Manufacturers of the hood guarantee its appropriateness in any situation, but there is an opinion that in a kitchen with an electric stove this device is not necessary. The main argument is that, unlike a gas stove, an electric surface operates without the formation of combustion products. Is it worth spending money on a hood in such a situation, and if so, which one is better to buy? How power affects the performance of the appliance and how to place it correctly in the kitchen is in the article.
What is a hood - which type is better for an electric stove?
The type of hood is a significant factor in choice. It is important for arranging a kitchen with an electric stove, which, unlike a gas stove, does not emit carcinogens when cooking.
Devices are:
- Flow-through.
- Recirculation.
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Operating principle of flow models
Flow-through systems remove contaminated air into the ventilation duct of the house. They are productive and relatively economical to maintain - there is no need to regularly change filters.
Flow hoods are expensive to install. You will have to spend money on air ducts and an anti-return valve that retains exhaust air in the ventilation shaft. Equipment installation specialists also do not charge cheap for their labor.
Important : Considering the absence of combustion products, a hood paired with an electric stove does not have to be powerful - by choosing a low-power device, you can save money.
Flow-type hoods do an excellent job of eliminating odors - which is why they are more often chosen in tandem with an electric stove than others.
Operating principle of recirculation models
Recirculating hoods are easy to install. They can be purchased at a low price. An important advantage of the device is maintaining the temperature regime, since it does not draw heat outside.
Equipment does not always cope with odors, but it is strong in cleaning harmful impurities and grease deposits, which is why kitchens with gas stoves are equipped with recirculating hoods. Don’t forget about replacing the filters in these models - they need to be changed a maximum of once every six months.
Attention : A recirculating hood is the best option for a well-ventilated kitchen.
Educational: How to clean a hood? How to clean a hood filter - 5 important aspects
Which hood to buy for an electric stove
Flow-through | Recirculating | ||
pros | Minuses | pros | Minuses |
no need to change filters | expensive | inexpensive, easy to install | change filters every 5 months |
cope with the smell | purchase of valve, air vent | cope with fat | do not add oxygen to the kitchen |
replace the air with fresh | payment for installers | do not vent warm air outside |
In order not to be tormented by doubts, you can buy models that work in two modes - but you will have to overpay for multifunctionality.
Kitchen hoods: what is the reason for their ban
Kitchen hoods for “gas” apartments have become a quasi-forbidden fruit, not at the whim of officials, but for safety reasons. And now management companies are beginning to warn owners about the ban that has come into force. They refer to the corresponding GOST or SNiP, in force since 2003. Previously, no one demanded compliance with these restrictions. But after a number of gas explosions in the MKD, control in this area has increased significantly. And we are talking here not only about the safety of buildings, but also about people’s lives.
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Why do you need a hood in the kitchen?
Previously, it was believed that the hood removed fumes and odors. Modern research has shown that it has much greater benefits than it seemed.
Air cleaning
The aesthetic side of the issue - the aroma of cutlets in the living room - is not the worst thing that polluted air carries. The smell of food can cause allergies.
Allergic reactions to the smell of foods or their components (coconut, sesame oil, dairy products, fish smell) occur even in adults. Even more often, young children suffer from allergies, whose bodies can react to seemingly harmless food. That is why the issue of cleaning the air from odors is of particular concern to young parents.
The smell of cooked food or burnt food will not leave the kitchen, and this is especially appreciated in a studio apartment.
With the hood, the air is renewed. Even with the window closed, it will be fresh and pleasant to be in the kitchen - this is important in the cold season, when you don’t really want to let the heat out into the street.
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Protect furniture, floors and walls from grease
If you regularly use the hood, you can preserve the coating of walls and furniture facades for many years - they will not be affected by grease deposits mixed with dust particles.
Dishes and household appliances will also be like new - with a hood, their surface will not turn black from soot.
Ventilation is important for rooms with wooden decorative elements and furniture - they readily absorb various substances. Wood products are difficult to clean and easily damaged if not cleaned correctly.
Important : Textiles very quickly become saturated with strong odors - a hood will definitely save the curtains from foreign odors.
