Extractor fan in new kitchen not doing a good job

Aylesbury_Duck

I know it's getting away from your original question about the effectiveness of extraction above the hob, and condensation, but I would carefully consider the venting set up as well. What you've described still doesn't sound like a good solution to me. You're relying on a continual draught/wind to clear the chimney breast of moist air. On a still, cold day the chimney will still harbour moisture. Can the run not be extended through the chimney breast and out of the external wall? It may need a more powerful fan for the extra length.

Drew210385

We're having our kitchen fitted at the moment and the fitter said if you want to get the best use out of an extractor, you should ideally turn it on 10-15 mins before you start cooking as it builds up some sort of flow around the room. Not sure if this is any truth in this or not! Might be worth giving it a go?

Aylesbury_Duck

Drew210385 wrote: »

We're having our kitchen fitted at the moment and the fitter said if you want to get the best use out of an extractor, you should ideally turn it on 10-15 mins before you start cooking as it builds up some sort of flow around the room. Not sure if this is any truth in this or not! Might be worth giving it a go?

I can't see how this would make any difference. It would create a flow of electricity 10-15mins before it is needed, that's all. You wouldn't expect your hair-dryer to be more effective if you turned it on 10 minutes before you needed to dry your hair, to create a flow.

I think the cause of the OP's problem is that the hood is not quite large enough, not quite low enough, not quite forward enough and not quite powerful enough to deal with the steam.

cherydee

Drew210385 wrote: »

We're having our kitchen fitted at the moment and the fitter said if you want to get the best use out of an extractor, you should ideally turn it on 10-15 mins before you start cooking as it builds up some sort of flow around the room. Not sure if this is any truth in this or not! Might be worth giving it a go?

It noticed it this morning in manual and also leave it on 10 mins after

cherydee

Aylesbury_Duck wrote: »

I know it's getting away from your original question about the effectiveness of extraction above the hob, and condensation, but I would carefully consider the venting set up as well. What you've described still doesn't sound like a good solution to me. You're relying on a continual draught/wind to clear the chimney breast of moist air. On a still, cold day the chimney will still harbour moisture. Can the run not be extended through the chimney breast and out of the external wall? It may need a more powerful fan for the extra length.

We haven't got much choice, we have three outside walls as this is an offshoot to the house with bathroom above, one wall is my neighbours yard wall the wall in our yard has our new boiler pipe out of wall, so that leaves the chimney breast wall, which is double chimneys thick, because before our time there were extra rooms past kitchen and bathroom but when rooms were knocked down they left the chimney breasts, so it is capped at top with 6 cowls due to 6 chambers in chimney. Hubby tells me we have a prevailing west wind where chimney is.

Aylesbury_Duck

I see. Then all I think all you can do with the venting is make sure that the chimney is as well ventilated as possible. Not ideal, but you don't have much choice.

With regard to the original problem, can you exchange the hood for a deeper one that extends further out? If not, I think all you can do is prioritise the hobs at the rear and put lids on saucepans as much as you can.

cherydee

Aylesbury_Duck wrote: »

I think the cause of the OP's problem is that the hood is not quite large enough, not quite low enough, not quite forward enough and not quite powerful enough to deal with the steam.

I think this is the problem. Other problem I have is the planner has left the company to go to another. I think I should get the planner that is still there to pop in and give his opinion of what they thought would be ok in our kitchen is clearly not.

Aylesbury_Duck

I'm afraid it's probably a classic case of form over function. My last house had the same problem. A very fancy looking hood that blended seamlessly with the units but was fairly ineffective. I now have a wide, deep extraction hood with three fan speeds. It doesn't look as integrated as the last one and I have banged my head on it a few times, but it's effective. On a cold day, there's quite a column of steam pumped out of the vent outside.

cherydee

I'm pleased I now didn't go with the 5 hob induction. My brother in law hasn't had an extractor fitted in his new kitchen as he thought with being tall he would keep bumping his head on it ..... But everything in place if he changes his mind.

Cannot get over the quantity of steam that is coming out of our new boiler, which on a night time is setting the security light off .......that's another story !!

Furts

Capped off chimneys suggests blocked off fireplaces. All round it sounds like your installation fails to comply with Buildings Regulations. The guidelines regarding duct type, bends, extracts are lengthy but it it seems to me you fail to have a proper extract. You may also have too many bends, wrong type of duct, too long a duct ... over to on all these. Almost certainly you fail to have a satisfactory exit into the chimney with sealed joint and a grill because in practical terms how do you achieve this?

The bottom line will be condensation issues and to comply means giving consideration to additional ventilation. All this should have been discussed with you by your kitchen designer. What was said on all this when you held your design meetings?