Stuffy and greasy kitchens are a nightmare. They take away the joy that should normally come from cooking your favorite meals. This problem becomes even harder to deal with if your favorite meals contain a lot of oil and involve a lot of frying, as is common with most traditional Indian dishes.

A kitchen chimney solves this problem by absorbing all the oil and fumes produced while cooking.

To fully achieve this, you need to get a kitchen chimney that is as efficient as it is suitable for your kitchen. This can be overwhelming because there are numerous types of kitchen chimneys available and there are several factors to be considered. But do not worry, we have done the research for you and have written this article to guide you on how to select a kitchen chimney that will suit all your needs.

Here are some important things to consider when choosing the best kitchen chimney to purchase.

• Size of Chimney and Cooking Hob
  • Wall-Mounted Chimneys
  • Island Chimneys
• Mounting Style of the Chimney
• Suction Power
• Type of Chimney Filter
  • The Mesh or Cassette Filter
  • The Baffle Filter
• Type of Ducts

Size of the Chimney

The two standard sizes of kitchen chimneys available are 90cm and 60cm. Before selecting a chimney, it is necessary to take note of the size of your cooking hob or stove.

It is recommended that the chimney should be moderately larger in width than the stove. This is to ensure that the chimney absorbs all the smoke produced efficiently.

Naturally, if you have a stove with only two burners you might want to go for the 60cm chimney. But bear in mind that the type of food you cook also influences the size of the chimney.

If you regularly cook foods that are very oily and require a lot of frying, then a 60cm chimney might not always suffice. This is true regardless of if you use a two-burner or a four-burner stove. Therefore, a 90 cm chimney is recommended for most Indian kitchens.

Mounting Style of the Chimney

Kitchen chimneys are often classified based on how and where they are mounted in the kitchen. The two common types of chimneys based on this classification are wall-mounted and island chimneys.

Wall-Mounted Chimneys

As the name implies, these chimneys are installed against the wall, above the cooking hob. This type of chimney is ideal for kitchens that have their cooking hob placed next to the wall.

Wall-mounted chimneys come in all sizes and designs and are quite suitable for both small and large kitchens alike. They also require fewer ducts for the expulsion of waste fumes and oil particles. Therefore, they are considerably cheaper than the other types in this category.

Island Chimneys

These chimneys are mounted from the ceiling, usually in the middle of the kitchen. This is ideal for kitchen designs where the cooking hob can be found in the middle of the kitchen.

Island chimneys require a lot of ducts and pipes to expel smoke. The extra ducts increase the total cost of installation, making them more expensive than wall-mounted chimneys.

 The Suction Power of the Chimney

The suction power of a chimney is the measure of its capacity to absorb oil particles and fumes. It is necessary to consider the suction power when choosing a chimney as it is directly associated with the primary purpose of the chimney.

If a chimney doesn’t have adequate suction power, it could leave behind some grease and fumes. This defeats the whole point of getting a chimney.

Most chimneys generally have suction power ranging from 700 m3/hr to 1600 m3/hr. The suction capacity of a chimney can be selected based on the size of the kitchen, the type of food regularly cooked, and the length of duct required.

Simply put, if you have a large kitchen or you cook oily foods regularly, you should consider getting a chimney with high suction power.

Type of Chimney Filter

 A chimney filter traps oil/grease and solid particles (spices) and separates them from the air. This process reduces pollution by preventing the solid particles from entering the chimney and being released into the environment. The most common types of chimney filters are the mesh/cassette filter and the baffle filter.

The Mesh or Cassette Filter

These types of filters trap solid particles and grease between multiple layers of aluminum or steel mesh filters. The mesh has very tiny openings making it quite efficient for trapping solid particles and grease.

However, the tiny holes are easily clogged and require regular cleaning (usually every 2 weeks) to maintain good performance. Fortunately, it can be removed and cleaned without the help of a technician. Mesh filters are relatively cheap compared to the other types of filters.

 The Baffle Filter

This type of filter is more commonly used as it is quite efficient. It uses layers of aluminum or steel to trap the solid particles and grease while allowing the air to pass through.

The baffle filter doesn’t require regular cleaning like the mesh type does and can be cleaned every 5-6 months. However, some baffle filters are difficult to detach and clean and so they require the help of a technician to be cleaned properly.

But others, especially the newer models are easily detached and can be cleaned without the help of a technician. Baffle filters are generally more expensive than mesh filters.

In general, chimneys with the baffle filter are often recommended, especially if you don’t want to spend a lot of time cleaning your filters regularly. But if you want to go for something cheaper, then you can opt for the mesh/cassette type.

Type of Duct

Kitchen chimneys are also classified based on the method of the expulsion of the oil and fumes waste produced in the kitchen.

The two types of chimneys based on this classification are ducted and ductless chimneys.

Ducted chimneys expel the waste outside the kitchen via a duct, while the ductless ones filter the smoke and dirt and let the filtered air back into the kitchen.

Ducted chimneys are better suited to handle the high volume of oil and smoke produced when cooking most traditional Indian meals. Ductless chimneys fall short in this regard.

Even so, ductless chimneys have a standout benefit in that they do not require any openings in the kitchen for the passage of exhaust ducts. Therefore, if you prefer to keep your kitchen completely sealed, the ductless type of chimney would be more suitable. But it is necessary to consider the extra cost of maintaining the filters used in ductless chimneys.

In general, ducted chimneys are preferred to ductless ones because they are more efficient and less expensive.

Kitchen chimneys are also selected based on the method of cleaning. The two available methods are automatic and manual methods. Auto-clean chimneys, although more expensive on the initial purchase, are often recommended. This is because they don’t require as much maintenance as manual ones. Thus, saving costs in the long run. Here are  8 of the best auto-clean chimneys for kitchens in India.

Some other factors to be considered when choosing a kitchen chimney are price, brand, and design.

The price is important as you wouldn’t want to break the bank to get a chimney. But at the same time, you wouldn’t want to buy a substandard product while trying to save cost. The prices of kitchen chimneys vary based on the brand, the suction power, the type of filter, the method of cleaning, and other features. You can find the prices of kitchen chimneys based on the brand or the type on  Amazon.

Also, when choosing a brand of kitchen chimneys, it is important to select one that is very efficient and cost-effective. Customer care service is also important, and it might be a good idea to choose a brand that has a service center close to where you live.

The most popular brands of kitchen chimneys are Hindware, Elica, Faber, and Kaff.

Finally, selecting a kitchen chimney with a suitable design comes down to personal preference. The design of a kitchen chimney does not necessarily affect its performance, but it could change the look and feel of your kitchen.

The most common designs are curved glass, straight glass, pyramid, angular, straight line, and box-type. It is necessary to check the design and see how it would fit in your kitchen before making a decision.

Nothing is more satisfying than coming home to the smell of delicious food being cooked in your kitchen. However, there is a fine line between the wafting sweet and satisfying aroma of dinner and the fumes that make you cough and make your eyes water. Choosing from the best auto clean chimneys for the kitchen in India will ensure that you get the former.

Most kitchen chimneys will do a decent job of ensuring that the home environment does not suffer too much on account of cooking oil-heavy Indian dishes. However, that does not mean that any kind of chimney will do.

Some are definitely better than others. A seasoned shopper will know that most kitchen chimneys are going to become a pain to clean in the long run. And this is where auto-clean chimneys come in.

The Auto clean function not only keeps the cooking smoke and fumes out but also makes it easy to keep the chimney clean in the long run. This means enhanced function of the chimney, better daily performance, and ease of maintenance in the long run.

Despite the easy functionality of these chimneys, there are still a lot of questions surrounding auto-clean chimneys. In this guide, we will not only address those questions but also tell you in detail about the best performing auto cleaning chimneys in the Indian market today.

Feel free to use the navigation panel below to jump to the section of your choice or read through it. Knowledge is power!

