The kitchen is one of the busiest rooms in a home, from where delicious meals are dished out at regular intervals. With the hustle and bustle of each cook comes splashes of grease, oil splatters, and not to forget smoky clouds that spread soot and aromas throughout the room. A chimney is essential in the kitchen as it helps to absorb excess oil, steam and heat, directing them away outdoors. As is the case with any room, there are several options to choose from, such as built-in, wall-mounted or island chimneys. The choice of each depends mostly on the space available and the vision the homeowner has for the kitchen. we present a few options that are perfect for Indian homes.

An artistic wall-mounted chimney

A wall-mounted chimney is ideal for a single-wall, an L-shape kitchen or for kitchens where space is a constraint. The key to choosing the right design lies in ensuring that the size of the hood is the same as that of the stove or hob. A black chimney with a curved hood against a patch of patterned tiles creates an artistic element in the kitchen.

A sleek wall-mounted hood

The chimney hood comes in varied designs such as pyramidal or sleek straight-line. The kitchen chimney must cover or slightly exceed the width of the cooktop to absorb smoke effectively. Ideally, the distance between the chimney and hob should be 26 to 30 inches ensuring optimum suction of smoke and other particles. A straight-line design, like this one, looks right at home in a modern kitchen.

Island chimney

An island chimney is ideal for a kitchen with a cooking island. The cooking platform and the hob are placed in the center of the kitchen with the ducts tucked away in the faux ceiling. With this chimney design-the higher the ceiling, the longer is the chimney over the hood. This design is ideal for spacious kitchens.

Perfect for open-plan kitchens

With island chimneys, it is paramount that the hood is directly above the cooktop, and ideally at least six inches wider than the stove. It ensures that the smoke or fumes do not escape from the sides. The decision to install an island chimney must be made in the early stages of the kitchen design according to interior designers and decorators as the position of the hob and chimney needs to be aligned before the installation of the faux ceiling and electrical wiring. Island chimneys work well even in homes with integrated spaces, where the countertop often doubles up as a dining platform.

Built-in chimney

Built-in chimneys are suitable for compact kitchens as they save space. The hood is generally fixed on the wall and integrated with the woodwork of the kitchen. A modular kitchen typically comes with a built-in chimney in a matching or complementary color to present a well-coordinated look in the kitchen. It is crucial to choose the right chimney design according to the dimensions of the kitchen and the measurements of the cabinets, so no alterations are required later. 

Enclosed ducting for built-in chimney

Built-in kitchen chimneys come in a variety of designs depending on the ducts and filters. With duct chimneys, it is essential to choose an appropriate position for the chimney so that the tubes or pipes that flush out the smoke and odors to the outdoors have minimum or no bends as it enhances the suction efficiency of the hood. Therefore, the decision to incorporate a chimney into the plan of the kitchen and its placement should be one of the first points to consider when designing the kitchen.