If you are planning to upgrade or install a new chimney for your kitchen, then you should at least know the basics of several topics like the height of the chimney, suction capacity, ducts, etc.
Calculating the right height for your chimney is not as difficult as you think. All you need is proper knowledge and guidance to install your chimney safely without any hassle.
It is recommended to get professional guidance to install the chimney in your kitchen. There are many factors like the stove type, the dimension of your kitchen, the design of the cooktop that must be considered before buying or installing a chimney.
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The ideal and safe height between your chimney and your cooktop will ensure safety and better performance. Anything less than the optimal height might lead to fire accidents. When the height is way more than the ideal measurements, it will decrease the exhaust power to a great extent.
To know more about the optimal height of the chimney preferred for your kitchen and other factors that should be considered before installing one, have a look at the article.
Installation of the Chimney – Height Calculation
Factors like your stove type greatly incite the height of the chimney. If you have an electric stove then the optimal height of your chimney must be 60-80cm (25-30 inches).
For gas stoves, the ideal height of the chimney must be around 45-60cm (18-24 inches). To know the accurate measurement of the height, do refer to the manual of your chimney. The height between your cooktop and chimney plays a major role in terms of yield and safety.
You must maintain a safe distance from your stove to your chimney. If the distance is too less then the hood of your chimney might catch fire. Whereas, if the distance between both is too high, it might damage the exhausting power of the system.
The manual of your chimney will contain details about the distance that should be maintained between the stove and the chimney. Many experts suggest maintaining a distance of about 25-30 inches is safe.
Other Factors to Consider
1- The dimension of the chimney
The width of the chimney should also be considered before you install one. The width of the hood mainly depends on your cooktop. If your stove has 2-4 burners, then the width of the chimney must not be less than 60cms. When the width is less than that, there will be incomplete suction of smokes and fumes.
Indian cooking involves a lot of oil and spices. The width of the chimney for the Indian style of cooking is slightly bigger than other styles. Stoves that have more than 4 burners should have a chimney installed of width equal to or more than 90cms.
2- Type of Cooktop
Many households prefer using induction (electric) stoves over the conventional gas types. The distance between the chimney and the stove is also determined by the type of cooktop you have.
The induction stove does not involve direct times while cooking, so it is safer even when the chimney is less than 24 inches. The risk of accidents is minimized to great extent in the case of induction stoves.
If you have a gas stove then the distance between the chimney and the stove must not be less than 24 inches. Before purchasing or installing a chimney, make sure that the chimney suits for your oven/cooktop type.
3- Suction Capacity
The suction capacity of a chimney refers to the power of the motor to suck the fumes in one hour. It is usually measured in the unit of cubic meters per hour.
Calculation of the required suction capacity can be done by anyone. It depends on the design and dimensions of your kitchen.
The suction capacity is inversely related to the distance between the chimney and the stove.
When the suction power is low for a chimney, it should not be installed at greater heights. This will lead to the poor performance of the motor. If you want to increase the distance between the chimney and oven, you should look for chimneys that have higher exhaust rates.
4- Space of Your Kitchen
The amount of space you have for your chimney determines the type of exhaust system you buy. The width varies from brand to brand. It is preferable if the stove is near the outer wall so that the smokes and fumes can be eliminated easily. Stoves farther from the outdoors will require chimneys with long ducts. Long ducts result in reduced sucking power and slow performance. When the design of your kitchen is complicated and the stove is positioned in the sidewalls, the ducts will require a lot of bends and turns that will reduce the efficiency to a great extent.
It is difficult to match all the requirements for higher suction power, but you can adjust and install a chimney according to your needs.
5- Duct or ductless chimneys
Most chimneys come with a duct that acts as a medium for the fumes and the dust to be disposed to the outdoors. Avoid going for chimneys with longer ducts. Longer ducts will lead to more turns and bends that will hinder the suction capacity.
However, to avoid this problem many people install from the lower side. That is highly dangerous. The hold of the chimney might catch fire when there is exposure to a huge amount of fumes.
