best exhaust fan for kitchen

The kitchen always seems to have a different kind of ventilation compared to other parts of the home, which is largely due to the variety of activities taking place in it, as well as how frequently they occur. This is why a ventilation fan is important for efficient and proper kitchen ventilation. If you are reading this, then you are most certainly looking to purchase one, and I intend to help with that through this heavyduty exhaust fan for kitchen reviews.

For domestic purposes, outright commercial fans might not be ideal, especially since there are so many products in the best residential kitchen for exhaust fans that are heavy-duty exhaust fans, too. In all, the exhaust fan for the kitchen must be effective, or it would simply be a waste of money. To help you get the best one, I have compiled a list of five different kitchen exhaust fans for you that I consider the best for purchase.

In a quick peek at the conclusion, I recommend the iLiving product as the top choice for kitchen ventilation. This exhaust fan kitchen device moves air at an incredible 4,244CFM, covering up to 6,200 sq ft of the area as a result, with water-resistant shutters that give the fan a longer life.

Also Read: Bathroom exhaust fan with heater reviews

Why You Need a Heavy-Duty Exhaust Fan in a Kitchen

The numerous activities one carries out in the kitchen mean that its air has all sorts of contents, ranging from humidity to smoke, spice odors, combustion residues, and much more. So, how to replace the air in the room with a fresher one?

Having a fan is very important in the kitchen, as it helps keep the place fresh and also prevents moisture from damaging furniture or causing infestation mold problems.

3 General Pros and Cons of an Exhaust Fan

Pros

  • It provides the internal environment of your home with fresh and clean air, reducing indoor contaminations like carbon monoxide and cookery smells.
  • Constant air circulation means that moisture would never get the better of your wooden furniture.
  • An exhaust fan also acts as an air conditioner, cooling the air effectively at a much lower cost.

Cons

  • It is not very effective in some weather conditions. An exhaust fan works best when the minimal outdoor temperature is at least 5 degrees lesser than the projected internal temperature.
  • Using an exhaust fan poses a risk of pollution from the external environment getting into your home, although shutters reduce this greatly.
  • It is not the best addition in terms of home decor, if that’s something you value.
  • They are also pretty expensive to purchase and would cost even more should you choose to hire a professional for installation.

Top 5 Best Heavy-Duty Exhaust Fans for Kitchen

1) iLiving – 24″ Wall Mounted Exhaust Fan

iLiving - 24" Wall Mounted Exhaust Fan is perfect for kitchen.
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This is a product that I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a new kitchen exhaust fan, and there are several reasons for that. 

My Feelings After Using the Product

The most important feature to consider in an exhaust fan is how much air it is able to move. With 1050 rotations per minute, the motor of this fan packs more than enough power to get the job done. The fan is also available in 8 different sizes, and of course, the larger the size, the longer the size of its blades, and the more air it would move. This motor is able to cause an airflow of 4,244CFM, making it more than sufficient enough to serve 6,200 sq ft in space.

Its whole system is motion balanced for completely quiet operation, even at the highest speed. 

Asides from the already mentioned high capacity and balanced motion design of the motor, which gives the fan a high airflow rate while being quiet, the motor also has other designs that give it an impressive overall performance.

Firstly, it is fully enclosed; therefore, no foreign bodies like dust, sand or paint, will be able to get in, which prolongs the overall lifespan of the motor, and it is also thermally protected. This thermal protection prevents it from overheating, which could wear out bearings faster. Lubricating the motor , makes maintenance as easy as it gets.

For users who fancy more precise control, you can purchase a variable speed controller with this fan. This allows users to run the fan at lower speeds instead of simply always running on the highest level. 

Common Problems

There’s not much negative I can say about this fan – however, I do wish it came with the controller. 

