Replies

1. 
   Trevor_Lambert | Oct 11, 2018 11:10am | #1

   If you have a 5" round exhaust port, you can use the ones Zehnder sells. It's a cone filter, with a very open structure. The cone gives more surface area than a flat filter of the same diameter, and the open structure means very little restriction. They're also washable.

   https://zehnderamerica.com/zehnder-store/zehnder-store-detail/?itemid=27

   Range hood filters are just cartridges with carbon in them. They are only intended to filter odours, and I guess really large particles will get caught up in there. The baffles on the range hood are meant to capture a lot of grease. I read that the stainless louver style baffles are superior to the aluminum mesh style.

1. 
   lance_p | Oct 11, 2018 03:29pm | #3

   This makes sense; the aluminum mesh "filters" in our over the range microwave/range hood are not effective at all. We cook a lot, barely ever wash the filters, and they never seem to have much gunk in them. The microwave sure fills up with gunk, though. Our microwave failed a few years ago and needed replacing, and man was the fan area FULL of grease and gunk. What a mess!

   Thanks for the tip on the Zehnder filters. I wonder if they capture much given their open structure and low restriction? I guess they'd be better than nothing.

   Agreed the design of the hood is paramount. So many hoods just don't capture much.

2. 
   JC72 | Oct 11, 2018 01:15pm | #2

   The filters will remove smoke and odors but the inherent design of the hood not the filter is reason for their average performance vs a proper vented range hood.

   Do your best to install a vented range hood because recirculating hoods do not remove moisture. ack pfft!!!

1. 
   lance_p | Oct 11, 2018 03:32pm | #4

   Apparently recirculating hoods work great if you don't cook. :)

3. 
   mark_be | Oct 11, 2018 07:39pm | #5

   Came across this website a couple of weeks ago. Looks interesting, but don’t know anything about them.

   https://www.plasmamade.com/

1. 
   lance_p | Oct 12, 2018 06:02am | #6

   Looks too good to be true! I checked out their site and didn’t see any reference to patents, which I’d assume a new technology would qualify for if it was legit.

   EDIT: I found their patent references. They look like conformity certificates to me:

   https://www.plasmamade.com/test/