Kitchen Chimney Buying Guide

If you’re like most people, the idea of buying a kitchen chimney sends shivers down your spine. It’s not that chimneys are hard to buy; it’s just that there are so many choices! How do you know which one is right for your kitchen? And how can you be sure you’re getting a good deal?

We’ve put together this kitchen chimney buying guide to help you make the right decision for your home. Here, you’ll find everything you need to know about choosing and buying a kitchen chimney, from what to look for in a good model to where to find the best deals.

We, desi people, are very passionate about our food. We love to cook, and we love to eat! But all that cooking can lead to some serious kitchen smoke problems. That’s where a kitchen chimney comes in. A good chimney will suck all the smoke and grease out of your kitchen, leaving it smelling fresh and clean.

While writing this article, I am thinking about the hassles one goes through while cooking. Cooking is a process that not only involves physical energy but also mental peace. If we are not mentally relaxed then our whole focus on the dish we are preparing gets diverted.

So in order to help you out in buying a good kitchen chimney for your home, I have prepared this guide. This guide will cover all the points from toe to head which are important when buying a kitchen chimney.

Why do you need a chimney?

Well, the first thing first! Why do you even need it? For what purpose?

A kitchen chimney is basically installed to suck out all the smoke, oil, smell, and grease that gets accumulated while cooking. It also filters out the air and keeps your kitchen environment clean and fresh. Installing a kitchen chimney has now become a must in every Indian household.

If you are not using a chimney so far then you can tell the best story of how it feels when you do not have one. The dirty kitchen walls due to tadka, the oil and grease all over, and the unbearable smell of food. But once you get a chimney installed, your kitchen will be as good as new. No more worries about the stubborn smoke and bad smell.

Also Read: Kitchen Chimney Vs Exhaust Fan? Which One is Better?

How to choose a kitchen chimney?

I am going to elaborate on each and every single thing that will surely help you to choose the perfect chimney for your home. All you need to do is read these steps very carefully and with an active mind. So take a cup of tea or coffee, sit tight and start reading the complete guide for choosing the chimney.

Kitchen Chimney Buying Guide

Here we come! This is a completely detailed buying guide that you will read ever. There are many other blogs that are providing the buying guide but in this guide, I have included all the nitty-gritty details that you must consider before buying a kitchen chimney in India. I have divided this guide into sections so that it becomes easy for you to understand.

So, without wasting any further time let’s get started.

Things to know before buying a kitchen chimney

There are things that you need to pay attention to when going to buy your new chimney.

• Types of kitchen chimney
• Suction power
• Types of filters
• Design of chimney
• Chimney ducting
• Chimney size & kitchen size

Types of kitchen chimneys

There are four major types of kitchen chimneys in India.

1. Corner chimney
2. Wall Mounted Chimney
3. Built-in chimney
4. Island chimney

Corner Chimney

In this type of chimney, the hood is placed in the corner of the kitchen. They are the most commonly used chimneys in India as they don’t require extra space and can be easily installed in small kitchens. The suction power of this chimney is medium and it’s good for 2-3 burner stoves.

Advantages:

• Easy to install
• Budget-friendly
• Suitable for small kitchens
• Medium suction power

Disadvantages:

• Not suitable for big kitchens
• Not suitable for 4 burner stoves

Wall Mounted Chimney

In this type of chimney, the hood is mounted on the wall above the stove. They are most often used in huge kitchens since they have a strong suction power. The disadvantage of this chimney is that it takes up a lot of space.

Advantages:

• High suction power
• Suitable for big kitchens
• Can be installed anywhere on the wall

Disadvantages: 

• Requires a lot of space
• Not suitable for small kitchens

Built-in Chimney

This type of chimney is built into the kitchen cabinets. They are suitable for small to medium-sized kitchens. The suction power is medium and it’s good for 2-3 burner stoves.

Advantages: 

• Built into the cabinets
• Suitable for small to medium-sized kitchens
• Medium suction power
• Space-saving

Disadvantages:

• Not suitable for big kitchens
• Not suitable for 4 burner stoves

Island chimney

If you are planning to buy an island chimney then you must have a big kitchen. In this type of chimney, the hood is suspended from the ceiling over the center island. They have a high suction power and are suitable for 4 burner stoves.

Advantages:

• High suction power
• Suitable for big kitchens
• Can be installed anywhere on the wall

Disadvantages:

• Requires a lot of space
• Not suitable for small kitchens

Suction Power

The suction power of a chimney is measured in cubic meters per hour (m3/hr). It tells you how much air the chimney can suck in every hour. A good chimney should have a suction capacity of at least 1200 m3/hr for small kitchens and 1500 m3/hr for large kitchens.

Types of Filters

Now you should know about the types of filters in a chimney. These filters help to remove oil and other particles from the air.

There are 3 types of filters available in the market:

1. Baffle filter
2. Cassette filter
3. Carbon filter

1. Baffle filter

These are the most common types of filters. They are made of aluminum or stainless steel sheets with holes in them. The air has to pass through these sheets, which results in the separation of oil and other particles.

These types of filters are easy to clean and maintain. But they need to be replaced after every 6 to 12 months. And nowadays, most companies are making detachable filters so you can detach them and wash them in the sink.

