Best Kitchen Chimney Brands in India

Cooking is a passion for many Indians. The sweat, grime and the unbearable aroma that emanates in the process hardly deter the enthusiasm of people, particularly the womenfolk, from performing the activity with elan.

It is hence imperative for us to focus more on the kitchen apparatus in a bid to add flavour to the cooking experience. The most important constituent that contributes to a pleasant cooking experience is the chimney.

It is important that the person who gets out after an exhausting kitchen encounter appears fresh and in good shape. Several important factors need consideration in selecting the most appropriate brand of the chimney.

It may bank on several aspects, the most significant of them being, first, the space available in your kitchen and second, your affordability without compromising on health and safety.

The most uncompromising facet of your buy has to be the following:

1. The power of suction of the air of the equipment, for a grime-free, smoke and soot free environment.
2. The chimney should act as a ventilation system, and a small kitchen that lacks a window outlet.
3. The most appropriate filter type is limiting the need for constant maintenance.
4. A controlled power consumption.
5. The compactness of the apparatus matches the space available in the kitchen.

We would endeavour to help you make the right choice of equipment that would be ideal for your kitchen to provide comfort and safety to the folks who are at work within. Hence, it is vital for you to target more on the features attached and less on the aesthetics. 

Also Read: Link 1, Link 2 & Link 3

In this guide, we ranked and reviewed the 10 best Chimney Brand in India, along with our top 3 choices, so that you can pick the best one for you.

 10 Best Kitchen Chimney in India

Listed below are some of the leading Chimney brands. Please note that the feature of a brand varies as per the brand name. Some of them are filterless, and others of the same brand have filters.

The cassette filters are not preferable due to a lot of maintenance that needs to be done. Similarly, a hand wave sensor is activated by the motion of the hand.

Some brands can accommodate only two burners and some four, some are low priced but may lack durability and features. You have plenty of options and similarly, costs. You have to make a decision.

You could make your choice from any of them based on your requirements.

Want to jump straight to my top picks? My favorite kitchen chimney brands in india is Faber and Elica.

Chimney Buying Guide

Good Suction power: To maintain fresh air that is oil and grease-free, the motor should have ample strength to blow out the air. The air is a mixture of fumes and greasy content along with the bacteria in the air.

It is estimated that the motor needs to suck out at least ten times the volume of air in the kitchen. Hence the power of suction of the motor has to match your kitchen dimensions.

However, the electricity consumption is never in a continuous mode. It would be limited to the extent of the cooking and cleaning time.

Auto Clean Chimneys: Auto clean mechanism is a worthwhile innovation of the kitchen appliance industry. While the suction removes the fumes and smoke in the atmosphere, the oil and dirt get entangled in filters composed of double-layered curved panels.

They are later directed to the oil collector placed at specific positions in the chimney. In the case of a filterless chimney, the oil particles owing to their weight, are centrifugally directed to the chimney's walls, and they find their way to the oil collector.

The oil collector cleaning is done frequently by pushing a button that triggers the cleaning process. The non-sticking aluminium turbine blower reduces the risk of oil clogging the chimney's internal parts, including the walls.

Chimney Filters

Manufacture

• Mesh / Cassette: Multiple layers of aluminium mesh
• Baffle: Made up of multiple layers of curved panels of stainless steel
• Charcoal: Made up of charcoal slate with holes

Functioning

• Mesh / Cassette: Aluminium mesh separates grease and oil particles from smoke
• Baffle: Curves in stainless steel panel hold on to oil and grease particles.
• Charcoal: Holes in between charcoal slate absorbs oil and smoke particles

Suitability in Indian Cooking

• Mesh / Cassette: No, as it needs a regular cleaning process in place.
• Baffle: Yes
• Charcoal: Yes, but it needs to be changed quite often

Cleaning Process and Frequency

• Mesh / Cassette: Difficult, once in a week
• Baffle: Moderate, once in three or four weeks
• Charcoal: Not washable

Consequence of not cleaning

• Mesh / Cassette: Oil, grease and dust particles choke suction of the chimney and it causes a loud sound during the process.
  
  
• Baffle: Oil, grease and dust mixed with their movement towards the oil collector after getting trapped on the multi-layered panels. There is no clogging formed and hence the blower does not need to overwork.
  
  
• Charcoal: Clogging takes place and needs replacement.

Durability

• Mesh / Cassette: Moderately durable
• Baffle: It would last for a more extended period if cleaned once in four weeks.
• Charcoal: The durability of the filter is poor and could need regular replacement.

Price:

• Mesh / Cassette: Inexpensive
• Baffle: Expensive
• Charcoal: Expensive

The industry has hence decided to dispense with the charcoal filter and use the Baffle more extensively. The mesh/cassette is also preferred because it is less expensive and affordable in every home.

Filterless chimneys are very expensive and can find only buyers with deep pockets. However, they need to be further improved to perform more effectively despite the cost.

Baffle Filter and Filterless Chimney - An Overview

The Baffle Filters are high-quality aluminium or stainless steel curved plates. The double layer of these panels can control the airflow, and their curves manage to block the oil and relatively heavy dirt.

