Ciarra FAQs

A Convertible Range Hood is a type of kitchen ventilation system that can operate in two modes: ducted or ductless, depending on your kitchen setup and ventilation needs.

1. Ducted Mode In this mode, the range hood is connected to an external duct system. It vents cooking fumes, smoke, and odors outside of the home.
Pros: More effective at removing heat, grease, and strong odors.
Cons: Requires existing ductwork or installation, which may not be feasible in all kitchens.

2. Ductless Mode In this mode, the range hood uses charcoal or carbon filters to purify the air before recirculating it back into the kitchen.
Pros: Easier to install, as it doesn't require external ductwork.
Cons: Requires regular maintenance, such as cleaning or replacing filters, and may not be as effective as ducted systems.

If you're considering purchasing a ductless range hood, look for models with high-quality filters, sufficient fan power (measured in CFM), and positive reviews from users with similar cooking habits. For most average home kitchens, a ductless range hood with 300–450 CFM is a great starting point. Ciarra range hoods feature high-quality carbon filters that effectively eliminate odors and offer a fan power of 450 CFM, making them an excellent choice.

A ductless range hood works by pulling in cooking fumes and smoke through a fan, filtering them using a charcoal or carbon filter to trap odors and grease, and then recirculating the cleaned air back into the kitchen.

No, a range hood typically should not be on the same circuit as kitchen plugs. Kitchen outlets usually require dedicated circuits for small appliances, while range hoods often require a separate circuit to meet electrical code requirements.  

United States

Dedicated Circuits for Appliances: The NEC typically requires that major appliances, such as a range hood, have their own dedicated circuit. This ensures that the hood operates without overloading other circuits. A range hood generally requires a 15-amp circuit.

Kitchen Countertop Circuits: Kitchen countertop outlets must be served by two or more 20-amp circuits, as per NEC 210.52(B). These circuits are dedicated to small appliances and cannot serve fixed appliances like a range hood.

Conclusion: In the U.S., a range hood must have its own dedicated circuit and cannot share a circuit with general kitchen plugs.

Europe

Dedicated Circuits: Large appliances, including range hoods, are typically installed on dedicated circuits to prevent overloading and ensure safe operation. The circuit amperage depends on the power requirements of the hood, but it’s common to use a 10-16A circuit.

Kitchen Outlets: General kitchen outlets are usually grouped into circuits that serve multiple plugs. These circuits are not intended to support fixed appliances like range hoods.

Conclusion: In Europe, it is recommended and often required that a range hood be connected to a dedicated circuit separate from kitchen plugs.

Choosing a range hood involves considering several factors to ensure it meets your cooking needs, complements your kitchen's design, and functions effectively. Here's a guide to help you:

1. Determine the Type of Range Hood

Range hoods come in various styles to suit different kitchen layouts:
Under-cabinet Range Hoods: Installed beneath cabinets above the stove. Compact and space-saving.
Wall-mounted Range Hoods: Mounted on the wall, ideal if you don't have cabinets above the stove.
Island Range Hoods: Suspended from the ceiling above an island cooktop.
Insert Range Hoods: Designed to be concealed within cabinetry for a seamless look.
Downdraft Hoods: Retract into the countertop when not in use.

2. Venting Options Ducted
(Vented):
Channels air outside the home, offering superior performance for heavy cooking. Requires ductwork installation.

Ductless (Recirculating):
Filters air and recirculates it back into the kitchen. Easier to install but less effective for high grease or smoke output.

3. Assess CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) Rating The CFM measures the hood’s airflow capacity.
Consider:
Light Cooking: 300–500 CFM
Heavy Cooking (e.g., frying or grilling): 500+ CFM

Match CFM to the size and power of your cooktop. Gas ranges require higher CFM ratings.

For a standard 30-inch stove and light to moderate cooking, 400 CFM is likely enough. For larger stoves, heavy cooking, or open-concept spaces, consider a more powerful range hood.

The required CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) for a range hood depends on several factors, including the type of cooking, the size of the range or cooktop, and whether it's vented or ductless. Here’s how to determine the right CFM for your range hood:

1. Based on Range Width
The range hood should be at least as wide as your range or cooktop, ideally extending 3 inches beyond each side.
CFM Recommendation:
For a 30-inch range: ~250-400 CFM
For a 36-inch range: ~400-600 CFM

2. Cooking Style
Light cooking (boiling, steaming): 200-400 CFM
Moderate cooking (frying, sautéing): 400-600 CFM
Heavy cooking (wok cooking, grilling): 600-900+ CFM

Ciarra provides installation instructions for each product, accessible by product number. For instance, if you purchased the CBCB6736G, you can locate its instructions by searching for the corresponding product number.