• How Does an Auto Clean Chimney Work?
• How Often Should You Auto Clean Your Chimney?
• What are the different kinds of Auto Clean Chimneys in India?
  • Different Auto Clean Chimney Sizes
  • Types Of Auto Clean Chimneys Based on Filters
  • Varying Orientations of Auto Clean Chimneys
• Which Kitchen Chimney Types Are Right for You?
• 8 Best Auto Clean Chimneys for Kitchen in India: At A Glance
• 3 Best 60 cm Auto Clean Chimneys for Kitchen in India: Detailed Reviews
• 3 Best 90 cm Auto Clean Chimneys for Kitchen in India: Detailed Reviews
• 2 Best angular Auto Clean Chimneys for Kitchen in India: Detailed Reviews

How Does an Auto Clean Chimney Work?

Well, the working of a chimney is pretty standard. There is a suction motor that draws in smoke and cooking fumes to eject them outside. However, what’s really cool in auto clean chimneys is that they have a heating element that runs through the internal chambers of the chimney, especially near the blower.

With the push of a button, the heating element heats up and melt all the deposited oil and grime particles. The heat liquefies the oil which then flows down the chamber into the oil collector.

You can then just remove the oil collector and wash it with soap and water. The oil collector is located on the outside for easy access and once clean all you need to do is put it back in place.

Some companies even coat their suction motor fans and the inside of the chamber with a non-stick material to speed up the process.

So, there you have it, with a regular chimney, you would probably have to dismantle the entire body to get to the inside and then finally clean it. Whereas, with an auto-clean chimney, all that work is reduced to just pushing a button and washing a container.

While the actual cleaning process is very simple in auto-clean chimneys, you still need to know when to initiate it. In fact, this is easily the most common question amongst auto-clean chimney owners.

How Often Should You Auto Clean Your Chimney?

Unfortunately, this question doesn’t have a single answer because it depends on the frequency and type of cooking that is being carried out under a particular hood.

For example, if you’re cooking 2-3 meals per day and using oil or frying in most of them then naturally your chimney will get grimier faster.

As a result, this chimney will need to be cleaned more frequently than if you only cook one meal or meals with little to no oil.

Figuring out how frequently to clean your chimney can be complicated but auto-clean chimneys even make this process easier.

You simply start by cleaning it every two weeks. Run the auto clean function, detach the oil collector, drain it and give it a thorough wash with soap.

Depending on how dirty you find your oil collector, you can change when you initiate the auto-clean procedure next. If the collector isn’t full, give it 3 weeks, if it is full, try 10 days.

That being said, there is no downside to running the auto clean function. It neither harms the chimney nor does it shorten the life span of the chimney. Therefore, you may use it proactively as per the cleaning schedule of your kitchen and your ease.

It is also worth noting that there are certain times in the year like around festivals when the kitchen tends to be used more. During such periods, you should clean the chimney more regularly. Similarly, during periods when the chimney is not being used (like if you’re on a vacation), simply skip a cleaning cycle.

Best 60 cm Auto Clean Chimney for Kitchen	Best 90 cm Auto Clean Chimney for Kitchen	Best Angular Auto Clean Chimney for Kitchen
Faber 60 cm: Hood Primus Plus Energy HC SC BK 60	Elica 90 cm: WDFL 906 HAC MS NERO	Hindware Skyla
Powerful suction power, very quiet, the best baffle filter chimney at an affordable price point.	Powerful suction, effective filter-less technology with gesture controls, at an unbeatable price from one of the best chimney brands in the market.	Modern, powerful, efficient, and effective by design at banishing cooking smoke and oil fumes, this is for the non-traditionalists.
Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now

What Are the Different Types of Auto Clean Chimneys in India?

The purpose of the auto clean feature is the ease and convenience of the user. Chimneys come in all shapes and forms and whatever type of chimney you decide to buy will likely have a variant that has the auto clean feature.

Different Auto Clean Chimney Sizes

Chimneys come in two different sizes, 60 cm, and 90 cm.

Simplistically speaking, the smaller one is for a two-burner set and the larger one suits any hob that has 2-4 burners. There is something to note here though.

Between two chimneys of different sizes but of the same make and model, the only difference will be the dimensions of the chimney and not the suction power.

You will find chimneys of both 60 and 90 cms with auto clean function in the market.

Types Of Auto Clean Chimneys Based on Filters

Another way to look at chimneys is by classifying them on the type of filter they have or don’t have. There are filter-less chimneys too you know. The most common type of filters in the market right now are cassette filters and baffle filters.

Baffle filters perform better in the Indian kitchen and that’s why they’re more widely used than cassette filters. The auto-clean function can be found in both cassette and baffle filter chimneys as well as filter-less chimneys.

Varying Orientations of Auto Clean Chimneys

Chimneys can be categorized based on their orientation too. These are the standard straight chimneys and the fancy angular chimneys.

While most consumers are pretty well acquainted with the straight or hooded chimney, angular chimneys are newer.

These chimneys look futuristic and modern and are generally better performing in every way than their straight counterparts. Since they are angular, they have more surface area covering the hood. They also tend to be more silent as the motor is not obstructing the path of the rising smoke.

However, the best feature of these kinds of chimneys is that the hatch or the louvre opens automatically when the chimney is turned on. This means that the rest of the time the chimney will remain shut and will not be a portal for air exchange with the outdoors. This is particularly important if you also have air purifiers in your home and consciously try to manage indoor air quality.

Which Kitchen Chimney Types Are Right for You?

It’s pretty clear that rather than looking for auto-clean chimneys, you need to figure out what type of chimney you are looking for.

Once you know that, you can find the auto-clean variant within that category. However, choosing a chimney can be quite an exercise in itself.

There are more than just a few factors to consider and it can make a difference if you take the time out to look at all the aspects involved.

If you want to make sure you have covered all the bases read our guide on how to choose a chimney for your kitchen. But if you don’t care for that at the moment, don’t fret because we have gone and done the research for you.

We have scoured the Indian home appliance market and found the best performing and most efficient kitchen chimneys in different segments. We have categorized the segments by size, orientation as well as filter options below and have detailed reviews too. Read on.

8 Best Auto Clean Chimneys for Kitchen in India: At A Glance

3 Best 60 cm Auto Clean Chimneys for Kitchen in India: Detailed Reviews

#1: Eurodomo 60 cm: Hood Classy HC TC BK 60

Editor’s Rating: 7/10

For those who do not know this brand and wonder where it came from, Eurodomo is a company registered under the Faber brand.

Although these chimneys are sold under the Eurodomo brand, they’re still installed, managed, and serviced by Faber. The product is made in China.

This chimney has all the features that one could look for in a modern chimney. It has an aesthetically pleasing curved glass, modern design that fits all contemporary kitchens.

It has touch controls with an LED display panel and LEDs to light up your cooking station, under it.

The suction power for this chimney is at a standard 1200 m3/hr which does very well in cleaning the space of smoke and cooking fumes if the kitchen is sealed.

If it is an open kitchen type of space, you may find the suction a tad lacking. The company specifies that this chimney is designed for kitchens that are more than 200 sq ft in size.

The baffle filters are stainless steel and require cleaning only once in 6 months. The auto clean feature does a good job of cleaning the insides of the chimney and users find it very effective.

The noise level is not too much. However, it must be said that how much noise a chimney makes depends a lot on how well it is installed.

Talking of installation, the cost for the tubing, pipes, and drilling is extra and is mentioned in detail on the product page. Even though Faber usually excels at post-sales services, there are some customer grievances when it comes to the installation of this chimney.

Another, aspect of this chimney that bothers most customers is the clock function. The company has provided a clock; however, it resets every time the power is turned off to the chimney because it does not come with a battery. This makes it an almost useless feature in a country like India where power cuts are the norm.

The buttons for the timer function are also not the most intuitively designed and some users have struggled with it. Although the company says that the product comes with a manual, some users have not found one.

Apart from these tiny niggles, the chimney performs it core function very well i.e., cleaning the kitchen of smoke and cooking fumes. Post sales services are managed effectively by Faber too and the company is giving 5 years warranty on the motor.