In a kitchen without a hood, a greasy coating will appear on the walls and ceiling. The hood prevents dirt by catching microscopic particles before they “land” on the floor, walls, windows and ceiling.
Which is better: the most convenient schemes for a private house and for an apartment
Let's summarize and describe the most convenient ways to arrange kitchen ventilation.
For an apartment:
- If the area is small and the ventilation shaft is working normally, you can do nothing at all (except perhaps install a kitchen hood).
- If the area is large and/or the ventilation shaft does not work well/does not work at all: it is worth installing supply valves and leading the hood through the wall to the street (if possible). If not, you can install an exhaust fan in the wall, placing it as far as possible from the neighbors’ windows.
For a private house:
- If the area is small and there is a wood-burning stove in the kitchen, air can be removed through its chimney. Inflow - organized through valves from other rooms. To improve draft, you can install a smoke exhauster in the smoke channel.
- If the area is large and/or there is no wood-burning stove in the kitchen, you can install a kitchen hood. Since there are no neighbors who would be bothered by the smell in a private house, its outlet can be routed through the wall to the street.
- Alternatively, you can install both a kitchen hood and a regular exhaust fan in the wall. In this case, the hood can be turned on only when cooking, and the fan can be left running constantly, at low speeds, so that there is always draft. This option is suitable if the house area is large and/or you need to ensure faster air exchange.
How natural ventilation works: a detailed and understandable description
How to check ventilation in apartments: from simple methods to special devices
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Are there any negative properties of the hood?
Despite the benefits of a kitchen appliance, there is a point of view that it can cause harm. Disputes on this matter do not subside. Below are several popular misconceptions and their refutation.
Myth | In fact |
Grease traps with settled fat particles are a favorable environment for the growth of bacteria. | Timely cleaning and replacement of filters makes the device completely safe. In addition, grease deposited on furniture and tiles poses the same threat. |
The noise of the hood gets on your nerves and drowns out other sounds. | There are silent hoods on the market (for example, PYRAMIDA BR 60/A WHITE). Besides, the kitchen is already full of sounds. Against the background of the noise of tap water, boiling food and the operation of the same refrigerator, the noise of the hood is almost unnoticeable. |
A ventilation system is sufficient to clean the air. | Indeed, in an ultra-compact kitchen, an open window is often enough. But how much a winter draft justifies the cleanliness and freshness of the air is up to each user to decide. |
Read more on the topic: WHY IS THE HOOD SO NOISE? 3 MOST COMMON SITUATIONS
What are the dangers of installing a hood
The danger is that in the presence of a hood, the level of natural ventilation deteriorates. Therefore, the apartment may fill with gas leaking from somewhere. If fresh air is not supplied, such an amount of gas will accumulate in the apartment volume that there is a high probability of an explosion. Moreover, even an open window or constant ventilation does not save the situation, since there will be no exhaust through the ventilation shaft. Air exchange must occur constantly.
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Even if all your neighbors have a kitchen hood, you shouldn’t follow their example. Sooner or later, this incorrectly installed device will be discovered in your apartment, and you will suffer severe retribution in the form of a very significant fine. And, of course, you will be required to dismantle the hood. Remember that stupid examples should not be followed. This issue is not so much about violating the rules, but about the safety of both yours and your neighbors’ lives.
Do you need a hood in a kitchen with an electric stove?
You need to approach the installation of equipment carefully - then the operation will result in exclusively positive emotions. Below are reasons to install a hood in a kitchen with an electric stove and recommendations for choosing it.
Mandatory replacement of fresh air
For comfort in the kitchen, not only purified but also fresh air is important. The removed volume of gas must be replaced by the same amount of air. If you pump 800 cubic meters in a kitchen without ventilation, closing all the windows, air will come from any ventilation hole: bathroom, toilet. It can hardly be called fresh.
Important : To fully renew the air without the help of an exhaust hood, you need to leave the window slightly open.
Interesting: Fireplace hood for the kitchen: 4 important points worth knowing
Choosing the right power
Even the most powerful unit will not pump out more air than the ventilation duct can pass. Excessive pressure will damage the quality of air purification even in your neighbor's kitchen.
