Baffle Filter vs Filterless Chimneys – Which is Better?

There is a huge debate on social media platforms about Baffle Filter vs Filterless Chimneys, which one is better? So I decided to write down a complete comparison of both types of chimneys and guide you about which one is better for Indian kitchens.

My name is Trupti Naik and I am an expert in kitchenware and home appliances. In this article, I am going to reveal all the factors that an Indian kitchen demands when it comes to choosing a chimney.

If you are a first-time buyer of a chimney then you must be wondering what are these types and what should you choose. But you are in fortune that I have made this detailed comparison article for you.

So if you are a person who is confused about which one to buy then this article is definitely for you.

Types of Chimneys

There are two types of chimneys that are very popular in India, they are-

1. Baffle Filter
2. Filterless Chimney

Both types of chimneys have their own set of pros and cons, so it becomes really difficult to choose one. But I am going to reveal everything about both types of chimneys so that you can make an informed decision.

Baffle Filter

A baffle filter is a type of chimney that uses mesh filters to capture oil and grease particles. These filters need to be cleaned on a regular basis, otherwise, they will get clogged and stop working properly.

The good thing about baffle filters is that they are very effective at capturing grease and oil particles. In fact, they are so effective that they can capture up to 99% of all grease and oil particles. This means that your kitchen will be much cleaner and your food will taste better.

The bad thing about baffle filters is that they need to be cleaned on a regular basis. If you don’t clean them, they will get clogged and stop working properly. This can be a hassle, especially if you have a busy lifestyle.

Filterless Chimney

A filterless chimney is a type of chimney that doesn’t use any filters. Instead, it uses a powerful suction system to suck up all the grease and oil particles.

The good thing about filterless chimneys is that you don’t have to worry about cleaning any filters. All you have to do is empty the dustbin on a regular basis.

The bad thing about filterless chimneys is that they are not as effective at capturing grease and oil particles. This means that your kitchen will not be as clean and your food will not taste as good.

How does a baffle filter chimney work?

There is a term “Cut & Splash” mechanism. So what does that mean, it means it is a mechanism that baffles filter chimneys use. It forces the grease and oil vapors to change direction multiple times, so it can effectively capture those vapors.

There are also baffles that have pores or small holes in them that act as a second line of defense against grease and oil particles. The baffles are usually made of stainless steel because it is corrosion-resistant.

The one thing that you need to pay attention is to cleaning the chimney properly and from time to time. The filters get clogged easily due to the cooking vapors and grease.

Is baffle filter best for Indian kitchens?

As you read the working principle of a baffle chimney so now you should know how it works and how it cleans the kitchen from smoky clouds and oil fumes.

Now it is totally up to you whether you are going to stick with baffle filters or you want to get a filterless one. But here are the benefits that you can get from this type of chimney.

1) Required less maintenance

The filters get clogged but all you have to do is to remove the filters and wash them after every 6 months. So there is no more hassle to wash the chimney and its parts every now and then.

2) Long-lasting

The stainless steel baffles do not need to be replaced often. They are corrosion-resistant and can last for a long time if you properly maintain them.

3) Designed for Indian kitchens

As you know we cook a much oily and spicy food in India. That is why this type of chimney is designed to work perfectly in Indian kitchens.

4) Price is high

However, there are so many benefits but these kinds of chimneys come with high price tags. But if you think about its long-lasting nature and low maintenance then it is a good investment for your kitchen.

Price comparison with filterless chimney

Baffle filter chimneys come at a less price compared to filterless. The reason behind this is that they need less power to operate and they are made of stainless steel which is a cheaper material.

Another reason is that you need to clean the chimney periodically so you need to replace the filters as well.

How does a filterless chimney work?

Now on the other hand we have a filterless chimney. These kinds of chimneys are said to be more efficient in terms of drawing out smoke and fumes. They are also easier to maintain because there is no need to regularly replace or clean the filter.

In a filterless chimney, there is no filter that retains the oil or grease. Instead, they suck all the smoke and grasses directly and throw them out through a duct pipe.

