Duct Vs Ductless Chimney: Which Is Best for Your Kitchen in 2023?

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Duct Vs Ductless chimney, which one should you consider for your kitchen? If you’re confused and want a comprehensive guide on this, read this article until the end.

Since I have installed both types of chimneys, I can give you a better guide on which chimney could be the best for your kitchen. Not only that, at the end I’ll also tell you my best recommendations for duct and ductless chimneys.

In my chimney buying guide post, I could not talk much about duct and ductless chimneys however, in this article, I’m going to cover the rest of the things.

So, let’s dive into it…

What are Duct and Ductless Chimneys?

Duct Vs Ductless chimney: this visual reference how they works and differentiates to each other.

In simple words, A chimney that requires ducts is a duct chimney and one that does not require any ducts is known as a ductless chimney.

Let me elaborate on it…

A duct chimney refers to a traditional chimney system that uses a network of ducts to channel the smoke and fumes from a fireplace or stove outside of a building. It typically requires a dedicated space for installation. Wall-mount chimneys are mostly used as duct chimneys.

On the other hand, a ductless chimney, also known as a recirculating chimney, does not require any ductwork. It uses a carbon/charcoal filter that recirculates the air back into the room after filtering out the smoke and fumes. It is a compact and flexible option that can be installed in various locations within a building but may have different requirements and limitations for safe use. Island chimneys and wall-mount chimneys both are suitable for ductless chimneys.

Ductless chimneys are considered to be eco-friendly since it filters the air inside your kitchen. While a duct chimney is great if you’re more concerned about your health since they vent all the smoke outside. However, there are lots of factors you need to consider before making the decision.

Allow me to tell you the advantages and disadvantages of both types of chimneys…

Advantages of Installing a Duct Chimney:

I’m not going to talk about the advantages of having a kitchen chimney rather we’ll be focusing only on those points in which installing a duct chimney has more advantages and disadvantages over a ductless chimney.

Efficient smoke and odour removal: A duct chimney is specifically designed to effectively remove all the smoke, fumes and odour while cooking. Since it uses a duct system so all pollutants vent outside your home easily, ensuring that your kitchen remains clean and free from lingering smells.

No heat inside your kitchen: Unlike a ductless chimney, a duct chimney does not filter and recirculates the heated air back into the room. So you get better indoor and fresh air inside your kitchen.

Improved safety and no health effects: Cooking with gas stoves produce combustion byproducts, such as carbon monoxide, which can be hazardous to health if not properly ventilated. Since it vents all the smoke and harmful gages outside your kitchen without any filtration so it definitely helps in creating a safer cooking environment for you and your family.

Produce less noise: Ducted chimneys are considered to produce less noise compared to ductless chimneys, as the noise from the motor and fan is carried outside through the ducts, minimizing the noise inside the kitchen while cooking.

No worries about the cleaning of filters: Since a duct chimney does not use any carbon filter so you don’t need to get concerned about cleaning it. In fact, in a ductless chimney, you may also have to replace the filter sometime.

Disadvantages of Installing a Duct Chimney:

Duct chimneys may have a lot of advantages but it also has a few disadvantages that are worth considering.

Installation complexity: A duct chimney needs to be installed by an expert. Unlike ductless chimneys, you cannot just hang or mount it. It requires proper ductwork to be in place, which may involve drilling holes, cutting through walls or ceilings, and routing ducts to the outside of your home. Needless to say, It all could be a time-consuming process.

Increase in cost: With a complex installation, the chimney’s total price could also increase with the additional cost of the ducting kit (i.e. INR 1200-2000) and installation service. Whereas, in a ductless chimney, you just need to pay for the chimney only.

Space limitations: Ductwork consumes lots of wall space and you also need to cut through walls to vent the smoke outside. If your kitchen area is very compact, then a ducted chimney might not be viable for you. Additionally, It may also be prohibited for you if you’re not the house owner.

Advantages of Installing a Ductless Chimney:

Ductless chimney: advantages and disadvantages of ductless chimney over a duct chimney.

So I’ve told you how a duct chimney could be better than a ductless chimney and what could be the disadvantages of installing it. Now let’s flip it and discuss how a ductless chimney could be also worth it…

Hassle-free installation and flexibility: As I said already, a ductless chimney does not require any expert for installation since it doesn’t use any duct system. In addition to that, Ductless chimneys can be installed in various locations in the kitchen without the need for ducts.

