How to Select a Kitchen Chimney? Ultimate Guide

A kitchen chimney is an essential piece of equipment in any home. They extract smoke, grease and other cooking-related odours from the kitchen.

This post describes how to select a kitchen chimney that will not let you down. We also give you tips on how to choose a chimney that will fit your home and help you save money.

Kitchen chimney installation has become a popular trend in modular kitchens. Along with providing pleasing aesthetics and helping to ventilate hot greasy smoke, these units also keep the kitchen cool by expelling this unwanted waste product outside of your home through an exhaust pipe installed near or at ground level.

Kitchen chimneys come in many different shapes and sizes depending on what you want them for – cooking styles range from open fireplaces that operate like convection ovens down to gas-powered grates where food is cooked right before our eyes. So how do we know which one will work best?

This article will provide you with all the information that you need to know about choosing a kitchen chimney for your home.

Types of Kitchen Chimneys

Based on installation location, chimney selection

Wall-mounted chimney

Wall-mounted chimneys are popular for smaller kitchens with little-to-no space for a traditional chimney. They come in different shapes and sizes to suit your needs, from small units that barely show from the outside to large units that protrude from the wall.

They can be installed next to a cooktop or oven and placed on the side of a wall, giving a more aesthetically pleasing look without compromising on functionality.

Island chimney

The island chimney is a real workhorse of the stove. It’s right in the centre of your kitchen or island and is usually installed with at least one side against the wall. This way, it can hold pots and pans on its exterior wall while using its interior walls to keep more pots and pans warm on the other side.

Island chimneys come in many shapes and sizes, from those that barely show from the outside to those that protrude from the wall like a stove hood.

How do I know which one will work best?

Wall-based chimneys may be suitable for small kitchens where cooking is done mainly at a cooktop, and the ventilation of cooking odours is not a priority.

Island chimneys are often installed with multiple stovetops, allowing for more than one pot or pan to be heated at once. However, they can also serve as effective garbage disposals when used with a grinder attachment.

Built-in chimney ( Integrated )

An integrated chimney is the most popular choice for not modular kitchens. These chimneys can be either built-in or freestanding, and while they work best in spacious kitchens, they will also work in smaller spaces.

Integrated chimneys are typically placed along one kitchen wall with an accompanying stovetop on the other side. This way, ventilation can occur on both sides of the cooking surface.

Freestanding chimneys

Freestanding chimneys are ideal for people who don’t want to alter their kitchen’s layout or simply want a bit more flexibility in their choice of location. They can be moved around easily before final installation, making them great for cooks who like to change their cooking style depending on the occasion. Like integrated chimneys, freestanding chimneys come in many varieties and can be used with various stovetops.

How do I choose one that will work best?

The most important thing to keep in mind is that wall-based chimneys mainly serve as ventilators for smaller kitchens where cooktop cooking takes place. They are not ideal for cooking multiple pots at once or for the disposal of garbage.

Integrated chimneys work best in spacious kitchens with enough space to accommodate more than one cooktop while still using their built-in ventilation capabilities.

Freestanding chimneys can be used in any kitchen layout due to their easily moving around. They are great for cooks who like to change their cooking style depending on the occasion.

Corner chimney

The corner chimney is the newest style of cabinet chimney. It has a double-wall at each corner, which helps concentrate heat and extract it more effectively than other styles. These two walls also help to prevent airflow from escaping out of the top, making this ideal for kitchens where the cooktop takes up most of the height.

Corner models are often installed with griddle inserts, allowing you to cook food on both sides simultaneously. Combining functions like these with their efficient design makes this an attractive choice for chefs who want quality cooking performance along with easy cleanup.

Corner chimneys are well suited to kitchens that have limited space and ventilate cooking odours well. They are also ideal for cooking multiple dishes at once, as they come with griddle inserts.

Duct or Ductless Chimneys

Ductless chimney

A ductless chimney is ideal for people who care about installing their kitchen chimney in a specific spot or who may want to use the area saved by not having a duct on another appliance.

Ductless models are also easier to clean than other chimneys because there are no hard-to-reach creases inside where water can settle.

Ductless chimneys are generally suitable for smaller kitchens with at least one side open to the outside. They are not recommended if you want to ventilate cooking odours from your kitchen, as there are no vents of this type.

Pros of ductless chimney

• It is easy to set up since it does not need any particular skills or work.
• Less expensive in comparison.
• Less space is needed for installation.