The duct pipe is generally made of stainless steel and has a smooth inner surface. This aids in the easy movement of smoke and also prevents it from clinging to the walls.

A filterless chimney also has a higher suction capacity than a baffle filter chimney. This is because there are no filters that can block the speed of suction airflow.

Is filterless chimney best for Indian kitchens?

There are some advantages of filterless chimneys that can add more marks to this chimney checkmark list.

1) High suction power

If you are going to install a chimney in a large kitchen then you should go with a filterless chimney. It is because you will get the highest suction power as compared to the baffle filter chimney. Because there is no filter or anything between the airflow and smoke, the suction power is not reduced.

2) You can use it for a long time

Filterless chimneys don’t have any filters so you don’t need to replace them after some time. You can use your filterless chimney for a long time without replacing anything. This will save you both money and time as you don’t need to go through the hassle of replacing the filters every few months.

3) Low maintenance cost

As there are no filters in a filterless chimney, the maintenance cost is also low. You don’t need to regularly clean or replace anything so you can save some money there.

4) Easy to install

Filterless chimneys are easy to install as there are no extra filters or parts that need to be installed. You just need to connect the duct pipe and you are good to go.

5) Comes with an auto-clean function

All of the filterless chimneys come with an auto-clean feature. It is because there are no filters in the hood so the oil and grease will start to build all around the chamber walls. So how do remove them? Well, the auto clean features will do their job to remove the oil and grease from the chamber walls.

Price comparison with baffle chimney

Since filterless units come without filters and that’s why you don’t need to clean them. Also with the help of the auto clean feature, there is no need to manually clean the chimney anymore.

So the cost of maintenance is almost zero rupees in the case of filterless chimneys. That’s why these types of chimneys come at a higher price.

Baffle Filter vs Filterless: Comparison

Specifications	Filterless Chimney	Baffle Filter Chimney
Suction Power	As these are filterless chimneys, they can suck all the smoke without any resistance due to no filter present in between the suction motor and chimney hood	These kinds of units are less efficient when it comes to suction power. Due to the filters that are placed between the airflow and hood, the suction capacity decreases
Easy to Clean	Filterless chimneys don’t even need to clean manually. They come with auto clean technology so they will automatically get cleaned when it gets dirty	The baffle filter needs to clean after every six months. Because the oil and grease start to clog the filters and you will need to detach the filters and clean them in the dishwasher
Better for Indian Kitchen	Yes, these are preferred for Indian kitchens because they can suck more smoke and oil and there is a need to clean the as well	These are also preferable but you need to clean the chimney and then after some time you have to replace the filters with a new one as well
Cleaning Schedule	As far as filterless chimneys are concerned, they don’t need any cleaning. The auto clean feature will clean the chimney	These are needed to be cleaned periodically so they require frequent maintenance. You will need to wash the filters once in six months
Noise	Filterless produces lower noise due to the absence of any filter	These units are famous for making noise. Because there are filters that block some parts of the air so the motor has to work with full potential in order to suck this smoke properly
Price Range	Filterless has a big number because they required zero maintenance so you have to pay a high amount	These units are lower price units. They come at affordable prices

What is an auto-clean function?

This is a feature that comes mostly in filterless chimneys. It uses the heat to melt the grease and all the oil buildup from the walls of that chamber. And once the oil starts to melt, it will go down in an oil collector tray.

So you can pull out the tray and clean it whenever you want. This way, your chimney will be always clean and there is no need to do any manual effort to clean the chimneys.

Conclusion

Both the types of chimneys, baffle filter, and filterless have their own pros and cons. It depends on you which one you prefer. If you want a chimney with less maintenance then you can go for a filterless chimney.

But if you are okay with cleaning the chimney every six months then you can go for a baffle filter chimney. Choose the one that suits your need and budget.

So you can pick the chimney that is best according to your needs. However, the filterless chimneys are better as they offer more efficiency and required almost no maintenance at all.