Low Maintenance and Cost-effective: Ductless chimneys are generally low-maintenance. The filters in ductless chimneys can be easily removed and cleaned or replaced, depending on the type of filter used, which can make maintenance tasks relatively simple. Additionally, since it doesn’t involve any ducting system for installation, it will be definitely cost-effective.

Energy efficient and Eco-friendly: As I told you already, Ductless chimneys are eco-friendly in nature as they filter the air and recirculate it inside your kitchen. Additionally, they are typically more energy efficient compared to duct chimneys, as they do not require energy to be used for pumping air through ducts. However, the overall ductless chimney needs more power to operate.

Disadvantages of Installing a Ductless Chimney:

Less efficient and leave heat: Ductless may not be as efficient as duct chimneys in removing smoke, fumes and gases. And, it works even worse when you forget to clean the filters. Additionally, when filtering the air, it may leave the heat also inside your kitchen.

Low suction and high noise: As discussed earlier, these chimneys typically have a lower suction rate and may produce a higher noise compared to a duct chimney.

Requires regular cleaning: Though ductless chimneys require low maintenance, require regular cleaning filters also. Sometimes filters need to be replaced also.

Duct Vs Ductless Chimney: Comparison Table

Duct Chimney

Efficient smoke and odour removal
No heat inside your kitchen
Improved safety and no health effects
Produce less noise
No worries about the cleaning of filters

Installation complexity
Increase in cost
Space limitations

Ductless Chimney

Hassle-free installation and flexibility
Low Maintenance and Cost-effective
Energy-efficient and Eco-friendly

Less efficient and leave the heat
Low suction and high noise
Requires regular cleaning:

Which one is ideal for your kitchen?

If you are confused about duct vs ductless chimney and which one should you go with? Let me help you out…

Well, from the above comparison you’ve already understood that the duct chimney has more advantages over a ductless chimney. Additionally, If you’re more concerned about your health and cleaning the filters, you must go with a duct chimney. Although it comes with additional costs and space limitations, it still could be a viable option for you unless the spacing is not your issue and you’re allowed to cut through the wall to vent the smoke outside.

In case, if you want flexibility with chimney installation and do not have enough space in your kitchen for ducting then you may consider installing a ductless chimney.

Please note, whatever chimneys I’m going to feature can be installed as duct chimneys or ductless chimneys also. By adding a carbon/charcoal filter for the recirculation of air, a duct chimney can be also used as a ductless chimney.

If you want more information on how you can convert a duct chimney into a ductless chimney you may watch this video: https://youtu.be/rHjHIC8fYdU

Now let’s find the best duct and ductless chimneys to consider in 2023…

5 Best Duct Chimneys in India:

Since my first preference is always a duct chimney so first I’m featuring the best duct chimneys in India that you may choose for your kitchen. I prepared this best list after considering lots of factors like the chimney’s features, quality, reviews, price, maintenance, and a few more.

1. Elica WD TFL HAC MS NERO

duct vs ductless chimney: best duct chimney to consider — Source: Amazon

₹14999

(Note: Prices on Amazon can vary and may not be accurate for all products.)

This is one of my most recommended duct chimneys. It’s a filterless chimney and has a very high suction power i.e. 1425m3/hr suitable for kitchens that produce lots of smoke and fumes.

This chimney comes in both sizes- 60cm and 90cm and it has all the basic and latest features like touch control, auto-clean, 3-speed motion, and 2 led lights.

But, what sets this chimney apart from other chimneys is that it comes with a free installation kit that includes an Aluminium Duct Pipe (9-10 ft), Cowl Cover, Clamp, and Aluminium Tape, saving you the need to purchase these items separately.

After reading and asking a few users, I found this chimney has great performance after use of a few years and they have not any issues yet. However, there is only one issue with the chimney i.e. warranty period which is only 1 year for the product and 5 years for the motor.

Read more: Elica chimney review (2023)

2. Faber HOOD POLO IN HC SC BK

Faber best chimney in 2023 — Source: Amazon

₹12,215

This Faber chimney is very affordable with excellent performance and all the essential features like the previous chimney. It offers a good warranty period (2 years on the product and 8 years on the motor) too. It has moderate suction power of 1200 m3/hr which works perfectly fine.

