Open kitchen without external exhaust recommended? What do you think?

Hello,

we have a brochure for a DG condominium. The kitchen is an open kitchen in the living area, but it is located inside, meaning not against an exterior wall. It is open up to the gable, so there is no (horizontal) ceiling. The developer states that an exhaust to the outside is not possible. Whether this is technically really the case or not still needs to be clarified. But assuming it is so, can an open kitchen actually be operated sensibly with only a recirculation extraction? Do you have concrete experience with this? What is the state of the art?

The house will probably have a controlled residential ventilation system. An exhaust system would only be feasible with effort or additional costs. However, others are more knowledgeable about that. But a kitchen with recirculation only is still reasonable -> you can cook. We have that too ... and others :)

What is controlled residential ventilation?

The bathroom is next to the kitchen (both inside) and the bathroom needs (and we get) an external ventilation.

Ok, but doesn’t that smell much more than one to the outside? And the grease in the air, is it really cleaned out?

Hello begibegi,

as an avid cook/griller I can say: The recirculation hoods work well - from a certain price point. Those that can compete with extractor hoods in terms of steam capture and odor removal do cost.

There is maintenance effort due to the need to replace the charcoal filters. However, with some better models this is a very simple and quick process, completely unproblematic.

Grease is also filtered out significantly even by cheaper models. It is important to place the hood so that as little cross-draft as possible occurs – so possibly not the popular but open-on-all-sides cooking island, but the stove against a wall unit.

On islands – this is my personal opinion – downdraft is the better system.

Only moisture from cooking is not removed. In practice, however, this is unproblematic as it can be aired out.

A controlled residential ventilation system is a controlled supply and exhaust ventilation system that is installed in many new buildings. There is no need to ventilate manually; furthermore, the technology is often used to comply with the [Energieeinsparverordnung] standard.

As a rule of thumb, I would say that recirculation hoods cost about €500 more if they are to work as effectively as their exhaust counterparts. This is quite logical since a filter package and stronger fans are needed. And the high-priced recirculation hoods I have cooked under so far have done their job very well. I cannot say anything about the long-term effort. Unfortunately, all types of extractor hoods need to be cleaned if you often sear food sharply...