Who’s it for: If you’re looking for an auto-clean chimney for under Rs 10,000, this is your best bet. You’re getting a reputable company name and all the features that make for a modern chimney.

#2: Faber 60 cm: Hood Primus Plus Energy HC SC BK 60

Editor’s Rating: 9/10

The Hood Primus is one of Faber’s best-selling chimneys in the 60 cm/auto-clean segment.

That’s not only because Faber is a market leader in Chimneys, but also because this chimney is very well balanced in terms of features. In fact, there are practically no flaws in this chimney.

It’s a minimalistic chimney that fits right into any type of kitchen. The 1500 m3/hr suction capacity is quite adequate and very effective in clearing out cooking fumes and smoke from the kitchen.

There are virtually no complaints when it comes to the suction power. The company claims that it is meant for heavy frying and grilling and its function matches those claims.

You can run this chimney at three different speeds. Although the noise level obviously increases as you increase the speed, it is still very much a quiet chimney.

Between previously reviewed Eurodomo chimney and this one, this one is a little quieter. We think it has something to do with the overall weight of the chimney. This one is quite light.

However, it is not lightweight when it comes to the auto clean feature. It just becomes very convenient to clean and maintain the chimney with it. The sturdy baffle filters need to be cleaned only once in 6 months and overall, this makes for a very fuss-free chimney.

We are nitpicking now but the only features missing from this chimney are the timer functions and the motion sensor functions. If you are a big fan of the motion sensor function the next chimney is for you. However, we have to say that, this one is very effective at what does.

There is a five-year warranty on the motor and Faber provides exceptional post-sale services. If you are on the market for a 60 cm auto clean chimney you cannot go wrong with this one. If you have a bigger cooking station, scroll down for the 90 cm variant of this same product.

Who’s it for: This one is ideal for those who want a powerful, effective, and no-fuss 60 cm auto-clean chimney that does what it does.

#3: Elica 60 cm: WD TBF HAC 60 MS NERO

Editor’s Rating: 8/10

If you’re looking through the Indian market for a new chimney, Elica is another name that you just can’t ignore.

Elica and Faber are market leaders when it comes to designing chimneys for the Indian kitchen and both have their own takes on how to go about it.

While Faber focuses on enhancing the build and optimizing the noise level, Elica focuses on providing more features at the same price point.

Needless to say, both make beautiful and effective chimneys.

And so, this Elica chimney is thoughtfully designed to suit all kinds of kitchens. It has a matte finish that hides a lot of dust and grime and can go for a long without needing a wipe.

It has a powerful suction capacity of 1425 m3/hr that is very effective in cleaning kitchens even bigger than 200 sq. ft. of smoke and cooking fumes and therefore is perfectly suited for the Indian kitchen.

This powerful suction capacity does make a little more noise though as you increase the fan speed. While both Faber and Elica mention that the max noise level in their chimneys is 58 decibels, there are more noise-related customer complaints in Elica than in Faber. We think it has something to do with the sturdy build of Faber chimneys.

The best part about this chimney is the motion sensing feature. You can turn on your chimney with the wave of a hand and increase and decrease the fan speed too.

Although we don’t think it’s the most important feature of a chimney, for those who do like it, it’s important to say that it works very well. It’s quite intuitive, responsive, and helpful when you have your hands covered in something gooey.

Ultimately, it does help to keep the external panel of the chimney clean.

As for the insides, the auto clean function on this chimney works as intended and comes in very handy. The great thing about auto clean function is that you never really have to get the chimney cleaned from outsiders ever again.

All you have to do is take care of keeping the baffle filters clean and there too the effort is minimized.

On the whole, this is a well-designed chimney and probably the only chimney in the market where you can get the auto-clean feature with a motion sensor at this price point. There is a 5-year warranty on the motor and great post-sale customer support.

Who’s it for: This one is for those who really want a hands-free experience while operating and cleaning their chimney.

3 Best 90 cm Auto Clean Chimneys for Kitchen in India: Detailed Reviews

#1: Faber 90 cm: Hood Polo HC SC FL BK 90

Editor’s Rating: 9/10

We’ve already given you the best 60 cm Faber auto clean chimney, and now we bring you the best Faber 90 cm auto clean chimney that has more going for it than just auto clean and its bigger size.

This is a 90 cm auto-clean and filterless chimney. That means that your cleaning task has been cut even further.

Since filterless chimneys don’t have traditional baffle filters, there is less oil deposition to worry about.

The conventional motor in these kinds of chimneys has been moved out of the path of the rising smoke to give an even faster way out to the cooking fumes. This results in there being very few oil deposits on the outer mesh, that can be just wiped away with a cloth. No more scrubbing baffle filters!

As for the insides, again, where there is auto-clean technology you don’t have to worry. With the touch of a button, the internal chambers will get heated and any residual oil will flow down and collect in the oil collector. It’s just a matter of now giving it a simple soap and water wash.

Because this chimney bigger, it is meant for a slightly bigger cooking station/hob of up to 4 burners. The company states that it supports heavy frying and grilling and all the claims have been validated by the customer reviews.

This one has a powerful suction capacity. A 1200m3/hr suction power of a filterless chimney can be comparable to or even better than a 1500 m3/hr suction power in a filtered chimney. That is because there is no motor to bend the airflow and no baffle filters to slow it down.

For that reason, this chimney is very quiet as well. Along with the ease of maintenance, this chimney offers ease of functionality too. It has intuitive touch controls and motion sensor technology so that you can operate your chimney with the wave of a hand.

It has everything that you could ask for in an auto-clean chimney at this price point. We tried and we tried again harder but we could not find a fault in this one. Dare we say, Faber has designed the perfect chimney and it comes with a five-year warranty on the motor.

Who’s it for: For those who want a 90 cm filterless chimney with motion sensors and want it from a reputable name in the home appliance market this is the best one.

#2: Elica 90 cm: WDFL 906 HAC MS NERO

Editor’s Rating: 8/10

There is hardly an awesome Faber chimney in the market that does not have an equally amazing counterpart in Elica.

This is one such model, it competes directly with the Faber HOOD POLO, but is it better? You decide.

This is a filterless chimney with a suction power of 1425 m3/hr. That’s a lot!

We don’t know if it even makes a difference when you go above 1200 m3/hr of suction in a filterless chimney, but we think that as long as the noise is controlled, it adds as a feature.

Yes, 1200 m3/hr covers your daily cooking needs but for those times when you’re maxing out your hobs, this one would fare better.

The design is beautiful, the curved glass lends a beautiful touch to any modern kitchen. It is a 90 cm chimney so is meant for 3-4 burners. It’s not that you could not use a 90 cm chimney on a 2-burner set it’s just that usually, 60 cm suffices for a 2-burner set.

The auto-clean function on this chimney works as intended and makes maintenance a breeze. With filterless chimneys there is no hassle of removing and cleaning baffle filters, you can just give the outside a wipe and you’re done. The auto clean feature will take care of the insides of the chimney.

The touch controls are intuitively designed and the motion sensor works well. With it, you can effectively manage the functioning of the chimney with the wave of your hand. It does come in handy when your hands are busy or covered in foodstuff.

The best part and why this is a competitor of the Faber HOOD POLO is that it comes at a cheaper price point. With everything that this chimney has going for it, we think that it is the best one in the 90 cm category. It comes with a standard 5-year warranty on the motor.

Who’s it for: This chimney is for those looking for the biggest bang for their buck. It is filterless, has touch controls, powerful suction, and even motion sensor control. What more could you ask for in a chimney?

#3: Faber 90 cm: HOOD PRIMUS PLUS ENERGY HC SC BK 90

Editor’s Rating: 7/10

This chimney is a 90 cm variant of the already reviewed 60 cm HOOD PRIMUS.

So, if you’re looking to buy a chimney for a 2-3 burner hob go for the 60 cm and if you have a 3-4 burner set you may consider this one.

Note that we said to consider, not to go for. We’ll explain.

This is a well-designed chimney. It has curved glass that suits the modern kitchen and a powerful 1500 m3/hr suction that does well in removing cooking fumes from the kitchen.

