Kitchen without a chimney: guide to solutions

Blog Guides Diagnostics Maintenance and cleaning News and Technologies In the kitchen

June 17, 2024 - Updated at June 28, 2024
Tiziano B.
Guides
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The chimney in the kitchen serves to channel the air sucked in by the hood to the outside through specific ducts. However, there are increasingly common cases where the chimney is not installed, often due to decisions made by the builder and specific characteristics of the building.

If you find yourself in this situation, know that there are highly effective solutions available for these kitchens as well. I'll explain them to you in the next paragraphs.

Keep reading!

Why a kitchen without a chimney?

Before delving into solutions for all kitchens without a pipe, let's first look at the 6 cases where a chimney is not installed:

Historic or heritage buildings: Structural modifications are often not allowed in these buildings to preserve their historical integrity.
Blocks of apartments: Especially in newer buildings, the provision of chimneys for each residential unit is often not included.
High-energy efficiency homes (Class A++): In houses like passive houses, having a chimney can create thermal bridges that reduce insulation efficiency.
Renovations: It can be complex and costly to install a new chimney when renovating older properties.
Temporary kitchens: In situations where kitchens are temporarily set up, such as for events, fairs, or temporary accommodations.
Kitchens in interior spaces without access to the outside: In some architectural designs, kitchens may be located in an interior area of the home without direct access to the outside.

Solutions for kitchens without a chimney: the recirculating hood

The most effective solution for a kitchen without a chimney is the installation of a recirculating hood.

The main characteristic of these hoods is their purifying power. Unlike ducted hoods that channel air outside through ducts leading to the chimney, recirculating hoods draw air from within the kitchen, purify it, and then release it back into the kitchen.

To perform this function, these hoods are equipped with active carbon filters that purify the air by removing odors, grease, and other pollutants.

Here are some key advantages of recirculating hoods, stemming from the absence of ducts:

Flexibility and ease of installation: They can be installed anywhere without the need for structural modifications.
Reduced visual impact: They are more discreet and visually less obtrusive, thanks to various design options available in the market. Here are a few examples.

Types of ductless hoods

Similar to ducted hoods, ductless recirculating hoods are available in various shapes and designs, easily adapting to any kitchen style.

Over-the-hood models: These include built-in, wall-mounted, ceiling-mounted, corner, and island models.
Integrated cooktop hoods: There are also models integrated into cooktops, including retractable options, which combine the extraction function directly into the workspace.

This variety of choices allows you to adopt a solution that best suits your space and functional needs.

Are there alternative solutions?

Sometimes, due to space constraints, one might consider not installing a kitchen hood at all. As someone who has worked for many years in the kitchen hood industry, I strongly advise against this solution. A kitchen without a hood does not purify the air from odors and fumes, increasing the risk of fires.

Imagine a cooktop with a cabinet directly above it and no hood to act as a shield—it could easily catch fire!

Maintenance is crucial for ductless hoods: the key points

Maintenance is a critical aspect to integrate into your ductless hood cleaning routine to ensure proper functionality and longevity. Because these hoods recirculate air inside the kitchen through specific filters (typically activated carbon), it's essential to keep these filters in excellent condition to ensure effective air purification.

When discussing maintenance, it's important to distinguish between the two main types of filters for these hoods:

Grease filters: Also found in ducted hoods, these filters are designed to trap grease particles from cooking fumes using metal mesh. They need regular cleaning and degreasing to prevent grease buildup, which can reduce hood efficiency and pose serious risks.
Activated carbon filters: Unlike grease filters, traditional activated carbon filters cannot be cleaned and must be replaced periodically. The frequency of replacement depends on hood usage and filter specifications, but typically it's recommended to replace them every 6 months. There are also Long-Life activated carbon filters that can be regenerated instead of being replaced.

→ Some hood models are equipped with saturation indicators that signal when it's time to clean the grease filters and, in some cases, replace the activated carbon filters, making maintenance easier.

Maintaining these filters ensures that your ductless hood continues to effectively purify kitchen air, enhancing safety and comfort in your kitchen environment.

If it's time to replace your activated carbon filters for your hood, you can order them from FiltroCappa.it. Here you'll find all types of filters available on the market, and if you don't find exactly what you need, we'll do our best to source it for you. After placing your order, you'll receive the filters and spare parts conveniently delivered to your home via our trusted couriers.

Conclusions

In conclusion, if your kitchen lacks a chimney, there's no need to worry: recirculating hoods are a viable alternative, offering significant purifying power.

If you have any doubts regarding maintenance, or the selection and replacement of activated carbon filters, feel free to contact me. I'm here to provide personalized advice and specialized technical support to assist you.

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