The Ventilation Perspective

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Inside the Hood

The hood’s heart is in its rotor and motor, which determine its main function, i.e., fume/smoke extraction capacity. The motor-rotor assembly is driven by an A/C supply that is available in any household. During operation, fumes/smoke pass through various filters, which include either a charcoal or baffle filter, an oil collector or an aluminium mesh filter. The smoke is either recirculated (in the case of charcoal filters) or thrown out through a duct (in the case of other filters). Every hood has different speed options depending on the requirements of each household. Moreover, some hoods, like those from Faber, have active noise reduction.

Extractor hood controls are typically electronic and offer remote control, motorised height adjustment, thermal sensor, overheat protection, boost mode, delayed shut-off, filter cleaning reminder, active noise cancellation, temperature display, user presets (memory) and so on. Hoods also almost always include built-in lighting to illuminate the cooking area. Some manufacturers also offer matching accessories such as backsplash panels, pot racks, shelf units or dish racks. Depending on the hood type they are assembled and installed by the service franchisee of the brand. Either island hanging in the centre of the kitchen or wall mounted, the outlet of the hood is then taken out of the house through ducts or in the case of the use of charcoal filters for recirculation.

Overall, hoods may come in a variety of materials including stainless steel, copper, bronze, nickel silver, zinc, tempered glass, wood, aluminium, brass, heat-resistant plastics, etc. They may come as island hanging or wall mounted; the oil collector type or extraction type. The widths may be 30, 60, 75, 90 or 120 cm, and the suction capacities may differ from 300 to 1,500 m3/hr. The hoods may also have different controls like button, touch, electronic and different lights like LED and halogen. Finally, hoods also come in different shapes to suit the design of the kitchen, traditional, conical, glass, straight line, etc. Some hoods, like the ‘Kilma’ range from Faber, also have an in-built air-conditioner.

Managing Maintenance

Needless to say, the kitchen hood can become a firetrap if not cleaned regularly. Over time, oil and grease deposits can coagulate and become flammable glue-like substances within the system that, with enough heat, can get ignited. Apart from this, dirty kitchen hoods have several other effects on the kitchen environment and on the person using the space.

They can distribute dangerous particulates into the air, lowering the air quality and posing a health hazard. Also, bacteria can build up in any unhealthy kitchen environment – both residential and commercial. As a result respiratory illnesses or gastrointestinal issues often occur. And, these can also be due to improper cleaning of the ventilation system. Maintaining or cleaning the hoods, especially, baffle filters is rather easy. They can be washed either with tap water or in the dishwasher. While installing these systems, one must also consider the various associated building and fire codes.

Given all of this, it is then inevitable that these hoods become an integral part of any operational kitchen. Their application in the Indian kitchen too takes precedence over the regular exhaust fans for their overall circulation and ventilation functions.

[With inputs from Franke Faber India. The article was first published in the April-June 2014 issue of Kitchen Ideas magazine.]

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