The company claims that it is well suited for heavy frying and grilling in a kitchen that is bigger than 200 sq ft.

The baffle filters combined with the fact that it has an auto-clean feature means that you will probably be cleaning the filters once in 6 months. That’s not too bad, right?

There is a glass touch panel and the controls are pretty responsive, LEDs are bright and this chimney has pretty much everything you need from a standard smoke pulling machine for the kitchen.

The problem is that this model turns out to be a little pricey when you compare it to other chimneys of other brands and even another model of the same brand i.e., Faber.

If you are looking for a 90 cm Faber chimney, we think that the HOOD POLO is a better deal. It is a filterless chimney, which is a newer technology, it has gesture controls and it has these additional features at a lower price point.

Filter-less technology means that the chimney will run even quieter, this one tends to be slightly noisier. Another benefit of a filterless chimney is that it needs even less maintenance. Even if you’re not a fan of the gesture controls, this is enough of a reason to go for the HOOD POLO.

The only circumstance in which we would recommend that you buy this chimney is if you’re specifically on the market for Faber 90 cm auto clean chimney with baffle filters. Maybe you also prefer the 1500 m3/hr suction in this one over the 1200 m3/hr in HOOD POLO.

There is absolutely no fault with this chimney other than the price points and even Elica is offering a 90 cm auto-clean chimney with baffle filters at a lower price.

Who’s it for: This chimney is specifically for those looking for a 90 cm Faber auto-clean chimney with baffle filters, nothing more, nothing less.

2 Best Angular Auto Clean Chimneys for Kitchen in India: Detailed Reviews

#1: Hindware Skyla

Editor’s Rating: 9/10

Hindware is a trusted brand in the Indian market but because most of us associate them with sanitary fittings this gem of a product has probably gone unnoticed.

First of all, let’s be honest, there are not that many inclined chimneys in the Indian market.

We don’t know why the Indian consumer does not prefer it over the straight or hooded design but the truth of the matter is that they are better in every way.

Inclined chimneys are more efficient at removing smoke as the motor is moved out of the path of the rising smoke. Due to this they also require less suction power to do the same job as a straight or hooded chimney.

Further, since the filter surface is not parallel but at an angle to the cooking station/hob, the total surface area for the reception of the smoke is increased.

All these factors mean that an angled chimney is bound to be more effective than a traditionally designed straight/hooded chimney.

However, there is a drawback, they do not gel with a traditionally designed kitchen. They have a very modern and futuristic look to them and would most probably stand out in a traditional Indian kitchen.

But for those looking to make a statement or for those who are looking for the perfect accompaniment to their modern kitchen, this one is a great product.

One particular feature of angular chimneys that we love here at pollutionsolution is these chimneys have a ‘louvre’ or a mouth.

It opens when you turn the chimney on but stays shut otherwise. This means your chimney does not become an air exchange point with the outside polluted air.

In addition to its more efficient design, this product also has 1350 m3/hr suction power. Nothing can escape this chimney. The company states that it supports heavy frying and grilling and it does so very easily.

There is even a turbo functionality as well meant for such times as tempering of spices that is so frequent in Indian cooking.

The best part is that this chimney removes the cooking smoke and fumes but does so very quietly. Since this is a filterless chimney, there are no rattling baffle filters and no excessive pressure as the smoke is not forced to change its path.

There are touch controls and gesture controls meaning that you can turn on this chimney and change its speed with the wave of your hand.

The auto clean feature makes it very easy to keep the insides of the chimney clean. The outside just needs a timely wipe since the glass panel is very efficient at dodging any long-term stains. Talking of long-term, there is a 10-year warranty on the motor. This product is built to last!

Who’s it for: If you’re looking for the most efficiently functioning chimney by design and are not afraid of the bold look then this chimney is for you.

#2: Faber 60 cm: Hood Zenith FL SC AC BK 60

Editor’s Rating: 8/10

Faber is very good at making chimneys. When you combine a brand that is good at making a product with a design that is inherently more efficient, you get a great product.

And that is exactly what this chimney is. This angular HOOD ZENITH model comes in three sizes: 60 cms, 75 cms, and 90 cms.

This 60 cm model, is good for a kitchen between 100-200 sqft and supports heavy frying and grilling, according to the company.

Angular chimneys are inherently more efficient than normally found straight or curved design chimneys. When you combine that with a powerful 1350 m3/hr suction, there is no chance that smoke or cooking fumes will survive in your kitchen.

For some reason, this chimney is not as quiet as a usual angular chimney. The company lists the noise level at 58 decibels which is the same as its straight or hooded chimney ranges.

We believe it is not even as quiet as the Hindware Skyla chimney reviewed earlier. Read the previous review on Hindware Skyla chimney for more on this and other benefits of angular chimneys. However, it does come from a reputable brand and a leader in the chimney market.

This chimney has an automatic hatch that opens up when you turn it on. At all other times, the hatch stays shut, this way, there is no air exchange between the home and outside air when the chimney is not in use.

However, one drawback of this is that you cannot just turn the light on without opening the hatch but that’s a small consideration.

The controls are touch and motion controlled both. The auto clean feature works as it should. The heated element melts residual oil and grime in the chimney and collects it in the oil collector which can be detached and washed.

Since this is a filterless chimney, there is no worry about cleaning any other filters. Just wipe the outer glass surface and your chimney is good as new.

Overall, this is a very good chimney, if you have your heart set on an angular chimney for your modern kitchen. If you have a traditional kitchen you may want to check whether this one will blend in though. There is a 5-year standard Faber warranty on the motor.

Who’s it for: If you want an efficient, modern, and powerful chimney that sits well in the kitchen of the future, this one is for you.

Looking for the best kitchen chimney in the market to complement your beautiful kitchen? You’ve come to the right place because this is where you’ll learn how to choose a chimney for your kitchen and which aspects to consider.

Asking a kitchen appliance vendor which chimney is best for your kitchen may be the tried and tested formula but it comes with the risk of feeling that you could’ve picked better.

After all, a particular vendor will always have limited models (whichever brands he’s licensed to sell for example) to offer you. Besides, if the dealer isn’t the most successful, then he won’t be updating his stocks regularly. This would mean that you’ll end up with an older model.

So, how then should you choose a kitchen chimney? Well, you have to do your research. First, you have to know the type of chimney you need and then you have to go about evaluating individual models within those types of chimneys.

Don’t fret. We’ve made it easy for you in this simple guide. Just consider these five questions and you’re good to go.

• #1: Where have you placed your hob or cooking station?
• #2: Which chimney is best for your kitchen: ducted or ductless chimneys?
• #3: What is the size of your hob or cooking station?
• #4: What kind of chimney filter would you like?
• #5: What kind of look does your kitchen have?

#1: Where have you placed your hob or cooking station?

Like most Indian kitchens, if you have decided to place your hob against a wall then naturally, you’re looking for a wall-mounted chimney.

However, there are other configurations of installation as well such as the island chimney.

This kind of chimney is meant to be mounted on the ceiling above the island on top of which the hob, cooking station, or induction plate are installed. Although these were not so common in India earlier, with the growing trend of open kitchens, island chimneys are fast coming into vogue.

Another not-so-common placement is the corner for which there are corner-mounted chimneys in the market too. However, due to their very low demand in India, we would recommend against going for them.

#2: Which chimney is best for your kitchen: ducted or ductless chimneys?

There are two main kitchen chimney types. Those that expel the smoke outside of the kitchen through ducts that lead out and those that filter the smoke and let the air out through the top within the kitchen.

Most people have only heard of a ducted chimney in India and the reason is simple.

A ductless chimney simply does not hold too well against the oil-heavy and heat-intensive Indian cuisine. If you are looking for a chimney for a traditional Indian kitchen that is used even once or twice a day, a ducted chimney is the best option.

However, if there is minimal or light cooking in a kitchen a ductless chimney can be a viable option too. That’s why considering the growing pollution levels, many young homeowners who often eat out are opting for ductless chimneys.