2. Cassette filter

Cassette filters are an important part of any kitchen chimney. They help to remove smoke and odors from the air, keeping your kitchen smelling fresh and clean. Cassette filters are typically made of two layers of aluminum mesh, with a layer of activated carbon in between.

The activated carbon absorbs smells and other particles from the air, while the aluminum mesh helps to capture larger particles. Most cassette filters can be cleaned with soap and water, but they should be replaced every few months to ensure maximum efficiency. If you have a kitchen chimney, be sure to keep it well-stocked with cassette filters!

Carbon filter

Installing a carbon filter in your kitchen chimney is a great way to reduce the amount of smoke and odors that escape into your home while cooking. The filter works by absorbing smoke and odor particles as they pass through, leaving your kitchen smelling fresh and clean.

Additionally, the carbon filter helps to keep your chimney free of soot and creosote buildup, which can be a fire hazard. Installation is relatively straightforward, and most filters can be easily replaced when necessary. By taking these measures, you can enjoy the benefits of cooking without the downsides of pesky smoke and odors.

Design of Chimney

Now you need to pay attention to the design of the chimney. The design of the chimney will decide on the suction power. The suction power is decided by the diameter of the motor. The wider the motor, the more suction power it will have. If you have a small kitchen, then you can go for a compact and sleek design. But if your kitchen is bigger, then you need to opt for a design that has a bigger motor.

Chimney Ducting

Kitchen chimneys are a great way to keep your kitchen clean and free of smoke and fumes. However, if your chimney is not properly ducted, it can actually make your kitchen dirtier. A properly ducted chimney will pull smoke and fumes up and out of the kitchen, preventing them from settling on surfaces and causing issues like bad smells, stained ceilings, and soot buildup. Not only does this make your kitchen cleaner, but it also helps to improve air quality. If you’re considering installing a kitchen chimney, be sure to have it properly ducted to ensure the best results.

Chimney Size

So this is another important factor that you should keep in mind when you are going to buy your new chimney. The size matters! So if you have a small kitchen and you are going to install a giant kitchen chimney then do you know what would be the circumstances? Yes, it would be a total mess. So first you should know the size of your kitchen and then decide which size of the chimney would perfectly suit your kitchen.

Budget

How can you forget about the budget when you are going to buy your new chimney? If you don’t have a high budget then you can not get the premium chimney. But that does not mean you will get a poor-performance chimney.

However, it is also not sure that you will get a highly rated chimney if you pay more rupees. So the point is, you need to focus on the price to features factors so you can get what you pay for.

You may also like: 7 Best Auto-Clean Chimneys Under 10000

Maintenance

Buying a kitchen chimney is a one-time investment but if you want it to work for a long time then you need to do regular maintenance. The maintenance is not that difficult and it does not take too much time. But still, you need to give some time from your busy schedule for the maintenance of your chimney.

Cleaning the filter is the most important part of maintenance. You need to clean the filter at least once a month so it can work properly. Otherwise, the dirt and grease will accumulate in the filter and it will start working slowly.

So when you are choosing a chimney then always make sure that it comes with an easy-to-clean filter.

Warranty

Last but not least, you should also check the warranty of the chimney before buying it. A good quality chimney comes with a long warranty period. So if you get a chimney with a long warranty then it will be an added advantage for you.

Nowadays, almost all the reputed brands offer a warranty of at least 2 years on their product. So you should go for it.

These are the things that you need to keep in mind before buying your new kitchen chimney. By following these tips, you can surely get the best chimney for your kitchen.

Which type of chimney is best for Indian kitchens?

As this guide is specially written for Indian kitchens so it is always a question that I personally asked from different people which type of chimney is best for Indian kitchens? And here is the answer:

• Auto Clean Chimney
• Filterless Chimney

Auto Clean Chimney

This type of chimney is the best for Indian or desi kitchens because it has an efficient motor that can easily remove all the smoke, fumes, heat, and odors from your kitchen. It also has an automatic cleaning system which makes it easy to maintain.

Filterless Chimney

This type of chimney is also a good option for Indian kitchens as it does not require any filters and can be easily cleaned. It is also energy efficient and has a low noise level.

Best kitchen chimney brands in India

• Faber
• Elica
• Inalsa
• Glen
• Whirlpool
• Hindware
• Sunflame
• KUTCHINA
• KAFF
• Bosch
• SURYA ROSHNI LIMITED
• SEAVY

These are the brands that are offering best-selling chimneys in India.

How to clean the kitchen chimney?

Here is a step-by-step guide for cleaning the chimney.

The first step is to unplug the kitchen chimney from the wall. Once it is unplugged, you will need to take out the filters and clean them. The filters can be cleaned with a damp cloth or a vacuum cleaner.

The next step is to clean the inside of the kitchen chimney. This can be done with a damp cloth or a sponge. Be sure to wipe down the inside of the chimney, as well as the outside.

The final step is to replace the filters and plug the kitchen chimney back into the wall. Once it is plugged in, you should turn on the fan to make sure that it is working properly.

Conclusion

Finally, I have mentioned all the basics and stuff about the kitchen chimney buying guide. I have mentioned the things that you need to know before you make a purchase. I also have covered all types of chimneys that are available in the market. I hope this article will help you to make an informed purchase decision.

I have tried to cover all the aspects of a kitchen chimney in this buying guide. However, if I have missed something or if you have any questions, please feel free to ask in the comments section below. I would be happy to hear from you!