Choosing the right cooker hood

ELICA MAKE IT EASIER

A cooker hood is an essential appliance in today’s kitchens. Not only efficiently removing steam, smells and grease particles, but also adding an impressive focal point too. But with so many to choose from, how do you find the right one for your needs and your kitchen? Start by checking out this helpful guide from Elica, one of the top extractor brands on the market, then ask your Magnet personal designer for more details.

WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR?
Besides the appearance and style of a hood, the efficiency of its suction power and its level of silence in operation are equally important aspects which should be taken into consideration.

HOW TO SELECT THE CORRECT CAPACITY
The suction capacity of a hood usually depends on the size of the kitchen and the cooking method most commonly used. Simply multiply the volume of the room by 10 and this will give you the ideal capacity. For example, when fi tting a hood in a kitchen measuring 3 x 4 m with a height of 2.7 m: (3 x 4 x 2.7) x 10 = 324. Therefore, any hood with a maximum capacity of over 324 m3/h will be able to guarantee full and efficient ventilation in that size of room.

DON’T FORGET TO TAKE YOUR COOKING HABITS INTO ACCOUNT TOO
For anyone who regularly prepares food and has a small kitchen, the hood should have a capacity of up to 300/400 m3/h. For a family of three or four with an average-sized kitchen, the model should have a capacity of 400/500 m3/h. For larger families and cooking enthusiasts, who like to sample exotic recipes, the hood should have a suction capacity of at least 600 m3/h.

EFFICIENT AND SILENT
All Elica hoods are designed to work as effi ciently and quietly as possible. Constant research has led to the introduction of the Optimized Aspiration System, which provides superior performance in terms of smoke and vapour removal, but with a reduced noise level.

CHOOSING A MODEL
All Elica models work as either a Ducted version, where the air sucked in is then expelled outside, or as a Filtering version, where the air sucked in is filtered and then recirculated as purifi ed air back into the room. For the ducted version, you need to allow for the fact that the hood must be connected to the outside environment. For the filtering version you need to bear in mind that the odour filters will need regular maintenance and occasional replacement.