CIARRA User Manual

A kitchen hood, or range hood, vents out of the house by expelling air through ductwork connected to the hood's exhaust fan. The ducts are typically made of metal, such as galvanized steel or aluminum, to ensure they are durable and fire-resistant. The ductwork is routed through the ceiling, walls, or cabinets and vents outside the house. The vent opening is usually installed through a roof or exterior wall. The external vent is equipped with a cover, such as a vent cap or hood, which prevents outside elements (like rain or debris) from entering the duct.

For most standard ranges, the range hood should be installed 24 to 30 inches above the cooktop.

Depending on the model, the filter may slide out, or you may need to unscrew or unlock it from its compartment. Refer to your range hood’s user manual for specific instructions.

For mesh filters (usually made of aluminum or stainless steel), soak them in warm soapy water for 10-15 minutes. You can use a degreaser or dish soap to help break down grease and grime. Unlike metal filters, carbon filters cannot be cleaned effectively. They are designed to absorb odors and particles from the air, and once they become saturated with grease or contaminants, they lose their effectiveness.

Carbon filters should be replaced every 2 to 4 months, depending on usage, as they cannot be restored by cleaning and need to change.

Opening the hood of a range cover typically involves a few simple steps. Range covers often refer to the protective or decorative covers on cooking ranges, stovetops, or exhaust vents. Some range covers have a latch, button, or handle that you need to push or pull to unlock or release the cover. It could be on the front, side, or back of the cover, depending on the model. If the range cover is hinged, the hood may lift up like a door. You might need to gently pull it upward, or in some cases, lift it straight up and off the range.

An induction cooktop is a type of electric stove that uses electromagnetic energy to directly heat cookware. Unlike traditional electric or gas cooktops, which heat the surface of the cooktop and then transfer that heat to the cookware, an induction cooktop generates heat directly in the cookware through electromagnetic induction.

Ciarra Induction cooktops offer several useful functions designed to enhance safety, convenience, and cooking performance. Some of the most common functions include:
1. Overflow Protection
Function: This feature detects if a pot or pan is boiling over and automatically reduces or shuts off the heat to prevent spills and messes.
Benefit: It helps keep your cooktop clean and prevents safety hazards like burning or scorching food.

2. Child Lock
Function: This locks the cooktop’s controls, preventing accidental changes or activation by children.
Benefit: It enhances safety in households with young children, ensuring the cooktop doesn't get turned on unintentionally.

3. Power Boost
Function: Provides extra power to the cooking zone for a short period to quickly bring water or food to a boil or to cook at high heat.
Benefit: Speeds up cooking when you need to rapidly heat food, such as boiling water or searing meat.

4. Temperature Control
Function: Allows precise control over the cooking temperature, often in the form of numerical settings or a temperature range.
Benefit: Offers accuracy for recipes that require specific heat levels, like simmering sauces or melting chocolate.

5. Timer
Function: Allows you to set a timer for a specific cooking duration, which can automatically turn off the heat once the time expires.
Benefit: Ensures your food is cooked for the right amount of time, and prevents overcooking or burning.

6. Automatic Shut-Off
Function: This feature automatically turns off the cooktop if it detects no cookware or if cookware is removed for an extended period.
Benefit: Adds an extra layer of safety to prevent overheating or burning when there’s no active cooking.

7. Pan Detection
Function: The cooktop detects whether there is compatible cookware on the induction coil, and will not heat unless a pan is present.
Benefit: Prevents wasted energy and ensures only the cookware is heated.

8. Heat Residual Indicator
Function: After turning off the cooktop, this function alerts you if the cooking zone is still hot to the touch.
Benefit: Prevents burns or accidental contact with a hot surface.

9. Bridge Function
Function: Combines two cooking zones to create a larger cooking area, allowing you to use larger pans or griddles.
Benefit: Offers flexibility in cooking, especially when preparing larger meals.

10. Keep Warm
Function: This setting maintains a low, consistent temperature to keep food warm without further cooking or overcooking it.
Benefit: Useful for holding food at a ready-to-serve temperature before serving.

