Everything You Need to Know About Installing an Exhaust Fan in the Kitchen

The author of the design, furniture manufacturing and installation channel, Nikita Zhil'tsov, has already talked about what to pay attention to before setting up a kitchen and installing built-in furniture and appliances. There's one more important point left — the exhaust fan.

Nikita Zhil'tsov - FURNITURE EXPERT OF SILVER HOME COMPANY - SPECIALIST IN FURNITURE MANUFACTURING AND INSTALLATION

Types of Exhaust Fans. Which One Is Right for You?

Important: The type of exhaust fan you choose determines whether a cabinet is needed and its configuration.

Fireplace Type

It's simple here: the most important parameter is the width of the exhaust fan. It determines the width of the mounted cabinets.

I highly recommend leaving small technical gaps between the exhaust fan and adjacent cabinets — according to GOST, they should be up to 5 mm. Otherwise, the exhaust fan will have to be literally forced into the niche right up against the side walls of the cabinets.

Fireplace Type Exhaust Fan

Recessed

A recessed exhaust fan implies a standard cabinet. Its bottom needs to be cut out. Sometimes this is done at the factory, sometimes on site. But the manager must pay attention to the cabinet width — otherwise, the bottom will be cut out completely and there will be nothing to mount the exhaust fan on.

To put it simply: the bottom should not be cut out entirely, but only the central part, leaving a few centimeters on each side — it is these protrusions that the exhaust fan will grip onto.

Recessed Exhaust Fan

Integrated

This type of exhaust fan requires a special cabinet with the bottom moved up. It is extremely undesirable to retrofit an incorrect cabinet here: it's very difficult to hide such modifications, and sometimes even impossible — for example, due to cabinet fronts. Cutting cabinet fronts without scratches is an impossible mission.

Yes, there are installers who can carefully cut out the bottom, move it up, and cut the frameless fronts. But don't get fooled: such specialists can be counted on one hand. Usually, these are people who worked at the factory and know the technical details well — they're rare.

Integrated Exhaust Fan

Height from the Cooking Surface

Within 60–80 cm. For gas stoves — optimally 75 cm. For electric cooktops — 65 cm.

Of course, you can hang it higher, but then the efficiency will decrease.

And Five More Useful Tips

Don't skimp on the kitchen manufacturer.

Generally, serious brands employ qualified and well-paid staff.

If you buy appliances yourself, provide the manager with all relevant information about them.

The manager must know all technical specifications — it makes the job much easier to do it right.

Order appliances at the manufacturer's showroom.

Managers work with these manufacturers for a long time and know their technical details.

Don't be afraid of technical clearances.

They help prevent errors and complications. Only premium products work without clearances. Even there, defects can occur.

Ask more questions.

To the manager and measurer. Listen to installers. Often they know more than any manager.