Pros:

  • Fully enclosed motor for protection against foreign bodies
  • Thermally protected and permanently insulated motor
  • An option of a variable speed controller (sold separately)
  • Water and corrosion resistant automatic shutters which protect the motor
  • Very high Airflow of 4,244CFM makes it perform in areas up to 6,200 sq ft
  • Operates quietly

Cons:

  • Doesn’t come with installation accessories
  • Speed controller does not contain the purchase package, therefore, has to be bought separately

Product Details 

Manufacturer iLiving
Dimensions5.75 x 27 x 27 inches
Weight31.3 pounds
Airflow rate4,244CFM
Max coverage6,200 sq ft

2) TPI – CE10-DS Corporation Direct Drive Exhaust Fan

TPI Corporation Direct Drive Exhaust Fan
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The next product I am going to show you almost beat the iLiving fan in the battle for first place, but there was just something missing. 

My Feelings After Using the Product

Although the relatively small size of this fan might not give it away or make it look like much, its airflow rate is actually impressive. Available in different sizes up to 30 inches, this TPI product impact can be enhanced by purchasing a larger model, which would have a larger fan.

This size however, has an airflow rate of 3,950CFM, making it almost as good as the iLiving product. With this large air volume moving every minute, it is able to exhaust a large area of up to 6000 sq ft, and while I am pretty sure your kitchen isn’t half that size, if it is, then the fan is still more than able to get the job done.

The motor of this product doesn’t exactly have any special design, but its overall setup definitely made me take a second look. Permanently sealed in a case for protection, this motor is able to function for a long time without dust and other contaminants getting in, which effectively increases its life span.

The motor is also permanently lubricated; therefore, it wouldn’t require much maintenance and would run smoothly for years to come. This lubrication also increases its overall life span, allowing it to seamlessly operate without much wear to its bearing.

Unlike the iLiving product, this fan comes with a variable speed controller that does exactly what its name implies; it controls the fan’s speed. The speed controller comes with three different control options to choose from; low, medium, and high. It allows more precise control over speed and is a major advantage since you don’t have to purchase the controller separately.

Additionally, in this fan, the shutters exist for two purposes; protecting the fan itself, as well as serving as a mounting frame for the fan. These self-closing shutters protect the fan from liquid splash and other external materials like dust and debris when it is not in operation.

The shutter also comes with something like a housing frame, which the fan is attached to, and it allows the user to easily mount it, although the wall would have to be quite thin. The fan blades cages, on the other hand, meet safety standards and mounting mechanisms.

Common Problems

One thing I do need to mention here is that the fan sometimes overheats, which, if you use it quite a bit, might cause it to become damaged pretty quickly. 

Pros:

  • Permanently lubricated motor for longer life
  • High airflow rate of 3,950CFM
  • Comes with a variable speed controller
  • Can circulate air in large areas up to 6000 sq ft
  • Proper enclosing shutters for fan protection
  • Permanently sealed motor for protection from foreign bodies

Cons:

  • The motor has a high tendency to overheat with extended running, which could damage the fan

Product Details 

Manufacturer TPI
Dimensions15 x 15 x 11 inches
Weight10 pounds
Airflow rate3,950CFM
Max coverage6000 sq ft

3) Broan-NuTone L200 High Capacity Ventilation Fan

Broan-Nutone L300 High Capacity Ventilator Fan, Commercial Exhaust Fan
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This fan takes a different turn compared to others on our review list so far. It is for those on the fancy edge and who would rather give up a lump sum of performance for something that blends into a decoration, which is exactly what this fan is. 

My Feelings After Using the Product

It has a good-looking paintable exterior, this fan is housed by a steel casing on the interior side, which has an outlet that is to be connected to a duct. As a result of this, it is not even close to remotely being as powerful as other heavy-duty fans in Airflow, as it  only manages a 308CFM. It makes this list, however, for the purpose of diversification.

The fan’s motor is well protected and secluded in a steel casing, which would be on the other side of the house. This motor is connected to a duct, which is channeled to the outside environment, and as a result, protects it from direct exposure to foreign bodies. It is also permanently lubricated, reducing required maintenance to a bare minimum, as well as ensuring a long life span.