Needless to say, it’s a filterless chimney available in both sizes. However, you don’t get any free ducting or installation kit added to the chimney. You have to pay separately for it which will cost you INR 1200-1300 if you purchase from Faber itself.

3. Elica WDFL 906 HAC LTW MS NERO

Elica chimney review: best Elica chimney in India in 2023 — Source: Amazon

₹13,999

Again this chimney is from Elica, I considered it the best filterless chimney in India in one of my previous articles. This chimney also has a moderate suction power of 1200m3/hr and comes with all the basic features discussed above.

Like the first Elica duct chimney featured above, it does not offer any free installation kit but you get a better warranty period i.e. 2 years on the product and 15 years on the motor. Additionally, the chimney cost you a little lesser. It’s also available in both sizes.

4. Faber HOOD PRIMUS PLUS ENERGY HC SC BK

₹15,720

It’s a baffle-filter chimney from Faber, however, you may use it as a duct chimney as well. Like the first chimney, it has a very high suction power of 1500m3/hr that makes a little bit of noise also.

Please note that baffle filters also need periodic cleaning like the ductless chimney with a carbon filter. The reason why I recommend this chimney is it has great performance and it comes with an I-clean technology that notifies you when to clean the chimney.

5. Hindware Nadia 60cm

₹12,790

Hindware also offers great duct chimneys in India. This is an old model of a filterless chimney from Hinware that is widely used in most Indian Kitchens because of its good performance and affordable price.

This chimney has a great suction power of 1350m3/hr and may produce a little bit of noise also. It also comes in both sizes-60cm and 90cm and has all the essential features. You get a warranty period of 1 year for the product and 10 years for the motor which is good at this price.

For more information on this, you may also read our Hindware chimney reviews and best Hindware chimney to buy.

I hope this list is helpful for you if you’re looking for the best duct chimney in India that you should consider for your kitchen. However, be clear about your requirement for the size and suction power of the chimney. If you don’t have much guidance, you must read our chimney buying guide article.

3 Best Ductless Chimneys in India

For a ductless chimney, it’s also mandatory to look for a chimney that has a separate place inside for fitting a carbon or charcoal filter, which mostly comes in under baffle-filter chimneys.

1. Faber HOOD CLASS PLUS PB BK LTW

duct vs ductless chimney: best ductless chimney to consider — Source: Amazon

₹6990

This Faber baffle filter is one of my best-recommended ductless chimneys. It does not have any motion sensor but it’s very affordable, has decent suction power (i.e. 1000m3/hr) and has a low noise level. The performance of this chimney is also incredible. It’s available in a 60 cm size chimney.

2. Faber HOOD 3N1 AEROST. STAR PRO 3D AB TC

₹18490

This Faber baffle-filter chimney has a moderate suction power of 1095m3/hr. However, the best part of this chimney is it has a 3in1 Chimney with an Air purifier & Fan i.e. it comes with 3-layer Heppa filters, 3 Layer Baffle filters, and a 3-way suction chimney. It all makes the chimney more efficient.

It’s available only in 60cm size and doesn’t have any fancy features like touch control and all.

3. Faber Hood STILUX 3D PLUS MAX T2S2 BK TC

₹21990

This is again a Faber filterless chimney where you can add a carbon/charcoal filter to make it a ductless chimney. This may seem a little expensive to you but it can be worth it since the performance and efficiency of the chimney are excellent. Moreover, it has a great suction power of 1350m3/hr.

However, this chimney doesn’t have any motion control feature with high cost, which is a little disappointing. It’s available in both sizes and offers you a 1-year warranty on the product and 10 years warranty on the motor.

Now It’s Your Turn:

In Duct Vs Ductless chimneys, the duct chimney has more advantages. In this article, I have explained to you everything in detail about duct chimneys and ductless chimneys. Not only that, but I have also discussed which chimney you should consider installing.

Furthermore, I have given my best recommendation to purchase the best chimney for your kitchen in the duct and ductless chimneys. However, I must say you also do your also research and choose the best chimney.

I hope you enjoyed this article and found it helpful. Now I’d like to hear from you:

Which type of chimney you’re going to choose for your kitchen-Duct or Ductless?

If you have any queries please let me know also in the comment. I’d love to help you.

Duct Vs Ductless Chimney: Which Is Best for Your Kitchen in 2023?