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Kitchen

How Does a Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Hood Work

A Commercial kitchen exhaust hood works greatly. In Fact, You cannot run a successful kitchen if your kitchen environment is safe and provides the best facilities. 

The stoves and different cooking appliances emit gas, toxins, grease, and dust particles.

A commercial kitchen exhaust hood helps to cover all the hazardous aspects that may compromise the safety of your workers and kitchen. 

But, before you install a commercial kitchen exhaust, understand the working principles of the exhaust hood so you can make the best decision. 

Working Principles of a Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Hood Work

You might be wondering why bother yourself with the working of a kitchen appliance. I can go to the market and buy one. 

Let me tell you that is not the case. There are so many options available in the market that it will confuse a lot. 

A clean kitchen with stainless steel kitchen exhaust hood mounted to the wall above the stove.

Let’s start with the working principle of your commercial kitchen exhaust hood. It’s pretty easy and basic. The hot air from the kitchen stove or other cooking appliances rises above. 

Professionals install the exhaust fan on the hood, to pick up the hot air, grease it, and direct them out of the building. Also, the hood may or may not have fire suppression qualities, depending on your installed type. 

The expulsion of grease, dirt, and hot air makes sure that the air quality of your commercial kitchen does not get weighed down. 

It also reduces any chances of hazards to the maximum. 

Basics You Need to Know about a Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Hood Work

1- Cooking Factor

You need to consider what type of appliance you are using. Whether it is light, medium, or heavy-duty appliances. Do you need to know what the thermal plume is? 

The simple answer to that question is the substances that rise from a heating source. The plumes from grilling stations or flipping burgers will be much higher than in a healing oven or frying station.

Plumes coming out of the grilled burger patties and going into the kitchen exhaust hood.

Consider what the menu of your commercial kitchen will be. If it is simple baking and cooking, it does not need a high exhaust rate compared to a kitchen. 

2- CFM Is Important in a Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Hood Work

 It is Cubic Feet per Minute. It measures how strong the air movement needs to be in your kitchen. 

According to your needs, there are different standards, but it should be 100 CFM for every 12 inches of your stove as a thumb rule. 

3- Makeup Air Is a Part of a Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Hood Work

This is the air that comes in through the exhaust hood in exchange for the kitchen air. 

Components of a Commercial Kitchen Exhaust 

  • Exhaust hood
  • Ducts 
  • Exhaust fans 
  • Makeup air units 
  • Commercial hood filter 
  • Fire suppression unit 

Exhaust Hood for a Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Hood Work

A kitchen exhaust unit made of stainless steel to prevent from rusting frequently.

This is the most prominent part of the commercial exhaust system. They can be either wall-mounted or an island canopy that hangs directly over the stove in terms of style. 

Based on function, we can divide the kitchen hood into two types. 

1- Type I Hood of a Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Hood Work

experts install these hoods over cooking equipment that produces grease. 

These hoods come with a fire suspension unit because the grease is more prone to catch fire and needs something to suppress it.

Let me give the example of appliances producing high grease and oil dirt. When working with charcoal, BBQ, and stir-fried food, they produce many grease and fumes. 

Type I hoods will have filters to catch all greases and prevent them from entering the exhaust lines. 

2- Type II Hood of a Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Hood Work

These hoods also take the name of oven hoods. Their primary purpose of the use is to remove hot air and steam. 

experts install them over appliances that do not produce fumes and grease but rather just heat. 

These hoods have the ability to create a comfortable atmosphere for people working in the kitchen, as the added heat will make it impossible to work in the kitchen. 

As it is removing heat, it also works by removing any foul odors that can undermine air quality in your commercial kitchen. 

Exhaust Fans in a Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Hood Work

A stainless steel kitchen exhaust fan mounted in the wall.

In commercial systems, professionals install the exhaust systems externally. Usually, there are two types of exhaust fans in the market. 

1- Belt Driven Exhaust Fans for a Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Hood Work

A belt driven kitchen exhaust model for proficient air flow.

As the name suggests, the motor exists independent of the fan blades. The connection between the fan parts as well as the motor is one or two belts driving force. 

Benefits 

  • It is cheaper than other alternatives out there. 
  • You have more control over the fan blade’s speed.
  • Makes a lot less noise. 

Drawbacks

  • The issue you may face here is that the belt produces friction that can lead to wear as well as tear of the parts of the fan. This wear and tear mean you have to do a more significant deal of maintenance. 
  • Also, this proves to be less energy efficient as a lot of energy is lost in the friction produced by the belt. 