Although uncommon there are benefits to a ductless chimney. Your house remains sealed and it complements the heating/cooling as well as the air filtration devices in your home.

There is a cost of maintenance of filters to be considered here though. Unlike the ducted chimneys which have just one one-time installation cost to them, you’ll have to regularly replace your ductless chimney’s air filter. In that regard, it isn’t all that different from air purifiers.

#3: What is the size of your hob or cooking station?

Kitchen chimneys come in two sizes 60 cm and 90 cm. Kitchen hobs come in 3 variants, 2, 3, and 4 burners. It’s best to not automatically assume that for a two-burner you need a smaller chimney and for a four-burner, you need a bigger-sized chimney.

Because once again it is the quality and quantum of cooking that dictates what size you should buy. If you have a two-burner and are into the traditional Indian dishes and cook them often, then do not shy away from a larger chimney.

Another factor to consider apart from the two sizes is the style and dimensions of the chimney. There can often be a slight variation in the dimensions of different chimney models due to their designs like flat glass design, curved glass, etc.

It’s always a good idea to physically measure the width of your hob or cooking station as well as the width of your chimney, and then opt for a chimney that extends slightly beyond the dimensions of the hob. This will ensure that there is no escaping of smoke simply because it falls outside the periphery of the chimney. For the Indian kitchen, we almost always recommend a 90 cm chimney.

#4: What kind of chimney filter would you like?

Or maybe the question should be, would you like a chimney filter at all? Because voila! There are filter-less chimneys in the market too. But more on that in a bit.

Let’s talk about the most important aspect of your chimney because once the installation is done, you’ll be dealing with this one regularly: cleaning the filters.

Picking the right type of chimney filter will not only dictate how effective your chimney is, but it will also dictate how you feel about it in the long run as cleaning a chimney filter is no joke.

Pick the right kind and you won’t be disappointed but choose wrongly and you’re set for constant annoyance in your life.

It’s a good idea here to learn a little about the kinds of filters that are available in the market so that you can decide what you’ll be most comfortable with.

There are basically two kitchen chimney types if you categorize them in terms of the type of filters they have. Then, there is the third kitchen chimney type where there are no filters i.e., the filter-less chimney for the absolutely I-want-no-fuss kind of shoppers.

Cassette chimney filters

These are not very common these days in the Indian market. However, it’s still good to know about them so that you can avoid them when they do come your way.

The filter in this chimney is metallic, either steel or aluminum and basically contains layers of metallic mesh to trap the oil particles as the smoke passes through the filter.

Even though they do a good job of separating oil the main challenge with them is the cleaning. You do have to clean it regularly or else the oil will accumulate and start dripping onto your hob.

For this heavy maintenance reason alone, we always recommend going with baffle filters, read on. Typically, you’ll find such chimneys in low-cost restaurants (dhabas) and roadside eateries. Some even make their own by installing their exhausts surrounded by metal nets.

Baffle chimney filters

These are the most commonly found types of filters in the filtered chimney category. Baffle filters are easy to clean and they don’t have to be cleaned as often as a cassette filter. They are very forgiving in terms of the frequency of cleaning required.

While a cassette filter cleaning will have to be done on a rigorous schedule to ensure that the filter is not clogged, the ridges in the baffle filter are spaced much apart and can thus be cleaned less often.

Furthermore, nowadays chimney manufacturers have started integrating a slanting design for the baffle filter which means that there is a self-cleaning option and the cleaning routine is essentially cut down to nothing.

Just turn on a switch, the filter will heat up and the oil will melt and collect into an oil collector which you just have to remove, empty, and wipe or wash. You’re done.

Filter-less chimneys

This is a new technology for those who want a completely hands-off experience with their chimney. There is no filter in this design, the motor is sealed and placed out of the path of the rising smoke. The smoke itself rises in a helical fashion so that the oil particles stick to the walls of the ducts that are often coated with something nonstick.

When it’s time to clean simply turn on a switch that’s going to heat the insides of the chimney. The collected oil will melt and again you will find it in the oil collector which you can empty and wash.

Apart from the very low maintenance, another reason why these chimneys are popular is that they are very quiet. This is because there are no rattling filters.

Another reason why they are quieter is that they house smaller motors that are quieter.

Despite these motors’ small size, these chimneys still generate the same amount of suction as filtered chimneys. This is because they don’t have to cope with filters that can block the passage of the smoke.

All this does come at an added price though as these tend to be the most expensive of the lot.

#5: What kind of look does your kitchen have?

So, there you have it.

If you can answer where your chimney is going to go, if you’re comfortable with an outlet, how big it has to be, and what your cleaning preferences are, then you’re almost ready to pull the trigger on the purchase.

We have a whole guide on the best chimneys in the Indian market to further narrow down your choices here.

The only other question that you can consider is if you’d like any specific type of look for your chimney. There are many different types of kitchen designs and a chimney with a complementing design can definitely take the overall appearance up a notch.

There are the usual pyramid design chimneys, that go very well in the traditional kitchen. The Faber 60 cm Pyramid Kitchen Chimney has a beautiful old charming style for the traditional look lovers. Then, there are glass-paneled chimneys that look stunning in a contemporary styled kitchen.

Within the glass-paneled, there are flat glass and curved glass designs as well to stand with the lines and features of your kitchen. And for the modern minimalist kitchen design lovers, there are curved chimneys with digital controls.

Do you think that you need a kitchen chimney to protect your kitchen and home from cooking grease and grime? If you said yes, you’re right. In fact, according to BBC, cooking and cleaning are major contributors to indoor air pollution. Of course, the best chimneys in India will not only preserve your family’s lungs and respiratory health but also add to the aesthetics of your home.

After all, next to the living room, the kitchen is the most frequented room of the house. This is especially true these days due to lockdowns and changing work scenarios. Therefore, since more of us are spending more time indoors, indoor pollution and aesthetic eyesores have more of an impact on us too.

We’ve created this guide specifically for people who are self-aware enough to have realized this little fact of the modern lifestyle. In this guide, we not only share the findings of our in-depth search for the best kitchen chimneys in India but also share key information that will help people get the most from them.

Here’s everything you’ll find on this page beginning with an explanation of how cooking creates indoor air pollution.

• How Does Cooking Impact the Indoor Air Quality?
• Which Chimney is Best for Dealing with Indoor Air Pollution
• Kitchen Chimney Types
  • Installation: Ducted and Ductless Chimneys in India
  • Purification: Filter and Filterless Indian Kitchen Chimneys
• What to Consider When Looking for a Modern Chimney for Kitchen?
  • Which Chimney is Best for Small Kitchens and Island Kitchens
  • Best Kitchen Chimneys in India Based on Cooking Style
• 7 Best Kitchen Chimneys in India: At a Glance
• 3 Best Budget Chimney in India: Detailed Reviews
• 2 Best Filterless Chimneys for Kitchen in India: Detailed Reviews
• 2 Best 90 cm Kitchen Chimneys in India (Most Powerful): Detailed Reviews

How Does Cooking Impact the Indoor Air Quality?

Burning anything causes pollution. We all understand that.

The burning of wood, charcoal, or any other substance releases many harmful gases like carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide along with some degree of particulate matter.

In rural areas, cooking is done by burning wood and this is a documented and widely acknowledged cause responsible for a huge incidence of bronchopulmonary symptoms in rural Indian women.

In urban areas, however, we feel like we are immune to this because we cook on hobs with cooking gas.

While it is true that in comparison to cooking on the open fire, cooking on a gas burner will cause less pollution, it still results in the release of gases like carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and other similar gases. Further, according to international studies going back decades, it releases particulate matter, and other unhealthy pollutants as oil, fats, and other ingredients are cooked.

Even more dangerous is the microfine aerosol-like particulate matter that is created the moment food meets really hot oil, which is almost always the case with Indian cooking. To some degree, this impact is magnified as most of us keep our homes shut to nullify the effect of outdoor pollution. This leads to the accumulation of gases and the rapid accumulation of PM in the indoor air.

