Dimensions of hoods for the kitchen: how to choose with your own hands, instructions, photos and video tutorials

We live in an age of rapid progress, when appliances such as kitchen hoods are no longer new.

Moreover, many have already become convinced that good ventilation in the kitchen is not a luxury, but a necessary measure.

During the cooking process, fats, tiny food particles and other harmful substances are released into the air, the increased concentration of which can cause significant harm to human health.

And if you consider that many housewives spend most of their day in the kitchen, the picture is disappointing. Therefore, the range hood in your kitchen is just as important as a gas stove.

Convinced of the need for a modern ventilation system, a person always faces the question: which type this device suits him, what to look for in the choice, and most importantly, what dimensions and performance should be in hoods.

Hood dimensions

The size of the cooker hood should be selected based on the dimensions of the hob. Standard hoods have the following widths: 50, 60 or 90 cm.

In no case should the working surface of this device be less than the stove, because the efficiency of the ventilation system directly depends on this. In simple terms, vapors should not go beyond the hood.

It is acceptable when the hood and the plate are of the same size. However, it is better to have a slightly larger hood. Thus, any vapors will definitely enter the ventilation shaft, and the efficiency will be 100%.

But the size of the kitchen hood is not the only parameter that ensures 100% system performance.

So, you also need to pay attention to the performance and type of equipment operation. In addition, without proper maintenance, any hood will lose its effectiveness over time.

How to choose a hood for the kitchen - see here.

Extraction capacity

Extraction performance is one of the main factors in choosing this equipment. In other words, performance shows the amount of air that the system can pass through itself (purify) per unit of time.

The hood is responsible not only for the specific space above the stove, but also for the purity of the air in the entire room, therefore it should be chosen according to the dimensions of the kitchen.

How performance is calculated

1. In order to understand what performance is required for your premises, you should use the following formula:

Productivity = room volume × air exchange rate.

In this case, the frequency of air exchange should be understood as the number of air changes per hour. The average figure in this case is 12.

1. It is not difficult to calculate the volume of the room; it is enough to multiply its area by the height. In the event that you want to get the most accurate data, you should subtract the approximate volume that the kitchen furniture occupies from the result.

1. For example, let's calculate the performance required for a small kitchen, measuring 2.5 by 3 meters and a ceiling height of 2.5 meters. We get: 2.5 × 3 × 2.5 = 18.75 cubic meters. Accordingly, the capacity of the hood in this case will be: 18.75 × 12 = 225 cubic meters per hour.

Performance Tips

You should choose a hood with a good margin of performance. First, constant operation at maximum power quickly wears out the device.

Secondly, at extremely high speeds, the noise from the hood increases significantly, to the point that it is simply impossible to stay in the kitchen for a long time.

The performance margin is especially important when installing a ventilation system in small kitchens. It is in small rooms that the concentration of harmful substances most quickly reaches the critical level.

In this case, it is recommended to purchase a cooker hood whose performance is 1.5-2 times higher than the minimum requirements. Therefore, do not blindly rely on the above formula.

In addition, the performance of the system decreases as the filters become dirty, which is another argument in favor of buying a hood with a “margin”.

Advice! Try to minimize the distance between the hood and the ventilation shaft. Each 90 degree bend in the ventilation pipe reduces the efficiency of the system by 10%.

Read also the article "Which hood for the kitchen is better - features of choice."

Exhaust operation type

By type of work, filtering and outlet devices are distinguished.

1. Filtering. They are the most affordable. In addition, you can easily install such a hood with your own hands. The principle of operation of such devices is based on recirculation. That is, in this case, dirty air is not removed from the room, but passes through filters and returns clean.

The system works as follows: particles of fat and food settle on the grease separator, while the air itself is purified by means of charcoal filters. Such devices have one fan and a rather weak motor.

The obvious advantage of this type of hoods is that there is no need to equip a ventilation shaft. You just need to firmly fix such a device on the wall and change the filters in a timely manner as they become dirty.

By the way, the grease filters in such hoods are most often disposable and must be changed when the corresponding picture fades.

The second plus is the price, which is slightly lower than any other type of hood.

1. Devices that extract air from the room are considered a higher class, since in this case, harmful substances are completely excluded from the kitchen space. The efficiency of such ventilation systems is close to 100%, naturally, if the equipment is chosen correctly.

In most cases, these hoods are equipped with a reusable grease filter, but there are no charcoal filters. Reusable coarse filters (grease traps) should be periodically washed in warm soapy water.

Advice! The grease filter should be cleaned at least once a month, as a large accumulation of grease can cause a fire.

Noise level

The hood has an average noise level of 40 decibels. This takes into account the fact that the hostess spends several hours a day in the kitchen, and, accordingly, the noise from the ventilation system should not cause discomfort.

Studies have shown that the strong monotonous sound of a working hood can negatively affect human psyche, because it is one thing to hear a certain sound for several minutes, and quite another - for three to four hours.

When operating at maximum speed, the noise from the hood increases to 60-70 decibels, which is commensurate with the hum that occurs inside a traveling tram. Therefore, you should give preference to devices with a noise level of 40-50 decibels, without overclocking them at full power.

The hoods equipped with two fans are quieter. Devices with more powerful motors are also quieter.

Conclusion

Every housewife wants the hood to work as long as possible. And in this case, correct operation can ensure long and trouble-free operation of the device.

By regularly replacing or cleaning filters, you not only extend the life of the hood, but also increase the efficiency of the ventilation system.

Reusable acrylic and aluminum filters can be washed by hand or dishwasher the machine, however, should not be wrung out or twisted too much, as this could lead to breakdown.
Installing the hood yourself is not a problem. Detailed instructions for carrying out installation work are contained in the articles and video materials provided on our website.

Here you can find a lot of useful information that will help you avoid significant mistakes when carrying out such work.

Circulating hoods for kitchens without an air duct - see here.