If it becomes difficult to position your stove for chimneys with shorter ducts, look for a chimney that has higher suction power. That will minimize the chance of inefficiency.
How to Choose the Best Chimney Hood?
To buy the best chimney for your kitchen, you should consider your budget, cooking needs, and your kitchen space. We have provided some factors that might help you pick the right chimney hood for your kitchen.
Air
If your kitchen is in a very closed space and has lots of humid air, proper ventilation and circulation of air are important. In that case, a chimney with a duct will help in providing adequate ventilation to your kitchen.
Frequent circulation of fresh air will clean the air.
If your kitchen is already ventilated with windows and exhaust fans, you will not need a chimney with ducts. A ductless chimney will do the job unless they are not vented lower to the cooktop.
A major disadvantage of a ductless hood is that it creates lots of noise. If you can manage it, then that would be the best option. A ductless hood unlike a chimney with duct will not require a lot of space.
Cost
Installing a chimney hood that suits all your needs and the design of your kitchen can be expensive. It is totally up to you whether to purchase a ducted or ductless chimney hood.
A ducted hood is proven to have more efficiency than a ductless chimney. However, you can manage the settings according to your space.
All that you need is to conduct intense research about the different styles of chimneys and select that fits your budget. Upgrading the pre-installed chimney is affordable than purchasing the entire framework.
Flexibility
The flexibility of your chimney duct depends on the distance and the width of the outlet.
The width of the hole must not exceed 6.4cm to ensure the proper flow of the dirty fumes.
If you have proper arrangements to support ducts in your kitchen, then you can choose ducted chimneys. Instead, going for a ductless hood will not require any special arrangements and it will cut off extra expenses.
Calculation of suction power
A very crucial and important tip to pick the best chimney for your kitchen is by understanding the suction power of your hood.
Suction power is measured in units of cubic meters per hour. It determines how well the dirty gases and fumes are absorbed to leave behind clean and fresh air.
Suction power can be easily calculated if you know the volume of your kitchen.
- Volume of your kitchen = Height (m) x width(m) x length(m)
When the volume of your kitchen(mm^3)is known, it should be multiplied with the factor of efficiency which is mostly 10.
- Suction power= Volume of your kitchen x 10
Any chimney you pick up must be above the suction the power you get. The minimum suction power that a chimney offer is 270mm^3.
Nowadays most of the chimney offers suction power ranging from 900- 1200 mm^3.
One thing that must be considered is the noise. The more the suction power, the more noise will be produced from the hood. However, the latest models provide chimneys with higher suction powers that are silent.
Frequently the asked questions
1) Is it safe to install the chimney down?
It is dangerous to vent your chimney down. It is not suitable for Indian cooking styles that require more frying and spices. The chimney might attract the fire and can be flammable.
2) Which material is preferred for the chimney duct?
Stainless steel is proven to work better as a duct to remove all the smoky air efficiently. Stainless steels also reduce the risk of corrosion which doesn’t require frequent cleaning. Aluminum and PVC pipes are also used to vent a chimney.
3) What should be the maximum distance to be maintained between the stove and chimney?
Every brands and model offer different heights according to its capacity. However, the average distance that should be painted is between 40-80cms.
4) What is the maximum no of turns or bends a chimney duct can have?
Make sure that your chimney duct doesn’t have more than two turns. More bends will lower the suction capacity of the chimney that nullifies the use of installing a chimney for your home.
Conclusion
Besides looking for brands and models for your chimney, you should pay attention to its installation. Ducted or ductless chimney, both of them have their unique optimal distance that must be maintained between a cooktop and the hood.
It is advised to read the manual thoroughly before you install the chimney. It will contain details like the height of the chimney, length of duct preferable, width of the outlet, and the suction power.
However, you must consider your budget before installing a new framework. Upgrading your chimney periodically is essential. A ductless chimney will require replacement every year. Considering all the factors, try to explore all the varieties and brands to pick the right chimney that suits your kitchen.
