The extraction of air through a professional extractor hood is one of the most important topics within a professional kitchen and must be studied carefully, because it primarily affects the customer's experience within the restaurant. Have you ever had dinner in a restaurant and when going out noticed that your clothes were smelly? If the answer is yes, that room probably did not have a good ventilation and the cooking odours and fumes had entered into the room instead of exiting through the chimney.
A good ventilation in the room, made through a professional extractor hood, protects the restaurateur from any embarrassment with customers, but it also has an important role in managing the service. In fact, it keeps the kitchen a clean place and allows you to manage excess heat, making the kitchen a healthier, safer and more comfortable working environment.
This only happens when the extraction is compensated, which means that many cubic meters of air "dense" with odours and vapours are conveyed towards the outside, and the same quantity of cubic meters of clean air are reintroduced into the kitchen. This keeps the kitchen temperature constant and, as mentioned, a healthy working environment, an odour-free room. This is a fundamental aspect in all restaurants, even more where there is an open kitchen.
How the air intake mechanism works in professional extractor hoods with motors
Motorized restaurant extractor hoods are the most common solutions in professional kitchens. Their extraction mechanism is based on the use of a powerful motor that captures the odours and fumes generated during cooking, conveying them through a ducting system towards the outside. The motor can be placed directly in the hood or in a place outside the room, for example the roof, to reduce noise. The motorized extractor hood is the most efficient configuration to ensure rapid odour removal and maintain a clean working environment.
There are many types of professional extractor hoods with motors, designed to adapt to the different needs and configurations of catering kitchens. Among the most common types that Lotus offers are wall hoods, complete with light and speed controller, with or without motor, assembled directly on the wall and suitable for small kitchens with cooking top positioned along the wall, they are ranging from a depth of 72 to 85 cm; the central extractor hoods are perfect for kitchens with islands or separate preparation areas, the suspended hoods are attached to the ceiling and ideal for kitchens with islands or central work areas as well as the latest generation compensated extraction systems.
Among them the design hoods are increasingly popular, characterized by an elegant and modern style, often chosen for high-end professional kitchens that want to enhance aesthetics. In tune with this market demand, we have recently renewed the aesthetics of our professional hoods line for restaurants and presented it as a preview at HostMilano 2023.
Read also: Professional kitchen, how to set it up in restaurants, canteens and pubs
Extractor hoods for restaurant kitchens without flue pipe: pros and cons
Activated carbon filtration hoods are gaining more and more popularity, especially in restaurant kitchens without access to an external exhaust system. These models use activated carbon filters to capture grease particles and reduce the odours in cooking vapours and fumes. While they are installed with the intent of eliminating odours, it is important to note that they fail to do it completely, they also can’t efficiently manage the heat and they may require more frequent maintenance than other hoods. In professional kitchens, especially where there is an intense production of odours, a hood without a flue pipe may not be sufficient, leaving the room susceptible to odours and high temperatures.
In conclusion, the choice between extractor hoods with motor and without flue pipe depends on the specific needs of each professional kitchen. It is essential to balance odour elimination with efficient heat management. While motorized hoods are ideal for powerful extraction, pipe less hoods with activated carbon filtration are a valid solution when access to an external exhaust system is inconvenient or denied. Each option has its pros and cons, and the best choice will depend on your individual kitchen setup and needs.
Do you want more information on the Lotus extractor hood that best suites to your needs? Write to lotus@lotuscookers.it or fill out the contact form.