How To Buy A Chimney
How to choose the right Chimney for your Kitchen in India (2019)
Step 1: The Chimney Mounting type
Chimneys can be mounted in 3 ways:
Wall Mounted
The chimney is supported on the kitchen wall
Island Chimney
If you have an Island unit where the gas burner is fitted, you will need a Hanging or Island Chimney
Straight Line Chimney
The chimney is fitted on the wall, but, it can have overhead cupboards over it
Choose a chimney that best fits your requirement and aesthetics of your kitchen
Step 2: Chimney Ducting Requirements
A duct or pipe is required to expel the fumes absorbed by the chimney outside of the kitchen into the window or chimney outlet. Chimneys are of two types:
Ducted Chimney
A duct is taken from the chimney to the window/outlet to let out the absorbed fumes. You need to check if there is space in your kitchen to make this duct and lead to a window or opening.
Ductless Chimney
If there is no space to add the exhaust duct in your kitchen, prefer a duct less Chimney- It uses carbon filters to absorb the gas fumes. The carbon filter effectively cleanses the fumes and recirculates the air back into the kitchen
Decure Recommendation: Wherever possible prefer Ducted Chimney, as they circulate upto 30% more air as compared to a ductless chimney. Also, a ducted chimney will absorb steam and condensation better than its ductless counterpart
It is advisable that the ducting is not too long and does not have too many turns. It increases the probability of leakage of absorbed fumes and reduces the effectiveness of the chimney
Step 3: Deciding the Chimney Size
The Thumb rule here is simple: The size of the chimney should be bigger than or equal to the size of your burner. The chimney should cover the entire Cook-top for it to efficiently absorb all the cooking fumes.
Step 4: Suction Capacity
Most Chimneys available in India today have a suction capacity of 1000–1200 m3/hr and this is more than sufficient for a mid sized kitchen. But if you want to calculate the appropriate suction capacity of the chimney for your kitchen, use the below formula:You multiply the volume of your kitchen by 10
If the your kitchen is 4 mt wide, 5 mt long and 2.7 mt high, then (4 x 5 x 2.7) x 10 = 540 m3/hr- A chimney of 540 m3/hr or more should be good enough for your kitchen
Generally used ball point figures:
Small Kitchens/Straight line Kitchens: 700 m3/hr
Mid Sized Kitchens: Approx. 1000 m3/hr
Large Kitchens: 1200 m3/hr or More
Step 5: Selecting Chimney based on your cooking style
Indian Cooking is oilier and cooked at a higher flame temperature as compared to western cooking styles. The Baffle filter is better suited to handle oily and elevated temperature cooking. It is also easy to clean a baffle filter.
Therefore, you will see that most brands have an extensive range of Baffle filters in their India offerings.
Decure Recommendation: Go for a chimney with Baffle filter. Its effective and easy to maintain
Step 6: Additional Features to look for in a Chimney
Low Noise Chimneys
If you want your chimney to operate quietly, then you can opt for a low Noise Chimney. Most brands have a low noise series.
Elica has a low noise series called EDS Chimneys. Also, quite a few models have a variation with the word ‘ETB’ in the name. These too relatively low noise chimneys.
Faber has a low noise series called “SUNZI” series
Auto Clean Chimneys
Auto clean chimneys can self clean. On selecting the auto Clean mode, the coil around the motor heats up and causes the oil and grease particles stuck in the filter to melt. These particles are collected in an Oil collector cup and removed. Auto clean feature helps in reducing the time taken to clean the chimney and such chimneys require lower maintenance.
IMPORTANT: Most auto clean chimneys can be used in DUCTED mode only. So it is advisable to check with the seller about the ducting requirements before selecting an Auto clean chimney.
Auto Fume Sensors
An auto fume sensor will turn on the chimney automatically when cooking fumes are detected
Timer
Chimney with Timers can be pre-set to switch off after a set time
Filter Change Indicator
The chimney will indicate that it is time to change the charcoal filters- this helps in timely changing and proper maintenance of the chimney