Which Chimney is Best for Dealing with Indoor Air Pollution

If cooking does release emissions, it’s no surprise then that it can be a source of sensitivities and allergies. Common sense dictates and experts validate that a simple way to reduce these symptoms and better manage the indoor air quality is simply to ventilate your kitchen better.

This can be effectively achieved with a kitchen chimney that acts like an exhaust keeping the cooking fumes and gases out of the home and kitchen. The need for a kitchen chimney, in fact, increases in modern homes that are better insulated against leakages of conditioned and purified air.

Obviously, other than providing a better breathing environment indoors, a kitchen chimney has other benefits as well. It can help you minimize the greasy residue on walls, kitchen appliances, and cabinets that is a direct result of high-intensity cooking.

Cooking is associated with a lot of heat production and chimneys can also help regulate the kitchen temperature to some degree. Further, installing a kitchen chimney can help against smoke accumulation associated with tempering and frying in hot oil which causes allergic reactions in people who have sensitive respiratory tracts.

Since it is essentially an exhaust, it can to some extent eliminate the smells and odors as well. However, the smell of good food and delicious cooking wafting through the air is not something that most people complain about.

So, which chimney is good for the Indian kitchen in general, and which one will suit your specific requirements? We have all the answers.

Best Budget	Best Value	Best Premium
Eurodomo 90 cm Curved Glass Kitchen Chimney	Faber 60 cm Curved Glass, Autoclean Chimney	Elica 60 cm Auto Clean Chimney
Powerful airflow, with touch controls and auto clean at an unbeatable price.	Sealed motor with heated auto-clean feature and motion-sensing technology.	Unbeatable airflow with baffle filters, touch controls, and a heated auto-clean feature.
Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now

Kitchen Chimney Types

There are many different types of chimneys for kitchens. Understanding them will help you make the best choice that provides the most effective ventilation for your kitchen.

There are two ways of classifying kitchen chimneys in the market today. One is based on the method of installation and the other is the type of filtration (or lack of) the chimney employs.

Installation: Ducted and Ductless Chimneys in India

When it comes to the method of installation, there are basically two different types of chimneys. Let’s look at both:

Ducted Kitchen Chimneys

Kitchen chimneys that need a duct installed to vent the cooking fumes out of the kitchen are called ducted chimneys.

This is the most common type of chimney in the market.

The duct is a long, malleable, and often pleated aluminum tube that attaches to the chimney head on one end and carries the fumes to the nearest vent in the kitchen wall.

The duct is installed at the time of chimney installation and therefore, requires some prior planning regarding the placement of the chimney hood, the path of the duct, and the exhaust vent itself. These are quite powerful and can effectively manage the smoke and fumes associated with most types of Indian cooking.

If there is a powerful enough suction with an adequately sized chimney, most oil aerosols can be removed from the air as well. However, noise can be an issue with these kinds of chimneys sometimes. At the same time, if the chimney has good build quality with dampeners along with the filters, even this can be minimized. These chimneys require pretty low effort for maintenance too.

Ductless Kitchen Chimneys

The kind of kitchen chimneys that do not throw the kitchen air out with a duct and instead clean, purify, and then recirculate it back into the home is known as ductless kitchen chimneys.

These kinds of chimneys are more famous abroad where there are stricter regulations regarding environmental pollution.

They’re also good for kitchens that don’t have access to outdoors through a window or even specialized in-wall ducts.

These chimneys along with the main filter will often contain another layer of the filter inside the chimney to purify the air further. There is also a carbon filter that deodorizes the air before letting it out again.

These additional chimney filters required regular cleaning and even changing so there is some amount of regular maintenance cost associated with these chimneys. Further, since there are many layers of filters, the suction power of these chimneys is somewhat less than the ducted type of chimneys.

Indian cooking typically involves heavy frying and tempering and for that reason, these chimneys usually don’t perform as well as ducted chimneys. Therefore, all the products on our list are ducted chimneys. Ductless chimneys are best for homes where there is minimal to no daily cooking.

If you do need a ductless kitchen chimney, most high-end chimneys can be converted to one. However, this is something that should be checked with the manufacturer before the purchase is made. Incidentally, the filters that go inside the chimney are also bought separately adding to the cost of the chimney.

Another drawback of these kinds of chimneys is that they never remove heat from the kitchen environment. A ducted chimney can have a somewhat cooling effect on the kitchen environment. In contrast, ducted chimneys have no impact on the indoor temperature since they essentially recirculate the same air.

Purification: Filter and Filterless Indian Kitchen Chimneys

When you start looking at the type of filter that a chimney uses to separate oil and grease from the air, you’ll come across three categories. These are:

Cassette Filter Chimneys

These kinds of chimney filters are made of layers of overlaying metal and mesh that trap the oil particles when the cooking smoke passes through them. They can be made of aluminum or stainless steel.

The aluminum one is lighter while the stainless steel one is more durable.  While cleaning these filters is relatively straightforward, the cleaning frequency might be a problem for some people.

Depending on the frequency and intensity of cooking in the kitchen, you’ll have to clean these filters once every one or two weeks. If not cleaned, the oil tends to accumulate on the filter mesh and then either drip into food or even catch fire.

Chimneys with these types of filters in India tend to be less expensive. However, they’re still not very popular because of the maintenance involved. There are ones in the market that are easier to maintain like baffle filters or filterless chimneys too, let’s look at those.

Baffle Filter Chimneys

Baffle filters are also metallic. However, they’re designed to direct and break the airflow in a manner that causes the oil to separate from the smoke. The ridges on a baffle filter are much more widely spaced when compared to cassette filters.

The ridges have grooves that direct the airflow in different directions.

When the smoke rises and passes through this filter, the oil accumulates on the filter surface because of its higher weight in comparison to smoke.

The biggest quality of these filters is that they’re very easy to clean and maintain. Further, their unique design ensures that the airflow is not obstructed or blocked if they’re not cleaned regularly.

In fact, they don’t have to be cleaned as frequently as cassette filters. More importantly, they’re especially well suited to Indian cooking practices.  Moreover, they’re quite durable and due to this, they are the best choice for an Indian kitchen.

Baffle filter-enabled kitchen chimneys that come with an auto-clean option are even more convenient and better suited to the Indian lifestyle.

Filterless Chimneys

Considering the fact that the only catch with modern-day kitchen chimneys is that you have to clean them, it isn’t surprising that developers have found technological solutions to that little chore too. Enter the newest kind of chimneys in the market – filterless chimneys.

These kinds of chimneys have powerful suction capacities because there is essentially no filter blocking the path of the airflow. The motor is moved out of the path of the airflow tunnel and housed in a sealed compartment to protect it from oil accumulation.

There is a fan that causes the air to be drawn in a spiral motion while it travels through the exhaust. The centrifugal force causes the oil particles to separate and stick to the walls of the exhaust chamber while the smoke and fumes are thrown out.

This oil once deposited on the exhaust wall, then collects in an oil collector that can be easily cleaned as per requirement. There are many chimneys that also indicate when it is time to clean out the oil collector. This feature makes the cleaning process almost negligible and for this reason, the maintenance on this chimney is minimal.

There is no danger of the filters getting clogged with oil drops or oil dropping into the food or catching fire.

Another benefit of these types of chimneys is that they don’t get noisier over time like other chimney types do when their filters start rattling due to oil blockage. They’re also free of the risk of a malfunctioning motor caused by oil deposition.

What to Consider When Looking for a Modern Chimney for Kitchen?

While knowing about the types of chimneys that are there in the market is one thing, figuring out which is the best kitchen chimney for your kitchen is a whole another matter.

Several factors should be dictating your decision-making process if you want a chimney that is more helpful than work. Let’s go over them.

Which Chimney is Best for Small Kitchens and Island Kitchens

What type of kitchen do you have?

And where is the cooking station placed in it?

If the cooking station is placed against a wall, then you’ll be going for a wall-mounted chimney.