Mounting options accompanied by this product include either a ceiling or a wall. Either way, the impact of the motor shouldn’t be reduced, although its design makes ceiling mounting the preferred option. Its permanently lubricated motor helps it operate very quietly, with a noise level of 2.9sones.

Common Problems

There are two things that I’d consider the downsides of this product. First of all, it has a relatively low airflow rate, so if you have a bigger kitchen, you might find it insufficient (personally, I was fine since my kitchen isn’t that big). 

Secondly, you need to have ducting for it to work, so if you don’t have it already, that’s an additional cost you need to consider. 

Pros:

  • Operates quietly at 2.9sones
  • Permanently lubricated low RPM motors
  • Fancy ceiling or wall-mounted design

Cons:

  • Relatively low airflow rate of 308CFM
  • Requires ducting to function

Product Details 

Manufacturer Broan
Dimensions12.25 x 11.75 x 12.25 inches
Weight19.26 pounds
Airflow rate308CFM
Max coverageSuitable for smaller and medium-sized kitchens

4) Powerful Industrial Exhaust and Ventilation Fan (14 Inch)

Powerful Industrial Exhaust Fan lasts for several  years.
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If you’re looking for a fan that will last you for a good couple of years, then this one is a very solid choice. 

My Feelings After Using the Product

The standout features of this fan’s motor are in its fully enclosed and thermally protected design. Totally enclosed, the motor is protected from coming in contact with alien bodies, which are commonly found in the duct-like air path of the fan.

Overheating is another problem for these fan motors, especially when it’s a fan that runs consecutively for so many hours. This fan’s motor is thermally protected to prevent overheating, which could spoil the motor faster.

The most important quality of a fan, which is its airflow rate, is very good for this product. At 1,400CFM, this fan moves a large volume of air per minute and is suitable for fairly large-sized areas. It would surely do a kitchen lot of good, circulating the air regularly, depending on the kitchen’s size.

Made of galvanized steel, the housing (fan blades as well as the shutter) of the fan is very durable and would last for many years to come. This material is also rust-resistant, preventing it from wearing off over time when it has circulated moisture-filled air. Both the fan’s blades and shutters are made of this anti-rust galvanized steel.

Common Problems

The downsides of this fan include a noisy operation, which is accompanied by excessive vibrations while it operates. This vibration could cause the fan to become wonky in a short while, and not much desirable although still functional. It also doesn’t come with a speed controller.

Pros:

  • OSHA compliant
  • Fully enclosed and thermally protected motor
  • Automatically controlled shutters
  • Anti-rust galvanized steel housing
  • Good airflow capacity of 1,400CFM

Cons:

  • Excessive motor vibration while the fan operates almost guarantees a poor lifespan
  • It is noisy
  • Doesn’t contain a speed controller

Product Details 

Manufacturer Maxx Air
Dimensions13 x 18 x 18 inches
Weight‎27 pounds
Airflow rate1,400CFM
Max coverageFairly large-sized kitchens

5) iLiving ILG8SF10V – 10″ Wall Mounted Exhaust Fan

iLiving ILG8SF10V - 10" Wall Mounted Exhaust Fan
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Closing my list is another great option from iLiving – I have to say, they’re really smashing it in the heavy-duty fan department. 

My Feelings After Using the Product

If you’re looking for an exhaust fan that not only provides your kitchen with fresh air but also serves as a way to cut down the cooling costs during the summer months, then the iLiving ILG8SF10V – 10″ Wall Mounted Exhaust Fan is exactly what you need. 

At 600CFM, this fan works well for the majority of kitchens, as its maximum coverage is 900 sq ft. 

The motor is corrosion-resistant, thermally protected, and permanently lubricated, which means that maintenance is easy and quick – not to mention that the fan is a lot more durable, as you don’t have to worry about it overheating. 

