Straight to the Level
The AirHood is a particularly easy-to-use, efficient substitute for a spread hood. It’s compact, will be stashed away when not in use, and is unobtrusive in smaller kitchens.
The earlier house owners of my home transformed my kitchen virtually 25 years in the past. They introduced the 100-year-old galley kitchen into the beginning of this century with the best contractor-grade fixtures accessible. Amongst them is likely one of the most ineffective vary hoods recognized to humankind. Sure, it has a fan and a filter and it vents outdoor, however principally, it simply makes noise and gives us with a Southern evening gentle. We go away the sunshine on for once we stumble into the kitchen earlier than daybreak and to maintain our cats from being in whole darkness.
What my vary hood doesn’t do is take away smoke or odors when cooking. To remediate this, I attempted the AirHood, a conveyable vary hood with a charcoal filter that guarantees to manage smoke, odors, and airborne grease. I used to be recreation to discover a higher resolution than what I presently have, so I used the AirHood for a month, turning it on when cooking significantly smokey issues, like searing steaks and cooking bacon, and stashing it away after.
The Exams
Critical Eats / Greg Baker
- Steak Check: Sometimes, searing steaks in my kitchen requires eradicating the smoke detector and opening each window in the home. My canines keep low to the bottom and sneeze profusely throughout this course of. I typically, out of an abundance of warning and sympathy for them, simply use the grill outdoors. To see if the AirHood may mitigate this unlucky state of affairs, I set it subsequent to the range, heated a cast iron skillet, and added two seasoned steaks, searing them for 3 to 4 minutes per facet. I needed to witness how a lot smoke accrued, whether or not the smoke detector went off, and whether or not there have been any lingering odors.
- Fish Check: Who doesn’t just like the odor of pan-roasted fish lingering in the home? I seared some skin-on snapper fillets with the AirHood perched close by. Whereas fish doesn’t sometimes produce as a lot smoke as searing a steak, there may be loads of grease sputtering and popping, spreading the joyous odor of cooked fish all through the home. I exited the home and reentered a couple of minutes later, to see how properly the AirHood labored.
- Bacon Check: Bacon supplied the best-case state of affairs for testing the grease and odor containment. I laid out a bundle of bacon on a griddle to see how a lot grease flew onto my stovetop and the way lengthy the hickory-smoked aroma lingered within the air.
- Usability Check: I monitored how straightforward the AirHood was to get began with and use in varied positions round my range. I additionally checked how efficient it was at completely different speeds. I took into consideration placement and noise in my observations.
What We Realized
It Was Extraordinarily Simple to Use
Critical Eats / Greg Baker
I examined the wired AirHood (there may be additionally a rechargeable wireless model), which is appropriate with each electrical and gasoline stoves. It requires an outlet, a countertop giant sufficient to accommodate its 8.5- by 5.5-inch footprint and cupboard clearance for its 13-inch peak. I plugged the AirHood into the never-used second outlet behind my fridge and set it on an in any other case pretty ineffective strip of counter subsequent to my range, and I used to be able to go. Nicely, virtually.
The operation is considerably self-explanatory, however I did not discover the fast begin information helpful. It explains that getting ready the AirHood entails plugging the ability wire into an outlet. The following step says, “Don’t overlook to position a charcoal filter inside earlier than utilizing.” The next observe within the information is on security, which explains it is best to by no means disassemble or clear the AirHood with the wire plugged in. Let’s put the steps so as, okay? One other lapse within the fast begin information is the truth that AirHood requires two filters, a element solely revealed within the online user manual. Inserting one filter as initially directed led to disappointing ends in the primary take a look at spherical.
After discovering correctly setting it up, I pointed the AirHood towards my range and chosen the fan velocity. There are three speeds, so you possibly can select a quieter, slower operation, a stability between quantity and effectiveness, or let it rip on the loudest setting.
It Eliminated Smoke and Smells
Critical Eats / Greg Baker