2- Direct Drive Exhaust Fans for a Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Hood Work

Three direct driven kitchen exhaust fans mounted in the wall.

These fans have motors that are directly connected to the fan propellers.

Benefits 

  • Energy-efficient as the propeller is directly connected to the shaft of the motor.
  • As there is no energy loss, it requires much less maintenance, saving a lot of money.

Drawbacks 

  • These fans are pretty expensive. 
  • They may be producing a lot of noise. 

Making-up Air Units 

The exhaust fans are sucking up the air and vent them out of the building. Not replacing the air will be a problem in your kitchen. 

Stainless steel air units for providing clean and fresh air in the house.

Therefore, people install air units. They replace the bad air with new fresh tempered air according to the kitchen requirements to maintain the internal pressure of the kitchen. 

The best type for a commercial kitchen is an evaporation cooling unit.

How do these temper the air? 

  • The fresh air goes inside the ducts that then passes through the cooling pads continuously damped by a water pump. 
  • The air, after being cooled, is forced into the building, making the overall atmosphere of the kitchen pleasant. 

Exhaust Filters

Type I hoods have grease filters, and nowadays. People use baffle filters in most kitchen exhaust hoods. 

They also ease the cleaning process as all the grease collected is stored separately. 

They are the most efficient in trapping the grease by changing their direction as soon as the grease particles hit the filters. Most baffle filters are made up of stainless steel. 

Fire Suppression Unit

These are beneficial to reduce any chances of a fire in your cooking appliances. It is necessary for all type I hoods to come with a fire suppression unit for the safety of a commercial kitchen.

The basic working principle of this part is that specific chemicals start to release whenever there is an increased chance of the grease catching fire.

  • The extinguishing chemical is concealed in a stainless steel box.
  • There are detectors placed in the kitchen hood set at certain heat levels. As the stove’s heat rises above the set parameters, the chemical is released through the nozzles and pipes.
  • Now here, you need to keep in mind that the hood should cover all of the stoves to put out the fire completely. 

Ozone or Ultra-Violet Features

Some commercials exhaust the feature of ozone. The dust particles are large, and while passing through the ducts, they may accumulate, making ventilation difficult.

The ozone that releases into the ducts makes the grease particles smaller so as not to stick up in the ducts.

The benefit of ozone of ultraviolet features is reducing the maintenance as well as the cleaning of the ducts to quite an extent. 

  • It ensures a smooth flow of grease to the outside environment. 
  • It also helps in reducing unwanted odors in the kitchen. 

Maintenance of Your Kitchen Exhaust Hood

A worker maintaining the kitchen exhaust hood for better performance.

Maintenance is the key to working a commercial exhaust hood if you are not cleaning and maintaining the ducts, filters, and fans. 

Make sure it is clean according to its use. Commercial kitchens need their exhaust system cleaned once in three months to ensure a smooth-running exhaust system.

Negligence in the maintenance of your exhaust hood can lead to fire hazards that can put your workers and kitchen at risk. 

Know When to Clean Your Kitchen Hood

It is essential to know when it’s time to clean the kitchen exhaust hood before the situation gets even worse:

  • Unusual odors persist in your kitchen. 
  • Your fan motor is working so hard that it produces more sounds than usual. 

If you observe any atypical signs while working in your kitchen, never neglect them and ensure your exhaust hood is working efficiently. Also, ensure to clean the oily kitchen exhaust fan regularly.

Last Words

To summarize how your kitchen exhaust works: 

  • Grease particles enter the hood by sucking the exhaust fan.
  • The filters fit into the hood and capture the grease and dust particles.
  • The rest of the air flows into the ducts.
  • The Ozone system destroys any kind of large particles and odors.
  • Air is released into the outside environment. 

You need to know the working of your commercial kitchen exhaust in order to make the best decision in terms of the individual parts. 

Finally, if any issue occurs with the ventilation system, you would know the parts with their function, which will make it easy to know the root cause of system failure. 

Kitchen

Kitchen Tools and Equipment that You Must Have

With new and upcoming different types of kitchen appliances, tools, and types of equipment being introduced into the market on a daily basis. It is easy to become overwhelmed and confused about what essentials you should have in your home kitchen. Whether you have prior cooking experience or are just starting out, we have compiled a list of kitchen tools and equipment that you must have.

