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Ductless Chimney
August 21, 2023
In compact and confined kitchens, ductless chimneys have become a must-have appliance
Indian kitchens have a rich history of flavours immersed in a variety of cuisines made with different spices and oils. Thereby, proper ventilation is quintessential to take care of the fumes, smoke, greases and gases to offer users a comfortable and healthy environment. Kitchen chimneys come to the rescue.
Kitchen chimneys soak up all the toxins, pollutants, dust, germs, smoke, carbon, oil, heavy gases, and grease. They also transform the poor quality air into fresh air. This is even more relevant in today’s scenario as homes in urban areas are becoming compact, confined, and constricted in space.
What’s Ductless Chimney?
Unlike conventional chimneys that vent cooking fumes outside through ducts, ductless chimneys employ a multi-stage filtration process to purify the air before releasing it back into the kitchen.
The heart of any ductless chimney lies in its filtration system. Modern ductless chimneys employ a combination of high-quality filters, including mesh and activated carbon filters, to capture and neutralise harmful particles effectively. These filters efficiently remove grease, oil and odours, ensuring that the air is recirculated back into the kitchen as fresh and clean as possible.
Traditional chimneys, while effective, require ductwork and installation complexities that may not always be feasible. In recent years, the ductless chimney has emerged as a game-changer, addressing these concerns while revolutionising Indian kitchen spaces.
In recent years, the ductless chimney has emerged as a game-changer, addressing these concerns while revolutionising Indian kitchen spaces. Photo Courtesy: Greenlam
Why Go Ductless?
There is no denying the fact that when it comes to performance ducted chimneys easily outscore their ductless counterparts. Not only do they have more suction power, but they also ensure better air purification.
However, there are lots of considerations attached to the ducted chimney limiting their optimal performance in a compact Indian kitchen. Oftentimes, a ductless chimney offers better design freedom in a compact set-up.
Ease of Installation: The absence of ductwork makes ductless chimneys significantly easier to install compared to their traditional counterparts. This feature is particularly advantageous in urban Indian settings, where space constraints and apartment layouts may not permit ducted installations.
Aesthetics: In today’s kitchens, aesthetics is an integral part and ductless chimneys do well to achieve this goal. Without the need for external ducts, these chimneys maintain a clean and uncluttered appearance, seamlessly integrating into the kitchen decor.
In today’s kitchens, aesthetics is an integral part and ductless chimneys do well to achieve this goal. Photo Courtesy: Greenlam
Freedom of Placement: Almost invariably, ducted chimneys need to be placed near an exterior wall or have ductwork run through the ceiling, limiting the freedom of placement. But, there is no such compulsion in the case of ductless chimneys as they can be placed almost anywhere as long as they are within reach of a power source. This allows designers to optimise the layout and customise the chimney’s location.
Improved Energy Efficiency: Since ductless chimneys do not expel air outside, they effectively retain the heated or cooled air within the kitchen. Additionally, these chimneys are typically equipped with user-friendly control panels that allow one to alter the fan speed, regulate the lighting, and access additional options. This contributes to overall energy conservation and reduced utility bills, aligning with the growing demand for eco-friendly solutions.
Cost Effectiveness: Ductless chimneys are not only less expensive than their ducted counterparts but also save in installation and maintenance expenses, making it a cost-effective solution.
While both ducted and ductless chimneys have their own set of pros and cons, design, aesthetics and availability are certainly not an issue. While ducted chimneys remain preferable in larger kitchens with easy access to ducts, the popularity of ductless ones is on the rise, especially in compact kitchens.
Additionally, the continuous advancements in filtration technology have further solidified their position as an essential component of modern Indian kitchens. Now, it’s up to the designers to choose wisely considering the budget, size, placement options and requirements of users.
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