Before purchasing a recirculating hood, you must understand that in order to operate it properly, you will have to spend money on replacement consumables from time to time. More precisely, there is only one consumable - a carbon filter for the hood, which eliminates unpleasant odors in the kitchen and protects the engine from contamination.
Let's figure out what work the filter does, how to choose the right replacement element and install it. The information provided will be useful to those who are just thinking about buying a recirculation type hood and to those who are already using such a unit.
Types of kitchen hoods
The hood is an important element in ensuring normal ventilation in the kitchen. The speed at which odors are removed from the room depends on its effectiveness.
Carbon filters are a mandatory component not for all types of hoods, but only for recirculating ones, so let’s first remember what types of air purification devices there are in the kitchen.
According to the method of air flow, all hoods can be divided into three categories:
- flow-through;
- circulation (recirculation);
- combined.
Flow hoods are connected to the ventilation duct using a rigid or flexible air duct.
The air containing kitchen fumes enters the hood and then into the ventilation. Various types of flow-through devices are also equipped with filters, but their function is slightly different - to protect the motor from an aggressive environment.
Recirculation devices do not require air ducts.
A hood without an air duct is installed above the stove so that it does not interfere with cooking. The width of the panel must be no less than the width of the hob
The air flow in the circulation model comes from the stove into the housing, passes through 2 cleaning stages (2 types of filters - anti-grease and carbon), and then returns to the kitchen space.
Comparative diagram of air movement in recirculation and flow (exhaust) modes. To ensure an exhaust effect, access to fresh air is desirable during equipment operation.
Combined models have an additional recirculation function. That is, you can insert carbon filters and start the recirculation mode, or you can connect an air duct and use the flow function.
Types of filter elements
The first kitchen hoods were made without any filters - a hinged metal umbrella equipped with an axial fan was connected to the vent via a rectangular channel. The household appliance coped with the removal of soot and grease to the street, but at the same time it became covered with sticky dirt - it was necessary to frequently wash the body, impeller and air intake grille.
Current pendant, island and built-in hoods do not have this drawback, since they are equipped with filters of various types:
Let us remind you that there are 2 types of kitchen hoods - flow-through and recirculating. The former throw the drawn air inside the ventilation shaft or directly onto the street, the latter are made without exhaust and direct the purified flow back into the room.
Depending on the manufacturer and model, the exhaust device is equipped with one or two types of filters. For example, most thin built-in hoods are equipped only with a grease trap, while recirculating island versions of the devices are equipped with coal and grease inserts. Let's look at each type of element in more detail.
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Filters - grease traps
This category of filter devices for kitchen appliances is divided into 3 groups:
An important nuance. The principle of operation of replaceable filters is based on the absorption of fats and soot particles by synthetic fabric. Hence the high degree of purification of the air flow sucked by the fan.
Grids made of stainless steel and aluminum are also made to fit the size of household appliances, but are designed for long-term operation. The principle of operation is very simple: drops of fat and volatile particles are retained by the smallest cells of several meshes placed inside the frame.
Frame grease traps made of aluminum
Let's list the pros and cons of each type of product:
Lyrical digression. Household kitchen suction is not a panacea. Despite the constant use of the hood, yellow specks of grease end up on the walls and cabinets near the stove. The reason is the large distance from the suction opening to the dishes with the food being prepared. To effectively remove harmful substances, the umbrella needs to be lowered, but then it will become inconvenient to cook. It is physically impossible to catch vapors from a working oven.
Carbon cartridges
The operating principle of sorption carbon cassettes is fundamentally different from the operation of grease filters. Activated carbon granules placed inside a plastic cartridge purify the air flow from harmful fumes and tiny particles. In practice this means the following:
Historical reference. The first gas masks produced during the Soviet era also used cleaning containers filled with activated carbon dust. Purpose - trapping toxic chemicals - gases and liquid droplets.
Filters filled with absorbent are produced in the form of plastic disposable cassettes and flat “mats”. Depending on the model of the exhaust unit, rectangular or round cartridges with a hole in the center are used.
The maximum service life of a carbon element is 6 months. With intensive and frequent cooking, this period is halved. The cost of products is from 190 rubles. (Gefest brand) up to 2000 rub. (Rainford). There are also more expensive examples, for example, Faber 112 Fabula for 12.5 thousand rubles.
Rectangular cartridges are placed inside the working opening of the umbrella
Advice. The first enemy of the filter sorbent is the moisture contained in the intake air. If you want to extend the life of the charcoal cartridge, after cooking, ventilate the kitchen and leave the exhaust fan on for 10-15 minutes to dry it.
