Breathe Easy: A Comprehensive Guide to Kitchen Exhaust Fans for Homes and Condos

Imagine the warm comfort of your home or condo, where cooking up a storm in the kitchen brings pure delight. It’s your personal space for cooking and a healthy lifestyle. But wait, there’s a challenge. The cooking can sometimes spread too far, invading every corner of your living space. The smells might also annoy your neighbors. Today, PropertyScout is here to guide you in choosing the perfect kitchen exhaust fan.  Let’s dive into these valuable tips and transform your kitchen into a haven of fresh air! With the right approach, these fans can create a peaceful home for your family and neighbors. Let's dive into these valuable tips and transform your kitchen into a haven of fresh air!

What to know before installing a kitchen exhaust fan in your house or condo

Your Cooking

Let's start with the basics: pick a kitchen exhaust fan that fits your favorite cooking style. If you love frying or making dishes with lots of oil, go for a strong fan. This helps catch the greasy particles in the air, so they don't stick to your kitchen walls and tools.

The Area's Limitations

Picking the right kitchen exhaust fan is important, especially in condos. It can be tough to install a fan that needs a hole in the wall because of building rules. This might change how well the fan works and how it looks – whether it's on the wall or recirculates air. So, before you choose, it's smart to know what your condo allows.

Sometimes, furnished condos come with an exhaust fan already. Remember to ask the sales team what kind of fan they give you.

Type of Stove

Choosing the right size for your kitchen exhaust fan depends on your stove. If you have a gas stove, a fan the same width as your stove works because heat goes up. Electric stoves spread heat and smoke more, so you'll need a fan 20-30 centimeters wider.

Remember, for a gas stove, keep the fan 65 centimeters away. For electric stoves, it should be at least 55 centimeters away.

Fan Strength

Let's now dive into the types of exhaust fans and how strong they are. Fans that go through the wall and connect to a pipe outside are usually better at sucking up smoke. They have fans on both sides: one inside your kitchen and one at the end of the pipe outside. But if you use a fan without this setup and it faces the front, it won't be as good at getting rid of smoke. Fans that connect to a pipe through the wall are better at clearing away smoke and smells. If you cook dishes with lots of heat often, remember to pick a strong fan.

*For effective smoke suction, choose a fan speed of about 1,200 cubic meters per hour. This makes cooking in your kitchen better by keeping it cleaner. You can calculate this speed based on your kitchen's interior space. Length x Width x Height x 10 = Minimum required exhaust fan speed.

Maintenance & Care

The last thing to remember is to pick an exhaust fan that’s simple to clean. Over time, both the fan and the filters can get oily and dirty from use. If you don't clean them, the fan might not work as well or lose its ability to clear smoke. Also, taking care of maintenance and having warranties for different parts is crucial. This ensures the fan keeps doing its job well in your kitchen for a long while.

Types of Kitchen Exhaust Fans

Standard Kitchen Exhaust Fans

Small kitchens, one vents air outside and the other recirculates air within.

• Exterior Venting System: Many people choose this option. The fan is on the ceiling and sends smoke outside through a pipe. A stronger fan pulls air better and removes smells faster. Thus, your indoor space stays free from food odors.
• Recirculating Air System: This system is perfect for tiny kitchens in condos or apartments. There are special filters to grab smells, smoke, and cooking things. It makes the air clean before it goes back inside. It's easy to put in, but don't forget to swap the filters often for the best results.

Wall-Mounted Exhaust Fan

This system is great for kitchens with a wall beside your cooking spot. This wall-mounted fan is powerful and effective, like a big island fan. It not only works well but also adds style. You can choose from materials like stainless steel, painted steel, and glass. Make sure pick the one that suits what you want and how your kitchen looks.

Center Island Exhaust Fan

This exhaust fan is for big island kitchens. It's like a chimney hood but for islands. The cool thing is it hangs from the kitchen ceiling, making it fancier than normal island styles. You can get it on the wall or in the middle of the kitchen. It's ideal for getting rid of smoke. You can also choose from lots of styles that fit what you want and how your kitchen looks.

*If your kitchen is open or has an island in the middle, pick a fan that's faster than 1,200 cubic meters per hour. This helps get rid of smells better.

Slim Line Fans

It's like a drawer you can pull out and push in. Usually, it cleans the air and is great for small kitchens in condos or apartments. It goes under a cabinet above the stove. There's even an auto mode – pull out the panel, and the fan starts by itself.

Breathe Easy and Cook Comfortably!

In the end, no matter how you like to live or cook, picking an exhaust fan that suits your needs can make cooking easier. We hope this article helps everyone choose the right fan and solve cooking problems.

Looking for a house or condo that has a great location but also features a fully-equipped kitchen?  Click the links below to find your perfect place today!