Any modern kitchen needs to be equipped with a kitchen extractor fan to reduce the amount of smells and grease that are produced during cooking. Exhaust fans are not only highly functional kitchen equipment but can also be an attractive part of any kitchen’s decor. They do not need to be often installed or replaced and are available in a variety of types and sizes according to the design and requirements of the kitchen.

A kitchen extractor fan, also referred to as an exhaust fan, is mounted directly above the kitchen stove. It is usually encased in a metal box or bell-shaped canopy and attached to an exhaust vent. It primarily serves to conceal unsightly vents, however, an attractive exhaust fan can also add some colour and character to any kitchen.

A kitchen extractor fan serves an important purpose: It draws out all the smoke and vapours created during cooking and routes them elsewhere. It is indispensable as kitchen vapours consist of not just water vapours discharged when boiling, but also vaporised oil and grease released from fried and sauteed foods. There are kitchen fans that let in fresh air into the kitchen while simultaneously removing smoke and vapours. All in all, kitchen extractor fans are intended to reduce the level of humidity and oil in the air to prevent them from dirtying and damaging kitchen surfaces.

There are many types of kitchen extractor fans on the market. The most common types are hood extractor fans, island range extractor fans and freestanding extractor fans. Hood fans or canopy fans are installed directly over the stove. They soak up all of the tainted air and then either expel the air outside or run it through a filter which is housed within the fan. If the fan has a filter then it needs to be replaced or cleaned regularly. Island range fans are the most effective in eliminating the polluted air.

This type of kitchen extractor fans uses a chimney in order to soak up the air and then expel it through the ceiling of the house. Freestanding extractor fans work in a similar way to the island range fans, except they do not require a chimney. Instead, these fans have charcoal filters installed inside so that they are able to clean the polluted air and then circulate it back into the kitchen. Charcoal filters are great at soaking up fat and nasty smells and can make a big difference to the quality of air in the kitchen. As with most filters, charcoal filters need to be cleaned regularly in soapy water or a dishwasher.

Such factors as the family budget, usage peculiarities and kitchen layout should be considered when choosing a kitchen extractor fan. For most home kitchens, extractors working at a variable speed are the best choice as they operate quietly. Large-capacity fans are a more appropriate choice for installation over a kitchen island. Self regulating fans which incorporate a built-in controller to regulate the rate of air flow and a timer to turn the fan off after a set interval are highly suitable for large kitchens and are very easy-to-use.

All things considered, kitchen extractor fans are very useful. They can control the humidity inside a kitchen. They also control the odours and the fumes inside the kitchen not to mention their ability to remove heat and keep the kitchen cool, making it a lot easier to work there.

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