Visiting a maverick

The range hood is indispensable in the kitchen. Whether it is a downdraft or a traditional hood above the cooktop, there must be one to expertly remove the odors and fumes created during cooking. Of all the manufacturers of extractor hoods, berbel can safely be called an outlier. After all, they do it in a completely different way than all the others. Keukenbouw was allowed to take a look at berbel's production facilities in Rheine (D).

You may be familiar with them, the German manufacturer berbel. Nevertheless, the manufacturer is taking this opportunity to introduce itself a little better. berbel has been developing, producing and selling extractor hoods since 2001. Not so special in itself, were it not for the fact that berbel does this in its own unique way. After all, all extractor hoods work according to their own developed and patented technology. "We apply a simple physical principle," the manufacturer explains to us. "The centrifugal force, also called the centrifugal force, applied in our extractor hoods provides the most effective air cleaning since extractor hoods came into existence."

So the berbel principle is based on centrifugal force. "And actually, we all know it," we learn during a real session at berbel Academy. "After all, it is the force that causes your body to be pulled to the left when you make a sharp right turn with your car. Our engineers translated this to extractor hoods where cooking vapor composed of air, water and grease is first sucked through a narrow and effective slot in the interior of the hood. At the entrance of the extractor hood, a second aspect is then added - speed. Inside the hood, the accelerated cooking vapor is rotated in two turns where centrifugal force is created. The heavier grease and oil particles are literally thrown out of the lighter air. The grease and oil particles remain behind and are collected in a collection tray while the air continues to flow uninhibited. After cooking, simply unfold the collection tray and clean it with a cloth. You read correctly. Nowhere in the entire process does a filter come into play. No performance-reducing grease filter technology at berbel! Even after years, berbel extractor hoods are still as powerful as on day one. And the numbers don't lie with a grease separation and odor removal rate of a whopping 97%."

We are familiar with the different extractor hoods that berbel has in its extensive range, from cooktops with integrated extraction to island hoods and wall-mounted models. In addition to using the berbel principle, they all have another important aspect in common. They are all made by hand, the tour of the production facilities teaches us. We learn even more even, such as that only high-quality raw materials are used in production, such as anti-magnetic stainless steel and operating components from German quality manufacturers. Raw material-saving production, short transport routes and less waste disposal are the driving forces here. The "people" factor means a great deal to berbel. We notice this during the tour. For example, for more than 20 years the manufacturer has worked closely with the Freckenhorster Werkstätten, an organization that employs people with disabilities.

Listing all models from the range of hoods on these pages is unfortunately not possible. We therefore pick out two, namely the Formline headless wall-mounted hood and the Downline Infinity cooktop extractor fan. The innovative berbel principle also makes the Formline a highly efficient solution. "But the Formline has even more to offer," it sounds in the showroom when we take a closer look at the Formline. "For example, the discreet sensor touch control panel responds to the lightest of touches so that operation is quick and comfortable. The EcoSwitch feature present allows for easy switching between recirculation and exhaust mode. So purify and blow back into the kitchen or exhaust to the outside. Just as striking as it is innovative, however, is the patented BackFlow technology. Through secondary ventilation, part of the air volume is directed to the intake opening of the hood. The result is, on the one hand, a particularly efficient
collection of rising cooking vapors and, on the other hand, highly effective air purification."

Downline Infinity is the latest addition to the Downline family of induction cooktops with integrated extraction. Downline Infinity is also the largest with a width of 900 mm and a depth of a whopping 550 mm. The four available cooking zones can be used simultaneously without pots and pans getting in each other's way. On the left are two substantial square coils that can be fused into one very large zone through a bridge function. On the right are two double round coils that are also called the intelligent zones. This is because they recognize the size of the cookware and adjust accordingly. Via a clear display, operating Downline Infinity is child's play. Through the various submenus, the user quickly and intuitively gets to the function or setting he needs. To still keep cooking clear, the display only shows what is currently happening. "A single aerodynamic extraction unit is sufficient to eliminate cooking fumes and odors," emphasizes the manufacturer. "Through the intake grille with angled guides, the unit draws them in. The Powermover can be moved to the left or right to enhance the extraction power on a specific side.

A two-day visit to berbel obviously provides us with more substance than we can fit into an atmospheric report. So we also learned about the fire safety of extractor hoods and how they score better than traditional extractor hoods (the difference lies in the absence of grease filters at berbel, ed.). The Permalyt® recirculation filter developed by berbel also holds no secrets. This self-regenerating and maintenance-free recirculation solution converts unpleasant odors into clean air. And what will certainly also stay with us is the continuous will and discipline to aspire to the highest quality.