Although not very common in India, if your cooking station is located in the middle of your kitchen then you’ll need to opt for the island chimney configuration.

The installation configurations of these two chimneys are distinct and not interchangeable.

It is also possible for your cooking hob to be located in a corner of the kitchen. In such a scenario, you’ll want a corner chimney. However, you should remember that corner designs are not very common in the Indian market. This is why we don’t have one on our list.

Another thing to take note of once you know the placement of your chimney is that it is advisable for the hood of the chimney to cover the entire cooking station. Even better would be if you can have it extend slightly beyond it.

This will ensure that the maximum amount of smoke and oil particles get sucked into the filter rather than escaping out from the periphery of the chimney.

Best Kitchen Chimneys in India Based on Cooking Style

The more often a kitchen is used, the bigger and more powerful a chimney needs to be to ensure that the home is thoroughly cleaned of cooking fumes every time.

The type of cooking also is a factor in determining your choice of a chimney, although most chimney manufacturers already take that into account in India. Therefore, this is more of a guideline than a rule.

Another factor to consider is how frequently the kitchen is used. One of the best ways to determine the quantum of cooking is simply looking at how many burners you have in your hob and how many you use at least 50 percent of the time you cook.

There are basically two sizes for kitchen chimneys: 60 cm and 90 cm. If you have a hob or a cook station with 2-3 burners, a good 60 cm chimney will suffice. However, if you have 3-4 burners and are using them at maximal capacity at least 50 percent of the time, then it is recommended that you get a 90 cm chimney.

7 Best Kitchen Chimneys in India: At a Glance

3 Best Budget Chimneys in India: Detailed Reviews

#1: Elica 60 cm 880 m3/hr Chimney

Editor’s Rating: 7.5/10

Elica is an Italian company and quite a well-known name in India in the large kitchen appliances market like hobs and chimneys.

If you have your heart set on a cassette filter chimney, let us tell you this is the best one in the market. The company claims that even though this is a 60 cm chimney it is well suited for a 2-4 burner stove.

If you keep your chimney filters clean all the time on a schedule, you will likely have a wonderful experience with this one. If you’re the kind that likes to clean it only when it is absolutely required, then in our opinion either go for a bigger or a filterless chimney.

That being said, cleaning is relatively easy on this chimney and it doesn’t cause much wear and tear either. It is a sleek and functionally designed chimney that blends nicely with all types of kitchens. While the airflow is on the lower side, the motor provides enough suction to effectively remove smoke and fumes fast.

There are LED lamps provided that make cooking easier and more enjoyable. The controls on this chimney however are push buttons and the only flaw with those is that they require proper maintenance or start showing signs of wear like sticking and becoming less responsive.

The noise level of this chimney is an average of 58 decibels and we would also like to mention here that the noise level is greatly dependent on how well a chimney is maintained. When oil and grease accumulate in the filters and on the motor the suction power is affected which can lead to rattling noises while the chimney is operating.

However, this holds for all chimneys with filters and isn’t just a point of consideration for this particular one. All in all, this is a good and effective chimney for a small kitchen that is priced very affordably. The manufacturers are offering a 5-year warranty on the motor and a 1-year one on the whole product.

Who’s it for: If you’re looking for the best cassette filter kitchen chimney for a small kitchen from a reliable brand in the market, that is not going to cost you a lot, go for this one.

#2: Faber 60 cm Pyramid Kitchen Chimney

Editor’s Rating: 8/10

Faber is another Italian company that is ruling the Indian chimney market. And for a very good reason too.

It has beautifully designed chimneys that are powerful and very effective. This Faber 60 cm pyramid kitchen chimney is a true testament to the beautiful design capabilities of this company.

With a black powder finish and curved pyramid design, it has an old old-style charming look that blends well with the traditional kitchen and lends an eclectic appeal to the modern kitchen.

It has an impressive suction capacity of 1000 m3/hr and works very effectively for kitchens even bigger than 200 sq ft. The company claims that it is well suited for a 2-4 burner and endures Indian cooking quite well. This means that it should be able to handle heavy frying and grilling.

There are not many chimneys in the market that boast layered baffle filters but this one does. This chimney has 3 layered stainless-steel filters that are quite durable and very easy to clean. The stainless-steel material also means that the filters are dishwasher safe.

It comes with two standard LED lamps. Sadly, at this price point most companies are only offering push-button control, so that’s what you get in this chimney too. There are 3-speed buttons and a light button for using the light separately without using the chimney. 

There are a few complaints about the noise level being a little on the higher side, despite the company claiming that it is only 52 decibels. However, it must be noted here that the noise level of a chimney is greatly dependent on the quality of installation.

A well-installed chimney can operate at a much lower noise level whereas even a well-built chimney will start creating a racket if it is not installed properly. This is a very well-built chimney at a very decent price point so if you do decide to go for this one, ensuring that you get proper installation will ensure years of silent operation.

Talking of well built, the manufacturers are offering a 12-year warranty on the motor which is quite impressive. It, of course, comes with the standard 1-year overall warranty too.

Who’s it for: If you are looking for a beautifully designed and powerful chimney that is going to last you a lifetime, go for this one. Not many chimneys come with a 12-year warranty on the motor.

#3: Eurodomo 90 cm curved glass Kitchen Chimney

Editor’s Rating: 8.5/10

Eurodomo is a European kitchen appliances brand. However, it is made in China, like most products seem to be these days.

This is a 90 cm chimney with a powerful 1200 m3/hr airflow. It is very close to being the best chimney for kitchens that are larger than 200 sq ft and can support a 2-4 burner stove effectively.

This chimney stands up very well to the Indian-style frying and grilling activities that generate a good deal of smoke and grime.

The design of the chimney is modern with curved glass over a metal body that gives it a contemporary look. While the chimneys that we’ve reviewed so far in this category were equipped with push-button controls, this one comes with touch controls that look smart and elegant. There are the standard two LED lamps as well.

The noise is very low when the chimney is functional and three fan modes allow you to set the airflow as per requirement. There is a timer function too on this chimney that allows you to set the chimney on a schedule and even delay it’s powering off.

This chimney has baffle filters that stand up very well to oil-heavy cooking. The filters are stainless steel and can be cleaned easily at home too. While they require the standard maintenance that all baffle filters do i.e., cleaning once every few months, it’s the inside cleaning that has been made very convenient with the auto-clean function.

The heated auto-clean function essentially heats the inside of the chimney when you turn the function on. The deposited oil then melts away from the surface and collects in an oil collector chamber that requires a basic wash. This feature adds life to the product as the inside chamber gets regular maintenance.

Another feature that makes this chimney a great buy is that it has a very efficient customer care department and supportive post-sales service backing it. The manufacturers are offering one year warranty on the product and 5-year support on the motor.

Who’s it for: If you’re looking for a chimney with powerful suction, touch controls, and auto-clean function in the value segment, go for this one.

2 Best Filterless Chimneys for Kitchen in India: Detailed Reviews

#1: Elica 60 cm Filterless Auto Clean Chimney

Editor’s Rating: 8.5/10

The thing you have to know about filterless chimneys is that they are miles ahead in terms of cleaning convenience when compared to filtered chimneys. So, let’s begin there because this is a great filterless chimney.

Since it doesn’t have a filter, only a mesh, there’s no regular removal and washing of filters required like one has to do with cassette and baffle filters.

The mesh can be wiped from the outside quite conveniently though. Oil and grease not only bother when it’s outside though so let’s talk about the inside of the chimney.

It has a sealed motor, which means that it does not get oil deposition which can reduce the efficacy of the suction power. Reduced suction power due to oil deposits on the motor is a regular complaint in the filtered chimneys. This is the main reason why they require deep cleaning at least once a year after some usage.

Because the motor is so well protected in this chimney, it can offer a powerful airflow of 1200 m3/hr without much noise. Another reason why there is low noise perhaps is that there are no removable filters that can rattle at high speed. The more removable parts in a product, the more the noise.