At the same time, the smoke gets away into the atmosphere through the exhaust. The oil and, to some extent the dirt, are guided to the dirt collector chamber to avoid clogging. However, the Baffle filters need to be removed and cleaned once every three months.

The Filterless chimney draws the smoke, oil and dust particles from the kitchen and puts them away in the atmosphere. The comparatively heavy dirt and oil mix may be thrown towards the walls of the chimney and could be later washed out using the auto clean arrangement.

The clogging can be avoided subject to the usage of fewer oil-related items. The Indian kitchen is usually used to an intensive cooking regimen that calls for the extensive usage of oil and masala wherein an arrangement of this kind may not prove very helpful.

Hence in the current condition, it is more beneficial to use a chimney with Baffle filters. Maintenance will be mandatory but in the long run, it would be beneficial.

Chimney Types

Wall Mount: This is the most commonly found cooking arrangement. The gas stove is usually pitted against the wall, and hence the chimney needs to occupy the above space.

The wall mount models are available in both 60 cms and 90 cms sizes with all the filter options, including the filterless and auto clean.

Built-in: It could also be wall-mounted but concealed in the wooden furniture. However, the furniture covers only those areas that can be covered. While all the filter and size options are available, the arrangement adds elegance to the kitchen besides space-saving.

Island: This is ideal for a large kitchen with a cooking table located at the centre. This type of chimney is hung from the ceiling and hence adds to the aesthetics of the kitchen. Meanwhile, precaution has to be taken to keep the equipment at a safe distance from the cooktop.

Corner: The size of your kitchen may not matter, but a corner type chimney is more suited in a smaller space. However, the corner type makes the cooking area look stunning, provided your cooktop is also placed in the corner.

Hence it can be safely concluded that a wall mount type chimney is a more preferred kind of set-up for a chimney, subject to the positioning of the gas stove.

Comparison Between a Ducted and a Ductless / Non-Ducted Chimney

Size: 

• Ducted Chimney: It takes more space
• Ductless Chimney: Occupies less space

Working:

• Ducted Chimney: Exhaust pulls out air from the kitchen and is released outside
• Ductless Chimney: The air is replaced by fresh air from outside

Installation:

• Ducted Chimney: Needs professional help to install
• Ductless Chimney: Easier to install without external help

Heat & Noise:

• Ducted Chimney: Removes heat and works noiselessly
• Ductless Chimney: Removes dust, retains heat and works with a lot of sound

Maintenance:

• Ducted Chimney: Easy to maintain
• Ductless Chimney: Filters need regular cleaning

It is clear from the above that unless your kitchen cannot accommodate a ducted chimney, you should not plan a ductless one.

Downdraft Chimney

In the case of high ceilings, particularly when you wish to retain all the views around the room, you have to settle for a downdraft chimney. However, the efficacy of the steam extraction would be confined to just 80% to 90% in this case.

The flow direction of the steam undergoes a directional change. It does not take its natural course to the top due to the lighter density of air. Nevertheless, the industry is geared to find solutions to all kinds of challenges for every type of kitchen space.

Types of Chimney Blowers

• Internal Blowers: It is located inside the range hood unit. It is inbuilt in the unit itself.
  
  
• Inline Blowers: It is fitted outside the range hood but remains attached to the hood. In short, it is outside the hood but inside the house
  
  
• External Blower: It is located outside the house in a weather-resistant enclosure

The external blower could do away with the sound that emerges from it.

Benefits of Kitchen Chimney

1. It benefits in eradicating hot gases and toxic pollutants that exist in the air during cooking inside your kitchen
   
   
2. It helps to bring down the level of carbon monoxide in your kitchen, setting aside all probabilities of increasing carbon footprints
   
   
3. The kitchen remains cool and clean despite cooking being in progress
   
   
4. It controls the spread of bacteria and other germs in your kitchen
   
   
5. The strong odours that emanate while cooking is harmful to humans. The kitchen chimney can bring all this happening under control.
   
   
6. The oil and grease mixed with dust can create havoc in the kitchen environment. This can be avoided by the intense suction of the blowers in the chimney.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Installing a Chimney

Advantages

1. Preserve a Good Kitchen Environment: 

• The women of the house generally spend more time in the kitchen. It is essential for them to feel as fresh when they come out of it as they felt when entering the kitchen.
  
  
• It is necessary to maintain the kitchen environment as we experience in the other areas of the house.

2. Avoid retention of smell

• The aroma of food may feel excellent when your taste glands need activation. Once you have had your fill, the smell of food only irritates you.
  
  
• The kitchen needs to smell fresh even during the process of cooking. A chimney of good quality will be of great help in the process.

3. Protects the Kitchen Walls

• Heavy fumes and smoke combined with oil and dust mix can cause untold damage to your kitchen walls. 

4. Gives Aesthetic Appearance to Kitchens 

• The cleanliness and hygiene practised in the kitchen spark a lot about your upbringing and values.
  
  
• The aesthetics are also a reflection of the same. Your kitchen must appear well decked and aesthetic.