Combined inserts
A filter product of this type is a two-layer flat element - a “mat”, filled with synthetic fiber and activated carbon granules - sorbent. The padding polyester is located at the bottom and absorbs fat, while the upper carbon layer deactivates harmful gas impurities.
Two-layer combined filter device
Universal inserts are disposable, suitable for hoods designed for flat replaceable filters. Working life is no more than 3 months with daily use, the price is approximately 30-40% higher than the cost of single-layer fabric grease traps. Example: a product measuring 47 x 57 cm from the manufacturer Filtero costs 690 rubles. (12 USD), Top House brand - 490 rubles. (8.5 USD).
Design and principle of operation of a carbon filter
The appearance of the filter may vary, as it is made of either plastic or synthetic fabric. In the first case, it is a round or rectangular plastic cassette filled with activated carbon in the form of powder or granules; in the second, it is a dense piece of material impregnated with the same activated carbon.
Sometimes these two types are combined to create more effective protection against hot vapors and impurities that pass through them.
Charcoal cassettes are often round in shape and sold in sets of two. The plastic from which the cassette body is made is safe and does not emit harmful substances when heated
Carbon filters should not be confused with anti-grease filters, which are a metal mesh or grate and are the first stage of protection. Particles of fat and substances settle on the anti-fat barrier - this is a kind of coarse filter, but it does not retain odors.
And the charcoal filter passes through air that has already been cleared of grease, and this is what eliminates unpleasant and pungent cooking aromas.
The carbon filter is hidden inside the housing. Most often it is attached directly to the motor. And everyone has seen the anti-grease grille - it’s a steel or aluminum mesh, which is in plain sight, at the bottom of the hood
When choosing replacement units for your hood, you should follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. The fact is that in order to increase the demand for products, most of the filter cassettes and cartridges are universal in nature, that is, they are suitable not for one specific model, but for several. The list can contain up to 20 items.
On the packaging, the manufacturer indicates for which models of kitchen hoods the filter element is suitable (+)
You should ask the seller about the availability of consumables before purchasing a hood, otherwise you will soon encounter an unpleasant situation. After six months or 3-4 months (the service life is indicated in the instructions), you will want to purchase replacement cartridges, but you will not be able to find them on the open market.
This is especially true for the latest models that have just appeared on the market. If the problem has already occurred, try looking for a replacement in online stores.
Operating principle of coal protection:
- First, the air passes through a dense layer of viscose soaked in a charcoal solution. Some of the impurities and fat remain in the fabric structure.
- The partially purified air is then directed into the cassette where the granules are located. Activated carbon has remarkable properties - it not only traps residual impurities, but also absorbs specific odors.
Several cleaning cycles completely free the air flow of dirt and kitchen aroma. When the properties of the filler, “clogged” with grease and dirt, decrease, a new filter must be installed. In this regard, devices with sensors that indicate the need for replacement are very convenient.
Reviews from experienced housewives
Housewives often share their impressions of using kitchen hoods, the effectiveness of the filters installed in them, and their experience of caring for them. Experienced housewives advise that when purchasing, you should immediately find out all the nuances: “We chose it together with my husband. He asked the consultant a lot of questions, but he purchased an excellent hood—Electrolux. It’s equipped with a carbon microfilter, so I didn’t have to buy anything else.”
Kitchen hood Electrolux
No recommendations will help as much as the reviews of those who have already tried all the methods of filter care:
- “I wash the metal filter only in the dishwasher. Cleans up perfectly."
- “I use oven cleaner. I smear the filter with a brush, let it sit for 20 minutes, then wash it off, rinse and wipe it off.”
- “I have an inexpensive Scarlett hood. Once a month I always wash the filters and clean the chimney outlets. I use Mr. Muscle spray. There is no greasy residue either on the furniture or on the ceiling. I think that it’s all about proper care, not the cost of the hood.”
- “I discovered that the filter was so clogged that no amount of cleaning would help, and there was nowhere to buy a new one. My husband found a way out: he cut out 2 rectangles to size from thin foam rubber, crushed charcoal and placed it between them. It’s been in service for a month now.”
Now you know the basics about filters for kitchen hoods and can choose the most effective option for yourself.
How to effectively clean a kitchen hood: video
Filters for kitchen hood: photo
Frequently asked questions from buyers
It is believed that flow hoods remove 100% of unpleasant odors from the room, while recirculating hoods operating on carbon filters remove much less. In fact, it is impossible to remove all odors from the kitchen, since they spread very quickly to neighboring rooms.
The difference in performance between the two types of hoods is about 15-20%, that is, carbon filters clean the air quite well.