To calculate the power of the device, it is recommended to multiply the height of the kitchen by its area, and multiply the resulting amount again by 12. If the hood is connected to a ventilation shaft, to calculate the power, the figure is again multiplied by 1.3.
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All the pros and cons
An electric stove does not have most of the disadvantages of a gas hob. When using it there is no:
- carbon monoxide, an excess of which guarantees ailments, migraines, allergies;
- sulfur dioxide, which causes tickling and coughing;
- nitrogen oxides, which irritate the respiratory tract;
- formaldehyde, which has a negative effect on the skin;
- benzopyrene is a powerful carcinogen, which has the same effect as 2-5 cigarettes.
An electric stove will definitely not lead to a yellow coating - an obligatory artifact that appears in places where gas burners are used.
But electrical technology is not ideal either. Nevertheless, cooking is accompanied by certain processes:
- moisture is actively evaporating;
- heated metal pans and foods release harmful substances;
- there is no escape from the smells and fumes;
- The preparation of any delicacy is necessarily accompanied by fat and soot.
All this leads to one conclusion - a hood over an electric stove is mandatory in almost all cases. And especially in an extra-small kitchen, if the “window” method does not cope with the cleaning function.
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Features of the kitchen microclimate: why is proper ventilation important?
You need to worry about normal ventilation for this room because:
- food is being prepared here, the smell of which can “eat into” interior items (especially textiles - curtains, towels) and spread throughout the apartment if it is not quickly removed;
- the kitchen is often used as a “smoking room”, and tobacco smoke must be removed quickly;
- due to increased temperature (during cooking) and humidity, condensation forms faster on windows in winter;
- due to increased humidity and heat when air stagnates, mold may appear on windows, in the corners of walls, in cabinets with dishes (if placed wet), and with food.
Also, ventilation shaft openings are almost always located in the kitchen. The ventilation shaft serves to remove “exhaust” air from the apartment - and therefore its operation should not be disrupted.
How to check the performance of the ventilation shaft?
Very often, ventilation in the entire apartment is seriously impaired precisely because of the common (for the riser) shaft - if it is clogged, or if the draft in it is impaired for other reasons. In this case, the air removal system will not work normally.
Protrusion of a ventilation shaft with a hole covered with a grille
Therefore, first of all, you need to check that the ventilation duct is working properly.
To check, tear off a thin strip of soft paper (toilet paper will do). Then open a window in any room, open the doors between that room and the kitchen, and hold the paper strip to the vent.
If the strip is noticeably attracted to the ventilation grille, everything is in order: the system is working. If it does not attract at all, or attracts weakly, the exhaust shaft either does not work at all (does not create draft), or it works, but poorly. In this case, you need to contact the housing office (or the organization that maintains ventilation in your home) to solve the problem - the duct will need to be cleaned or repaired.
An important nuance : if your kitchen has a hood that is directly connected to the ventilation shaft, and the hole in the shaft completely blocks its outlet, this is also a problem. In this case, air will be removed only when the hood is running.
In order not to disrupt the operation of the system, the kitchen hood outlet must be connected through an element that has a grille below the opening for the air duct, with a check valve. In this case, the air will escape naturally through this grille when the hood is not working. When the hood is turned on, it removes air from the room, and the check valve prevents it from flowing back.
Checking the performance of the ventilation shaft (video)
Which hood is better for an electric stove?
The main parameter for calculating the size of an exhaust system is the scale of the slab over which it is mounted.
If the stove has 4 burners and overall dimensions, it is better to take a hood from 60 cm - for example, Electrolux LFP316S. For a kitchen with compact stoves of 50 centimeters, compact hood models are chosen (an excellent option is the Beko FSM57300GX stove with oven).
How to choose a size
The calculation rule states: the working surface of the hood should be 10-30% larger than the width of the electric stove. Example: for a 90 cm hob, a 120 cm wide hood is suitable.
Note: Do not worry about the aesthetics of a large hood - modern models are compact due to their thoughtful design. And so that it is not visible at all, they choose a built-in structure.
