The other piece of puzzle to complete your kitchen, cooker hoods go hand in hand with your stove for the ultimate cooking experience. We share some pointers on what to look out for when getting a cooker hood.
HOW IT WORKS
A cooker hood’s primary function is to remove smoke, grease and odour that arise from cooking which helps to keep the kitchen clean and the air quality optimal. In Singapore, most cooker hoods achieve this by recycling the air – drawing in the smoke, grease and odour, filtering it and later recirculates it back into the kitchen. This is ideal for apartment spaces.
Cooker hoods can also ventilate the air where smoke, grease and odour are filtered and then ventilated through a duct outside of the home. This is common for some landed homes.
Cooker hoods come in different types and designs with a usual standard length of 900mm. Your final choice should be dependent on your overall interior design and what you hope to achieve with the hood.
TYPES OF HOODS
1. Slim Hoods
Slim hoods are ideal for smaller spaces without compromising on style, giving you a sleek look in the kitchen.
Hilde HH-S91918BK Slim Hood
2. Integrated Slim Line Hoods
Integrated slim line hoods are closely related to slim hoods but are designed such that parts of the hood can fit directly below an overhead cabinet. This way, you just see a horizontal piece that cuts across the kitchen cabinetry.
Hilde HH-S91190SS Slim Hood
3. Chimney Hoods
Chimney hoods are ideal for those who might not have cabinetry planned or want stronger suction power. Chimney hoods generally are able to achieve a higher suction power compared to their slim hoods counterparts.
Hilde HH-C91312 Chimney Hood
4. Retractable Hoods
Retractable hoods are also a type of slim hoods but they have a retractable function where you can extend when in use and retract when not in use. This compact design is great for when you really need to save space in your kitchen.
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR
So, what type of hood do you really need? You can take these into consideration:
Cabinetry
Will you be doing overhead cabinets? How will they be configured? We will advise to go for a chimney if no cabinetry will be in place and a slim if cabinets are present. This is also coherent with your interior design with everything fitting into place.
Functions
What are the different functions that the hood has? At the baseline, most hoods come with three speed settings and a light. More premium models might include a timer or a hand wave sensor to active the hood.
Another feature to look out is the charcoal filter which helps to absorb odours from cooking. Some models do not come with this filter. You decide what functions you require.
Control Panel
How do you activate the hood? A touch sensor panel or mechanical buttons?
Ease of cleaning
How easy is it to clean? Have a good understanding of the different parts that make up the hood. Consider if they are easy to remove and piece back together. They make all the difference when it comes to cleaning them.
FITTINGS AND MEASUREMENTS
A general rule of thumb is to choose a hood with a width that is equal or greater than the width of your hob, this helps to ensure optimal suction and a well-functioning hood. If it’s a brand-new installation, always make sure your carpenter makes the cabinet according the specifications of the hood to ensure the best fit and seamless design.
With a cooker hood, cook with a greater peace of mind knowing the smoke and odour are all taken care of.
