While cooking in your kitchen, you will often see the oil droplets and other greasy compounds getting stuck on the backsplash wall and the cupboards present above the gas oven. These greasy layers not only make your kitchen an unhygienic place to work but also demean the beauty of the place. For this reason, you need an outlet which will draw away the greasy, hot fumes from the kitchen and will transfer it into the outer environment.
Buying a kitchen chimney to help you keep your kitchen clean is a good idea. A kitchen chimney comes with various filters for efficient working. In this article, we will focus on the filters rather than the entire appliance for your convenience. It is good to know more about working of the chimney before buying one. Here, you will learn about the chimney filters, the different chimney filters, their importance, and many such relevant facts.
Table of Contents
What Is A Filter?
Before we start our discussion about the different chimney filters, we would like to introduce you to the term “filter” itself. This way, you will have more clarity about this kitchen chimney component.
When you are preparing tea with the leaves, you use a sieve to separate the liquid from the solid leave particles. This process is known as filtration, where a solid particle is separated from a fluid using a platform mechanism in between.
The platform used for the filtration process is known as the filter, which is made from different materials, depending on the mixture that needs to be separated. Filters are used in many appliances, be it your electronic speaker or the chimneys you have in your kitchen.
The kitchen chimney filter is designed to trap the greasy molecules and other suspended particles before the air is released into the environment. A filter has various slits and pores with a size less than that of the oil and grease molecules. As a result, the particles cannot pass through the filter material, thereby getting separated from the hot air.
What Is The Need Of A Kitchen Chimney Filter?
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Understanding the importance of this particular component, kitchen appliance makers have introduced different chimney filters, each having different features, advantages, and disadvantages. Before learning about them, don’t you think that you should know about the uses of the filter material?
If yes, then you are right on track. After all, you will spend a considerable amount of money on your chimney, and if you didn’t know the use of different types of filters, it would be a waste of time and money. Here we have discussed the basic perks of this filter material and how it helps you keep yourself and the environment safe and healthy.
1. Helps in keeping the environment clean
The very first reason to use filters in the kitchen chimney is because of its function in cleaning the environment. The first few designs of the chimney lacked the filters and hence, the greasy oil was released into the air. That way the environment was getting more polluted. So, to reduce the pollution levels, the filters were introduced as they trap the harmful substances and allow only the air to pass through.
2. Prevents the greasing of the internal chimney walls
In the absence of the filters, the greasy air would have passed straight through the chimney column. As a result, the grease and oil molecules would have gotten trapped inside the walls, reducing the appliance’s efficiency. This is why it has become imperative for every chimney maker to use different chimney filters to avoid the greasy layer formation on the internal walls.
3. Freshens the air and purifies it
In some kitchen chimneys, the air isn’t returned to the environment. Rather, the entire air is released back into the kitchen after removing excess heat and other particles. With the filters present in such a chimney, the air released back won’t contain any kind of harmful molecules, starting with the oil particles to the grease and so on.
4. Makes the chimney more efficient
With the different chimney filters being in place, the chimney appliance’s efficiency is greatly enhanced. As a result, you won’t have to call in for repair services now and then. Your chimney will last for longer times, no matter how many dishes you prepare and how much oil or butter you use in those recipes.
As we have seen, the importance of kitchen chimney filter. Here you can learn more about why kitchen chimney is important.
What Are The Different Types Of Chimney Filters Present In The Market?
With the advent of technology, several new appliances and their components have been introduced, while the older ones are modified. Amongst these modifications and new inventions is the chimney filter- a friend in disguise that can keep your kitchen and the environment safe and healthy. It is important to know the types of filter used in the best kitchen chimney available in the market.
Initially, a standard type of filter was designed, which stopped only the larger grease and oil particles from escaping into the atmosphere. However, that design proved to be completely inefficient, forcing the engineers to modify the structure and come forth with different chimney filters that will purify the air completely.
In this section, we have talked about the three major filter types used in all top brands of the appliance in the country.
1. Mesh filters
This type of filter is the most basic one, which is used as a primary layer of protection in almost every chimney. The filter is made from strong aluminum wire mesh, with the opening hole size less than half millimeter. The wires are wound tightly against each other to hold the filter structure against the fan’s suction pressure inside the chimney column. Multiple layers of the cassette filter are piled one above the other to increase the efficiency of the chimney.
Pros
- Since it is made from aluminum, the cassette filters are extremely light. As a result, you will be able to remove it for cleaning without anyone’s help.
- Since no complicated technology is used, this filter comes at the lowest price, making it possible for food lovers to protect their precious kitchen from being greasy and black in color.
Cons
- The mesh holes are very small, and hence it can trap the grease molecules. But, the grease forms layer and block the pores of the cassette, rendering it useless.
- It needs occasional cleaning to allow the chimney to operate at its full potential.
2. Carbon filters
In this type of filter, charcoal is used as the source of carbon. Charcoal has wonderful adsorbing power, because of which the remaining grease, oil, and other suspended particles can adhere to the surface, leaving the some free of any harmful component. The charcoal filter is used in addition to the cassette or the baffle filter, thereby making the chimneys most efficient. You can compare the charcoal filter chimney price before making the purchase.
