Issues and Common Mistakes in Kitchen Chimney Selection

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Ducted Chimney in kitchen

Major Issues in kitchen chimney

 

Here are the common issues faced in kitchen chimneys and why they happen:

 

Issue Possible Causes Solutions
Reduced suction power Oil/grease clogging filters, long or bent ducts, motor wear Clean filters regularly, service duct, check/replace motor
Excessive noise Loose ducts, faulty fan/motor, very high suction in small kitchen Tighten ducts, service motor/fan, choose low-noise model
Oil dripping from chimney Oil collector full, filters choked Clean oil collector weekly, clean/replace filters, use auto-clean model
Smoke not getting absorbed Low suction capacity, wrong chimney size, improper installation height Upgrade to higher suction (1000–1500 m³/hr for Indian cooking), install 65–75 cm above stove, match chimney width with stove
Chimney not switching on / power issues Electrical fault, PCB damage, loose wiring Check power supply, call service technician, replace PCB if needed
Bad odor in kitchen despite chimney Saturated filters, duct leakage Clean/replace filters, check ducts for cracks/leaks
Too much heat in kitchen Low suction, undersized chimney Upgrade chimney suction or size, improve ventilation
Touch panel not working Power surge, oil vapor on sensors, faulty PCB Clean panel gently, use voltage stabilizer, replace PCB if damaged
Auto-clean malfunction Oil deposits on sensors, heating element failure Clean sensors, service auto-clean unit
High maintenance cost Frequent filter cleaning (mesh), poor brand service Switch to baffle/filterless chimney, choose brand with better service network
Improper ducting issues Long duct (>12 ft), too many bends, plastic pipe used Use aluminum/steel duct, keep duct straight & short (<12 ft, max 2 bends)
Excess vibration while running Loose mounting, unbalanced fan Check installation screws, service fan/motor
Chimney trips MCB frequently Overload on circuit, faulty motor, short circuit in wiring Use separate MCB line, service/replace motor or wiring
Grease accumulation around chimney Poor filter efficiency, irregular cleaning Clean filters regularly, use auto-clean feature, schedule servicing
Chimney suction drops after few months Motor clogged with oil, neglected servicing Service motor annually, clean ducts and housing
Suction volume of chimney in kitchen
Suction volume of chimney in kitchen

Low Suction Power (Smoke Not Getting Cleared)

    • Wrong suction capacity selected.

    • Clogged filters (oil/grease deposits).

    • Long or bent duct pipe reducing airflow.

Excessive Noise

    • High suction motor in small kitchens.

    • Poor ducting design (too many bends, small diameter).

    • Loose installation or vibration issues.

Oil Dripping from Chimney

    • Grease accumulation in mesh/baffle filters.

    • No auto-clean feature or irregular cleaning.

Electrical Problems (Not Switching On / Power Failure)

    • Faulty wiring, loose plug, motor burnout.

    • Power surge damaging PCB (control board).

Unpleasant Odor / Smoke Still in Kitchen

    • Ductless (carbon filter) chimneys not cleaned on time.

    • Duct leakage or improper sealing.

Excessive Heat in Kitchen

    • Wrong installation height (too high above stove).

    • Low suction capacity.

Touch Panel / Remote Not Working

    • PCB malfunction.

    • Grease/oil affecting sensors.

Frequent Maintenance Needed

    • Mesh filter models in heavy Indian cooking.

    • No auto-clean technology

Bad Installation Practices

    • Too many bends in duct → reduces suction.

    • Long duct (>12 feet).

    • Wrong height from stove.

  • Fix: Proper professional installation is critical.

Quick Checklist for Right Selection:

You can calculate the flow rate with the help of our expert and CFD engineer

  • Suction: 1000–1500 m³/hr for Indian kitchens

  • Size: Equal or larger than stove (60 cm / 90 cm)

  •  Filter: Baffle / Filterless with Auto-clean

  •  Noise: Below 58–60 dB

  •  Proper ducting (aluminum/steel, <2 bends, <12 ft length)

  •  Service availability

Ignoring Kitchen Size and Chimney Suction Power

  • Mistake: Choosing a chimney with low suction capacity for a large kitchen or high suction for a very small kitchen.

  • Impact: Poor smoke and oil removal, or unnecessary power consumption.

  • Tip: Match chimney suction power with kitchen size →

    • Small kitchen: 800–1000 m³/hr

    • Medium: 1000–1200 m³/hr

    • Large / heavy Indian cooking: 1200–1500 m³/hr

Wrong Chimney Size (Width)

  • Mistake: Selecting a chimney smaller than the stove/cooktop.

  • Impact: Smoke escapes and spreads in the kitchen.

  • Tip: Chimney should be equal to or slightly bigger than the stove width (60 cm for 2–4 burners, 90 cm for 3–5 burners).

Not Considering Type of Cooking

  • Mistake: Choosing low-capacity or filterless chimneys when doing heavy frying, tadka, or oily Indian cooking.

  • Impact: Quick oil clogging, poor suction, greasy kitchen.

  • Tip: For Indian kitchens → Prefer baffle filter or advanced auto-clean models.

Improper Installation Height

  • Mistake: Installing chimney too high or too low.

  • Impact: Low suction efficiency or discomfort while cooking.

  • Tip: Keep 65–75 cm distance between cooktop and chimney.

Neglecting Ducting

  • Mistake: Using long ducts (>12 ft), too many bends, or plastic/low-quality ducts.

  • Impact: Reduced suction, more noise.

  • Tip: Use aluminum or stainless steel duct, keep it short (≤9–10 ft) with minimal bends.

Overlooking Noise Levels

  • Mistake: Ignoring chimney noise during purchase.

  • Impact: Annoyance during long cooking sessions.

  • Tip: Choose models with noise levels ≤58 dB for comfort.

 Not Checking Maintenance Needs

  • Mistake: Buying a high-maintenance chimney (frequent filter washing) without considering convenience.

  • Impact: Poor performance if not cleaned regularly.

  • Tip: Go for auto-clean filterless chimneys if you want minimal maintenance.

Ignoring Kitchen Design & Aesthetics

  • Mistake: Selecting the wrong type (wall-mounted, island, or built-in) not suited to kitchen layout.

  • Impact: Wasted space, poor fit, reduced efficiency.

  • Tip:

    • Wall-mounted → Stove against wall.

    • Island → Stove in center.

    • Built-in → Modular kitchens.

Choosing Only on Price

  • Mistake: Going for cheapest option without checking suction, build, and service availability.

  • Impact: Frequent breakdowns, poor air quality.

  • Tip: Balance budget + performance + after-sales service.Not Considering Service Support

  • Mistake: Buying from brands with poor service in your area.

  • Impact: Difficulty in filter cleaning, spare parts, or repairs.

  • Tip: Check brand service availability in your city before purchase.

Low cost kitchen Chimney

 

Summary

Quick Maintenance Tips:

  • Clean oil collector weekly.

  • Clean filters (mesh weekly, baffle monthly, filterless = minimal).

  • Service chimney & ducts once a year.

  • Always install at 65–75 cm height with straight duct

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