The shutters are made of durable, high-grade aluminum, thanks to which the fan can greatly withstand heat and moisture. 

Finally, the fan comes with variable speeds. Because of this, you can adapt the power with which it works to what you need at the moment. 

Common Problems

Although it didn’t happen to me personally, I saw some people claim that the remote it comes with can experience some issues, so just something to keep in mind. 

Pros:

  • Fully enclosed motor for protection against foreign bodies
  • Thermally protected and permanently lubricated motor
  • Can help you cut down electricity bills
  • Variable speeds

Cons:

  • The remote might not work properly

Product Details 

Manufacturer iLiving
Dimensions5.75 x 13 x 13 inches
Weight7.4 pounds
Airflow rate600CFM
Max coverage900 sq ft

Features to consider in choosing a heavy duty exhaust fan for kitchen

  • Shutters:

It is important that an exhaust fan possesses shutters that close and open on its own accord, depending on air movement. Shutters help protect the fan from the external environment, as well as prevent air from flowing the other direction in the fan.

They are a very useful feature, and purchasing a fan without would mean you have to purchase the shutters separately. We recommend the shutters are of durable rust-resistant material, too.

  • Airflow rate:

There is a direct proportion between the air flow rate and the natural performance of the fan/ impact on the kitchen’s atmosphere. The higher the air circulation in CFM, the more fresh and clean your air would be. In the case of air flow rate, higher is always better, and you should go for the highest product you can afford.

  • Noise level:

A kitchen is a place where you are going to spend considerable time in. Therefore, it is important that the place is quiet enough for you to be fine in.

Let’s face it, exhaust fans would always come with some level of noise because of the amount of air moving. But that should be all. Stay away from products with excessive vibration or clanking sounds, or any other one order than moving air.

  • Speed controller:

Depending on the severity of the need, the speed of an exhaust fan can be varied with a controller. Some products come with this device, while others would have to be purchased separately. Buying a fan that already has a speed controller is the most favorable option.

  • Durability:

This cuts across the fan blades, as well as shutter materials. Top-quality products are made of rust-resistant materials like galvanized steel. That is because air with high moisture content would go through very often. A fan made of cheap material would degrade faster.

Also Read: Quiet bathroom exhaust fan with heater and light review

Commercial exhaust fan installation- DIY method

From our Heavy Duty Exhaust Fan for Kitchen Reviews. We found out that you can follow the procedures below to install an exhaust fan:

  • Measure the required space on the wall for the fan:

The position must be close to where most of the kitchen’s pollution comes from, which is the cooking area (gas, stove, or electric). It should also be close to a power source. Depending on the wall type, you might need to make a frame for the fan to fit in.

  • Note that the shutter is to be on the outside, while the fan on the inside of the house:

Cut open enough space on the outside for the fan to fit through. Then, trace and cut open an area corresponding to the size of the inside portion of the fan.

  • Mount the fan, placing all necessary screws to hold it in place:

During this process, be careful not to dent the shutter or fan blades because there is a good chance it will not be back into proper shape anymore.

  • Wire it to a power source following the manufacturer’s diagram carefully. Then, run for a while to test if the shutters are functioning. Ensure the power supply is off while doing any sort of wiring.

Read Here: Quiet Bathroom Exhaust Fan with Heater and light

Final Decision – Heavy Duty Exhaust Fan for Kitchen Reviews

The living heavy-duty fan is clearly above the rest in specifications and performance. This is why we recommend it as the best for heavy-duty air exhaust. Its capacity goes as far as 4,244CFM in air circulation, sufficient to serve 6,200 sqft of space.

It is also relatively quiet and comes with water-resistant automatic shutters. Our next best pick is the TPI Corporation fan. It has an airflow rating of 3,950CFM and can serve up to 6000 sqft in space. It also comes with a speed controller, unlike the living product.

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