Types of Island Chimney: Ceiling Mounted, Filters & Size Options Explained
Planning an open kitchen with a central hob or cooktop? Then choosing the right island chimney is just as important as choosing your cabinets or countertop. A well-designed ceiling-mounted island chimney not only keeps smoke and odour away from your living space but also becomes a design highlight above your island. As you read through the different types of island chimneys, you can always compare real products in the dedicated category here: ceiling-mounted island chimney.
What Are Island Chimneys?
An island chimney is a kitchen chimney that’s installed above a cooking island or peninsula instead of against a wall. In modern open kitchens, the cooktop often sits in the middle of the room, so the chimney must hang from the ceiling and pull fumes from all four sides.
In simple terms, an island chimney:
● Is mounted to the ceiling, usually with a decorative or boxed duct cover
● Sits directly above the cooking zone on the island countertop
● Captures smoke, steam, and oil particles before they spread into the living or dining area
● Doubles as a style element, because it’s completely visible from different angles
Unlike wall-mounted models that can “lean” on a vertical surface, island chimneys are fully exposed. That’s why their design, finish, and performance matter even more, and why it helps to understand the different types of island chimneys available before you choose one.
Ceiling-Mounted Island Chimney
This is the core of every island solution. When people talk about island chimneys, they’re almost always referring to a ceiling-mounted island chimney.
You can explore a range of such models while reading this section here: ceiling-mounted island chimney.
What is a ceiling-mounted island chimney?
A ceiling-mounted island chimney is a hood that’s fixed to the ceiling with a vertical duct or decorative column and positioned exactly over the island cooktop. It doesn’t touch any wall and remains suspended, either as:
● A visible hood hanging from the ceiling
● Or a slim, integrated panel within a false ceiling
Because it’s open on all sides, it’s designed to create a strong downward and inward airflow to pull fumes away from the island.
How does it work?
The working principle is similar to other chimneys, but with a stronger focus on direction and coverage:
1. Capture
○ The hood area covers the hob, pulling in hot air, smoke, and oil vapour rising from the pans.
2. Filter
○ Inside, filters (baffle, mesh, or carbon, depending on the model) trap grease and sometimes odour.
3. Expel or recirculate
○ In ducted models, the air passes through the duct and is expelled outside.
○ In recirculating models, cleaned air is pushed back into the kitchen through vents.
Since there’s no wall to guide the smoke, the suction power, hood size, and placement of a ceiling-mounted island chimney all play a big role in performance.
Ideal kitchen layout for a ceiling-mounted island chimney
This type is perfect when:
● Your cooktop is on an island or peninsula in the centre of the room
● The kitchen opens into the living or dining area
● You want your cooking zone to be a social or visual focal point
If your hob is against a wall, a wall-mounted chimney is usually more practical. But for central cooking zones, the ceiling-mounted island chimney is the natural fit and offers both performance and aesthetics tailored to open layouts.
Island Chimney Types Based on Filter
One of the easiest ways to classify the types of island chimneys is by the kind of filters they use. Filter choice affects performance, cleaning effort, and sometimes even noise level.
1. Baffle filter island chimney
Baffle filters are a favourite in Indian kitchens because they handle heavy, oily cooking very well.
How they work
● Multiple curved metal panels change the direction of airflow
● Heavier grease particles get separated and trapped on the metal surfaces
● The air that passes through is relatively cleaner
Pros
● Ideal for frequent frying, tadka, and grilling
● Durable metal construction
● Performance stays strong even when partially greasy
Things to remember
● Filters must be removed and washed regularly
● Slightly heavier than mesh filters
If you cook traditional Indian meals daily, a baffle filter island chimney offers robust, reliable performance.
2. Mesh filter island chimney
Mesh filters use multiple layers of fine metal mesh to trap grease.
Pros
● Good at catching fine particles
● Usually used in budget or mid-range chimneys
Things to remember
● Require more frequent cleaning because the fine mesh clogs faster
● If not cleaned properly, suction can drop, and noise can increase
Mesh filter island chimneys can work well for lighter or less oily cooking, but many Indian households prefer baffle filters for easier long-term performance.
3. Carbon filter island chimney
Carbon (charcoal) filters are often used as an add-on, mainly in recirculating island chimneys.
How they work
● Air passes through a carbon cartridge
● The carbon helps absorb odour and some impurities
Pros
● Useful when ducting to the outside isn’t possible
● Helps reduce smell in recirculation mode
Things to remember
● Carbon filters need periodic replacement
● They complement, not replace, primary grease filters
When you look at any product listing, it’s good to note whether the island chimney supports carbon filters, especially if you’re planning a ductless setup in an apartment or rental home.
Island Chimney Types Based on Size
Another important way to understand the types of island chimneys is by size. The most common width options are 60 cm and 90 cm.
1. 60 cm island chimney
A 60 cm island chimney is typically suitable when:
● Your hob has 2–3 burners
● The island itself is compact
● You cook for a small family or your cooking is lighter
Pros:
● Occupies less visual space above the island
● Often more affordable than larger models
● Easier to fit into narrower ceiling spaces
However, if you frequently use multiple burners at the same time or fry heavily, you may still want to consider stepping up to a larger size.
