chimneys

Pyramid chimneys are made with baffle filters. These chimneys require less power consumption and maintenance. If you feel the charges of electricity are high in your area, then this design is best for your kitchen.

FAQs

Do chimneys harm health?

No, chimneys are very important for healthy living. It is a good practice to use chimneys in the kitchen as they absorb some gases and eliminate them. The pollution in your house is reduced.

Why does my chimney make noise?

Generally, it is seen that most kitchen chimneys start producing noise after some time. This happens mainly because of two reasons, either the fan/motor has some issues, or a lot of oil and grease has been collected in the tank. It is essential to maintain the chimney properly. You should get regular service and do regular cleaning to avoid such issues.

How should I clean the filters of my chimney?

Cleaning of filters of a kitchen chimney is a time-consuming, but necessary process. The more you’ll maintain the chimney filters, the better it will work. You can simply remove the filters and put them in hot water for some time. You may add baking soda or vinegar to the water. Let it rest for 10-15 minutes. Now, wash thoroughly, and all the particles will come out quickly. Let it dry for some time, and then fit it back in the kitchen chimney.

Which chimney should I buy: Auto-clean or manual clean?

Regular cleaning of the filters is a time-consuming task. Because of many complaints of cleaning the filters now and then, kitchen chimneys with auto-clean features were designed.

Auto Clean chimneys come with an oil collector and require very little maintenance. You can simply press the auto clean button, and your chimney will be clean.

Manual chimneys need a lot of maintenance and cleaning by the user. However, manual chimneys are more durable than auto clean ones for those who do not cook much oily food. It won’t require regular cleaning of filters and will save your time and effort.

What should be the accurate distance between stove and chimney?

If you are going to get the chimney installed for the first time, it is the first thought that hits your mind. The right distance will allow the kitchen chimney to work efficiently. We suggest you keep the stove and hob at a minimum length of 25-30 inches. Space plays a crucial role. The person who will come to install your kitchen chimney will place it accurately.

Overall Outlook

Kitchen chimney is no more an option, but a necessity of every household. Even if your kitchen is small and well-ventilated, yet a kitchen chimney will be needed to remove smoke and gases.

After enquiring the different features of many kitchen chimneys, we have concluded the five best kitchen chimneys for you. However, if we had to choose two kitchen chimneys according to the following factors, here are our suggestions.