After I managed the correct filter association, I used to be impressed by my first run with the AirHood. Whereas searing steaks, smoke was comparatively minimal. By minimal, I imply there was smoke within the air within the kitchen, however not sufficient to set off the smoke detector or unfold to different rooms. I’ll take that as a transparent win. There was a minor odor within the air, however not a lot that it could permeate material in the home, because it had with my built-in vary hood. However right here’s the caveat: A second try at smokey cooking didn’t fare as properly. However that was on me. Cleansing the grease filter within the AirHood is important to good efficiency since that filter is the primary line of the AirHood’s protection. If it’s even remotely clogged, the efficiency deteriorates considerably. Comply with the cleansing suggestions, and the AirHood does very properly.
It Was Loud, Although
There’s no approach of getting round this: The AirHood is loud. At its lowest setting, it’s louder (but far more efficient) than the excessive setting of my vary hood. The medium setting is the most effective stability between effectivity and quantity, however I wanted the very loud excessive setting to maintain smoke from accumulating throughout the steak take a look at.
It Was Simple to Retailer and Clear
When you have an in any other case non-functional strip of countertop like me, the AirHood can reside there with out taking over an excessive amount of room. It can be tucked away in a cupboard if in case you have house. There’s additionally a hook for hanging the AirHood if that’s extra handy in your state of affairs.
The total person guide recommends cleansing the grease filter on the AirHood’s entrance after each use and tidying up the unit’s physique too. Don’t sleep on cleansing the grease filter, because it does its job properly, however accrued grease rapidly reduces the AirHood’s airflow. The charcoal filters are long-lasting and good for 100 hours of use between adjustments.
The Verdict
Professionals
The convenience and effectivity of the AirHood bought me. On condition that I’ve heretofore needed to sear steaks outdoors for the well being and security of my furry youngsters, I’m fairly glad that I can have a smokeless, considerably odor-free home and never need to courageous warmth, bugs, or rain. I’ve obtained a small kitchen, and the AirHood’s footprint is totally unobtrusive. With it, I achieve efficacy and lose virtually nothing. You’ll be able to all the time cling your AirHood up or stow it in a cupboard.
Cons
It is most beneficial to be used with electrical ranges or induction burners. You should utilize it with gasoline burners, however the model stresses it is best to guarantee correct distance from the burner’s flame to keep away from harm to the unit from the warmth. My chief criticism, which I can stability with the AirHood’s effectiveness, is how loud it’s. However to place that into perspective, the AirHood is way from deafening. You’ll have issue conversing with somebody in one other room or might need to show your music as much as hear it, however it gained’t damage your ears. Whereas the AirHood does decrease smoke and odors, it was nonetheless clear that I’d been cooking smelly meals once I walked again in the home. However hey, my home smelled faintly of bacon. What’s mistaken with that?
Key Specs
- Dimensions: 13.15 x 8.70 x 5.51 inches
- Energy: 100 to 240 volts
- What’s included: AirHood, 5 charcoal filters, oil filter
FAQs
How does a charcoal filter work, precisely?
Carbon filters work by way of adsorption, which is nearly the direct reverse of absorption. For those who blot up some spilled water with a sponge or towel, they draw the water inside, however it doesn’t turn out to be a part of the towel; reasonably, it simply occupies house between the fibers. Carbon, the principle part of charcoal, varieties a lattice of atoms. In adsorption, the smoke and noxious smells cling to the surface of the carbon lattice, cleansing the air till there aren’t any extra surfaces to cling to, at which level it’s time to alter the charcoal filter.
Can you employ the AirHood outdoor?
It might look like the AirHood could be efficient at eradicating extra wooden or charcoal smoke throughout cooking. Nonetheless, the producer states that the AirHood is just for indoor use.
Why We’re the Consultants
Trending Merchandise

BAYOBID Stainless Steel Kitchen Utensil Set | 24 Pieces Cooking Utensils Set | Perfect Metal Kitchen Utensils set…

mafiti Oil Dispenser Bottle 180ml/6Oz Olive Oil Dispenser Sprayer for Cooking Air fryer BBQ Grilling Salad Baking…

URASISTO 19-Piece Home Tool Kit Hand Tool Set with Easy Carrying Pouch Perfect for DIY, Home Maintenance

Veluebay Kitchen Utensils Set, 12 Pcs Non-Stick wooden utensils for cooking, kitchen utensils set with holder, silicone…

Kitchen Gizmo Snap N Strain Pot Strainer and Pasta Strainer – Adjustable Silicone Clip On Strainer for Pots, Pans, and…

Garlic Press, Upgrade Garlic Mincer Stainless Steel Garlic Press Rocker, Professional Kitchen Gadget with Ergonomic…
