Carbon Filters For Hoods: Options For Built-in Devices Without A Drain, The Best Universal Filter Elements For The Kitchen, Reviews

2024 Author: Beatrice Philips | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 05:33

The cooker hood can be different. This is based on how it works and the type of filter used. One of the demanded types of products today are mechanisms without discharge into the ventilation shaft, in which carbon filters are used. What are these structural elements, what is their principle of operation and purpose, what are the strengths and are there any disadvantages, we will find out further.

What is it needed for?

The use of a different type of hood is based on air purification. The purpose of a charcoal filter for a kitchen is to remove any type of unpleasant odors from the air passing through it. Externally, it is a round or rectangular cassette in a plastic case. Less often, you can buy products made of synthetic material on sale.

These products differ in appearance . For example, if it is a cartridge type filter, there is an absorbent inside it. When it is a textile, the active substance is an impregnation. It should be noted that the products can be combined. This allows you to create a variant with a greater degree of air protection from hot steam and toxic impurities.

The main component of the filter element is activated carbon granules or carbon powder. This absorbent is distinguished by its ability to absorb and retain various impurities from the air. This is a tool for fine air purification, which is enough for 3-4 months of regular work. It is installed immediately behind the grease filter, since the hood cleaning system must first get rid of grease particles, and only then from odors and other contaminants.

The charcoal filter allows to make the hood design reliable in operation, providing a favorable indoor climate. In addition to the fact that due to the use of a carbon cartridge in the hood, it is possible to significantly reduce the level of air pollution, this affects the extension of the resource and operation of equipment and interior items. Along with purifying the air, fumes, dust and other microparticles in the air will not settle on all objects in the room. This type of cartridge is used for recirculation systems, it improves the efficiency of the hood. It may differ in density, and, unlike the fat analogue, it is a replaceable type design.

Principle of operation

A distinctive feature of the charcoal filter is the fact that the air entering through the filter element does not leave the room. It not only absorbs, but also keeps inside all harmful air impurities that enter the filter itself with the air flow. As a rule, cleaning by this method is quite effective. In this case, the physical and mechanical characteristics of such elements may differ, which depends on their type.

For example, for an hour of operation, the productivity can be from 2500 to 22500 cubic meters , and the initial aerodynamic resistance varies within 120 Pa. This filter works optimally if the room temperature is not very high. The same applies to humidity: it should not exceed 70%. In addition, the weight of the cartridge itself also varies.

The filter is operated by a motor that supplies air to the hood by means of a fan. In this case, the adsorbent (powder or granules) absorbs harmful air impurities and loses light ions. During operation, the filter becomes dense due to dirt. This makes it ineffective and therefore requires replacement. Often, an ionizer is used in conjunction with a similar exhaust system to generate ozone.

The principle of operation of the combined option is somewhat different. In the first stage, polluted air enters through a dense layer of carbon-impregnated synthetic textiles. For example, a manufacturer can use viscose as a material. In this case, some of the dirt will remain on the textiles. In the future, the air will be directed to the pellet cassette, where the second cleaning phase will take place.

These devices are convenient because the air will not really smell after cleaning. In order not to doubt the capabilities of the filters, you should take care of buying devices with sensors that signal the need for replacement.

Views

To date, coal is used for the manufacture of carbon filters:

• stone;
• peat;
• coconut;
• impregnated.

If you classify products by purpose, then you can distinguish several areas of application. For example, some brands produce models not only for household but also for industrial purposes. Products differ in weight, while the difference between them can exceed 300-400 kg. Professional options are bought to purify the air of large spaces (for example, in a public catering).

In addition, the companies are engaged in the production of products for wastewater treatment plants, as well as the absorption of organic pollutants . Depending on this, carbon filters may differ not only in geometric shape. They can be not only flat, but also concave. The latest varieties, designed for ventilation systems without a drain, appeared not so long ago.

They are also installed in the kitchen above the stove. The circulation system can become an element of the kitchen decor or a hidden part of the arrangement. In other words, these filters are not only suitable for traditional systems, they are also applicable in embedded devices. The panel position can be retractable or fixed.

Differences from fat

With regard to the difference between the filters, it is worth noting that the very principle of purification is different between the filter elements. For example, fatty varieties belong to the coarse filter class, while the cleaning of coal-based filters is different. Its task is not to protect the walls of the hood elements inside. In addition, the grease filters are washed more often than replaced to extend the service life of the hood.

Carbon filters are needed to trap steam impurities, as well as gases harmful to human health. The design of the cartridge will not allow you to clean it if you want to.

Advantages

Hoods and charcoal filters have many advantages. For example, one of them is the return of purified air to the same room, while other species get rid of it at the expense of a ventilation shaft. Hoods with charcoal filters are excellent at neutralizing unpleasant odors during cooking (for example, fish odors). Moreover, these products are easy to replace when depleting their resource.

