When choosing a new chimney for our kitchen, we often struggle with – how to decide the suction power of the chimney.
For most kitchens, a chimney with 1200 m3/hr suction capacity is good enough. Such power is ideal for an area of 100-200 sq. ft. But if your kitchen is less than that, you may need a suction power of 800 m3/hr. Similarly, for larger kitchens, you may need more than 1400 m3/hr capacity.
Suction power is a very important performance factor in choosing a good-quality chimney. With the following kitchen chimney suction power calculator, you can easily compute the ideal capacity of the chimney needed for your kitchen. You just need to enter the dimension of the kitchen.
How to use this chimney suction power calculator?
Follow these easy steps to calculate the required suction power needed for your kitchen size-
- Measure your kitchen’s dimensions – length, width, and height in feet.
- Enter the values in the respective boxes in the suction power calculator.
- Once you have put the dimensions, the calculator will automatically suggest the most suitable suction capacity required for your kitchen.
The chimney suction power calculator computes the volume of the room in terms of the cubic foot using the simple formula-
Kitchen Volume= Length*Width*Height
For example, if your kitchen has a dimension of 9ft*9ft*10ft, the volume of your kitchen is= 810 cubic ft.
It is recommended to replace the kitchen air at least 10 times an hour. So, by multiplying the volume by 10, we can get a suitable suction capacity required for our kitchens.
Thus, the minimum suction capacity is= 810*10= 5400 cubic ft./hr or 230 m3/hr.
Below this suction power, a chimney will not work in your kitchen. For efficient performance of the chimney, we need to multiply this value with a factor of safety. In the case of 810 cubic ft. of volume, it can be taken as 4.
Finally, the ideal suction capacity is= 230*4= 920 m3/hr
Factors that affect the suction power of kitchen chimney
Several key factors affect the suction power of the chimney directly and indirectly. To understand the effectiveness of suction, consider them while installing the chimney-
- The blower’s capacity: The suction in a chimney is generated by creating a vacuum by pushing the air near the stove toward the vent. Brands like Faber and Elica provide powerful and sturdy blowers for their chimney models.
- Length and bends in the duct: Always install your chimney near the exhaust window in the kitchen where the space permits. It will reduce the distance between the suction and exhaust points. A short distance will allow the smoke to pass easily through the vent. Also, reduce the number of bends in the vent without compromising safety. It will also help you improve the suction power.
- Diameter of the duct: Most kitchen chimneys are compatible with 6 to 8 inches of duct diameter. As the airflow rate directly depends on the diameter of the duct, wider vents will help improve the suction power of the chimney. If the duct looks ugly, you can hide it in your kitchen.
- Cleanliness of the filter: The baffle filter is the most widely used filter for kitchen chimneys. Manufacturers install this filter just before the air enters the hood. If your chimney has one such component, you must clean it once in 3 months. Otherwise, it may get clogged by oil and smoke particles to restrict the airflow.
- Cooking Habits: Non-vegetarian foods generate more smoke compared to vegetarian cuisines. Thus, if you prefer non-veg foods, you may need more frequent cleaning of the chimney filter. If you face problems in your chimney, get a suitable solution.
- Speed settings on the panel: Most kitchen chimneys come with three variable suction powers. Depending on the food recipe, you need to adjust the speed. For example, if you are cooking curry or dal, choose the lower speed setting as they do not generate much smoke. On the other hand, if you are deep-frying, switch to higher suction power.
How to improve the Suction power of the chimney?
The foremost thing to improve the capacity of suction is to choose a chimney with high suction power. To get adequate flowrate, follow these tips-
- Ensure the duct pipe has at least a diameter of 6 inches.
- Minimize the length of the vent and the number of bends.
- Always choose an auto-clean chimney to get high suction power. Manual cleaning of chimneys involves hectic maintenance tasks and is not worthy buying.
- Ducted kitchen chimneys are far better than ductless chimneys in terms of suction capacity. For this reason, prefer a ducted chimney to get higher suction power.
- Ensure periodic cleaning and maintenance of the chimney filters (baffle, cassette, mesh, and activated carbon filters)
- Use the correct suction power for cooking foods.
- Choose your chimney with a wider suction area. Through a larger space, the suction flow rate increases.
- Install your chimney at a distance of 24-30 inches from the stove to improve the effectiveness of suction.
The high suction power of the chimney is a necessity for a clean kitchen. But be prepared for its apparent drawbacks, such as higher suction capacity will create more noise and increase power consumption. Thus, compute a suitable suction power using the chimney suction power calculator for your kitchen’s size. If you have any further queries, please let us know in the comments.
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Hello there. I have recently bought an Inalsa auto clean zylo chimney (60 cm and 1250m3/hr) for my 9.7*6.6*10 gas stove. It is not working properly as the smoke from cooking is spreading across the kitchen. Please help.
That’s odd! Because the width of the chimney is enough to cover your stove. Please check the position of the window. Wind can disrupt the suction process. We would advise to close the window at the time of cooking. Hope this helps.