Kitchen Chimney Suction Power: 1200 vs 1500 vs 1600 m³/hr

Selecting the right suction power for your kitchen chimney determines whether smoke and cooking odors vanish or linger. Indian cooking produces significantly more smoke, oil particles, and spices compared to other cuisines, making proper suction essential for maintaining a clean kitchen.

This guide helps you understand suction capacity, calculate your kitchen's specific needs, and choose between 1200, 1500, and 1600 m³/hr options.

Understanding Suction Power

Suction power measures how much air a chimney moves in one hour, expressed in m³/hr (cubic meters per hour). Higher numbers mean stronger suction capability.

Your ideal suction capacity depends on three factors:

• Kitchen size: A larger kitchen volume requires higher suction
• Cooking style: Light cooking needs minimal suction. Heavy Indian cooking with frequent frying demands maximum capacity.
• Kitchen layout: Closed kitchens trap smoke and need higher suction. Open kitchens connected to living areas need stronger chimneys.

Calculate Your Required Suction Power

Follow these three steps to determine your kitchen's minimum suction requirement.

Step 1: Measure your kitchen

• Length in meters
• Width in meters
• Ceiling height in meters

Step 2: Calculate kitchen volume

• Multiply length × width × ceiling height = volume in cubic meters

Step 3: Determine minimum suction

• Multiply volume × 10 = minimum suction in m³/hr

Example for a medium kitchen:

• Kitchen dimensions: 4m × 3m × 2.5m
• Kitchen volume: 30 m³
• Minimum suction: 300 m³/hr

Add buffer for Indian cooking: Multiply minimum suction by 1.25 to 1.4 to handle peak smoke production.

• Adjusted calculation: 300 m³/hr × 1.4 = 420 m³/hr
• Recommended capacity: 600-800 m³/hr

1200 m³/hr Suction Power

Best for small to medium kitchens up to 120 cubic meters, handling moderate Indian cooking.

Ideal for:

• Kitchen volume: 80-120 cubic meters
• Kitchen size: Up to 150 square feet
• Cooking frequency: 2-3 meals daily
• Cooking style: Moderate oil use, occasional frying
• Kitchen type: Closed layout with standard ventilation
• Duct length: Up to 6 feet

Small apartments and moderate families benefit from this capacity. Balances performance with affordability. Learn more about choosing the right kitchen chimney.

View- Chimneys with 1200 m³/hr 

1500 m³/hr Suction Power

Handles medium to large kitchens spanning 120-150 cubic meters with regular heavy Indian cooking.

Ideal for:

• Kitchen volume: 120-150 cubic meters
• Kitchen size: 150-200 square feet
• Cooking frequency: 3-4 meals daily
• Cooking style: Heavy oil use, regular frying, non-vegetarian dishes
• Kitchen type: Semi-open or moderately sized closed kitchens
• Duct length: 6-10 feet

Families cooking elaborate meals with multiple dishes simultaneously benefit from this capacity. Semi-open kitchens prevent odors from spreading into dining areas. Explore how much chimney suction power is good enough for cooking.

View- Chimneys with 1500 m³/hr 

1600 m³/hr Suction Power

Necessary for large kitchens exceeding 150 cubic meters with demanding cooking requirements.

Ideal for:

• Kitchen volume: 150+ cubic meters
• Kitchen size: 200+ square feet
• Cooking frequency: 4+ meals daily
• Cooking style: Continuous deep-frying, grilling, multiple burners active simultaneously
• Kitchen type: Open layouts, island kitchens, connected living spaces
• Duct length: 10+ feet

Island kitchens face air currents from multiple directions, requiring maximum suction. Extended families cooking large quantities need this capacity. While costing more upfront, premium capacity delivers superior performance. Check 60cm vs 90cm chimneys: which one is ideal for Indian kitchens.

View Chimneys having 1500 m³/hror more than 1500 suction power.

Factors Affecting Real-World Performance

Ductwork installation impacts suction significantly. Long ductwork creates resistance that reduces effective suction. Each foot of ductwork reduces performance by 5-8%.

Example: A 1200 m³/hr chimney with 10 feet of ductwork delivers approximately 960-1,080 m³/hr actual performance.

Action: Add 200-300 m³/hr capacity if you have duct runs exceeding 8 feet.

Chimney height matters. Install 24-30 inches above gas stoves and 20-24 inches above induction cooktops. Exceeding these heights reduces effectiveness.

Filter type affects maintenance and performance:

• Baffle filters require cleaning every 2-3 months
• Auto-clean chimneys reduce maintenance burden
• Motor quality determines reliability and noise levels

Learn about the baffle filter vs filterless kitchen chimney.

Quick Selection Framework

Use this guide to choose suction power for your situation:

• Small closed kitchen, moderate cooking: 1200 m³/hr
• Medium kitchen, regular Indian cooking: 1500 m³/hr
• Large or open kitchen, heavy cooking: 1600 m³/hr

Making Your Final Decision

Step 1: Calculate your kitchen volume using length × width × height, multiply by 10, then add a 25-40% buffer for Indian cooking.

Step 2: Evaluate your cooking patterns. Multiple meals with deep-frying need higher capacity. Moderate cooking suits mid-range options. Light cooking allows a minimum capacity.

Step 3: Consider your kitchen layout. Closed kitchens work with minimal calculations. Open layouts need 20-30% extra capacity. Island kitchens require maximum power.

Step 4: Factor in future needs. Choose a higher capacity now if you plan elaborate meals or host gatherings. Upgrading later costs significantly more.

Step 5: Account for ductwork. Add 200-300 m³/hr if ducts run longer than 8 feet.

Glen Appliances offers kitchen chimneys across all capacity ranges with advanced features like auto-clean technology and baffle filters. Understanding your specific requirements ensures you select optimal suction power.

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