Kitchen hoods - types and selection. Find out what the expert warns and advises against
Anyone who has ever furnished a kitchen knows that when it comes to buying household appliances, a seemingly simple task can become as complex as untying the Gordian knot. Suddenly, we realise that we need to pay attention to technical details we may not understand, and we can’t just base our choice on how good the appliance looks or its attractive price. After reading dozens of guides, we end up knowing even less than we did before, and we need only one thing: someone who can explain, in the simplest way possible, what type of hood is actually worth considering. That’s why we asked Krzysztof Błażowski from GLOBALO, who has been working in the kitchen hood industry since 2001, for a few tips on the subject.
There’s no doubt that a kitchen hood is absolutely essential in a modern home.
Krzysztof Błażowski: Of course. A kitchen hood effectively cleans the air of grease, steam, smoke, unwanted odours, combustion products, and heat. A hood, although rarely thought of in this way, is one of humanity’s greatest inventions. To understand its importance, let’s go back to the Middle Ages. Back then, a kind of turret with a window was used in the roof of a kitchen room to let out heat, steam, and smoke from the fireplace. The turret was high, the window was small, and the air was often ineffectively removed due to unfavourable weather conditions. What was the result? For example, the house was dirty because grease from cooking settled on the walls and furnishings, to which sticky dust, hard to remove, quickly adhered. Most importantly, kitchens where polluted, stuffy air circulated negatively affected the health of household members. We can only imagine how many people in the past suffered from respiratory illnesses caused solely by a lack of proper ventilation. Today, even during intense cooking, we can enjoy clean air thanks to hoods and more easily keep our homes clean.
People were already aware of the importance of ventilation centuries ago, but they had to wait quite a while for a proper kitchen hood...
KB: That’s right. Modern kitchen hoods are a relatively recent invention, tied to the age of steam and electricity. The first kind of ventilation hood equipped with an electric fan was patented by Theodore R.N. Gerdes in 1926. However, things progressed quickly after that, and by the 1960s, we saw increasingly sophisticated designs for these devices.
Indeed. Kitchen hoods have undergone quite a revolution over the last century. The range today is vast, which paradoxically doesn’t make choosing any easier.
KB: Modern kitchen hoods can be categorised into six main types based on their construction. The first type, most resembling the older models, are wall-mounted hoods, also known as chimney hoods, in the classic inverted “T” shape, sloped, and round designs. Next, there are telescopic hoods, built-in hoods, also called under-cabinet or insert hoods, island hoods, ceiling hoods, and worktop hoods. Contrary to appearances, there aren’t that many of them – they differ in the technologies used, materials, shapes, colours, and prices.
Which kitchen hood is the best?
KB: I’ll give a diplomatic answer: different types of kitchen hoods cater to different needs. Often, these needs aren’t well-defined, which means we don’t really know what kind of hood we’re looking for.
Perhaps a little cheat sheet for the confused?
KB: The first step is to determine the size of the kitchen and the location of the hob. If we have a large kitchen and plan to install an island, an obvious choice would be an island hood or, alternatively, a ceiling hood. Both are installed in a suspended ceiling, operated remotely via a control, and can serve as the main or additional light source.
For larger and medium-sized kitchens where the hob is located on a worktop against a wall, even in a corner, you can choose wall-mounted hoods – classic for kitchens, for example, in a rustic style, and sloped and round for more modern designs, although hoods are now designed to fit various styles. Wall-mounted hoods take up more visual space, so it’s usually best to choose them for larger rooms.
For small kitchens, e.g., in flats, but also for medium and large ones, the best choice is built-in hoods. This model has been a hit in recent years! Built-in hoods are installed in the cabinet above the hob, making them practically invisible and not taking up valuable space. They are especially suitable for minimalist kitchens but also traditional ones. Importantly, built-in hoods are replacing the popular 1990s model, the telescopic hood – although it still has its supporters, the built-in hood significantly outperforms it in terms of quality, performance, quiet operation, user comfort, and visual aesthetics.
As for worktop hoods, they suit different kitchens, regardless of size or hob location, as they are either fully integrated with the hob or installed next to its modular plates. Installing a worktop hood is therefore more complicated.
Generally, the most popular and easiest to install are built-in hoods, sloped wall-mounted, island, and ceiling hoods.
We know where to start. What’s next?