To make a replacement, you do not need to have any special skills: this does not require an appeal to a specialist, and it will take very little time to replace it. Such systems are safe, environmentally friendly, and harmless to health. Such hoods are better than other models. Other pluses and distinctive features include the ease of installation of the ventilation systems themselves with carbon cartridges.

As a rule, they are not only comfortable but also aesthetically pleasing. The use of systems with a charcoal filter does not need to mask communications. And this provides a lot of freedom for arranging furniture in the kitchen when planning it.

Due to the natural circulation of air, they make the air cleaner, which is especially important for people with weakened immunity.

Charcoal filters are used in hoods that can be installed anywhere and as convenient for the owners of the house. In this case, household appliances, as a rule, not only do not need additional air supply. Often they are characterized by an acceptable cost and design ergonomics of the hoods themselves. Considering their wide range of varieties, choosing an option according to your taste and budget will not be difficult.

Carbon filters are versatile . In order to buy a cartridge instead of a used one, there is no need to purchase an exclusively specific product from the hood manufacturer. Most of these elements are variable and have analogs with the required parameters. In this case, the buyer has a choice of power. You don't have to worry when buying: each filter is labeled with information about the type of hood.

Among other advantages of ventilation systems with charcoal filters, it is worth highlighting the fact that the unpleasant smell will not annoy neighbors either, coming through the ventilation shaft. In addition, such an element is in no way reflected in the temperature background of the room. It is used in systems that do not need to increase or cool the temperature to ensure a favorable microclimate. The charcoal filter is an important component of the hood, although these structures themselves are quite complex.

Flaws

Despite the mass of positive reviews left on the Internet about carbon filters, they also have drawbacks. For example, recirculation hoods based on charcoal filters require mains power to operate. This, in turn, leads to higher electricity bills. We must not forget that for all their effectiveness, these devices are not able to completely clean the air from pollution by 100%.

The life of the cartridges may vary, but all elements of this type need to be replaced and over time reduce the effectiveness of air purification.

It is not enough to buy the necessary barrier, it is also important to learn how to use the hood correctly. Carbon filters are always disposable. No matter how economical the work of the hood itself is, they will have to be changed in any case, because over time they will no longer cope with their main task.

How to choose?

Since in most cases the carbon filter is designed for different hood designs, one element can fit two dozen hood names. Of course, you can go to the store and consult with the seller, who will tell you which option is suitable in a particular case. However, it will be useful to familiarize yourself with the basic nuances of choosing a filter element. If you did not take care of the replacement cassettes when purchasing the hood itself, they may not be available for sale.

As a rule, each box with a filter indicates for which models of ventilation systems it can be used ., whether it is a built-in hood without an outlet or an autonomous pull-out technology. Do not assume that charcoal filters can clean the entire room during the cooking process before the smell spreads throughout the apartment or house. In fact, both flow-through and recirculation devices do not differ in this. The difference in productivity is insignificant and amounts to about 15-20%.

The selection of the filter element must be careful. You cannot ignore the cassette model and push the cloth version of the cleaner where the cartridge should be located.

Despite the fact that rag varieties are much cheaper than cassette ones, their use for other purposes without taking into account the type of model is a gross violation of the operation of the hood. It is worth considering that this will reduce the performance of devices.

An interesting nuance is the fact that not all models of hoods without an air duct have a fat barrier. If not, the operation of the carbon filter will be ineffective and the service life will be short. In this case, the entire burden of getting rid of air pollution will fall on a single filter element. This will quickly lead to clogging.

It is advisable to buy a filter from the same company as the hood itself . This will ensure flawless operation of the device and high performance. When choosing a hood, it is worth starting not only from its constructive additions in the form of backlighting, voice sensors and several operating modes, but also the availability of removable cassettes. Otherwise, you can search for filters for a long time, but still not find the option you need for effective work.

Installation

Carbon filters can be part of a recirculation hood kit. When not included, purchase them separately and install them yourself. In other cases, the installation is carried out by replacing the old cartridge with a new one. Reinstalling the filter is easy.

DIY installation technology is quite simple and consists of several sequential points:

• The hood is completely de-energized by removing the plug from the power source.
• Unpack the charcoal filter. Fix the mounting bracket.
• After that, a hinged door of the hood is opened, behind which there are alternately grease and charcoal filters.
• Remove the grease filter and clean it (you can rinse the device).
• If there is a charcoal filter behind the grease filter, it is removed from the clips and removed from the hood. If the model has 2 charcoal filters, both are removed. If the model is equipped with two charcoal filters, they can be located on either side of the motor.
• In place of the position, new cleaning filters are installed. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that they not only fall into place correctly, but are also securely fastened with clamps. The cassette must be inserted into the space provided for it until a characteristic click appears.
• After installing them, it is necessary to put in place and fix the grease filter in the same position in which it was removed.
• Next, you need to check the performance of the hood by connecting it to the network.

If at this stage extraneous noise or vibration is noticed, the replacement was carried out incorrectly, the filter is loose or did not take the desired position.