Exhaust equipment with new carbon filters, when used correctly, works in such a way that it protects wallpaper, tiles, ceilings and furniture from grease and other deposits
Many people do not want to constantly spend money on consumables, and instead of hoods with carbon filters, they buy a model with an air duct, believing that in the end it is cheaper.
To calculate the costs, you need to add the cost of cartridges to the cost of a recirculating hood - for 10 years, on average, you will need about 20 pieces. And to the price of a flow-through model, you must add the payment for materials (ducts, corrugations, fittings) and services for installing the air duct. Additionally, you should take into account the cost of the suspended structure, if it is required for camouflage. It remains to compare the results.
Also, in order to save money, enterprising owners of hoods, instead of the hard plastic cassettes recommended by the manufacturer, manage to put soft fabric filters into the housing, which cost 5 times less. This is a gross violation of the use of exhaust equipment.
Homemade and refurbished filters sharply reduce the performance of devices, and also do not provide any guarantee that the engine will function for the required period after such “protection”.
You can often hear the question: is it possible to use non-original cassettes and panels if there is no corresponding brand? Of course, it is possible, but under one condition - if they are suitable in composition and size. This is easy to do by carefully examining the packaging: the names of the models to which the cassette or cartridge fits are usually indicated directly on the front side.
How to install a new replacement unit
The most important recommendation when installing new cassettes or replacing old ones is to carefully read the manufacturer’s instructions. It indicates the procedure and some important nuances that relate to specific models.
For example, a simple carbon cartridge installed on the wrong side will not work correctly, and instead of clean air you will get wasted energy.
The instructions are often presented in the form of a plan - a step-by-step description of actions, sometimes accompanied by pictures. Responsible manufacturers complete their products with discs with video instructions or simply provide a link to the manufacturer’s website, where you can find all the information you need.
We offer examples of instructions that will help you when installing filters for various models.
Option number 1 . Replacement filter for the Shindo Aliot PS - there is only one replaceable element, it looks like a rectangular panel.
Source
Popular filter cartridge manufacturers
Today, hoods operating on the recycling principle are produced by many companies from the USA, Germany, Czech Republic, France, Russia and other countries. Many manufacturers produce filter cartridges for their devices themselves. However, there are many manufacturers that produce universal filter units. They fit many models.
If your hood is still under warranty, you should only use the cartridges specified in the instruction manual. If service does not comply with the requirements of the instructions, the right to repair under warranty may be lost!
We invite you to familiarize yourself with the products of brands that have earned the trust of customers.
- Bosch
This German company is considered a recognized leader in the production of household appliances. Its universal filter units are expensive, but are of high quality and have a long service life.
The range of products produced by the company includes filters with round and rectangular cross-sections of various sizes.
- Gorenje
The company produces high-quality filters that are quite capable of providing high quality cleaning. The range includes models for hoods from different manufacturers. According to consumer reviews, when replaced in a timely manner, filters from Gorenje are not inferior to products from Bosch.
- Jet Air
This Italian manufacturer offers a wide range of filter cartridges. The model range includes round and rectangular filters of different thicknesses. Jet Air filters last approximately 4 months and have a reputation for being inexpensive and of average quality.
- Krona
The filters of this company belong to the upper price category. The kit comes with 2 cassettes, so it lasts for a year (it is recommended to replace the cartridge once every 6 months).
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In addition to the manufacturers described above, many companies produce filter units: Elikor, Shindo, Titan. They are less universal, but they serve quite successfully in hoods of “their” type.
Replacement instructions
As we found out above, disposable fat, combined and carbon cassettes cannot be regenerated by washing or rinsing. A contaminated element should be replaced if the following signs are detected:
Attempts to wash a clogged disposable filter have, of course, been made by many users. The result is negative; it is impossible to remove absorbed fat from the fibers. Washed synthetic filler gets clogged up again quite quickly.
First you need to buy an air purification element for a specific hood. It is better to give preference to original filters of the same brand as your household appliances. In other cases, the manufacturer does not play a special role. If you cannot find a product of the required size, take a universal grease-absorbing filter - it fits most exhaust devices.
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The universal aluminum mesh can be cut to the desired size and placed in an old frame
How to remove and install a new filter that captures grease vapors:
Cassettes filled with activated carbon are usually located behind the grease trap. To get to the carbon filter, the latter must be removed. The cartridge itself is secured with clamps or a Phillips screwdriver.
Before servicing a wall-mounted tilting hood, fold down the front protective shield. How to install a carbon filter on a similar household appliance is shown in a short video:
