Duct vs Ductless Chimney
A modern kitchen includes all the advanced gadgets that will probably put you in awe. But the one we are going to discuss today is not anything new. Very common but works wonders. The appliance is a kitchen chimney.
There are various types of kitchens and classifications of chimneys in the market, such as ducted chimney, ductless chimney, Cassette Filter, Baffle Filter & Filterless Chimney. This article covers ducted and ductless chimney, however, if you want to learn more about the other kinds of chimney, read our articles ‘Cassette Filter vs Baffle filter‘ and ‘Baffle Filter vs Filterless Chimney‘.
One of the basic and most important ones is duct and ductless chimneys. They have similar functions, but we will determine which one to buy by going through this article and deciding which will be best for your kitchen.
So here’s the duct vs ductless chimney list that will help you understand the basic differences and pick the right one for your kitchen.
What is a Ducted Chimney?
A ducted or kitchen chimney with duct similar to a chimney includes a powerful pipe with a fan/blower holding inside to exhaust smoke, odor, and heat from the kitchen. The powerful pipe removes all the air-borne particles, dust, and heat by sucking it with help of blower. This type of kitchen chimney is ideal for Indian-style kitchens but it is also suitable for commercial places as well.
Ducted chimneys are bit complex but it ensures that no air will emerge back into the kitchen. Before installing the ducted chimney make sure you have enough space in your kitchen as well as provision to install one. If not then you can request dealer to do the extra work required to setup the chimney. However this work will be a added cost to your chimney.
Pros
- Maintains a good atmosphere in the kitchen.
- Low maintenance is required and easy to operate
- Provides quiet performance
- Perfect for Indian kitchens
Cons
- Tricky installation process
- It takes a lot of space
How Ducted Chimney Works?
A ducted chimney comprises of oil channel, a fan or a blower, PVC pipe, and a vent. It works by sucking in hot air or smoke via the exhaust fan. The oil channels catch all the oil particles and then its passes through the fan. The pipes connect them to a duct, which transports airborne particles from the kitchen to the outside. A filter collects the solid molecules that result in an unhealthy environment, and rather than releasing the refined air; it throws them out through a well-designed duct system. They are the most common and basic type of chimney.
What is Ductless Chimney?
A kitchen chimney without duct or ductless chimney’s pipes works by sucking in hot air or smoke via the exhaust fan. Its primary function is to improve the quality of the air inside the kitchen, so it only removes smoke and exhaust fumes. Unlike, ducted chimneys ductless chimney do not require large pipes to remove smoke so they do not require specific for installation in the kitchen.
However, ductless chimney consume more power so they consume more electricity. The only drawback of ductless chimney is that it does not filter out warmth and dampness from the air which eventually leads to more buildup in kitchen.
Pros
- Easy to install.
- Comparatively affordable than the ducted chimney
- It gives a sleek look to the kitchen
- Purifies the air inside the kitchen
Cons
- Produces a lot of noise
- It doesn’t remove the heat from the kitchen
How Ductless Chimney Works?
Ductless chimneys are simplistic chimneys that capture smoke, water vapour, and toxic pollutants into the air and release the fresh, refined air back into the air. Ductless chimney consists of oil channel, carbon duct and a fan or a blower. The air is loaded with smoke and oil is attracted by the oil channels where all the particles are collected. The oil and smoke particles are filtered out, however, it does not remove the warmth air from the kitchen and this leads to buildup in the kitchen. There are various filters like charcoal/baffle/cassette filtration system in the range hood that would draw up smoke, odour, and heat. These filtration systems will remove odors, absorb the heat, and smoke before being released back into the room.
