There are a few dishes you cook in the kitchen which do not require any frying or cooking. A cheese-and-bread cold sandwich comes to mind on this account, but how long can one survive only on cold sandwiches and raw food? At some point, you are going to turn on that hob and place a pan on with the intent to sauté, fry, and deep-fry something or the other. We all know what happens next. Your home fills up with the smoke from the frying pan, and the backsplash gets covered in grime. Your eyes water, and if you are anything like me you will have a sneezing fit trying to get the strong odours out of your sensitive nose.
Well, the good thing is you do not have to spend all that time trying to air out your kitchen anymore. Even though kitchen chimneys are not a new thing, it’s only recently that the trend of having a modular kitchen as part of modern kitchen interior design has caught fire. And if you were wondering just how to go about finding the right chimneys and hobs for your kitchen, we have got it all mapped out for you.
At HomeLane, we provide a whole array of hob and chimney choices from reputed brands like Faber, Häfele, and Capella. But picking the best from the lot can be tough, which is why these tips below will come in handy.
All About Hobs
How To Choose A Hob For Your Kitchen Counter?
The first thing to remember is that you need a hob that will fit into your kitchen’s work counter. You can pick from a range of stainless steel hobs, glass hobs, and induction hobs, depending on how you like to cook. Gas hobs are the traditional choice for Indian homes, but if you are eco-conscious and want a change from tradition, then induction hobs will work well for you. Choosing between stainless steel and glass surfaces can be a tad tough. While glass surface hobs look amazing, they also need to be maintained carefully and stainless steel as we all know is sturdy and can withstand some tough love.
Cleaning And Maintaining A Hob
When you choose a hob, cleaning and maintaining should also be thought about with care. Induction hobs are the easiest to maintain since the spillages do no stain the hob surface. Glass surfaces are also easy to clean but traditional hobs can be a tad harder to wipe clean of grime in a jiffy. Use a properly branded surface cleaner and a soft cloth to remove dirt and grime. Since the hob is fitted and sealed into the kitchen counter, you do not have to worry about liquids spilling through to the cabinets below.
All About Chimneys
 
Saying Goodbye To Pungent Odors
Anyone cooking with a hob needs to have a chimney installed in the kitchen. It is the easiest and most effective way of getting rid of all the cooking smells and odours. Now, the most important thing while choosing a chimney is to make sure it works well with the existing ducting in the house. There are ductless chimneys that recycle the air instead of simply removing it outside, and there are chimneys with ducts that work as an exhausting escape. Also, ductless chimneys need charcoal filters which have to be maintained and changed regularly while ducting chimneys are easier to keep clean.
What Is Suction Capacity?
Another important metric to use when choosing a chimney is suction capacity. Mathematically put, the suction capacity is the volume of air in your kitchen multiplied by ten (which is the ideal number of air changes required to keep the air fresh). The size of the chimney hood and the type of filters used can affect a chimney’s suction capacity. A chimney with a mesh aluminium filter, for example, can easily get blocked by oil and grease, so it’s a complete no-no for such kitchens. Chimneys with Baffle filters, on the other hand, work nicely even in oily and greasy kitchens.
Maintaining Your Chimney
As we have already reiterated, the most important thing is to keep the filters clean so that your chimney can do what it was designed to do – keep your kitchen smelling fresh and clean, which also helps maintain the efficiency and value reflected in your overall modular kitchen design price. Apart from that, regular maintenance services from your appliance provider should suffice.
The regularity with which you need to change the filters would depend on the kind of filters your chimney has. As mentioned before, charcoal filters used in ductless chimneys need to be changed every 3–6 months depending on use (as they recycle the air and perform some heavy-duty function), and baffle filters used in duct chimneys can be changed once every year depending on the size of your kitchen and the amount of cooking you do.
Choose Right, And Let Your Kitchen Breathe Easy…
Gone are the days, when a chef was recognized from the fragrances that accompanied him/her wherever they went (ergo, garlic-ky smelling fingers and wafts of heavy spices acting as perfume). By choosing the right appliances for your kitchen, you can cook a gourmet meal without smelling like one! So, cook on and, cook some more! And forget all about bad odours with HomeLane’s exquisite range of kitchen accessories.
Bon appétit!
FAQs On Chimneys And Hobs
1. How do I choose the right chimneys and hobs for my kitchen?
When selecting chimneys and hobs, consider your cooking style, kitchen size, and maintenance needs. Gas hobs are ideal for traditional cooking, while induction hobs suit modern kitchens. For chimneys, ensure the suction capacity matches your kitchen size and ventilation setup.
2. What is the ideal suction capacity for kitchen chimneys?
The ideal suction capacity for chimneys and hobs depends on your kitchen size. Typically, it should be ten times the kitchen volume to ensure efficient air circulation. Higher suction is recommended for Indian kitchens with heavy frying and oily cooking.
3. Which is better: ducted or ductless chimneys?
Ducted chimneys are more effective as they expel smoke and odours बाहर, making them ideal for heavy cooking. Ductless chimneys recycle air using filters and are easier to install, but require regular maintenance, making them suitable for lighter cooking needs.
4. What type of hob is best for Indian cooking?
Gas hobs are commonly preferred for Indian cooking due to better flame control and versatility. However, induction hobs are gaining popularity for their energy efficiency and easy maintenance, especially in modern kitchens.
5. How do I maintain chimneys and hobs for long-term use?
Regular cleaning is key for maintaining chimneys and hobs. Clean hob surfaces after every use and ensure chimney filters are washed or replaced periodically. Proper maintenance improves performance, prevents grease buildup, and extends appliance life.
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