Cons of ductless chimney

• It must be cleaned regularly.
• The device makes noise while operating.
• Because it recycled the same absorbed air, the kitchen atmosphere feels almost identical even during regular cooking sessions.   

Ducted chimneys

A ducted chimney is the best option when installing your gas range away from an outside wall or in the corner of your kitchen. These models come with vents on each side and can be installed along one wall for optimal ventilation. How do I choose which would work best for me?

Ducted chimneys are great for kitchens with a corner cooktop or in which the stove is installed away from an outside wall. They are also recommended for people who want to ventilate cooking odours from their kitchen and have enough room on both sides of the range to install vents.

Ducted chimneys work best in kitchens with a corner cooktop or in which the stove is installed away from an outside wall. They are also recommended for people who want to ventilate cooking odours from their kitchen and have enough room on both sides of the range’s location to install vents.

Pros of a ducted chimney

• Quieter than ductless chimneys.
• The kitchen smells cool and fresh due to the efficient removal of cooking smoke.
• Continuous inspection and maintenance are not required.

Cons of ducted chimney

• Installation on a large area is required.
• It costs a lot of money.

Auto-Clean Kitchen Chimney

An auto-clean chimney is a chimney that has a dishwasher installed on the top of the unit. This type of kitchen chimney is designed to clean and dry all kitchen vents and pipes automatically and efficiently. How does it work?

An auto-clean chimney has a dishwasher and an internal cleaning system. The dishwasher’s high water pressure breaks down grease, food, and particles that your venting system has collected into droplets.

These droplets are then broken up into smaller bits that are washed away with plenty of detergents. The process also uses a heated drying cycle, so all of the moisture is removed from each pipe before the next wash cycle begins.

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Chimneys for the kitchen – Things to consider

 Types of Filters

The filter is a device to hold the solid substances in the air that passes through it, thus making your home’s atmosphere cleaner. There are three types of filters available in this category based on the material and filtration process.

1. Cassette/Mesh Filter

A cassette/Mesh Filter absorbs dirt and other particles from the air and is good for people with allergies or asthma. These filters can also suppress cooking smells and odours better than other filters.

Pros of cassette/mesh filter

The mesh filter is easy to clean and maintain.

It is the best choice for kitchens with a large cooking area, such as those in restaurants or commercial food service establishments.

Cons of cassette/mesh filter

Not suitable if you have pets or allergies because it cannot catch all types of pollutants from the air.

Less efficient than other types of filters

 2. Baffle Filter

A baffle filter is made of metal and has a high-efficiency filter on the inside.

The disadvantage of the baffle filter is that it takes more time to clean than other types of filters. How do I know if this type will be suitable for me?

Baffle filters are not recommended for homes with pets or allergies because they cannot catch all types of pollutants from the air. They are also less efficient than other types of filters, so you might want to consider another type if you have a large cooking area in your kitchen.

Baffle filters are ideal for Indian kitchens since they allow you to remove the smoke and grease produced by various meals that require oils and spices.

Pros of baffle filter

• This type of filter can be used with all types of stoves, including induction.
• Good ventilation is not required for this type of filter.

Cons of baffle filter

• Cleaning the metal parts takes time and requires special tools to remove rust or stains from them.
• Baffle filters can only be installed horizontally and can’t absorb odours when not in use.

 3. Charcoal Filter (Activated Carbon)

A charcoal air filter works like a vacuum cleaner bag to catch dust particles from the air.

Pros of charcoal filter (activated carbon)

This type of filter can be used to remove cooking smells and odours.

It does not need regular cleaning, but it has to be replaced every year.

Cons of charcoal filter (activated carbon) Charcoal filters are less efficient than other types.

Kitchen Area

Ductless chimneys are a great option if your kitchen has limited space, but they’re not the best choice in restaurants or homes with large kitchens. However, ducted fireplaces can still provide an excellent cooking experience, thanks to their amazing venting abilities.

DUCTLESS Chimney – The Right Choice For Restaurant Owners With Small Kitchens? If you have plenty of room on-site, consider going for this type, which will be perfect as it doesn’t need any installation work; just place some bricks across where there was once an open flame before and connect them using a flexible cord.

Size of the Cooking Hob

The perfect chimney size for your cooking stove should be 60 cm. If you have more than one burner, then the ideal 90cm is necessary to provide enough space.

This helps heat escape properly from different parts around it. It also helps smoke to pass through its core cavity easily without any obstruction or resistance.

The gap between Chimney and Cooktop

For your safety and the safety of those around you, it’s vital that smoke from a cooking stove is channelled correctly away. For this reason, all fireplaces should be at least 24 inches above any gas or electric cooktop to avoid danger from excessive heat (or even an igniter).

