I’m planning to buy a chimney for my kitchen, but I’m super confused between an auto clean chimney and a manual one. I cook a lot of Indian food, so there’s always oil and masala spluttering around. I’ve heard that auto clean chimneys are easier to maintain, but they are also more expensive. Is it really worth spending the extra money on an auto clean model, or is a manual one good enough? Would love to hear from people who have used either of these.
I was in the same dilemma a few months back. I went for an auto clean chimney, and I’d say it’s been a good decision so far. The auto clean feature uses heat or centrifugal force to collect the oil and grease in a tray, which you just have to clean occasionally. It really cuts down on the effort needed for regular cleaning.
With a manual chimney, you need to clean the filters yourself, which can be a hassle if you do heavy cooking. Also, auto clean chimneys tend to last longer because the oil and grease don’t clog the motor as much. Yes, they are a bit more expensive, but I think it’s worth it if you cook often and don’t want to spend a lot of time cleaning. Just my two cents!
I’ve heard a lot about auto clean chimneys and how they make life easier, but do they really work as well as advertised? I’ve seen mixed reviews. Some say they don’t clean all the grease properly and that you still have to manually clean parts of the chimney. Is it really worth the extra money? Would love to hear some real experiences!
Using an auto clean chimney for about a year now. To be honest, the auto clean feature is quite helpful, but it’s not magic. It doesn’t mean you’ll never have to do any cleaning yourself. The auto clean function usually helps remove the bulk of the oil and grease, especially from the interior parts, but you will still need to wipe down the exterior and clean the oil collector tray once in a while.
If you’re expecting it to do 100% of the cleaning, you might be disappointed. But it does save a lot of effort compared to a manual chimney, where you’d have to remove and scrub the filters yourself regularly. In my opinion, if you’re doing a lot of frying or using tadka often, an auto clean chimney is definitely a good investment.
It’s great that you’re thinking about this before buying. While auto clean chimneys do offer convenience, there are a few drawbacks:
Higher Cost: They are more expensive than manual chimneys, not just at the time of purchase, but also for repairs and maintenance.
Electricity Usage: The auto clean function uses electricity, so there could be a slight increase in your power bills, especially if you use it frequently.
Still Requires Some Cleaning: The auto clean feature doesn't mean zero maintenance. You still need to clean the oil tray, and sometimes the filters might need a quick wipe.
Limited to Certain Types of Cooking: If you’re someone who mostly steams or boils food, an auto clean chimney might be overkill since there’s less grease to deal with.
Parts Availability: If any part of the auto clean mechanism breaks down, it might be a little harder or costlier to find replacements, especially if you live in a smaller city.
And I’ve been using a manual chimney for the past 5 years, and honestly, it’s not that bad. Yes, you do have to clean the filters every few months, especially if you do a lot of frying. I usually soak the filters in hot water with dish soap and then scrub them lightly. It takes a bit of effort, but it’s manageable.
The good thing is that manual chimneys are cheaper, and there are fewer parts that can break down. For a small family or someone who doesn't cook very heavy meals often, a manual chimney is quite sufficient. If you’re on a budget, I think you can easily go with a manual one and just set a reminder to clean it regularly. That way, it’ll continue to perform well without much fuss.