The consistent suction power ensures that it draws in any unhealthy smoke or cooking fumes very quickly, keeping the kitchen clean. It’s peculiar that the manufacturers have not mentioned what sized kitchen this chimney is best suited for.

Still, it is a thoughtfully designed product and just in case you think that this chimney is not big enough for your hob, Elica also has a 90 cm Filterless Auto Clean Chimney. Mind you, the difference in size is pure dimensional, meaning the motor has the same 1200m3/hr suction power. The rest of the features are exactly the same, a 90 cm chimney is simply meant for a bigger hob.

Both the 60 cm and 90 cm models have touch controls and come with motion sensing technology. This means that if you have messy hands, which is ever so common while cooking, you can still turn on your chimney with a wave of your hand.

With more waving you can increase the fan speed too. This is a pretty nifty feature, just make sure you’re facing the chimney when you’re waving so your guests don’t leave.

Another very useful feature, that both chimneys have is the heated auto-clean function. Basically, this makes an easy job of cleaning the chimney of all the oil that it has inhaled. There are heating pads inside the chamber that heat the insides of the chimney.

When you push the auto clean button the oil deposits melt due to this heat and collects in an oil collector. The oil collector then has to be given a basic wash. The oil collector cleaning should be done on a schedule that matches the intensity and frequency of use.

Coming back to the 60 cm model, it is a great filterless chimney with thoughtfully designed features at a very affordable price point. The manufacturers are offering a 5-year warranty on the motor and a 1-year warranty on the whole product.

Who’s it for: If you like using your kitchen to the max but do not like the cleaning involved, this product offers filterless technology and auto-clean features which ensure cleaning with the touch of a button.

#2: Faber 60 cm HOOD EVEREST SC TC HC BK 60 Curved Glass, Autoclean Chimney

Editor’s Rating: 8.5/10

If you like curved glass filterless chimneys, you can’t go wrong with this Faber model. The filterless design ensures that the motor is housed in a sealed chamber where it stays protected from the oil that gets sucked into the chimney.

While this not only ensures a longer life for the product, it also means higher efficacy of function.

The 1200 m3/hr suction proves more than sufficient, making this chimney suitable for a 2-4 burner hob perfectly.

If you have a bigger hob you can go for the Faber 90 cm curved glass auto clean chimney. It is just slightly more in cost for the added size but will complement your bigger-sized hob perfectly.

Coming back to the Faber 60 cm auto clean chimney. It is quick to clean the kitchen air of smoke and fumes and is well suited for a kitchen that is sized from 100 to 200 sq ft. This should cover most small to mid-sized Indian kitchens comfortably.

The chimney also has a heated auto-clean feature which ensures that keeping the insides of the chimney clean is absolutely hassle-free. The heated auto-clean function essentially means that the chimney heats the inside chamber of the chimney with the touch of a button. This oil then slides down and collects in the oil chamber, which can be cleaned quite conveniently.

The controls on this chimney are touch and it also features gesture control. With gesture control, you can turn the device on and off with the wave of your hand. You can also increase the speed of the fan with the gesture. There are the standard 2 LED lamps and the chimney is pretty quiet while in operation.

This chimney comes pretty close to the Elica chimney that we reviewed earlier in this guide. If you’re stuck deciding between the two, pay attention to the design and the weight of the product. Faber chimneys tend to be heavier than Elica chimneys, not that it makes a lot of difference in usage.

Another difference in design is the extended curved glass in the Elica chimney which is not there in the Faber model. Some people feel that the extended curved glass adds to the maintenance as it collects dust and grime and does have to be cleaned regularly. Others simply like the look of it and think it adds to their kitchen aesthetic. At the end of it all, it’s a matter of preference.

This chimney is slightly more expensive than the Elica chimney. However, note that the installation charge on this one tends to be lower. It remains a great buy if you are looking for a 60 cm chimney that is filterless. The manufacturers are offering a 1-year warranty on the product and another 5-year warranty on the motor.

Who’s it for: If you’re in the market for a well-built and designed filterless kitchen chimney with a powerful airflow that will make cleaning it easy as pie, go for this one.

2 Best 90 cm Kitchen Chimneys in India (Most Powerful): Detailed Reviews

#1: Faber 60 cm HOOD PRIMUS PLUS ENERGY HC SC BK 60 Auto-Clean Curved Glass

Editor’s Rating: 8/10

Ok, if it’s not evident already, Faber and Elica both have a decent presence in the Indian kitchen chimney market. While they both have really efficient filterless chimneys, if you’re looking at pure suction power and airflow Faber will win.

Both the companies have really impressive filterless chimneys but their airflow typically maxes out at 1200 m3/hr.

We’ve picked this model as the best chimney for the Indian kitchen because it has a mammoth 1500 m³/hr airflow and comes with all the other bells and whistles too. While we will come to the features in just a minute, it bears mentioning here that this is not a filterless chimney. This chimney comes with stainless steel baffle filters.

Baffle filters are well suited for the Indian kitchen but they do require the occasional maintenance in the form of regular washing. The chimney is well suited for a 2-4 burner hob and is very effective for a kitchen that is even bigger than 200 sq. ft.

There is no question that this chimney will remove any smoke and cooking fumes from the kitchen air in seconds. If you do have a bigger hob or operate other smoke-generating kitchen appliances along with the hob too like an oven or a grill, go for the Faber 90 cm Auto-Clean curved glass Kitchen Chimney.

Coming back to the Faber 60 cm model. This one also has a heated auto-clean feature. This means that with the touch of a button, the inside chamber of the chimney gets heated up and releases any oil deposits which then get collected in the separate oil collector. The oil collector needs a basic wash as maintenance. This feature is present in the 90 cm model as well.

Both models have touch controls with the standard LED lamps. However, there is no motion sensor on this one. There is bound to be some noise as well with such a powerful suction, even though the company claims max noise of only 58 decibels.

This one is meant for those open kitchens, where if you’re cooking the cooking fumes spread really quickly unless cleared out instantly.

For a 1500 m3/hr airflow with baffle filters, this chimney is priced decently. The manufacturers are offering a 5-year warranty on the motor and a 1-year warranty on the product as a whole.

Who’s it for: If you’re looking for pure suction power in your kitchen chimney because you have a very large kitchen or perhaps an open kitchen, and don’t mind the extra noise, go for this one.

#2: Elica 60 cm Auto Clean Chimney 

Editor’s Rating: 9/10

We saved the best for the last. Also, we know we said that Faber wins when it comes to comparing just pure suction power, but only technically.

The suction power on this Elica 60 cm chimney is 1425 m3/hr, which is not terribly low in comparison to the Faber chimney reviewed above. However, it does have more features.

While this one supports a 2-4 burner set and a kitchen more than 200 sq feet perfectly, it does not have a 90 cm variant like in the case of Faber 60 cm chimney. So, if you have a bigger hob, you will either be looking at a filterless model of Elica or will have to settle for a 1200 m3/hr air flow.

Coming back to this Elica 60 cm model. It comes with two baffle filters which are really great at supporting heavy frying and grilling. While they do require regular maintenance in the form of cleaning, the auto-clean feature, makes this cleaning slightly easier.

At the touch of a button, the oil in the chamber of the chimney gets deposited in the oil collector, which just needs a regular wash thereafter.

The controls on this chimney are touch. And, the good news is that unlike the Faber chimney with 1500 m3/hr airflow, this one will allow you to control it with gestures and some well-chosen dance moves. We told you it has more features.

The noise created by this one is slightly lower too. But be forewarned, when you run it on the high setting, it will be discernible that there is a chimney running in the home. Still, it’s not like you’ll be running it at a high speed for long because the powerful motor will clear the air and smoke quickly.

As is the case with all the best kitchen chimneys in India, this one comes with the standard 5-year warranty on the motor and a 1-year on product from the date of Purchase. Considering all the features it is offering, this product is priced reasonably too.

Who’s it for: If you want everything in your chimney such as powerful suction, touch controls, auto clean, and motion-sensing technology, and do not mind cleaning the baffle filters once in a while, go for this one.