These features are designed to make cooking more efficient, precise, and safe, making induction cooktops a popular choice in modern.

An electric cooktop uses resistive heating elements to generate heat, while an induction cooktop uses magnetic fields to heat pots and pans directly. Induction cooktops are more energy-efficient and offer faster, more precise heating, but they require compatible cookware (magnetic). Electric cooktops are more widely compatible with all types of cookware but are slower and less efficient.

To check, turn on the stove or cooktop without any cookware on top. If the surface heats up significantly or begins to glow, it's a traditional electric cooktop. If it doesn't get hot or glow, or only warms slightly, it's an induction cooktop.

Induction cooking uses electromagnetic energy to heat pots and pans directly, so it only works with cookware that is ferrous (magnetic). There are several types of cookware and materials that cannot be used on induction cooktops, as they don't respond to the magnetic field. Such as aluminum, copper, glass and ceramic.

Yes, you do need special pots or cookware for an induction cooktop. Any pot or pan made with ferrous materials (such as cast iron or magnetic stainless steel) will work on induction cooktops, while non-magnetic materials will not.

Over-temperature protection on an induction hot plate works by monitoring the temperature of the coil and the cookware. If the temperature exceeds a preset limit, the system automatically shuts off or reduces power to prevent overheating. This safety feature helps avoid damage to the unit or risk of fire. Ciarra's induction cooktops are equipped with this feature, so buy with confidence!

A portable induction cooktop is a compact, electric cooking appliance that uses induction technology to heat pots and pans directly, rather than relying on an open flame or electric coils. Induction cooking uses an electromagnetic field to generate heat in the cookware itself, making it faster, more energy-efficient, and safer than traditional cooking methods.
Unlike traditional stoves or cooktops that are built into a kitchen counter, a portable induction cooktop is lightweight and can be moved around. It’s ideal for small kitchens, camping, RVs, or situations where you need an extra burner.

Yes, portable induction cooktops need to be plugged into an electrical outlet to operate. They require electricity to generate the magnetic field that heats the cookware. Most portable induction cooktops are designed to plug into standard household outlets (usually 110V or 120V in North America, or 220V–240V in many other countries). So, you'll need access to an electrical source for the cooktop to function.

Ciarra HOOD TO GO and Donut offer several useful functions designed to enhance safety, convenience, and cooking performance. Some of the most common functions include:
1. Overflow Protection
Function: This feature detects if a pot or pan is boiling over and automatically reduces or shuts off the heat to prevent spills and messes.
Benefit: It helps keep your cooktop clean and prevents safety hazards like burning or scorching food.

2. Child Lock
Function: This locks the cooktop’s controls, preventing accidental changes or activation by children.
Benefit: It enhances safety in households with young children, ensuring the cooktop doesn't get turned on unintentionally.

3. Temperature Control
Function: Allows precise control over the cooking temperature, often in the form of numerical settings or a temperature range.
Benefit: Offers accuracy for recipes that require specific heat levels, like simmering sauces or melting chocolate.

4. Timer
Function: Allows you to set a timer for a specific cooking duration, which can automatically turn off the heat once the time expires.
Benefit: Ensures your food is cooked for the right amount of time, and prevents overcooking or burning.

5. Automatic Shut-Off
Function: This feature automatically turns off the cooktop if it detects no cookware or if cookware is removed for an extended period.
Benefit: Adds an extra layer of safety to prevent overheating or burning when there’s no active cooking.

6. Pan Detection
Function: The cooktop detects whether there is compatible cookware on the induction coil, and will not heat unless a pan is present.
Benefit: Prevents wasted energy and ensures only the cookware is heated.

7. Heat Residual Indicator
Function: After turning off the cooktop, this function alerts you if the cooking zone is still hot to the touch.
Benefit: Prevents burns or accidental contact with a hot surface.

8. Keep Warm
Function: This setting maintains a low, consistent temperature to keep food warm without further cooking or overcooking it.
Benefit: Useful for holding food at a ready-to-serve temperature before serving. 

Yes. A venting hob integrates a cooking surface with an extractor fan built into the hob itself. This type of hob draws the steam and smoke directly from the cooking surface and filters or vents it outside.
Space-Saving: It combines two appliances into one, freeing up space in the kitchen, especially in open-plan designs.
Efficient Extraction: Since the air is extracted directly at the source (the cooking surface), it can be more efficient at capturing steam and odors right away.
Aesthetic: The sleek design can be visually appealing, creating a more modern and minimalist kitchen look.

