How To Install Chimney In Kitchen | Kitchen Chimney Installation Guide
Our elders often say, “The kitchen is the heart of the home,” and this is undeniable because a nice and tasty meal keeps your family healthy and happy. Furthermore, a Chimney makes it smokeless and odorless, allowing you to lead a healthy life. A chimney is unquestionably one of the “must-have” appliances in your kitchen. It serves several purposes, including facilitating adequate air circulation, avoiding greasy cabinet or countertop surfaces, and providing a pleasant aroma in the kitchen.
A good chimney brand is capable of absorbing the dreadful scent of cooking, as well as smoke, harmful gas, and hot air. In kitchens, a chimney is generally located over the fireplace. Nonetheless, installing it in the kitchen may be daunting. But if you’re a DIYer who enjoys taking on projects by themselves, you can attempt installing it by yourself, which will save you money.
If you are wondering how to install a chimney in your kitchen, this will be the ultimate chimney installation guide. But before going into the details of the procedure, let us first take a look at the different types of tools you will require for your kitchen chimney installation.
Tools Required For Kitchen Chimney Installation
If you plan on installing a chimney by yourself, you will need to keep the following tools in handy:
- Scissors
- Hammer
- Pliers
- Marker pen
- Measuring tape
- All of the tools and spare parts included in the chimney pack
Things To Consider When Installing A Kitchen Chimney
The chimney installation process is not a complex procedure. Anyone with appropriate guidance can do it by themselves without a hassle. However, there are certain factors you should consider when installing a kitchen chimney:
1. Chimney Size
The size of the chimney is vital when it comes to installation. A large chimney can suck up smoke from your stove even when little smoke is displaced from it. However, if the size of your chimney matches the size of your hob, it’s essential to install it just above it, end to end. You must match the center of the chimney with the hob if you have a smaller chimney.
2. Type Of Stove
The chimney’s size is reliable on the size of your stove. You should consider opting for a 60cm chimney if you have a 2-burner cooktop. But if you have an Auto ignition cooktop with more than 2 burners, go for a chimney that is around 90cm. A less than 60 cm chimney will prove inefficient in sucking up smoke from more than 2 burners at a time.
3. Distance Between Stove And Chimney
The ideal distance between your stove and chimney is said to be 24 to 30 inches which should always be kept in mind while installing a kitchen chimney. It is possible that the chimney hood can catch fire if the distance is less than 24 inches. And a height over 31 inches will lead to a reduction in the exhaust rate. However, the chimney is going to be inefficient in both cases. Your kitchen chimney must be at the right height to function effectively.
4. Chimney Duct
Always choose a duct that is less than 12 feet long. A longer duct will have a greater number of bends, which will hinder the flow of fumes. This has an adverse effect on suction efficiency. The majority of people opt for a lower-cost installation to avoid this, which is also quite unsafe. As a result, choosing a compact duct with fewer bends is preferable.
5. Suction Capacity
The suction capacity has a crucial role to play in determining the height of the chimney installation. The distance between the chimney & stove and the suction capacity is inversely proportional to each other. This means that when a chimney has a low suction capacity, it should not be installed at greater heights as it can lead to poor motor performance.
The chimney should be ideally located below 30 inches from the cooktop in case it has low suction capacity. Furthermore, if you desire a greater distance between your chimney and oven, you should go for chimneys having higher exhausting capacity.
6. Duct Or Ductless Chimney
Another factor that you should consider when installing a chimney is to consider whether the chimney has ducts or is ductless. The Ducted chimneys serve as a medium for the flow of fumes and dust that are supposed to be disposed of outdoors. Longer ducts should be avoided when choosing a chimney, resulting in more curves and bends, which reduce suction capacity.
However, to avoid this, many people install the chimney from the bottom side, which is extremely dangerous. When there is a large number of gases present, the chimney’s hold may catch fire. If positioning your stove for chimneys with shorter ducts becomes troublesome, search for a chimney with larger suction power. This will reduce the likelihood of inefficiency.
Kitchen Chimney Installation Guide
1. Location Of The Chimney
You must ensure that your chimney is aligned perfectly over the stove. The chimney’s core section should be positioned above the furnace. The exiting smoke must be distributed evenly; thus, your chimney must be installed over the significant cooking area. Besides, there are several types of chimneys available in the market and are categorized primarily into three to four groups depending on their capabilities:
Wall Mounted Chimney: The chimney is installed against the wall and cooktop.
Island Chimney: The chimney is installed (hung) above the cooktop, with a cooktop placed at the center of the kitchen.
Built-in Chimney: The chimney is installed within the kitchen wood fixtures fitted against the wall.
Corner Chimney: The chimney is installed in the kitchen’s corner above the cooktop.
2. Chimney Height From Stove
When it comes to determining a chimney’s efficiency, Following the right guide to know the height for kitchen chimney installation is essential. As a result, if the chimney is positioned too close to the stove, it is possible for it to catch fire. However, if it is put too high, along with dirt and dust, the chimney would suck up fresh air as well.
According to the experts, the ideal height for fitting a chimney is between 24 and 30 inches.
