How Well A Kitchen Chimney Replaces An Exhaust Fan In Indian Kitchens
Love your Indian tadkas but hate the smoky smell afterwards? Don't worry. Here's what you need to know about how well a kitchen chimney replaces an exhaust fan in Indian households.
Can Kitchen Chimney Replace Exhaust Fan? Here's What I Found Out
Ever found yourself standing in a hot kitchen filled with smoke, wondering if your exhaust fan is doing the job? I've been there as well. Indian kitchens love everything from tadkas to deep frying and masala splatters, all of which come at the price of odour, smoke, and fumes. So I finally got a kitchen chimney installed to see if it could make any difference. And because no kitchen experiment feels complete without mom's involvement, the debate between an exhaust fan vs kitchen chimney heated up quite well. To put all rumours to rest, here is what we found out about can a kitchen chimney can replace an exhaust fan in Indian households.
Can Kitchen Chimney Replace Exhaust Fan? Here's What I Found Out; Photo Credit: Pexels
1. The Basic Difference Between A Chimney And Exhaust Fan's Working
Before diving deep into the complicating details, let's start with basic differences. Exhaust fans are designed to push air out of the kitchen space. On the other hand, kitchen chimneys have a strong suction power to suck out smoke, oil, dust particles, and strong odour from right above the stove. While both remove odour, a kitchen chimney is more powerful than a regular exhaust fan.
2. Which Handles The Smoke Show Better?
According to me, the best way to test the ability of a kitchen chimney and exhaust fan is through tadkas and deep frying. And that's what I did. My mother prepared her famous daal makhni tadka and fried some pakoras for our evening chai. The chimney showed excellent performance throughout the day, sucking smoke instantly form the source.
The moment I turned off the modern chimney, the exhaust fan was struggling to work efficiently. I could still see and feel the smoke of cooking in all the rooms. It took longer to push out the air, causing the odour to spread everywhere.
Can Kitchen Chimney Replace Exhaust Fan? Here's What I Found Out; Photo Credit: Pexels
3. Trapping Oil And Grease
Indian cooking generally comes with a lot of oil splatter. You might have also seen a light, oily layer accumulating on kitchen storage jars, walls, and cabinets. With an exhaust fan, we had to clean every day and deep clean once a week to remove the oily and greasy feeling.
However, as we got the kitchen chimney for our new home, we noticed this issue was no longer persistent. The oil collector and the mesh in the chimney trapped all the grease before it could make a home in our house. In this way, the regular cleaning of the kitchen became a breeze for my mother.
4. Installation And Space Requirements
Despite the many advantages of kitchen chimneys, exhaust fans are more cost-effective and easier to install. All they need is a wall opening and an electrical point to operate. But chimneys need more than that.
They need a complete setup at a proper height and regular maintenance. This makes them a hassle in old kitchen layouts and a blessing in modern kitchen designs.
Can Kitchen Chimney Replace Exhaust Fan? Here's What I Found Out; Photo Credit: Pexels
5. Electricity Consumption
This is another area where exhaust fans have an edge over kitchen chimneys. Exhaust fans consume less electricity than kitchen chimneys. However, chimneys are made for more intensive jobs than exhaust fans and are required to run for shorter time durations. While they do draw more power, you get a better result in efficiency and quick ventilation.
Products Related To This Article
1. FABER HOOD MERCURY PRO IN HC SC BK BF 90 Auto Clean T-Shape 90cm
2. LIVPURE Elega-60 Auto Clean Curved Glass 60 cm
3. Whirlpool CLASSIC PLUS CF 60 BK HOOD Wall Mounted Black 900 CMH Chimney
4. Hindware Smart Appliances Ripple 60 IN Auto Clean
5. LIVPURE Evora-60 Auto Clean T-Shape 60 cm
6. FABER HOOD MERCURY PRO IN HC SC BK FL 60 Auto Clean Straight Glass
7. Whirlpool CGFL PRO 904 HAC BK HOOD Auto Clean Curved Glass 90 cm
8. FABER HOOD SYDNEY IN HC SC FL 60 Auto Clean Curved Glass
9. Amplesta EcoFlow 60cm Pyramid Kitchen chimney, 1150 CMH
10. Hindware Smart Appliances Ripple 90 IN Auto Clean
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is a chimney or exhaust fan better for the kitchen?
A kitchen chimney is more effective at removing dust, smoke, and odour than an exhaust fan. They trap grease and small particles in their filters. On the other hand, an exhaust fan is a less effective alternative to a kitchen chimney.
2. Is an exhaust fan required with a chimney?
No, you don't generally need an exhaust fan with a kitchen chimney. A chimney is a pretty powerful and effective kitchen appliance that removes smoke, fumes, and odours easily.
3. Is an exhaust fan effective in the kitchen?
Yes, an exhaust fan is pretty effective in the kitchen. They are cost-efficient, lightweight, and suitable for everyday kitchen chores.
4. What is the alternative to a kitchen exhaust fan?
A kitchen chimney is the best alternative to an exhaust fan. It helps remove smoke, grease, and odours right from above the stove.
5. Do we really need a chimney in the kitchen?
If you need to live in a house that does not stink of cooking odours or smoke, a kitchen chimney is more than essential. It provides various advantages such as sucking all the dust and smoke from your house and making it welcoming all day. Moreover, it also contributes to a cleaner kitchen.
This was all we did in our kitchen chimney vs exhaust fan scenario. While the exhaust fan tried its best at every chance given, it couldn't beat the powerful efficiency of a chimney. The chimney not only cleared the smoky air and odour but also made the cleaning process easier for us. It sucked everything from right above the stove and didn't leave us coughing in smoke. So, if you are also tired of dealing with these everyday kitchen problems, a kitchen chimney might be the upgrade your house needs.
Disclaimer: The images used in this article are for illustration purpose only. They may not be an exact representation of the products, categories and brands listed in this article.