You installed your kitchen cabinet and make sure it looks good. The next step is coming… First and foremost, gather your basic kitchen utensils. It is critical that you should stock your kitchen with all of the cutlery you and your family require to cook and enjoy meals at home. Here is our list of essential kitchen utensils:

1. Knives Are One of The First Kitchen Tools and Equipment Everyone Should Have

Food preparation can be a chore without the right chef’s knife. So, if you are in a pinch, opt for the inexpensive 8-inch Misen Chef’s Knife. It is a favorite of both the Test Kitchen manager, Breana Lai Killeen, and food editor, Carolyn Malcoun, who rave about how well it handles and how affordable it is. A good chef’s knife cannot be found for less.

Those butcher blocks full of knives may look nice on your counter, but you really only need three: a serrated knife, an 8- to 10-inch-long chef’s knife, and a paring knife. Purchase the best knives you can afford; they will last for many years.

2. Sharpener for Knives

Once you have found the right knife, you must keep it sharp. However, you do not need to hire a sharpening service or spend a lot of cash on a fancy electric gadget.

3. Cutting Board

 A good quality cutting board is essential when preparing vegetables and ingredients for cooking. To chop your ingredients, we recommend using a wooden board.

4. Grater

When a recipe calls for less chopping and more grating, use a grater. A grater is an absolute must-have in any kitchen, whether for freshly grated parmesan, garlic, or onions.

5. Mixing Bowls Are One of The Most Important Kitchen Tools and Equipment Everyone Should Have

What is the point of having the tools to chop and cut your ingredients if you cannot mix them? Prepare your kitchen with all of the mixing bowls you will need for various recipes.

6. Pans and Pots

After you have combined your ingredients, you will need plenty of pots and pans to cook them in. Make sure you have a variety of pans and skillets for roasting or sauteing vegetables, as well as pots for making delicious pasta dishes.

7. Towels and Potholders

Every kitchen should have towels and potholders to make cooking and serving easier. Not to mention that potholders can be used as cute kitchen décor.

8. Colander

When preparing a pasta dish, make sure you have a colander at the ready. Nothing is worse than finishing your pasta only to discover that your kitchen lacks a colander to drain the pasta water.

When it comes to dinner parties or family meals, presentation is often the icing on the cake of what will undoubtedly be a delicious meal. That is why, when serving food to family or guests, a serving platter is essential. A salad dish, a pasta dish, and a large platter for any meat or fish dishes are ideal.

9. Blender is One of The Main Kitchen Tools and Equipment Everyone Should Have

This kitchen tool is often overlooked. But you would be surprised how important it is. Include a blender on your kitchen tools and equipment list for everything from morning smoothies to homemade sauces to hearty soups.

10. Tupperware

Make sure you have the right post-cooking tools to make clean-up and food storage easier. Tupperware comes in a variety of sizes, from small containers for fresh fruit or leftover sauce to large ones for meat, fish, and pasta. Remember that Tupperware is essential for an organized, clutter-free kitchen.

11. Saran Wrap, Aluminium Foil

Last but not least, do not forget to include aluminum foil and saran wrap on your list of cooking tools and equipment. These ingredients will help your food retain its delicious flavor, allowing you to enjoy homemade meals throughout the week.

12. Kettle (Electric)

An electric kettle is a useful kitchen appliance for quickly heating water.

Most electric kettles on the market today have an impressive feature that turns off the heating as soon as the water reaches boiling temperature. It not only saves electricity and energy, but it also saves the user from having to monitor the temperature of the water and turn off the kettle. This is also a safety check because you do not have to worry about leaving your electric kettle on while you are busy with other cooking errands. You can also use it to boil eggs, cook ready-to-eat or instant noodles, make soups, and even sterilize small items.

13. Oven Microwave is One of The Most found Kitchen Tools and Equipment Everyone is Installing in Their Home by Defaults

The microwave oven is a must-have in the kitchen because of its versatility and the variety of meals it can produce from such a small box space. Of course, the main purpose of a microwave oven is still to heat food. And it is efficient in doing so because the expected taste is not reduced even after use, and the expected texture is also achieved with the right temperature and timing.

A microwave oven is an excellent choice for quickly reheating leftovers or serving fresh popcorn for movie night. But it can also be used for baking, grilling, boiling, steaming, and even roasting.

Last Words

There you have it. Your kitchen essentials list, equipment to keep on hand at all times, and tools to help you store and organize your leftover meals.

If you are thinking of buying kitchen countertops, find out the main used types first to make the process easy for you.

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Kitchen

What are Floating Kitchen Cabinets? Complete guide to Floating Cabinets!

Now the trend of floating kitchen cabinets increases every day? You may notice that the old kitchen had shelves and did not introduce the cabinets. The direction of installing floating cabinets is new.

