It may seem like a weird question, but tell me how do you clear the air in your kitchen? After a weekend breakfast complete with applewood-smoked bacon or a pasta dinner filled with garlic, ventilation is key to removing the lingering aroma and smoky haze.
The typical options found in Atlanta homes for sale include:
Extractor fan
If you rarely cook or have a tiny kitchen, an extractor fan might be a reasonable cure for your ventilation woes. Microwaves mounted above a cooktop often include extractor fans.
If you rarely cook or have a tiny kitchen, an extractor fan might be a reasonable cure for your ventilation woes. These ceiling- or wall-mounted fans are designed to draw in air from both sides, thus delivering high performance at minimal power consumption rates. A real downside is their appearance; there simply is not a sleek looking extractor fan on the market. Microwaves mounted above a range often include extractor fans.
Downdraft ventilation
Venting “downward” is primarily used in kitchen islands or peninsulas — places where a traditional hood might be difficult to install or where you don’t want to block the view. This type of unit can also be used for a cooktop near a wall — perhaps under a window, another location where a hood doesn’t make sense.
Downdraft ventilation is primarily used in kitchen islands or peninsulas — places where a traditional hood might be difficult to install or where you don’t want to block the view. This home for sale at 527 Birch River Drive uses downdraft ventilation, as the cooktop is centrally located in the island. Click on the image for more photos and information from my website.
This vent style draws fumes downward, under the floor and out (like a clothes dryer). Low-powered models, appropriate for an electric or small gas range, generally have the power pack placed in the cabinet beneath. A high-powered unit is usually placed in the basement, avoiding the loss of kitchen storage space.
Range hoods
Many luxury homes make the vent hood a focal point within the kitchen. This custom hood at 115 Crowe Road is trimmed in stone to correspond with the recessed refrigerator.
In these systems, the exhaust fan is tucked under a decorative wall mounted or overhead hood and is available with multiple speeds. This is the most popular type of venting system for a number of reasons: it’s effective, it’s logical (hot air does rise, after all) and it saves space. Range hoods can be used with either ductless or duct systems.
Duct range vents direct cooking smoke and steam outside the home. These vents may or may not have a filter connected to them. Ductless range vents rely exclusively on filters to clean the grease and grime from the smoke and circulate clean air back into the kitchen. Those that use charcoal filters can remove odors, but they must be periodically replaced. Some use an aluminum filter that can be cleaned with soap and water. Filters must be washed or replaced every 3 to 6 months to maintain the vent’s peak operating efficiency.
Do you have a dream kitchen in mind? If so, what method would you use there? I have been pinning kitchens with dramatic range hoods on Pinterest. Follow my Gourmet Kitchens Pinterest board for more kitchen eye-candy!
Source: Zillow blog
