Baffle filters

What Is a Baffle Filter?

Baffle filters are usually made of interlocking panels of aluminum or stainless steel. This pattern is what gives them their signature appearance. The way baffle filters are assembled naturally creates a tortuous maze for the air to follow when it gets pulled in. Grease then slides down the walls and collects in the cavities.

Baffle Filter Pros

Thanks to this filter design, grease doesn’t accumulate to obstruct the airflow. This means that this filter doesn’t need to be cleaned as often for its range hood to maintain high-level efficiency.

As long as a baffle filter is cleaned regularly(usually by soaking or putting it in the dishwasher), it captures grease more effectively than a micromesh model and minimizes grease buildup inside the vent. If you enjoy stir-frying and deep-frying, a range hood featuring baffle filters may be better suited to your cooking habits.

This system is also more robust, withstands very high temperatures and offers increased protection against fire hazards. Finally, this type of filter has a luxurious design closely associated with the restaurant industry and high-performance equipment worthy of chefs.

Baffle Filter Cons

Due to its heavier weight and the greater amount of metal used, this filter is more expensive than a micromesh model.

Micromesh filters

What Is a Micromesh Filter?

This filter comprises multiple layers of finely woven metal wire – usually stainless steel or aluminum – inside an aluminum frame. This creates a porous, fabric-like surface that traps larger particles such as grease and dirt while allowing air to pass through.

Micromesh Filter Benefits

Because they’re simple to produce and lightweight, micromesh filters are inexpensive, also reflected in the range hood price. They’re usually well suited to most residential needs.

Micromesh Filter Cons

A micromesh filter lets the air pass through, but also noise coming from the motor and fan. Thus, a range hood using this type of filter is usually noisier than a similar model using baffle filters. In the case of a kitchen fire, this type of filter is less resistant to extreme temperatures, and flames could more easily spread inside the duct than with a baffle filter, which acts more as a physical barrier.

Grease buildup can quickly block the airflow.. Over time, this blockage will reduce the efficiency of the range hood. As such, this type of filter requires frequent cleaning.