Kitchen chimney is a major source of air filtration and smoke warning to your house. To repair kitchen chimney or clean kitchen chimney, it can be done by any person who has this technical knowledge. It is also possible to re-arrange the position of kitchen chimney according to your own needs or will.
A chimney is an important structure in the kitchen. It looks good, adds style and has functional value too. Chimney is the center of attraction which makes it the focal point of your kitchen. The first thing that you must decide if you have space and budget for a chimney is which model you would like to buy.
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What is kitchen chimney?
Kitchen Chimney is also known as a range hood. It is an exhaust fan that works to remove any steam, smoke and foul smells present in your kitchen while you are cooking.
There are basically two types of Kitchen Chimneys:
- Wall Mounted Kitchen Chimney
- Island Kitchen Chimney
A few Kitchen Chimneys have been made compatible to work on Inverters. They are the ones available at reasonable prices and are quite economical too. They can run for about 10-15 minutes on inverter power backup.
Do we need a chimney in our kitchen?
A chimney is a structure that provides ventilation for hot flue gases or smoke from a boiler, stove, furnace or fireplace to the outside atmosphere. Chimneys are typically vertical, or as near as possible to vertical, to ensure that the gases flow smoothly, drawing air into the combustion in what is known as the stack, or chimney effect. The space inside a chimney is called a flue. Chimneys may be found in buildings, steam locomotives and ships.
Household chimneys are commonly used for venting fumes from furnaces burning fuel oil, wood, natural gas or propane or from fireplaces, while chimneys on steam locomotives were used to vent smoke and excess steam from their boilers. In the United States, the term smokestack is also used when referring to locomotive chimneys or ship chimneys, and the term funnel can also be used.
Why exhaust fans are not effective for Smoke?
Exhaust fans are not effective for smoke, as the air being sucked out is replaced by the cooler air from outside. The cool air is denser and so is heavier than the smoke and won’t rise up. This results in a stagnant layer of smoke which remains at the same level.
The best way to remove smoke is to use a combination of exhaust fans and make up air units. These devices bring in fresh air from outside, not only removing the smoke but also helping to keep temperature levels low. They work well with exhaust fans in applications like kitchens, warehouses or factories that generate high volumes of smoke or heat.A kitchen chimney can run on inverter, yes you can use it. But I won’t recommend it as it runs continuously which will increase your electricity consumption bill.
Which type of filters should be used for the greasy kitchen’s smoke?
Filters are of two kinds:
- Metal Filter
- Grease Filter
Both these filters get clogged and they need to be cleaned regularly or they may also need to be replaced. Metal Filters can be cleaned by washing them with a detergent solution and then drying them. Grease Filters can only be washed in a dishwasher.For day-to-day cleaning, it is enough if you wipe the chimney, once a week with a damp cloth. Also do not forget to clean the chimney and the stove after every meal.The chimney will work on inverter but it will make noise because the motor is not meant for working on inverter. Best solution would be to not use it when there is a power cut.
Can inverters power the chimney?
Inverters are meant to power home appliances only.
Inverters cannot run high torque motors like compressors and hence will not be able to power the chimney. You need a stabilizer for that.However, if your inverter is coupled with a battery bank of sufficient capacity (in amps) and your chimney uses less than say 2-3 amps, then it might work.
Why to choose a kitchen chimney with inverter supportability?
There are two reasons for this:
- A kitchen chimney with inverter supportability gives you the option of operating it even during power cuts.
- It helps to reduce the electricity usage.
Inverter supportable kitchen chimney is recommended for all who want to operate their kitchen chimney even during power cut or want to reduce the electricity usage.
Conclusion
Kitchen Chimneys can be run on inverter. It should be noted that though it is a convenient method to install, but it should be remembered that the installation must have adequate ventilation. The chimney pipe must extend down outside the building in a vertical position after installation.
A duct like the one which is used in the smoke exhaust system of kitchen is required along with a flue should also be noted that though this may seem like an easier task, but when venting outdoors, care must be exercised to conform to air pollution regulations.
A home without proper ventilation will always have complications and health hazards. It is therefore important to ensure that an adequate amount of air circulates within the house. Yet, kitchen chimneys can be a breeding ground for contaminants, making it difficult to properly ventilate your home and keep the family safe.
Having said that, proper maintenance is equally important to ensure that your chimney does not get dirty.