Vented hobs can typically be installed indoors, as long as the installation complies with relevant safety standards. However, they are ideally suited for the kitchen, a space where cooking activity is frequent. While vented hobs can technically be installed in various locations, bathrooms and bedrooms should be excluded due to insufficient airflow to disperse odors effectively.It is crucial to avoid placing vented hobs near doorways or windows, as this increases the risk of carbon monoxide entering the home. They should also be kept away from garages, where the accumulation of gas and oil could damage sensitive components like the VFD. Additionally, vented hobs are not designed for outdoor use, and should not be installed in areas with poor ventilation.

Vented hobs are a popular choice for kitchen islands where traditional extraction methods may not be feasible or preferred. Placing a hob on an island is ideal for creating a social kitchen environment, allowing you to interact with family or guests while cooking. However, this setup often presents the challenge of how to effectively remove cooking odors and grease.Vented hobs offer an excellent solution, as they can be easily installed underneath the island, providing a highly efficient extraction system. Some models may require a dedicated gas line, while others can share a gas line with your ovens. Additionally, vented hobs are especially well-suited for kitchen islands, as they are designed to vent beneath the island, preserving valuable countertop space.

Choosing individual knives can be overwhelming. Why not explore our bundled knife sets that promise both quality and variety? Whether you're enhancing an existing knife arsenal or prepare a new one, there's a perfect set of knives for you to choose from. Our knife collection includes three-piece compact knife sets for beginners, and each three-piece set comes with a chef's knife and a bread knife, paring knife.

If you are considering buying a chef's knife set from Ciarra, you should consider the following features:

Steel quality: it is best to choose knives made of high-quality, corrosion-resistant high-carbon steel.

Ergonomic handles: to make the chef's job easier. This is one of the most important points of such knives.

Blade size and weight: at Ciarra, we offer a complete set of knives to meet the needs and functions of each chef.

The aim is to facilitate the cutting of any meat and fish.

A serrated knife is designed for cutting through foods with tough exteriors and soft interiors. The serrated edge features sharp, saw-like teeth that grip and slice through food without crushing it.

Ideal for slicing through crusty bread, baguettes, and cakes without squishing the soft inside.
Perfect for cutting tomatoes, peaches, and other fruits with delicate flesh and slippery skins.
Hard-Skinned Vegetables: Useful for slicing through items like bell peppers or eggplants.
Meats with a Crust: Can cut roasted meats with a crisp outer layer while preserving the juicy interior.

A paring knife is a small, versatile knife designed for tasks that require precision and control. Its short blade, typically 2.5 to 4 inches long, makes it ideal for delicate tasks. Such as: Peeling, trimming, slicing small items, segmenting citrus, decorative work, seeding and coring

For general kitchen use, high carbon stainless steel (such as VG-10 or S30V) is a popular choice due to its balance of sharpness, edge retention, and rust resistance. Ciarra knives are high carbon stainless steel. Carbon steel is favored for those who prefer ultimate sharpness and don’t mind extra maintenance. Damascus steel is highly regarded for its beauty and performance in high-end knives.

A chef's knife is a versatile, all-purpose kitchen knife with a broad, curved blade, typically 8 to 10 inches long, used for chopping, slicing, and dicing.

A Santoku knife is a Japanese-style knife with a shorter, flatter blade (usually 5 to 7 inches) and a slightly curved edge, designed for chopping, slicing, and mincing with a focus on precision and lighter cuts.

A knife must be cleaned and sanitized after each use, especially when switching between different types of food (e.g., raw meat, vegetables) to prevent cross-contamination and ensure food safety.

Kitchen knives should not be left wet for long periods, as prolonged exposure to moisture can lead to rust, corrosion, and deterioration of the blade and handle materials. 

Avoid leaving knives wet even for a few minutes.
After using a knife, wash it with warm soapy water and dry it thoroughly with a soft towel.
Avoid Dishwashers.
Following these practices will help maintain the performance and longevity of your kitchen knife.

Choose a sharpening tool: Use a sharpening stone, honing rod, or electric sharpener.
Angle: Hold the knife at a 20-degree angle to the sharpening surface.
Sharpen: Move the blade across the sharpening tool, alternating sides, maintaining the angle.
Hone: Use a honing rod to refine the edge and remove any burrs.