2. 90 cm island chimney
A 90 cm island chimney is ideal when:
● You use a 3–5 burner hob
● You have a larger island counter
● You cook full meals regularly, including frying and grilling
Pros:
● Better coverage across the width of the hob
● More effective at capturing smoke when multiple pans are on
● Often paired with higher suction ratings
Because island chimneys are fully exposed, a 90 cm unit also visually anchors the cooking zone and looks proportionate over a larger island.
How to choose the right size
To pick the right size for your kitchen:
1. Match the hob width
○ As a rule, the island chimney should be at least as wide as the hob.
○ If you’re in doubt, it’s safer to go slightly wider rather than narrower.
2. Consider cooking style
○ Heavy cooking with multiple pans → 90 cm with strong suction
○ Light cooking, fewer burners → 60 cm can be sufficient
3. Check ceiling proportions
○ In a very small kitchen, an oversized hood may look bulky.
○ In a large, open-plan space, a larger hood feels more balanced and capable.
When in doubt, assume your cooking needs might grow over time; opting for a slightly larger island chimney after planning properly usually feels like a good decision in the long run.
Island Chimney Design & Shape Variations
Beyond size and filters, design and shape are where the visual personality of different types of island chimneys really shows. The main design families you’ll encounter are:
1. Straight glass island chimney
These chimneys use a flat, straight glass canopy combined with metal.
Features
● Clean, minimal lines
● Contemporary look that suits modern modular kitchens
● Often paired with LED lighting along the edges
Straight glass designs work nicely in kitchens that favour clean, straight cabinetry and subtle aesthetics.
2. Curved glass island chimney
Curved glass hoods are very popular in many homes.
Features
● Gently curved glass canopy for a softer profile
● Slightly more dynamic, “flowing” appearance
● Can help channel smoke towards the centre of the hood
Curved glass styles bring a bit of drama and softness, balancing out angular cabinets and straight counters.
3. Box-type island chimney
Box-style or T-shaped island chimneys have a more solid, geometric look.
Features
● Rectangular or boxy body usually in stainless steel or black finish
● Strong, professional-kitchen vibe
● Often used in premium or designer ranges
These work especially well in spacious kitchens with high ceilings, where the chimney becomes a bold statement piece rather than just an appliance.
Which Type of Island Chimney Is Best for You?
With so many types of island chimneys available, it helps to narrow your choice using a simple checklist:
1. Kitchen layout
○ Island or peninsula cooktop? → You need a ceiling-mounted island chimney.
○ Hob against a wall? → A wall-mounted chimney might be more practical.
2. Cooking style
○ Heavy frying, tadka, non-veg cooking → Go for strong suction and baffle filter or powerful filterless models.
○ Light or occasional cooking → Moderate suction and mesh filters can work.
3. Size and scale
○ 2–3 burner hob in a compact kitchen → 60 cm island chimney.
○ 3–5 burner hob in an open kitchen → 90 cm island chimney.
4. Design preference
○ Minimal, sleek → Straight glass or slim box type.
○ Softer, flowing → Curved glass canopy.
5. Installation readiness
○ Check ceiling strength, false ceiling plans, and duct routes in advance.
If you’d like a step-by-step framework that combines types, sizes, price ranges, and installation tips in one place, you can refer to the detailed island chimney buying guide. It brings together everything you need to confidently select the exact model that fits your home and lifestyle.
By understanding the different types of island chimney—from filter and size options to shapes and ceiling mounting—you can move beyond just looks and choose a chimney that truly fits your kitchen layout and cooking style. Combine this guide with the comprehensive island chimney buying guide, and you’ll be able to select a ceiling-mounted island chimney that performs brilliantly and enhances your kitchen for years to come.
FAQs on Types of Island Chimney
The main types of island chimney can be grouped as:
● By mounting – ceiling-mounted island chimneys that hang above the island
● By filter – baffle filter, mesh filter, and carbon filter (for odour control and recirculation)
● By size – 60 cm and 90 cm being the most common
● By design – straight glass, curved glass, box-type or T-shaped, and sometimes integrated ceiling panels
Each combination serves a slightly different mix of design, performance, and maintenance needs.
A ceiling-mounted island chimney is a chimney that’s installed directly onto the ceiling above an island or peninsula cooktop. It doesn’t touch any wall and is open on all sides, so it’s designed with higher suction and a larger capture area to pull in smoke and steam efficiently from the centre of the kitchen.
For open kitchens, the best choice is usually:
● A ceiling-mounted island chimney
● With a 90 cm width (if you use a 3–5 burner hob)
● And a baffle filter or a strong filterless system suitable for heavy Indian cooking
You can then choose straight glass, curved glass, or a box-type design, depending on your décor and whether you want the chimney to blend in or stand out as a statement.
Yes. By definition, an island chimney works above a central island or peninsula, so it must connect to the ceiling for both support and duct routing. Wall mounting is meant for chimneys where the hob is against a wall. If your cooking area isn’t on an island, you generally don’t need a ceiling-mounted island chimney.
For most Indian kitchens, baffle filters are considered the most practical because they handle heavy oil and spice use well and retain performance even when slightly greasy. However:
● Mesh filters can work fine for lighter cooking if you clean them often.
● Carbon filters are helpful add-ons when you use the chimney in recirculation mode and want better odour control.
The ideal setup for many homes is a ceiling-mounted island chimney with baffle filters (or an advanced filterless auto-clean system) and optional carbon filters if ducting isn’t possible.
