The Science Behind Kitchen Chimneys: How They Handle Smoke, Fumes & Heat

The Science Behind Kitchen Chimneys: How They Handle Smoke, Fumes & Heat

Ever walked into your kitchen after cooking a rich curry or frying some fish, and it still smells like last night’s dinner? 

The grease after heavy cooking gets collected on the cabinets and walls of your kitchen, floats in your air, and slowly turns your cabinets a dull yellow. 

That’s where choosing to buy kitchen chimney becomes a smart investment. It is not just a fancy piece of hardware hanging above your stove. It’s an efficient appliance designed to handle the chaos of Indian cooking, smoke, steam, greasy fumes, and all that heat.

Types of Kitchen Chimneys 

Before we get into the inner workings of a kitchen chimney, knowing the types of chimneys is important. When you buy kitchen chimney, you will come across the following most common types of chimneys:

1. Wall-Mounted Chimney

This is one of the most popular choices, especially in Indian homes. It’s installed right above your cooking platform, where the stove is typically pushed up against the wall. These chimneys are sleek and practical. They fit right into the wall. Think of it as the silent worker that just fits right in without making a fuss.

1. Island Chimney

The island chimney is for those open kitchen layouts. They are stylish and elevate the look of your kitchen. If your stove is placed on a central counter that doesn’t touch any wall, an island chimney is what you need.

It is attached to the ceiling, which adds a touch of style to your kitchen layout. The island chimney cost for kitchen is a bit expensive compared to a built-in chimney, but it adds a charm to your kitchen. 

How Does a Kitchen Chimney Work?

A kitchen chimney works based on the force of suction. It has a strong fan that sucks in smoke, fumes and odours to keep your kitchen clean. Some steps involve the chimney working as follows: 

Step 1: Suction of Smoke and Fumes

The moment you start cooking, smoke and steam begin to rise. Along with the smoke, there are oil particles, too, that are not visible but they float around the air and land on our kitchen’s walls, cabinets and fan blades.

When the chimney is switched on, its motor activates the suction mechanism, pulling in all that rising smoke and vapor. It doesn’t give the grease a chance to settle. The suction power varies depending on the model, but a good chimney should have enough power to keep up with deep frying, tadkas, and all the mess of home cooking. 

Step 2: Filtration (Or Not)

The filtration depends on the type of chimney you have.

• Ducted Chimneys: These pull the air in, pass it through baffle filters, and then push it outside your home through a duct. The air actually leaves the house which means most of the heat, odor, and grime is gone for good.
  
• Ductless Chimneys: These chimneys suck in the smoky air, filter it through carbon filters to absorb odor and oil, then release the cleaned air right back into your kitchen. This is a convenient method, especially if ducting isn’t an option. 

Step 3: Cooling and Ventilation

Ever noticed how your kitchen feels less suffocating with a chimney on? That’s because of the cooling and ventilation done by the chimney. By actively pulling in hot air and vapors, the chimney lowers the ambient heat around your stove. It creates a more breathable space. This leads to less heat, less sweating, clearer glasses, and no fogged-up windows in your kitchen. 

Step 4: Trap the Grease

The best chimney traps the oil, especially if you use a baffle filter, which is great for Indian kitchens. It forces the air to twist and turn, during those turns, oil particles get separated and stick to the metal surfaces inside. That means less grime flying around and more of it captured in the filter, which can be washed later. 

Tips for Maintaining a Kitchen Chimney

Even the best chimney requires proper maintenance to last long. Without proper maintenance, chimneys get clogged up, which makes them inefficient. A few tips to maintain your kitchen chimney are as follows:

• Clean the chimney regularly: Cleaning the chimney at regular intervals is important to maintain its efficiency. Clean the exteriors weekly with a damp cloth. Use warm water and mild soap to remove the grease from the filter every 2-4 weeks.
  
• Call for servicing every 6 months. Frequent professional servicing helps you avoid costly repairs. Most brands offer chimney servicing that extends their lifespan and makes them more efficient.
  
• Avoid using harsh chemicals: Do not use harsh chemicals to clean your chimney. Use mild soap, water, or vinegar to clean it.
  
• Regular Inspection of the motors: The motor is the most important part of the chimney, which helps it run smoothly. Check for overheating, unexpected shutdown, and strange noises.
  
• Do not overuse: Avoid overusing your chimney to keep it running smoothly for a long time. Turn it on before and after you start cooking, not after the kitchen's already filled with smoke.

Conclusion 

A kitchen chimney makes your everyday cooking experience cleaner, easier, and more pleasant. If you are thinking to buy kitchen chimney, choosing the right brand is important because Indian cooking is not mild or mess-free, it’s full of oil, steam and smoke.  

The best brands understand the needs of Indian cooking and build appliances that are tough, practical, specially designed for our spicy, smoky kitchens. Glen Appliances is a brand that offers all of this. Their chimneys are built for performance and style. Their models come with strong suction power, baffle filters, and durable build quality that actually lasts.