Your kitchen’s exhaust and ventilation system demands the best of the best components. Compromising the quality in those aspects can potentially lead to severe health consequences. One such field that requires 100% attention is the filtering system used in the chimney.
Generally, people are often confused between baffle and cassette filters as both efficiently eliminate grease from the air through the air filtration system.
As per the National Fire Protection Association, commercial kitchens must use baffle filters on top of cassette filters. But the same does not apply to home kitchens, which is why it is necessary to make the right choice.
In this article, we will discuss all the advantages and disadvantages of the baffle and cassette filter that provides a clean cooking experience.
Baffle Filter VS Cassette Filter
Cassette Filter
In this type of filter, numerous mesh layers retain the oil and grease particles and eliminate the smoke from the kitchen. The cassette filter is composed of aluminum or stainless steel. The cassette stainless steel filters are a bit more expensive than the aluminum ones. But cassette filters made of aluminum are easy to handle, lighter, and require careful maintenance. On the other hand, stainless steel models are hard to handle, bulkier, and easy to clean.
Advantages of Cassette Filter
- It is cheaper than the baffle filters.
- Lightweight to use and easy to detach the filter from the chimney
- You can wash the parts in a dishwasher.
Disadvantages of Cassette Filter
- You have to clean them regularly, at least once a week.
- The oil or grease attached to the filter might catch fire when not clean for long enough.
- It prevents the flow of the air.
- The chimney with a cassette filter creates a bit of noise during operation.
- They are not so durable in high temperatures.
Baffle Filter
The baffle is known as the panel for controlling the flow. It consists of multiple curves through which there is a movement of air during which the filter stops the grease and oil particles in it. Most of the baffle filters are composed of aluminum or stainless steel. You can clean a chimney with a baffle filter once in 2 to 4 weeks.
Advantages Baffle Filter
- The filters are hassle-free to clean and low maintenance than the cassette filters.
- The parts of the filters are dishwasher safe.
- The motor power comes with effective suction to increase the flow of the air.
- Ideal for superior filtration of grease and oil
- Comes with corrosion and flame resistance
- Exceptionally durable to use
- Cost-efficient for long-term usage
Disadvantages Baffle Filter
- A little bit heavy, thus removing them from the chimney is difficult.
- More expensive than the chimney with cassette filters
Difference Between Baffle and Cassette Filters
Now let us check out the main differences between cassettes and baffle filters as below.
| Cassette Filter | Baffle Filter | |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Composed of multiple aluminum layers | Composed of multiple curve panel of stainless steel |
| Working Principle | Aluminum can catch oil and grease particles from the smoke | Curves in the panel of stainless steel catch grease and dirt particles |
| Cleaning process | Difficult | Moderate |
| Cleaning Frequency | Once every week | Once in 2 to 4 weeks |
| Consequences of not cleaning | Grease and oil in the mesh the chimney suction power and enhance the noise | The grease and oil stuck in the filter do not have an impact on the noise of suction power |
| Noise | High | Moderate |
| Filter durability | Moderate | High |
| Prices | Cheap | expensive |
Conclusion
In the past decades, people primarily install cassette filters in commercial kitchens. However, it is always better to use baffle stainless steel filters to prevent flames and fire in the kitchen by offering a higher protection barrier. Thus we can conclude by saying if you are looking for something which will last long, it is lighter and requires less maintenance, and then it is better to choose a chimney with baffle filters. But if you want something on a budget, then cassette filter chimneys are also great options to go. So choose well which filter will be suitable for your kitchen!
After completing this graduation in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Manipal University in 2013, Ankit began rummaging the current Indian market of technology and science. At apolloedoc, Ankit’s job profile consists of cumulating, researching, testing, and verifying products related to tech.
He has a knack for details and catches even the tiniest advantages and flaws that can make or break the product. Since last year, he has been writing for apolloedoc and has been our knight in shining armour when reviewing home appliances.
Ankit’s favourite pastimes consist of jamming onto his guitar with a couple of friends and constantly updating and learning new things! He is also a big-time pet lover and has a cute little pug named Oreo back in Chandigarh. He has bagged many achievements in his college by participating in multiple extracurricular activities.
Writing is something that comes to Ankit naturally. He has his own blog where he posts about coding languages and even provides coaching to students from 12th grade to 2nd year of college. At apolloedoc, Ankit beautifully showcases his knack for the written word by lucidly explaining information in an unbiased way.