This is a question that is frequently asked. There must be a certain number of cubic feet per minute of air moving through the kitchen in order to keep it clean and free of lingering odors. The size of a custom range hood is measured in cubic feet per minute, or CFM. A custom range hood is designed to exhaust cubic feet of air per minute at full speed. There will be more air vented out of the hood when the CFM is high. There should be a minimum of 100 CFM in your custom range hood for every 10,000 BTUs of your stovetop.

As an example, a stove with 100,000 BTUs requires a range hood that has a minimum capacity of 1000 cubic feet per minute (CFM). The width of the stove should be multiplied by 10 when it comes to electric stoves. You would need a custom range hood with 420 cubic feet per minute (CFM) for a 42-inch electric stove. An effective way to vent cooking exhaust from your kitchen is by using a range hood that can provide 600 CFM of air flow.

It is not the ideal cubic feet per minute (CFM) of a range hood, but rather the right cubic feet per minute based on your cooking style and kitchen habits. It is important to note that a good custom range hood is different for everyone. In addition to the type of cooktop, it also depends on how you cook and live, so it’s not just a matter of the cooktop. In some cities, there may be restrictions on how much power a blower is allowed to have. A range hood should be bought with these factors in mind if you want to avoid lawsuits in the future. 

A custom range hood can be designed with a variety of features that can enhance our quality of life in a number of ways. On custom range hood with a high CFM, the blower fans tend to make more noise than those with a low CFM on the blower fans.

What is CFM?

CFM stands for cubic feet per minute. Custom range hoods are rated in CFM. Custom range hoods typically have a CFM between 150 and 600.

Factors That Can Determine a best CFM Range Hood

Amount of Ventilation Needed

Range hood power is determined by the size of your stove. If you have a large stove, you will need a large custom range hood to match. It is important to consider the type and frequency of cooking, as well as the BTUs that the stove produces, when choosing the right stove. Manufacturers recommend specific ventilation requirements for their products. Custom range hoods, on the other hand, are generally measured by how much air they are able to extract from a specific area, measured in cubic feet per minute, when they are installed.

Fan Size and Quality

There is no doubt that the quality of a custom range hood begins with the quality of its fan. A custom range hood fan should be able to move 100 CFM for every 12 inches of stove width. You will need a range hood with a rotating fan that produces 250 cubic feet per minute if your stove is 30″ wide.

Range Hood Complexity

As a result of removing smoke and odors from the kitchen, makeup air must enter the kitchen from somewhere in order to do the job. Normally, this is the air that is circulated through a filter system or the air that is coming into your HVAC system through the intake system. In order to install and operate a make-up air system on a custom range hood with 300 CFM or more, it can be quite costly. Installing a custom range hood is the best way to get the best value and functionality for your money.

Range Hood Noise

When powered on, a big custom range good has a less powerful fan to reduce noise. Consider installing a powerful fan with variable speed control. These features provide better performance without being too loud. The sound level of a good and quiet fan should be 65 decibels.

The Best CFM for a Range Hood

Custom range hoods are measured in CFM. Range hoods with a minimum CFM of 350 should be installed in commercial kitchens or households that do heavy cooking. It is sufficient to remove excess steam and strong odors from the kitchen with this amount of power. For high-output cooktops and gas ranges, 1 CFM of ventilation per 100 BTU is recommended.

If the burner has an output of 35,000 BTUs, then the range hood should be capable of providing 350 CFM to efficiently clear the air. Noise is one of the downsides of buying a custom range hood with a high CFM. When you buy a custom range hood with a low CFM, you won’t be able to remove unpleasant odors, smoke, from your kitchen that cause poor indoor air quality.

A blower’s power can be restricted in some states. In order to avoid expensive lawsuits in the future, consider these factors when purchasing a custom range hood. Custom range hoods offer a variety of features that can improve our quality of life. Depending on your preferences, budget, and noise comfort, you will select a range hood with a good CFM. Custom range hoods with a high CFM have powerful blower fans, which will make noise compared to range hoods with a low CFM. While more airflow does not guarantee fast venting, it does ensure good smoke capture and removal.

Knowing how to calculate the airflow required for a custom range hood is not that difficult. For any questions or discrepancies, please follow the guidelines set forth by the range hood manufacturer or contact the HVI for their recommendation, which is a good idea before beginning any ventilation project.