In addition, when you purchase a chimney for yourself, you will receive a user handbook that will contain recommendations regarding the appropriate distance between your chimney and stove. However, keep the following points in mind when calculating the height suitable for erecting a chimney for your kitchen.
Type of Cooktop: If you prepare your meals on an induction stove, then you are safe concerning the height at which the chimney should be fitted. If you’re utilizing a naked flame gas stove, be sure the chimney is higher than 24 inches. If you try to place it below 24 inches, there’s a chance it’ll catch fire.
Length and number of bends in a duct: Installing a long duct can make the installation procedure even more problematic as it will have numerous bends, causing the flow of smoky air to be caught inside. As a result, suction efficiency will be low, and the rate of expelled air will be reduced. Installing a chimney at a lower height, on the other hand, is also not safe.
Suction Capacity: This is a significant consideration when purchasing a chimney. If the suction capacity of the chimney is poor, it should not be installed higher than 29-30 inches as it won’t be able to suck odors and fumes from such a long distance. Nevertheless, this factor varies with brands.
Stove’s position & design of the kitchen: This greatly impacts the process of height calculation. If your stove is close to the kitchen’s sidewalls, you’ll need a duct with a longer length. As a result, the suction capacity and operational inefficiencies will be reduced. But if the stove is positioned near the kitchen’s outer wall, it might help you save money on the installation cost as this type of installation facilitates the flow of the air with a minimum obstruction and maximum efficiency. However, this might not be possible for a chimney having high suction power.
3. Fastening Chimney To The Wall
The majority of the chimneys come with an installation kit that includes stands, screws, and various attachments that comes in handy while fastening the chimney. After measuring the suitable height, mark the points and drill holes for the screws. The only thing that would be left after attaching the chimney with the hood is fastening it. Drill holes of 6mm in the wall and check if it fits well before fastening the chimney. If it’s a green signal, you can now permanently fix the chimney.
4. Chimney With A Duct Or Ductless Chimney
While buying a chimney, check if it’s ducted or ductless. A ducted chimney is usually made of stainless steel and aluminum material that ensures maximum strength and durability. But its length should not be more than 12 feet because this might result in additional bends and turns while installing. This, in turn, can lead to a reduction in suction power. So, please go for a small duct pipe to make the chimney more effective.
5. Chimney Duct Cut-Out
Start by making a circular 6” wide opening on the kitchen’s external wall for the duct. This is usually done at a height of at least 7 feet above the floor. If you already have an old chimney fitting or exhaust fan, you can utilize that cut-out to feed the duct through it. However, if there isn’t enough room in your cooking hub for such a hole, you can go for a ductless chimney.
6. Universal Spigot
Nowadays, modern chimneys include a universal spigot as a built-in feature for ease of use, allowing users to connect the exhaust pipe without difficulty. Universal Spigot comes in three sizes to fit pipes with diameters of 4, 5, and 6 inches. You can check the handbook provided by the manufacturer that generally contains helpful illustrations based on user needs.
7. Wiring
Wiring is a crucial step in the installation process. The installation of a chimney, just like any other appliance, involves several wires. Even chimney plugs must be properly installed for the convenience of the user. Green wires, commonly known as earthing wires, are also required to protect you against short circuits. Once you’re done with the wiring, check if the chimney is operating properly by turning on the power button.
8. Airflow Methods
There are two ways to use a chimney – exhaust mode and recirculation mode. However, exhaust mode is strongly recommended for the best outcomes as it drives out the sucked smoky air through a duct pipe out of the kitchen. A recirculation mode is preferred only in the absence of an exhaust duct pipe. In this mode, the air is recycled in the kitchen environment after carbon filters have purified it.
9. Carbon Filter
If you don’t have access to suitable outdoor ducts for air exhaustion, you’ll probably have to ask for an extra carbon filter, which will raise the cost of your chimney installation. But there is a possibility that it’s already connected to your chimney. If not, you must request this from the chimney service provider. For optimal performance, it is advised that you replace the carbon filters at least once every three months.
Safety Precautions While Installing Kitchen Chimney
The chimney installation process should be carried out with proper safety measures because you would be dealing with a lot of electronic appliances here. Few safety precautions that you are required to keep in mind are:
- The installer should wear rubber gloves for the prevention of electric shocks. They also keep you safe from short circuits.
- Do not forget to turn off the main power supply before beginning the installation process. Furthermore, lock and secure the panel box so that no one accidentally turns on the switches.
- Check that the wires and cables are inactive before holding them.
Conclusion
Chimneys have become an imperative necessity for almost every household in recent years, owing to the rise in health concerns. However, it is pretty under appreciated as to how important it is to ensure your family’s safety. A chimney filters away undesired gases and particulate matter from the atmosphere while preventing the inhalation of partially combusted particles.
Almost every type of kitchen chimney is used for ventilation purposes. Along with looking for brands and models for your chimneys, it’s crucial to pay attention to the installation process as well. We hope this article provides you with all the necessary information and steps for installing a kitchen chimney. Lastly, safety precautions are a must while installing a chimney. Follow appropriate measures for your safety.
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