Pros
- This type of filter almost allows every particle to adhere to the surface, making it possible for the chimney to expel ninety-nine percent pure air.
- With the high adsorbing power of the charcoal filter layer, the efficiency of the chimney increases greatly.
- It acts as an additional filtration layer, thereby helping you to avoid greasy walls of the chimney.
Cons
- You can’t wash the charcoal filter. For this reason, the only option you will have is to replace it once it stops working.
- The chimneys are quite expensive since charcoal is added as a secondary protection layer.
3. Baffle filters
The baffle filter is the best component, thanks to its fantastic structure and enhanced functionality as a primary filtering medium. In this filter, you will find several panels placed at a minimal distance from each other. When the greasy air and the smoke pass through these panels, oil and grease molecules stick to the surfaces, releasing only the smoke and hot air into the atmosphere.
The filter panels are made from stainless steel mostly, but you will also find aluminum panels in some cases. The baffle filter price varies from company to company. Many people prefer the Kaff baffle filter chimney.
Pros
- It is easy to clean compared to the cassette filters and hence, you will be able to keep the chimney perfect and intact.
- The panels are made from stainless steel- a material, which is way more durable than the normal aluminum filters.
- The air passes through the gaps in the panels, and hence the suction force of the chimney won’t get diminished.
Cons
- It is a bit pricey as compared to the mesh filters.
- Also, when you clean the panels, you need to detach the filter from the body. This can prove to be a real challenge as the baffle filter is pretty heavy.
Baffle Filter Vs Cassette Filter
Let us talk about the filters. Cassette and baffle filters are two popular types of chimney filters available in the Indian market.
What is the difference between Baffle filter and Cassette Filter? Let’s find out-
The advantages of Cassette filters
- Cheap- You don’t have to spend a fortune to keep your kitchen clean as these filters are affordable.
- Lightweight- Due to its lightweight feature, you can detach the filters from your chimney.
The disadvantages of Cassette filters
- Inappropriate for the Indian market- We Indians use a lot of masala, ghee, and oil to cook our spicy food. These filters won’t be able to separate oil and spices produced while cooking.
- Cleaning- You need to clean the filters once a week.
- Noise- This filter produces a lot of noise as it prevents easy airflow.
- Durability- It does not have a long shell life but a moderate one.
The advantages of Baffle filters are
- Appropriate for Indian market- These filters can easily separate oil, ghee, and spices and are perfect for the Indian market.
- Cleaning- It is dishwasher safe, and is easy to clean.
- Noise- Baffle filters produce a moderate sound.
- Durability- Unlike cassette filters, these have longer durability.
So, it is understandable that chimneys with baffle filters should be purchased as they are suitable for Indian households.
How Can You Choose The Best Kitchen Chimney For Your Home?
Choosing the best kitchen chimney is not a matter of joke. You will have to keep in mind several factors, be it the kind of filter or the size of the chimney hood. With so many complexities, one can easily get baffled. This is why here we will describe how you can choose the best chimney for your home.
1. Filter type
The first thing you have to look for is the type of filter you need in your kitchen. We have already discussed the three different types of chimney filters, each having an individual set of cons and pros. When choosing the chimney, you need to ensure that the filter type is correct and matches your needs and the kitchen’s needs.
2. Chimney type
Your next job will be to look into the various types of kitchen chimneys and then decide which one will be apt for the kitchen. If your oven top is mounted on the wall counter, you will need a wall-mounted chimney. Similarly, if the oven is at the corner of the countertop, you need to choose the corner chimney.
Along with it, the noiseless chimneys are much preferred nowadays by homeowners.
3. Size of the chimney hood
The chimney hood’s size must cover the entire oven top and a couple of inches extra from the external edges of the cooktop. This will prevent the greasy and hot fumes from escaping from the corners. Hence, with the proper size, you will be able to keep your kitchen completely clean.
4. Price
While buying a new appliance, you cannot ignore the price factor, especially if you are purchasing a chimney. That’s why you need to ensure that the price range you are choosing is affordable and within your budget range. You can also buy the chimney filters online taking into account the respective prices.
5. Brand
Lastly, you need to choose the perfect brand for the chimney. There are many brands available in the market and you need to choose the one you think will be good for your kitchen.
From Where Can You Get The Best Kitchen Filters For Your Home?
As there are different chimney filters available in the market, it can be tough to understand where you can buy the filter from. This is why we will talk about some of the best ways to buy the best filter without compromising the working of the appliance.
- Your first job will be to determine whether the dealer of the chimney filter is at all a reputed person in the market or not. With reputation comes quality, and hence you can buy the filter without any worry.
- Make sure that the shop from where you will buy the filter provides a guarantee of the product. If the shop is not providing assurance, it’s better to move onto some other shop.
- The price of the filter should be within the standard limits of the market. Do not compromise the quality of the chimney component just to save a couple of bucks. Similarly, not every costly filter is worthy of praise.
- Choose the shop which sells the filter of your demand. For example, if your kitchen chimney needs a carbon filter, you need to find a dealer who will sell various carbon filters.
Final Words
With the knowledge about different types of chimney filters, you can now buy the most efficient one from the lost without difficulty. This way, you will be able to keep your chimney intact and will be able to purify the air perfectly.