5. Avoid any Ill-Health

• People have a history of ill health like Asthma and breathlessness, to name a few, and need to take special care against strong smells and unclean air.
  
  
• The design of the chimney is conceived with them in mind. The advantages it rolls out will also serve the healthy as well.

Disadvantages

1. Cost of the Equipment

• Most of the equipment comes with an extravagant price tag with many benefits in buying the same.
  
  
• The customer has to be astute and prudent while taking decisions. 

2. Power Consumption

• The power consumed by the apparatus, especially during suction and auto cleaning, adds to your expenses.

3. Noise pollution

• A high decibel sound let out by the blowers may add to your discomfort.
  
  
• Only a blower outside your house can bring respite to the continuous sound of the machine.

4. Cleaning of the Filters

• The cleaning or replacing of filters almost frequently is troublesome and could have a bearing on your finances.
  
  
• Filterless chimneys are exorbitantly priced and unworthy of an ordinary person’s affordability.

5. Maintenance cost

• With each apparatus being launched in the market, the service people get busy with additional types of equipment to be looked after. The appliance manufacturers try to rope their clientele with service packages, and the customer yields to it.

Conclusion

As a concluding part of this marathon write up, it is imperative that some myths concerning the role of a best kitchen chimney in India could be laid to rest.

1. An exhaust fan can never be construed to work on par with a chimney. A chimney cannot be conceived as a glorified form of an exhaust fan.
   
   While the exhaust fan may do away with the remnant smell in the kitchen to a reasonably good extent, the oil, grime, and dust will prevail. A certain amount of smoke may also vanish.
   
   
2. The more gadgets operating in the kitchen, the more is the need for each to go through periodic maintenance. You could hence be advised on the replacements and improvisations that are impending.
   
   The service people will also be able to prioritise the immediate requirements too.
   
   
3. The initial chimneys were ductless and were fitted with carbon filters. The air could only be recirculated after the smoke was absorbed.
   
   They functioned moderately well in Europe where the cooking indulged in less frying, thereby constraining the use of oil and the fumes it created.
   
   
4. Today, the chimneys are fashioned to accommodate the Indian style of cooking that indulges in using excessive oil and masala that could emanate a lot of fumes and dust mixed with oil.
   
   Hence it is a myth to consider the chimney an extra piece of unnecessary furniture for the Indian kitchen.
   
   
5. The heavy suction blowers that are designed to pump out approximately ten times the volume of your kitchen in cubic metres are also a measure keeping the Indian kitchen in mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which hardware chimney is best?

A lot depends on your kitchen parameters and the budget you have planned for the buy. It also depends a lot on the money you are willing to spend on the machine's maintenance and power consumption.

Certain parameters are essential, like the filter, the power of the suction, the service availability and promptness. The looks and other features may come later

2. How do we choose a chimney?

Primarily the chimney is selected with some of its essential parameters.

• The filter, if it exists
  
  
• Filterless provided the cost is affordable
  
  
• To calculate the blower's power and ascertain it matches your kitchen’s needs, you have to multiply the length x breadth x height x 10 of your kitchen in meters.
  
  
• The money needed to be spent on the power consumption and maintenance of the machine.
  
  
• The service promptness of the company service centre.

3. Which is better: filter or filterless chimney?

A baffle filter could be better than a filterless chimney firstly because a filterless chimney could spill over some wasted oil back into the cooking area much later in the day after the cooking has concluded.

A baffle filter is a multi-layered, curved panelled filter that could hold on to the oil and dust mix till the time it is taken for cleaning.

4. How do I choose a chimney for my kitchen?

Primarily the chimney is selected with some of its important parameters.

• The filter, if it exists
  
  
• Filterless provided the cost is affordable
  
  
• The power of suction of the blower and whether it is in line with your kitchen’s needs. You have to multiply the length x breadth x height x 10 of your kitchen in meters to get the suction power.
  
  
• The money needed to be spent on the power consumption and maintenance of the machine.
  
  
• The service promptness of the company service centre. 

5. How many types of kitchen chimneys are available?

There are a variety of kitchen chimneys available in the market.

• At various power of air suction
  
• With different filters and filterless
  
• With auto-cleaner function
  
• Wall mounted, built-in, island, and corner types
  
• Ducted and Ductless
  
• Downdraft Chimneys

6. Is a kitchen chimney necessary?

Chimneys are essential for many reasons:

• To keep the grime, fumes, smoke, and sweat of the people who work in the kitchen away, making cooking a pleasant experience.
  
• People who are not healthy enough and particularly suffering from Aasthama and breathlessness need a chimney to aid them.
  
• The lack of a chimney could cause untold damage to the kitchen

7. How do we clean the oil collector?

The cleaning can be done either manually or by using the auto cleaner. It is essential to use both methods. 

8. Which type of chimney is best for a kitchen?

The size of your kitchen selects a chimney. The power of the suction is as per the volume of your kitchen. A filterless or a baffle filter based chimney would be ideal.

Here are my best top chimney brands in india:

Also Read: Check out my reviews of the best image editing software, the top choices for video editing software, and my full guide to start a blog for beginners.