The cookware is crafted from aluminum, with a magnetic fused iron base that makes it compatible with induction cooktops. The Ciarra Beyond Cookware Collection takes center stage with its exceptional Non-Toxic Nonstick Ceramic Coating. This cutting-edge feature is meticulously designed to prioritize your well-being, boasting a PFOA-free and PTFE-free ceramic coating that serves as a formidable barrier against sticking and burning, ensuring that your culinary creations are delicious and prepared with the utmost safety in mind.

Yes, the Ciarra Beyond Cookware Collection stands out with its innovative Non-Toxic Nonstick Ceramic Coating. Carefully engineered with your health in mind, this advanced coating is free of PFOA and PTFE, providing an effective shield against sticking and burning. This design guarantees that your meals are not only delicious but also prepared with the highest safety standards.

Yes, you can use induction-compatible cookware on a gas stove. On a gas stove, the cookware will behave like any other regular pot or pan. The gas flame will heat the bottom of the pan directly, just like it would with non-induction cookware. However, the cookware itself needs to have a flat and stable bottom to sit properly on the gas burner, and it should be made from materials that can withstand direct flame.

Yes, stainless steel cookware is generally considered safe for cooking. It is one of the most widely used materials for pots, pans, and other kitchen utensils because of its durability, resistance to corrosion, and non-reactive nature.

Yes, aluminum cookware is safe, especially when it has a non-toxic coating. The coating prevents direct contact with the aluminum, reducing any concerns about potential reactions.

1. Excellent Heat Conductivity
Aluminum heats up quickly and distributes heat evenly across the cooking surface. This ensures that food is cooked consistently and helps avoid hot spots that can lead to burning or uneven cooking. It also makes it easier to control the temperature when cooking.

2. Lightweight and Easy to Handle
Compared to other materials like cast iron or stainless steel, aluminum is significantly lighter. This makes aluminum cookware easier to handle, especially when moving pans or pots around in the kitchen or when flipping food.

3. Durability and Longevity
While not as scratch-resistant as some other materials, high-quality aluminum pots and pans are durable and long-lasting when properly cared for. Aluminum cookware often has nonstick coatings or anodized finishes, which can extend their lifespan and make them more resistant to corrosion and wear.

4. Energy Efficiency
Because aluminum heats up quickly and conducts heat efficiently, it requires less energy to reach the desired cooking temperature. This means cooking with aluminum pots and pans can reduce energy consumption, making them a more eco-friendly choice in the kitchen.

Most of the aluminium utensils are oven-safe, but it is suggested to review the manufacturer's guidelines. Some handles or non-stick layers may have temperature restrictions. And Ciarra Beyond Cookware are also oven-safe, you can buy with confidence。

To clean stainless steel cookware, wash it with warm water and mild dish soap using a soft sponge. For stubborn stains, make a paste of baking soda and water, apply it to the stain, let it sit, then scrub gently. Rinse and dry immediately to prevent water spots.

When choosing cookware for an induction cooktop, it's essential to use materials that are magnetic because induction cooking relies on magnetic fields to generate heat directly in the pan.

NO1. Aluminum (with Magnetic Base)
Aluminum cookware is lightweight, heats up quickly, and offers excellent heat distribution. Some aluminum cookware now comes with a magnetic base or stainless steel layer, making it suitable for induction.

NO2. Cast Iron
Cast iron works very well with induction cooktops due to its magnetic properties. But it can be heavy and slow to heat up.

NO3. Stainless Steel
High-quality stainless steel cookware with a magnetic base (usually 18/10 stainless steel) is excellent for induction. It heats quickly, is durable, non-reactive, and is easy to clean. Many stainless steel pans are also stylish.

NO4. Carbon Steel
Similar to cast iron, carbon steel pans work well on induction cooktops. They are often used in professional kitchens and offer great heat retention and even heating. But like cast iron, it can be heavy and requires maintenance to prevent rusting. It’s also more prone to sticking if not seasoned properly.

NO5. Copper (with Magnetic Base)
Copper cookware provides excellent heat conduction, ensuring even cooking. Many copper pans are now designed with a magnetic base, making them induction-compatible. Copper cookware is also often expensive and requires regular polishing to maintain its appearance.