Everyone wants to know what floating kitchen cabinets are and how they provide more benefits than traditional choices. 

Therefore here we came with the complete guide about floating cabinets. 

Floating Kitchen Cabinets

The floating kitchen cabinets are more stylish and break from monotony to regular ones. Traditionally the cabins are below the shelves. 

The floating cabinets hang on the wall with structural security. It gives an aesthetic look to the kitchen according to the color combination of the kitchen interior. When you install the floating cabinets, it provides a more spacious look to the floor.

Moreover, it gives a three-dimensional look to your kitchen along with more space. You can secure a wide variety of items in floating cabinets instead of keeping them on the shelves.

The floating cabinets give a modern way to install various themes and stay consistent.

Why you need to install the Floating Kitchen Cabinets?

There are many reasons to install floating cabinets. Here we will share some of them that also help us understand it. 

Lots of Storage

The floating kitchen cabinet offers a lot of additional storage space. It gives a new and trendy look to the kitchen and provides a tremendous amount of space.

In addition, you can install different types of floating cabinets, including racks for holding glasses or plates, separate box cabins, and many more.

You can store the special crockery in floating cabinets with additional protection. However, floating cabinets are the perfect option if you need storage in your kitchen.

You can also use the floating cabinet doors for decoration purposes. It comes with plenty of choices in color, size, and doors.

Get a put-together look

It is another excellent reason to install floating kitchen cabinets. You can get a cohesive look according to your choice.

If you feel that your kitchen is messy, install the floating cabinets with more solid doors. It gives a way to break the traditional look as you can choose the clear glass doors instead of the wood and its similar shades.

Moreover, the cabinet with the increased height, double doors, extend more towards the ceiling, stacked with the modeling details, and some more are incredible choices to give a solid look.

All these choices depend on your kitchen interior. Besides these, it is a way to get a close look at more storage and interior options in your kitchen.

white floating kitchen cabinets with steel stools in front of the brown countertop

Hide the clutter

The floating kitchen cabinets are a key to hide the clutter. We all have a lot of things in the kitchen that make an incredible mess if not stored properly. Some of these things are essential, and others are just clutter. But still, we want to secure them for later use. 

So the kitchen floating cabinets give the best solution to get a clean look. When you have the cabinets in your kitchen, you can store and maintain every item in its place. 

Take a moment and think of all the disorganized dishes coffee cups on your kitchen shelf. It is a scary sight, but I also didn’t find time to sort them.

Thus, the kitchen floating cabinets hide all these clutters unless you have the time to organize them. 

Affordable

Do you ever compare the cost of floating cabinets and installing the new shelves or countertop? The price of installing a new countertop depending upon the material is way more than the floating cabinets. The average cost for the kitchen floating cabinets depends on their sizes and material.

However, the average price is around $6000 for installing the new floating cabinets. Whereas you need to have considerable space for the new shelves for countertops, it is also a bit pricey. 

The kitchen floating cabinets are also expensive, but they give your money the perfect worth. You don’t need to get the additional accessories for maintaining the storage requirement in the kitchen.

Easy to maintain

It is easy to maintain the kitchen with floating cabinets. Once you install it and set all the necessary items, it needs cleaning after months. You can sort them according to your time feasibility.

Moreover, it also requires less time to maintain as you can do it one by one. The best way to keep them clean is by using mild soap and warm water once every six months. 

white floating kitchen cabinet with black handles

Pros of floating kitchen cabinets

Here are some essential benefits or pros to having floating kitchen cabinets in your kitchen. 

  • Perfect for enhancing the look of your kitchen interior
  • Creates the ideal focal points when you enter the space
  • Quickly change the decor according to season demands
  • Complement the backsplash and help to stand out nicely
  • Provide incredible storage space
  • Help to organize the kitchen in better ways
  • Create the perfect look according to trend
  • Make the kitchen more aesthetic

Cons of floating kitchen cabinets

Every great thing also has some drawbacks. Similarly, floating kitchen cabinets have some cons that you should know. 

  • Require the professional labor to install it
  • Needs the significant wall space
  • Depend on the metal frame or other security support. 
grey floating kitchen cabinets with green neon light below

Final words

There are many reasons to install floating kitchen cabinets. You also understand floating kitchen cabinets through this guide if you are new to it.

The floating cabinets hang with the kitchen wall and give additional space to store and maintain the essential items.

You can double your kitchen space by utilizing the walls and organizing your kitchen in better ways. The kitchen is the central part of every place like house and office so it should be in proper condition. 

We hope this guide helps you answer your doubts in the best ways.

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