There are cases when filters for specific models are not produced due to the obsolescence of the models of the kitchen hoods themselves. If the cassettes are out of production, some homeowners try to disassemble the filters in an attempt to replace the adsorbent on their own. To this end, they open the case along the connecting seam. It will be possible to extend the service life of such a filter by replacing the coal with fresh in the same form that was in it initially (granules).

With regard to other manipulations, it is worth noting that washing the coal is useless, so it will not be possible to clean the adsorbent … Contaminated powder or granules will not increase their performance from this. They will not pick up toxic chemicals floating in the air. In addition, moisture is the enemy of the adsorbent element. If filters of a particular type are not commercially available, the best solution is to look for universal varieties.

Such elements are usually suitable for many types of recirculation hoods. However, it is worth considering the fact that it is not so easy to buy a high-quality universal filter: there are more remakes in this segment than original products.

The installation is carried out on the basis of replacement. Usually it is needed when the noise of the hood operation has become more noticeable.

How often to change?

The frequency of filter replacement depends on various factors. One of them is the resource of the manufacturer, as well as the clogging of the barrier. For example, the products of some companies have to be changed every two months from the beginning of operation. In other cases, the service life of the filter is longer, so it needs to be changed less frequently. For example, the products of Elikor and Jet Air are enough for 5 months, the cleaning device from the Fabrino trademark will work properly for about 4 months.

Affects the service life and the intensity of use of the hood . When it is used occasionally and for a short period of time, the cartridge usage time will increase significantly. Few people know that it is possible to extend the durability of the device by drying the coal and loosening it. This is possible if you do not turn off the hood at the same time as the stove after cooking. Leave the device on for at least 5 minutes. This will destroy the layer of accumulating harmful impurities of gases, which will allow the filter to work for some more time.

In addition to all of the above, it must be taken into account that the durability of the carbon cassette will also depend on the state of the anti-grease element. The cleaner it is, the less dirty particles will fall on the adsorbent. This means that the structure of the coal will be compacted more slowly. It is not difficult to rinse the anti-fat: after removing it from the hood, the barrier is placed in a prepared container.

This can be a clean basin or a bath in which the filter is washed with a special solution, detergent and a regular brush. Sometimes it is poured over with boiling water; for greater cleansing, a mixture of soda and laundry soap is used. For greater effect, they are often even soaked for 2-3 hours. Reinstall the anti-grease barrier only after it is completely dry.

What you need to know about manufacturers?

Today, different companies produce carbon filters for hoods without an air duct. In this case, the elements can be designed for exhaust systems not only built-in, but also wall and corner type. Many modern devices operate in a silent mode. When giving preference to a particular manufacturer, several key factors need to be considered.

For example, it is important to determine the number of charcoal filters in addition to the fat barrier . You need to buy not only running filters: you need to start by choosing the model of the ventilation system itself. Today, brands offer the attention of buyers options with economical power consumption and fairly effective filter operation. One or two - each one decides for himself. However, if they need to be replaced frequently, this can affect the budget.

When buying, you need to pay attention to the reputation of the store. It is important to choose a reliable supplier whose products will work out their resource, as stated by the manufacturer. Counterfeit products, as a rule, do not reach several months of operation, without differing in their efficiency.

You need to choose products from a reliable brand, since such brands always care about their reputation, which is reflected in the quality of each product.

Among the companies that are in demand among buyers, it is worth highlighting several brands:

• Jet Air - carbon filters of a Portuguese manufacturer, distinguished by an acceptable price segment and high quality and performance characteristics;
• Elikor - domestic brand products designed for exhaust and purification equipment in private houses, apartments and offices;
• Elica - Italian round and rectangular air cleaners of various modifications, distinguished by their original design and ergonomics, designed for hoods from Elica and other companies;
• Krona - products in the form of a circle and a rectangle of different price categories, designed for 100-130 hours of work, which is equivalent to 5-6 months of use;
• Cata - replaceable coal-type cleaners for hoods operating in recirculation mode;
• Electrolux - options of various configurations and shapes of an expensive price category, suitable for different models of exhaust systems.

In addition to these manufacturers, Hansa and Gorenje brands are in demand among buyers. The first company is rightfully considered one of the best in its segment. It supplies the market with products characterized by convenience and economy. The second brand produces built-in and suspended type hoods, offering charcoal filters for them, ideally suited to the size of the models. The company also relies on energy efficiency.

It is impossible to say with certainty which filter model is the best, since the opinions of buyers are mixed. Everyone likes their own version. In general, in the lines you can choose the varieties of air purifiers for push-button, touch and slide control systems. Jet Air products designed for six months of use are considered quite good types of barriers.

Reviews

Charcoal filters are considered to be effective in improving the quality of the kitchen air when cooking. According to comments posted on the forums of the World Wide Web, air barriers of this type rid the space of unpleasant odors, however, due to the fact that they spread through the air very quickly, the complete elimination of odors does not occur as quickly as we would like. With regards to choice, many say that buying a quality filter requires choosing a certain brand that you can trust. This is due to the fact that often purchased items do not work as efficiently, and they do not have much time.