Ductless vs Ducted Kitchen Chimney: Complete Comparison Guide for Indian Kitchens

A ducted chimney expels smoke outside through a pipe, while a ductless chimney filters and recirculates air back into your kitchen. Both types remove smoke and odours effectively, but they differ in installation requirements, maintenance needs, and long-term costs.

Understanding how each system works helps you pick the right chimney for your household.

What Is a Ducted Kitchen Chimney?

A ducted chimney connects to an external vent through PVC or aluminium ducting. Smoke, grease particles, and cooking odours travel through the pipe and exit your home permanently. The contaminated air leaves your kitchen completely, keeping indoor air quality high.

Ducted chimneys work well for:

• Kitchens with access to external walls or ceiling routes
• Heavy Indian cooking with regular deep frying and tadka
• Homeowners who can make permanent structural modifications

Glen offers ducted chimneys with suction power ranging from 1000 m³/h to 1600 m³/h, designed to handle intense Indian cooking conditions.

What Is a Ductless Kitchen Chimney?

A ductless chimney pulls smoke through a 2-stage filtration system. Stainless-steel baffle filters trap grease while activated carbon filters remove odours. Purified air is released back into your kitchen without any external venting required.

Ductless chimneys suit:

• Apartments and rental homes where wall modifications are restricted
• Kitchens without access to external walls
• Those who need portable, relocatable appliances

Glen ductless models feature DIY-friendly installation with no core cutting or duct holes needed.

Ducted vs Ductless Chimney Comparison

Benefits of Ducted Chimneys

Ducted chimneys remain the preferred choice for serious home cooks who prepare heavy Indian meals daily.

Complete Smoke Removal: Contaminated air exits your home permanently. No smoke or odours recirculate back into your kitchen space.

Higher Suction Performance: Ducted operation delivers full suction capacity. Models with 1600 m³/h suction handle even the heaviest tadka and frying sessions.

Lower Long-Term Costs: No carbon filter replacements needed. Your ongoing expenses stay minimal after the initial installation.

Cooler Kitchen: Hot air exits your home instead of recirculating. Your cooking area stays more comfortable during extended cooking sessions.

Benefits of Ductless Chimneys

Ductless chimneys solve practical problems for many Indian households, especially in urban apartments.

• No Structural Changes: Install without cutting walls or creating duct routes. Perfect for small apartments where modifications are restricted.
• Rental-Friendly: Take your chimney when you move. No permanent installation means no deposit deductions or landlord disputes.
• Lower Initial Investment: Skip ductwork installation costs. Your kitchen upgrade stays within budget.
• Flexible Placement: Mount anywhere without worrying about external wall access. Design your kitchen layout freely.
• Quick Setup: DIY installation with minimal tools. No waiting for contractors or scheduling hassles.

Installation Requirements

Installation complexity differs significantly between the two types.

Ducted Installation Needs:

• Access to the external wall or ceiling for the vent outlet
• PVC or aluminium ducting materials
• Professional installation recommended
• Wall cutting or drilling is required

Read our step-by-step chimney installation guide before planning your setup.

Ductless Installation Needs:

• Wall mounting brackets
• Basic tools for bracket installation
• No ductwork or wall cutting
• Can be self-installed

Maintenance Comparison

Both chimney types need regular care for optimal performance.

Ducted Chimney Maintenance:

• Clean baffle filters regularly
• Wipe exterior surfaces weekly
• Check ductwork periodically for blockages
• Annual professional deep cleaning recommended

Ductless Chimney Maintenance:

• Clean stainless-steel baffle filters regularly
• Replace activated carbon filters based on cooking frequency
• Keep spare carbon filters available
• Wipe surfaces regularly

Glen offers auto-clean chimneys that use heat to melt and collect grease automatically. Filterless models eliminate filter cleaning.

Decision Framework

Choose a Ducted Chimney If:

• You own your home and can modify the walls
• Your kitchen has easy access to an external wall
• Heavy Indian cooking with daily frying is common
• Long-term cost savings matter more than upfront expense
• Maximum smoke removal is your priority

Choose a Ductless Chimney If:

• Your apartment building restricts external venting
• You rent and cannot make structural changes
• Your kitchen lacks external wall access
• You may relocate in the future
• Budget-friendly installation is important
• Other Features to Consider

Beyond ducted or ductless operation, these factors affect your experience:

Suction Power: Glen chimneys range from 1000 m³/h to 1600 m³/h. Higher suction suits larger kitchens and heavier cooking. Learn more about chimney suction power requirements.

Chimney Size: Match chimney width to your cooktop. 60cm vs 90cm chimneys serve different kitchen setups.

Filter Type: Baffle filters offer durability for Indian cooking. Filterless designs reduce maintenance needs.

Control Type: Touch controls with motion sensors allow hands-free operation. Push-button controls offer simplicity.

Auto-Clean Technology: Heat-based cleaning melts grease automatically, reducing manual maintenance effort.

Find the Right Chimney for Your Kitchen

Ducted chimneys suit homeowners with wall access who cook heavy Indian meals daily. Ductless chimneys work well for renters and apartments where structural changes are not possible. Glen offers both types with dual-mode operation, auto-clean technology, and suction power up to 1600 m³/h.

Explore The Full Collection of  Glen chimneys.

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