Secrets of the kitchen hood.
Not so long ago, a hood appeared, or rather, “burst” into our kitchen, and today we can no longer imagine a complete, finished look of the kitchen without it.
Initially, the main task of the hood or, as it is also called, the air purifier was to rid the kitchen of unnecessary odors that arise during the cooking process.
Using a hood really helped to remove unnecessary «aromas» and reduce the frequency of repairs. Actually, this is the only reason for the need for this device.
Cleaning the air in the room is really the main task of the hood. However, today it has also been endowed with aesthetic functions. Thus, a modern hood has become not just an air «cleaner», but also a beautiful highlight in your kitchen. It will emphasize the style you have chosen for the design of the kitchen, be it country or high-tech.
The rich world of hoods
Today, choosing a hood that you like is not difficult at all. You just need to decide on the style of your kitchen, its size (this will determine what power hood you will need) and your own preferences.
On the home appliance market, you can find a wide variety of hood models:
— classic – this is a standard hood with a flat body and, as a rule, one or two motors. It is attached to the wall or under a kitchen cabinet. The hood is located directly above the stove and can be of different colors. From the most extravagant to classic. Such a hood can operate in filtration mode – the air is cleaned by passing through a removable carbon filter, and can also pull out all unnecessary odors, smoke, soot into a ventilation shaft connected to the hood with a flexible sleeve – exhaust mode;
— built-in hood – it is also usually flat. It is built into a cabinet located above the stove or hob and has a retractable visor designed to capture more air;
— fireplace hood – has a dome shape and is mounted above the stove. Often decorated in a country style. It looks good in kitchens with large footage;
— island hood – this is a hood designed for the lucky owners of large kitchens, where you can easily place a stove in the center and form a so-called «island». Such a hood is mounted directly in the center of the kitchen above the hob.
— hoods with an inclined intake part are a fairly modern model of the hood, but it has already managed to acquire many admirers. The device is attached to the wall vertically with a slight slope. This model does not hang over your head all the time and does not interfere with monitoring the cooking.
All hoods are equipped with lighting devices for the working area.
These can be ordinary incandescent lamps of 40 W, fluorescent lamps of about 11 W or halogen lamps of 20 W.
Modern hoods have a mechanical or touch control panel, with which you can easily select or program the desired operating mode.
The kit may include a remote control, metal or carbon filters.
Some hoods have a built-in electric motor that allows them to rise or fall.
Most modern models of hoods with electronic control are equipped with an automatic on/off timer.
Such hoods independently determine the temperature and humidity in the cooking area.
There are also hoods whose power does not need to be adjusted. They themselves determine whether the stove is working, the amount of fumes, due to which they change the power.
The electronic filling of the hood allows you to recognize whether you are in the kitchen or not. When you appear in the kitchen, the hood switches the motor power and increases the brightness of the work surface lighting.
Sensors that detect the smell of gas can also be built in.
When such a smell appears, the hood will automatically shut off the gas and send you an SMS message.
Some modern hoods support a universal control system for all devices — «Smart Home».
This means that wherever you are, whether at work or on vacation, you can turn on, turn off, reconfigure your home appliances through a switch that can be accessed from a computer or mobile phone.
Exclusive new products
Hood with TV panel
We have long been accustomed to the TV in the kitchen, standing on a shelf, on the refrigerator, attached to the wall from above. It is convenient, improves mood and simplifies the process of cooking. A little surprised by the new refrigerator with a TV panel built into the door.
But have you heard anything about a hood with a built-in LCD monitor and a player for DVD and CD discs?
Or is it a TV set made in the form of a hood and equipped with all its functions at the same time?
This TV set is equipped with teletext, and a PC can be easily connected to it. The hood will deprive you of unnecessary visible wires from the TV and music player. In addition, it is equipped with all the latest air purification mechanisms, works quietly and has an attractive appearance.
Variable hood built into the countertop
The Vario hood is another new product on the hood market. It allows you to collect unwanted odors directly where they are generated, i.e. above the pot.
The hood is built into the hob or countertop, from where it can be pulled out if necessary and positioned above the pot (can be rotated 90).
This allows you to “catch” the odor before it spreads throughout the room.
You can choose the height of the hood extension yourself, depending on the height of the pot or other kitchenware. The hood is equipped with a stainless steel grease filter that can be washed in the dishwasher. When the hood is not working, it can be hidden back.
Hood with air extraction along the perimeter
What does «air extraction along the perimeter» mean?
The steam rising from the stove does not immediately enter the hood. First, it spreads over the central part of the panel, and only then goes inside the body through a slotted opening along the perimeter of the hood, inside which there are carbon and grease filters. Experts claim that this principle of air extraction allows for a 10% increase in fat capture and a 10% reduction in noise when the hood is operating.
Hood with the Meteo system
By purchasing such a hood, you can refuse old, already quite banal thermometers attached to the outside of the window. The hood with the Meteo system will tell you the temperature, atmospheric pressure and other meteorological information during breakfast. And it will do this with the help of a liquid crystal display and sensors installed on the outside of the building. In addition, the hood will tell you about the status of the filters, the operating mode and the current time.
In a single ensemble with kitchen appliances
The list of capabilities of modern hoods and the rich variety of models does not end there. In addition to electronic filling and functionality, hoods can embody various design ideas. Hi-tech style hoods are popular: matte, glossy, made of stainless steel and aluminum, with dark glass, of various shapes — from classic to reminiscent of «patching plates». Such hoods will fit into any modern interior.
Country-style hoods are also in demand. They are mostly domed and have wooden elements. Classic hoods with a retractable visor are often the only possible option in small kitchens. In terms of functionality, they are in no way inferior to all other hoods.
In a word, it is easy to get lost in the rich world of hoods and air purifiers, but at least it is interesting!