Is a kitchen hood mandatory? Why you should use it and how

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

July 11, 2024 - Updated at July 13, 2024
Tiziano B.
Guides
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"Can I have a kitchen without a hood?"

This question is very common, and we'll discover the answer together in this article. The kitchen hood is an appliance that is often underestimated, despite playing a crucial role in maintaining the healthiness and safety of the kitchen.

Below, I will provide all the necessary answers to clarify doubts regarding the proper use of the kitchen hood.

You will discover that a kitchen without a hood could not only compromise your culinary experience but also affect the air quality in your kitchen.

The unpleasant odors resulting from cooking food are not only bothersome to the sense of smell but may contain substances and vapors that should never be inhaled.

Is a kitchen hood mandatory?

A kitchen hood is mandatory, according to regulations, only for stovetops equipped with gas burners, to remove harmful fumes and vapors resulting from their use.

For induction cooktops, however, since they do not release substances from the burner feed, it is not mandatory, although it is highly recommended to improve air quality by eliminating cooking odors and vapors.

In summary, the hood is an essential appliance to ensure safety and comfort in the kitchen, regardless of the type of cooktop installed.

But are there reasons why it might not be installed? Let's explore them in the next paragraph!

Why isn't a hood installed?

In my experience over the years, I have identified six main reasons why a kitchen hood, whether extracting or filtering, is not installed:

High cost: Kitchen hoods can be expensive to purchase and install. For this reason, some people (erroneously) decide to do without them, neglecting all the associated risks.
Lack of space: Some kitchens may not have enough space to install a hood due to the layout or design of the kitchen. However, this limitation can be easily overcome by installing retractable hoods or cooktop-integrated hoods.
Lack of external ducting: In some residential structures, it is not possible to install ducting to vent the fumes outside, which often discourages hood installation. Many people are unaware of the option to install a carbon filter hood, which reintroduces filtered and purified air back into the environment without the need for ducting.
Lack of awareness: Few people are aware of the benefits of using a kitchen hood, and many are uninformed about its maintenance and care.
Loud noise: Some kitchen hoods can be noisy while operating, which can disturb the peaceful environment of the home and discourage installation.
Poor aesthetic appeal: Not everyone likes the aesthetic look of a hood in their kitchen, and some may prefer a minimalist design without visible appliances. This reasoning does not consider the variety of hood types and models available on the market, which can also serve as true decorative elements.

So, are you really sure these reasons are sufficient not to install and use a hood? In the next paragraph, you will have a chance to change your mind. Continue reading to learn more.

Why should you use a kitchen hood

Stop seeing the hood as a mere accessory! The functionalities of the kitchen hood will bring enormous benefits to you, your kitchen, and your family. Here are some reasons you should seriously consider:

Health: By improving air quality, it drastically reduces the presence of harmful particles, allergens, and impurities from cooking various foods.
Elimination of fumes and vapors: Effectively removes fumes, vapors, and odors produced during cooking, keeping the air clean.
Safety: Reduces the risk of accumulation of harmful gases, such as carbon monoxide, especially from gas combustion.
Hygiene: Prevents the accumulation of grease on kitchen surfaces, making it easier to clean.
Comfort: Enhances comfort in the kitchen, preventing cooking odors from spreading to other rooms in the house.
Design and functionality: Modern hoods can be integrated into the kitchen design, offering pleasant aesthetic as well as practical solutions.
Protection of furniture: Prevents the deterioration of furniture and walls due to fumes and humidity.

6 Tips for Proper Use of the Kitchen Hood

Once you understand the importance of an appliance like the kitchen hood, it's time to learn how to use it correctly. Here are some guidelines to follow:

Never misuse the hood: Avoid using it to extract aggressive vapors or toxic substances.
Turn on the hood at the first speed about 5-10 minutes before you start cooking: This allows the appliance to operate with low noise and electrical consumption levels, and it also reduces condensation formation on the induction cooktop.
The first and second speeds of the extractor are usually sufficient to effectively eliminate odors produced during food preparation: The higher the extraction speed, the noisier it is.
Use the highest speed only when there is maximum production of fumes and odors: For example, during frying or cooking with wine, and turn off the hood about 10 minutes after you finish cooking.
Maintain the grease filters: About every 2 months, clean and degrease your grease filters using the proper washing procedure.
Maintain the carbon filters: Found in filtering hoods, these filters should be replaced every 3 months. In the case of Long-Life carbon filters, you can regenerate them every 3 months and reuse them without needing to replace them.

These practical tips will allow you to make good use of your hood and maintain it for as long as possible.

Be careful with flames when using the kitchen hood: mistakes to avoid!

As we have previously seen, tips on using the hood are essential to maintain the proper healthiness of the kitchen and the home itself. Here are some mistakes to avoid when dealing with stove flames:

Do not leave open flames at high intensity under the hood while it is operating: When you remove the pots, it is recommended to turn off the flame or at least (for short periods and under supervision) keep it at a minimum.
Always adjust the flames to avoid lateral spillage beyond the pot's base: This saves energy and avoids dangerous concentrations of heat.
Do not cook flambé dishes under the hood: It could be dangerous, and you risk losing control of the flame itself.
Always monitor the oil during frying: Overheated oil could ignite, and in that case, you risk causing a fire.

With these additional tips, you will be able to make more informed choices about your kitchen hood in the future. However, if you feel the need for more specific support or assistance, contact me, and I will be able to advise you in searching for your new hood or maintaining the one you already have!

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