How to calculate the mounting height
It is recommended to hang the hood at a height of 65 cm. At this level from the stove it is most comfortable to cook food. If you install the device at a greater distance from the countertop, it will work “idle”; if at a smaller distance, it will be inconvenient during the cooking process. In addition, the heat from a nearby stove will damage the hood components.
Interesting : It is worth considering the distance of the outlet from the device - this way you will not need to extend the wire of the equipment you just purchased.
To sum it up, we can say: it’s rare that a kitchen can do without a hood. The equipment will free the air from carcinogens and burning impurities and destroy odors that can be dangerous to the health of some people. A properly installed hood will extend the life of household appliances, furniture and wall coverings. It will catch droplets of grease before the dirt covers the kitchen area. To choose the best hood for a tandem with an electric stove, you need to take into account the type of device, the area of the kitchen itself and the size of the hob.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
In the video attached below, an illiterate “specialist” talks about how to “correctly” change the design of the ventilation system in the kitchen. But at the same time, it is clear on the screen that the actions are illegal.
For example, they dismantled the ventilation duct, which is absolutely forbidden to do, and violated the integrity of the air duct structure. Moreover, all of the above is carried out without project approval. The housing inspectorate will simply refuse to accept an application for redevelopment containing a request to allow the work listed above.
The following video clearly shows what will happen if the fact of illegal redevelopment of the ventilation system is revealed:
Redesigning the design of any ventilation system is a responsible, expensive and labor-intensive procedure. Therefore, in most cases it should be abandoned. And, if a decision is made to carry out the planned work, then the methods must be legal. Because otherwise you will have to bear responsibility for your actions.
Have you moved a vent and want to share your experience with other visitors to our site? Share your experience, add unique photos, participate in discussions - the feedback block is located below this publication.
Choosing a range hood for the kitchen
Let's take a closer look at how to select the optimal hood for a cabinet.
First step: clarifying the performance of the component per hour, twelve kitchen volumes, multiplied by a coefficient equal to 1.3
Second step: determining the dimensions of the model, which in plan should exceed the dimensions of the slab:
- for cabinet sizes smaller in area than the hob, devices with a retractable telescopic panel are used;
- when choosing the type of model, preference should be given to flow-through or combined products;
- recirculation models are used when it is difficult to arrange the outlet of air ducts and only for electric stoves.
It is also useful to clarify the noise characteristics, which should be close to 30 and not exceed 48 dB. An important advantage is the backlight is halogen, or better yet, LED.
A washable metal grease filter is mandatory, and a carbon filter will be an additional advantage. Sensors for the degree of filter contamination, a display, and programmable control are useful, but their need should be compared with the cost of the model and your needs.
When choosing a cabinet for a hood, two conditions should be met:
- its internal dimensions must correspond to the dimensions of the hood;
- the design must be in harmony with the design of the kitchen, or if the first condition is met, a cabinet from the kitchen set is used.
Why is it needed?
The hood is a useful and very necessary device in everyday life. It helps to get rid of not only unpleasant odors, as well as their spread throughout the apartment, but also cleans the air of various types of impurities that appear during cooking. Thanks to air circulation and purification, the kitchen will always smell pleasant and feel fresh.
Quite often housewives use it as additional lighting above the hob. So, you can not turn on the light in the kitchen in the evening, but simply go into the room to check the degree of readiness of the food and turn on the light only on the hood. The modern design of the exhaust system allows you to organically fit such a household appliance into the interior of the room. For this reason, such a device will be a highlight in the kitchen environment, and will also begin to create an extraordinary and unique design of the room.
Recommendations from the experts
Before you start creating the ventilation system in question, you need to double-check all the calculations made several times in order to avoid making a mistake, which can then be costly. Experts also advise using only proven components from well-known manufacturers. Otherwise, there is a risk that a fan may fail, which will disrupt the entire operation of the ventilation system.
If you cannot perform any procedure with your own hands, you should not hesitate to contact a specialist. It is better to spend a little time and money on consulting a professional than to make a mistake on your own that could disrupt the operation of the entire system.