Gaggenau Magazine 2008

74 Air extraction/recirculation Most Gaggenau ventilation hoods can be used both for air extraction and recirculation. In the extraction function, cooking vapors are conducted outside either directly or via a ventilation duct. In the recirculation function, kitchen steam is cleaned by a built-in activated charcoal filter. In both cases, the air, which is saturated with grease and odor particles, first passes through a grease filter. This prevents the inside of the hood and the exhaust air ducts from becoming coated with deposits. In the air recirculating version, in which no air is conducted outside, the odor particles are absorbed by an additional activated charcoal filter. This filter needs replacing about twice a year – a simple operation with all Gaggenau recirculation ventilation appliances. Backsplash ventilator An attractive solution, especially for a cooking island. The headroom is unrestricted because grease splashes and cooking fumes are extracted directly behind the cooktop. The hood’s housing offers additional workspace to place ingredients and plates within easy reach. The glare-free light fully illuminates the cooktop. The efficient recirculation operation with high air extraction performance and low noise level makes installing exhaust ducts and calculating air line is unnecessary. The centrifugal grease filter expels grease particles from the exhaust air and collects them in drip trays. The filters and trays can be easily accessed when taking off the front panel and are dishwasher safe. The compact blower housing is installed on the bottom of the lower cabinet, leaving ample storage space. The activated charcoal filter in the fan housing absorbs odors before the cleaned air gets released through an opening in the cabinet’s toe kick. Centrifugal grease filter The exhaust air is heavily rotated several times so that grease particles are expelled efficiently. The filter elements can be cleaned in a dishwasher. The A – Z of Gaggenau ventilation appliances 75 Grease filter satuaration indication When the grease filler is due for cleaning, a light on the control panel blinks, acting as a reminder. This keeps the filters from becoming too soiled, which can increase the noise level and decrease the effectiveness of the hood. Intensive mode Three power settings and an additional intensive mode can be activated via individual control buttons or knobs. Depending on the model, the intensive mode automatically switches back to the previously selected setting after three, five or ten minutes of operation. Interval ventilation When this is activated, the hood automatically switches to the previously selected output level for five minutes every hour. As a result, fresh air can be fed into the room in the event of prolonged absence. Remote blower Downdraft ventilation units operate with a separate remote blower. Depending on their design, the remote blower can be built into kitchen furniture, or installed in another room (in a pantry, cellar or loft) or outside (in a wall or roof). All the functions are controlled via a connection cable. Sealing flaps In the 400 Pro Series cooktop ventilation, the suction opening is covered when not in use. When the ventilation is switched off, the flaps remain open for a few seconds while the fan is shutting down. Soft-Light The Soft-Light illumination of the cooking zones automatically goes on and off gradually, and can be dimmed manually from bright illumination of the cooking zones to atmospheric background lighting. Stainless steel grease filter With Gaggenau ventilation hoods, the air which is saturated with grease and odor particles first passes through a grease filter. This prevents the inside of the hood and the exhaust air ducts from deposits. The stainless steel filter can be easily removed and cleaned in the dishwasher. Coanda effect An additional fan on the front of the ventilation hood generates a stream of air that is directed towards the rear over a cylinder. This effect, known from aerodynamics, causes any cooking fumes in front of the hood to be more effectively conducted into the filter area. The Gaggenau AH 600 ventilation hood, for example, is as effective at level 3 as many other appliances are in intensive mode. Delayed shut-off This function allows you to set the ventilation to run on for an additional ten minutes after use on any setting, before automatically switching itself off. Downdraft A very interesting and effective alternative to classic ventilation hoods. The downdraft is integrated directly into the countertop and extracts cooking vapors where they occur. Even the steam from taller pots is effectively removed if the lid is left open slightly to the side towards the ventilation. If you want clean lines and unrestricted headroom in your kitchen, it is definitely the most unobtrusive option. The design of Gaggenau downdraft ventilation units matches the appliances from the Vario 200 and 400 Pro Series. They are available with or without automatic arm positioning and flaps. All downdraft ventilation units operate with separate remote blower for air extraction. Extendable swivel arm In the grilling position, the direct ventilation system VL 051 automatically moves to a height of 15 3/4”, and in the cooking position to a maximum height of 15 3/4”. At its highest setting, the extendable arm can also be turned 90 degrees in both directions. The arm can be moved to any height between these two positions using the control knob. Once the appliance is switched off it automatically returns to the central position and retracts into the worktop. A sensor prevents objects from being caught in the arm when it is returning to this position.