Kitchen extractor fan: how to tell if it is recirculating or ducted

coffeehound

You can already see dark areas on the wall and ceiling above the hole.  That would be a difficult thing to try to clean up.

markin

BoyJohn811 said:

 

I'm afraid I stand corrected - I climbed up and I could feel the air coming through a whole on top of the kitchen cabinet, where it appears there are no filters whatsoever.

There is, however, another fan (xpelair ceiling fan) on the ceiling next to the exit point of the fume cabinet, which is definitely ducted in the ceiling. My best, non-expert guess is that they are meant to be used together where the one on top of the cooker pulls the steam/greasy air through the kitchen cabinet all the way through the whole on top of the cabinet and the ceiling one pulls it futher outside.

I see the grease stain on the wall and ceiling.

But it seems the are filters for that model.
https://www.partmaster.co.uk/cooker-hood/apm2211/cooker-hood-grease-paper-carbon-filter-kit-grease-filter-1140x470mm-charcoal-filter-570x470mm-cut-to-size/product.pl?pid=648033&shop=hygena&path=358051&model_ref=558967

BoyJohn811

Thanks for all the replies and ideas. Indeed, there is a generous amount of grease deposit on the wall, ceiling, and top of the kitchen cabinets. Unfortunately, as I am just a tenant, I am unable to make any substantial changes, so I will just give it a really good clean, get some disposable filters and always use the ducted ceiling fan as well (found the switch for that one).

Thanks again everyone.

macman

If the intention is that the ceiling extractor somehow catches the residue from the hood, then it is one of the most hopeless bodge-ups I have ever seen on here-and there is plenty of completion!
It's never going to work: the way an extractor operates is with ducting between the unit and the outside air. The dirty air can't just jump across the gap.
Convert to recycled mode, or ask the LL to install it properly. 

ThisIsWeird

BJ is limited to what he can do to modify the existing setup. But if he fits a grease filter - and cleans/replaces it at the recommended intervals - and keeps the ceiling fan running at the same time, then this double-extract setup should perform a lot better than any other recirculating hood. Most just chuck the partially-filtered air back into the room. This setup should ultimately get rids of cooking smells and steam too, right outside.

It's fine

coffeehound

BoyJohn811 said:

Thanks for all the replies and ideas. Indeed, there is a generous amount of grease deposit on the wall, ceiling, and top of the kitchen cabinets. Unfortunately, as I am just a tenant, I am unable to make any substantial changes, so I will just give it a really good clean, get some disposable filters and always use the ducted ceiling fan as well (found the switch for that one).

You might find sugar soap is the best thing to cut into that gunk.  Hold onto your photos to prove that the dark patches were pre-extisting so the LL can't charge you for a 'professional deep clean'.  Good luck

ic

Those two white circles probably turn, and you'd find behind them charcoal filters.  You might be able to find replacements available say on eBay, given the model number on the label up at the top of the unit.  Charcoal filters are a consumable part that should be replaced every once in a while - say six months or a year with regular use of the fan.  The washable grease filters can be cleaned more often.