In addition, they need enough space for installation, so there won’t be issues if installing yours within these guidelines.

When shopping around, make sure what kind of chimney system will work best before buying anything else – you don’t want something too big only fit into place tight because then when winter comes along again next year.

The suction power of the chimney

The suction power of the kitchen chimney is measured in cubic per meter (CPM) and represents the smoke and odour absorbing capacity.

The suction power of 120CPM is enough to extract the smoke, but you have to choose it according to your cooking area.   A 1000-m3/h suction capacity kitchen chimney is ideal for a 100 m3 kitchen.

Indian kitchens may benefit from chimneys with high suction capabilities.

Budget

The price of the kitchen chimney depends on the number of features it has. The prices usually range from Rs 3,000 – 12000 depending on what you want for your house and how complicated or simple a job is required to install one in your home.

Installation and ownership costs are higher for automatic cleaning chimneys than manual cleaning.

Most companies provide free installation, although customized chimneys are often priced. On the other hand, designer chimneys will cost you more than plain ones.

Maintenance

One of the essential parts of a chimney is its filter. These filters need regular maintenance. Filters in ducts accumulate sooty residues that are difficult to remove. To clean your chimney, follow these steps:

• Remove the filter from the water and soak it in a mixing basin with baking soda, vinegar, or dishwasher detergent.
• Let it rest for an hour.
• Now, carefully clean the filter with a brush or a scrubber.
• The grease will be cleaned away once you’ve finished.
• Repeat the procedure as necessary.
• Let the filter dry before reinstalling it.

Baffle filters are easier to clean than mesh ones because they’re easy to take apart and don’t get clogged with oily dirt. This means you can wash your filter after every 3-4 months, while a cassette/mesh type of system needs cleaning once per week.

Ducted chimneys are a more convenient and efficient way of eliminating smoke from your kitchen. They do not require you to clean them regularly, but they cannot handle hot pans without an automatic system that cleans them for you on occasion.

Ductless systems will get clogged much sooner because the same air is recycled inside-out instead of going through ducts outside like all-inclusive houses have done since inception (though these days, there’s plenty of new technology coming out).

In India, however, where coal fires remain popular in most homes despite their dangers, Automatic Kitchen Chimney Systems provide hassle-free service by removing any manual labour required when dealing with the hazards of smoke.

Functionality

Kitchen chimneys can be divided into two categories, depending on their purpose:

Conventional kitchen chimneys

Chimneys with this design are easy to construct and cheaper than those with an elegant appearance. They also focus more on performance, but it’s not the best choice if you want your home to feel luxurious.

This style of chimney has become popular because they’re affordable compared to other types while still maintaining good functionality, such as efficiently burning wood for heat or cooking fuel without emitting dangerous carbon monoxide gas (which could cause death).

Contemporary kitchen chimneys

Designer chimneys are the answer for those who want their kitchen to be stylish and functional. The most famous designer fireplace in kitchens today, contemporary models can make any room look good on its own by being both traditional while adding modern touches like stainless steel or glass panels that bring an updated feel without compromising the performance of your fireplace.

Designer fires come at a higher price point. Still, with all-wood burning features becoming much more affordable over time, it will likely become a less daunting purchase decision when considering what type you’ll choose from among so many available styles.

Ease of use

Kitchen chimneys have undergone a lot of transformation in recent years. Modern designs are made up of stainless steel or other dishwasher-safe materials for cleaning; you can operate them using just one touch–without having air gestures necessary (unless desired).

For example, automatic ones come with oil collector mechanisms that separate kitchen fumes and do not block the airflow while still being easy to use.

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Top Kitchen Chimney Brands in India

Glen

In the world of island chimneys, Glen is the most trusted name.

Sunflame

One of India’s most budget-friendly and attractive chimney companies, Sunflame manufactures various types for your home. They also provide an auto-clean feature that will keep it working at top form without constant maintenance on your behalf.

Elica

Chimneys from Elica are available in a variety of designs and features. Leica has something that will suit your needs, from wall-mounted to auto cleaning.

Hindware

Hindware offers a wide range of ducted chimneys that are economical and efficient.

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FAQs

Conclusion

Custom-designed models can provide great aesthetics to any kitchen while being user-friendly with plenty of add-on features like double filters and glass-covered bodies, making working there easy. Research has found that automatic kitchen chimneys are preferred in Indian kitchens. Ducted chimney systems work well for larger spaces or hotels.