Pyramidal vs Flat Kitchen Hood? Suction Power, Chimney, and Kitchen Size

The Difference in Shape and Placement

The pyramidal (or chimney) hood mounts on the wall above the stove with a chimney going up to the ceiling, so that wall needs to be clear of cabinets. The flat hood is slim, mounts under a kitchen cabinet or on the wall, and is almost hidden. So the first question to ask yourself is: Do you have a cabinet above the stove or an empty wall? If you have a cabinet and don't want to remove it, the flat hood is the solution. If you are building a new kitchen, you can choose freely.

Suction Power: Calculate It for Your Kitchen

The important number is the suction in cubic meters per hour (m³/h). The simple rule: Multiply the kitchen length by its width by its height, and multiply the result by 10. A 3x3 meter kitchen with a 3-meter height needs about 270 m³/h at least, and if you fry a lot or the kitchen is open to the living room, increase it. And it's not a rule that pyramidal is stronger: in this comparison, the flat Purity is 450 m³/h, and the pyramidal Beko is 390 to 400. The pyramidal has space for a larger motor, so you find the highest numbers in it, like the Purity PANSY X at 650. So compare the number itself, not the shape. The written number is usually on the highest speed and with an outside chimney, so the actual suction with a carbon filter is lower.

Outside Chimney or Carbon Filter?

With an outside chimney, air, steam, and odors go completely out of the house, which is the best suction. It requires an opening in the wall or window, and keep the chimney path short and without too many bends. With a carbon filter (internal ventilation), the hood traps grease in the aluminum filter, the carbon holds the odor, and the air returns to the kitchen. This is a solution for apartments that don't have an outlet, but the steam and heat stay in the kitchen, and the filter must be changed every few months according to the manual. Both types have models that work in both ways, like the pyramidal Beko CWB6441XN and the flat Beko CFB 6433.

Noise

Noise is written in decibels, and the lower the number, the quieter the hood. The problem is that sales pages sometimes write the number at the lowest speed only, or write inconsistent numbers. The Purity PANSY X, for example, is listed as 40 decibels, while the 90 cm page of the same model lists 59. If noise matters to you, ask the seller for the number at the highest speed. A long chimney with bends increases the sound and reduces the suction in any type.

Cleaning

The large stainless steel surface of the pyramidal shows fingerprints and oil splatter, so wipe it every few days with a soft cloth. The flat one is hidden under the cabinet, but if its suction is weak for your kitchen, steam and grease reach the bottom of the cabinet above it. In both types, wash the aluminum filters about every month, because accumulated grease reduces suction and can catch fire.

Who Suits What?

• Flat: Small to medium kitchen, cabinet above the stove, rented apartment, or lower budget.
• Pyramidal: Large kitchen or open to the living room, daily frying, empty wall above the stove, and you want the highest suction.
• In both: The width of the hood matches the width of the stove or is larger, 60 cm for a 60 stove and 90 for a 90 stove, and it is installed above a gas stove at a height of about 65 to 75 cm depending on the manual.

Before You Buy

• Ask if the carbon filter comes in the box or is sold separately, and where to get its replacement.
• For the pyramidal, make sure the chimney length is suitable for your kitchen ceiling height.
• Make sure it is 220 volts and there is a socket close to its location.
• Ask about the warranty: from the company in Egypt or from the seller, and how many years.
• Open the box in front of the delivery representative and make sure the filters, chimney, and installation screws are complete.