Also Read: Elica vs Faber Chimney
Duct vs Ductless Chimney: The Real Difference
| Ducted Chimney | Ductless Chimney | |
|---|---|---|
| Size And Performance | Pipe takes space, but removes heat and smoke from the kitchen. | Takes less space and removes smoke. |
| Working | Exhaust removes air from the kitchen and releases it outside. | exhaust removes and replaces the air present in the kitchen |
| Installation | Tricky to install, might need professional help. | Easy to install. Can be done without professional help. |
| Heat And Noise Emittance | Removes kitchen heat and does not make noise. | Does not remove heat from the kitchen, but makes noise. |
| Efficiency | Efficiently removes smoke and heat. | Efficient removes heat. |
| Suction Power | High suction power | High suction power |
| Maintenance | Easy to clean and maintain | Maintenance is trickier and filters need to be replaced regularly. |
1. Size and Performance
The installation of a ducted chimney takes up a lot of space. The ducts must be connected via pipes for the appliance to work properly. The pipe efficiently removes all of the smoke and heat from the kitchen. It absorbs all of the fumes and expels them outside the house.
Meanwhile, a ductless chimney necessitates the bare minimum of setup. Other than the unit itself, they don’t have any extra parts. They have a large exhaust fan to remove all smoke and contaminated air and cleanse the air inside the kitchen.
2. Working
A ducted chimney is capable of removing all moisture and odours from the kitchen by sucking out the air. Furthermore, it dissipates all of the heat, significantly lowering the kitchen temperature. This entire system will keep your kitchen dry, odour-free, and fresh.
On the other hand, ductless chimneys can effectively filter out all dirt particles from the air but cannot remove humidity from the air if the kitchen is not adequately ventilated. Not only that, but the appliance is unable to lower the kitchen’s temperature.
3. Installation
The ducted kitchen chimney is difficult to install. It can be time-consuming and labour-intensive. The procedure will necessitate the assistance of a professional, and it will also be costly because the duct must be laid out.
On the other hand, the ductless ones do not require any major installation and can be placed wherever you want. It only needs to be bolted to the wall and plugged into a power outlet.
If you are finding it tricky to install the chimney, refer to our article “How To Install Chimney In Kitchen” to learn how to install a ducted and ductless chimney in your kitchen.
4. Heat and Noise Emittance
A ducted chimney is far more useful to remove hot air from the kitchen. It works by completely removing the hot air outside the house, making your kitchen cooler. Furthermore, a ducted chimney is silent in operation. This is because the fans do not have to operate as hard to move the dirty air outside.
On the other hand, the ductless chimney simply recirculates the air after it has been filtered. As a result, it does not eliminate the heat and humidity in the kitchen. It also makes quite a bit of noise. To get the air through the filters on ductless chimneys, the exhaust fans must spin extremely fast, resulting in a lot of noise.
5. Efficiency
Ducted chimneys provide a path for contaminated air to exit the kitchen while providing a comfortable and pleasant ambiance. As a result, ducted chimneys are more comfortable and preferred in terms of kitchen experience.
On the other hand, ductless chimneys absorb heated air, purify it by removing solid molecules, filtering them, and releasing them in the kitchen. As a result, it makes little or no difference to the odour and the unpleasant scene it creates.
Also Read: Glen Chimney Review
6. Suction Power
A ducted chimney has a maximum air suction capacity. It sucks out all of the kitchen’s exhaust fumes while maintaining a comfortable environment inside.
A ductless chimney comes with a high suction capacity. It removes all of the smoke and contaminated air and replaces it with fresh air.
7. Maintenance
The operation of the duct-ranging hoods guarantees the immediate release of all particles. As a result, the appliance is simple to maintain. You must clean and replace the filters regularly to improve their performance.
The ductless chimney, on the other hand, does not expel air. You must clean and replace the filters regularly to improve their performance. As a result, unlike ducted chimneys, the oil collector and filters must be replaced more frequently.
Final verdict
So there you have it: a detailed analysis of duct and ductless chimneys. With these points in mind, you should be able to determine which type of kitchen chimney is best for you. Your kitchen chimney, duct vs ductless chimneys, are both performing the same function.
It is up to you to decide whether you need a duct or a ductless chimney; what is best depends on your needs. You can make a decision based on your cooking frequency and needs. However, if you eat Indian food regularly, it’s more advised to install a ducted chimney for your kitchen.
Advika is a talented Indian cook with a passion for sharing her culinary expertise with others. Born and raised in India, she has spent years mastering traditional recipes from across the country, as well as putting her own unique twist on classic dishes. Her recipes are easy to follow, with step-by-step instructions and helpful tips for cooks of all levels