KB: The second step is matching the hood’s capacity to the size and layout of the kitchen and the household’s needs. Each kitchen hood has a motor that draws in or absorbs air. Motors operate at different power levels, typically from 200–900 m3/h. The higher the hood’s capacity, the faster it will remove unwanted odours and contaminants from the kitchen. A higher-capacity hood is necessary if we have a large kitchen or if we cook a lot. For example, a capacity of 200 m3/h is sufficient when one pot is on the stove, but with two, it’s worth switching to a higher gear, where the device filters the air at 300 m3/h. It’s also important whether the kitchen is open or closed.
How do we choose the optimal hood capacity for the kitchen? A good starting point can be multiplying the kitchen volume by an approximate multiplier: 6 for the hood’s first speed, 9 for the second, and 12 for the third. This way, we know that the estimated hood capacity for a closed kitchen with a volume of 30 m3 should be around 180 m3/h at the first speed, 270 m3/h at the second, and 360 m3/h at the third, while for an open kitchen with a volume of 60 m3 – 360 m3/h, 540 m3/h, and 720 m3/h respectively. Importantly, even modern kitchen hoods, even the small ones with compact absorbent panels, can also be highly efficient. This makes it much easier to choose a model that suits us in shape or colour, without compromising on aesthetics.
In summary: we first determine the hood’s location in the kitchen, then look for a model suitable for that setting with the appropriate capacity. Yet, many still struggle with this seemingly simple choice. What’s the main issue?
KB: It seems that the difficulty lies in assessing which other hood parameters are truly crucial. So, I’ll mention two aspects to pay attention to. First, the technical specifications and structural solutions are of utmost importance, which contribute to the hood’s longevity, optimal performance, quiet operation, and ease of use. A good hood is made from high-quality materials, such as stainless steel or tempered glass, which are precisely assembled into a solid unit. The motor’s location is also significant. For example, in the Loteo 80.4 Black GLOBALO we implemented an innovative solution, making the device efficient (maximum 510 m3/h) and very quiet (only 48 dB at the first speed). Regarding control types, it’s worth choosing hoods with electronic, touch (sensor), and remote controls.
Secondly, a very important – and often overlooked – factor is the hood’s functions. It’s worth selecting a hood that can operate in both extraction and recirculation modes. Also, consider practical features like a steam sensor, timer, filter contamination sensor, or LED lighting. These enhance the hood’s versatility, improve household safety, and make it energy-efficient and comfortable to use.
The better a hood is designed with these two aspects in mind, the more satisfied we will be. The device’s shape and colour are of marginal importance, though, of course, they should fit the room’s decor and match our tastes.
The Loteo kitchen hood by GLOBALO operates at a noise level below 50 dB on the first speed, as guaranteed by tests conducted in an anechoic chamber.
We have a kitchen hood. How can we ensure it works quietly and efficiently?
KB: That's an important question. People often complain that they bought a hood advertised as quiet, but it turns out to be too loud during use. They feel deceived. However, the key to a quiet kitchen hood is careful selection and, later, correct installation of the device. As much as possible, choose a hood with a quiet motor and connect it to a clear ventilation system following the instructions. Don’t take shortcuts, and don’t try to outsmart the manufacturer’s recommendations.
One of the most common mistakes is connecting the hood with pipes of a too-small diameter. Incorrectly chosen and improperly routed pipes are one of the main reasons for hood noise. For installation, use a smooth pipe with a diameter matching the outlet diameter of the motor in the device. This is usually a pipe with a 15 cm or 12 cm diameter. Alternatively, you can use flat channels with a cross-section of 22 × 9 cm or 20 × 6 cm. The section of the exhaust pipe should be a maximum of 2–3 metres long and include one or two bends at an angle not exceeding 45°.
If technically possible, it is best to install the hood in extraction mode rather than recirculation mode. In the latter case, the hood cleans the air using carbon filters, which additionally muffle the motor, leading to increased noise.
Finally, remember to clean the aluminium filters regularly. This will help to achieve the least resistance to the airflow and lead to quieter hood operation. Also, don’t forget the fundamental point that the hood should be mounted on a stable surface, such as a wall or ceiling made of concrete, bricks, or blocks that are not prone to mechanical damage or resonating.
Thank you very much for the practical advice and the conversation.
KB: Thank you as well, and I hope these simple tips will help in choosing the best kitchen hood.
Interview by: EKO