Kitchen Chimney Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right One for Your Home
Frying, tempering spices and slow-cooking are what make Nepali food so good. They also fill the kitchen with oil, smoke and heat. Without good extraction, that grease settles on your cabinets, walls and ceiling, and the smell follows you into the living room.
A kitchen chimney (also called a kitchen hood) pulls smoke and grease out of the air while you cook. This guide covers what to check before you buy, so you get one that suits your kitchen and your cooking.
1. Pick the right size
The hood should be at least as wide as your cooktop, so it catches everything that rises from the burners.
60 cm: for a 2-burner stove or a compact kitchen.
75 cm: a good middle size for most 3-burner setups.
90 cm: for 4 or 5 burners, or if you cook on several burners at once.
2. Check the suction power
Suction is measured in cubic metres per hour (m³/hr). Higher numbers clear air faster, but the right figure depends on your kitchen size and how you cook.
As a rough rule, multiply your kitchen's volume (length × width × height, in metres) by 10 to 15. Choose a chimney at or above that number. If you cook heavy, oily food every day, or if the exhaust pipe is long with many bends, go higher.
What is 3/6-way silent suction?
It is a Special feature found on Chimney models . Besides the main opening under the hood, extra suction areas on the sides pull in smoke that would otherwise slip out past the edges. This widens the suction area and cuts grease and noise, so smoke is cleared faster without a loud motor.
3. Choose the filter type
Baffle filters: stainless steel panels that trap grease as air bends through them. They suit oily cooking well and wash easily.
Mesh (cassette) filters: layers of aluminium mesh. They are cheaper, but need more frequent cleaning.
Filterless chimneys: they spin grease away from the air using the motor and collect it in an oil tray, so there is no filter to wash. They cost more but save effort.
4. Consider auto-clean
An auto-clean chimney heats the internal parts so that collected oil melts and drains into a tray. You empty the tray every few weeks instead of scrubbing filters. If you cook with oil daily and want low maintenance, this feature is worth paying for.
5. Decide between ducted and ductless
A ducted chimney sends air outside through a pipe. It removes smoke, heat and smell completely, and it is the better choice whenever you can run a pipe to an outside wall. Keep the pipe short and straight, with as few bends as possible, for the best suction.
A ductless chimney filters the air and returns it to the kitchen. It is useful when a duct is not possible, but it removes less heat and smell.
6. Look at the motor and noise level
A good motor lasts longer and runs quieter. BLDC motors are an efficient option: they use less electricity and are generally quieter than standard motors. Ask for the noise rating (in dB) and, if you can, hear the chimney running in the shop before you decide.
7. Install it at the right height
As a general guide, fit the chimney about 65 to 75 cm above the cooktop. Too low is unsafe and awkward; too high and it will not catch the smoke. Always follow the installation instructions for your specific model.
8. Keep it clean
Wash baffle or mesh filters with warm water and dish soap every 2 to 4 weeks, depending on how often you fry.
Empty the oil collector tray regularly.
Wipe the outer body with a soft cloth, and do not use harsh abrasives on the finish.
Have it serviced once a year so the motor keeps its suction.
Chimneys available at S & S Energy Traders
We are an authorized sales and service partner for brands including Faber, Elica, Core and EQ Haus. Here is a sample of what we stock. Prices change, so please call or visit to confirm the current price and offers.
Browse the full range in our Chimney / Kitchen Hood category.
Quick checklist before you buy
Measure your cooktop and choose a hood at least as wide.
Work out the suction you need from your kitchen volume.
Pick a filter type that matches how much effort you want to put into cleaning.
Check whether you can run a duct to the outside.
Ask about warranty, installation and after-sales service.
Kitchen Chimney Buying Guide
