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5 Best Kitchen Exhaust Fans for Appropriate Ventilation

Best Kitchen Exhaust FansWhether you cook daily or use your kitchen less regularly, you need the best kitchen exhaust fan to ensure proper ventilation.

Exhaust fans are essential in the kitchen to keep the air clean and fresh. They are important for maintaining the air’s humidity and throwing out aerosolized grease.

Back in the day, we used to have chimneys for the same purpose. But why opt for complexities when you can benefit from the ease of a kitchen exhaust fan?

Exhaust fans not only keep the air clean but also ensure that the air is not too humid. Certain chemicals, such as tobacco smoke, can stay in the air if no ventilation is present. Would you not want your kids to breathe in that air?

There are a lot of different companies and exhaust fan units that you can choose from. However, when you have to shop for them, it often becomes a struggle as most people are unaware of the things to look for.

In this guide, we will mention some kitchen exhaust fans that we think are great in their work and can be suitable for most kitchens.

You might already have an exhaust fan in your kitchen, but now you need a replacement. You can also find replacement fans in this guide, as we have mentioned some units that are quite easy to install as replacements.

5 Best Kitchen Exhaust Fans

 5 Best Kitchen Exhaust Fans Comparison 
Editor’s ChoiceBroan-Nutone 506 Chain-Operated Ventilation Fan
  • Has a pull-chain mechanism for startup

  • Keeps cooking odors and tobacco smoke out

  • Has a foam-insulated door


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Broan-NuTone 8210 8 Vertical Discharge Exhaust Fan
  • Is a versatile fan with quiet functioning

  • Can keep odors out of 100 square feet area

  • Is easy to install

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HOLMES Dual 8" Blade Twin Window Fan
  • Is manually-controlled

  • Can fit in slider windowsarea

  • Has three speed settings

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Broan 509 Through-Wall Fan
  • Has a 7.5 Sone rating

  • Is easy to install or replace

  • Has a built-in damper for saving energy

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Panasonic FV-30VQ3 WhisperCeiling Ventilation Fan
  • Has quiet operation

  • Is a long-lasting fan with a 3-year warranty

  • Is energy-start certified

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Broan-Nutone 506 Chain-Operated Ventilation Fan: Editor’s Choice

Broan-Nutone 506 Chain-Operated Ventilation Fan

 

In most kitchen exhaust fans reviews, you would see Broan at the top because the company does a good job of making exhaust fans. This fan from them is an example of their mastery of fan-making.

This particular exhaust fan is quite versatile as it helps in removing humidity from the air and keeps the cooking odors out of your house.

When you cook different meals, the kitchen can end up smelling unbearable. The exhaust fan keeps these odors out. Also, it keeps tobacco smoke out of the house.

Since this fan is chain-operated, you can easily start it by pulling the chain. The door opens when you pull the chain, and the fan starts blowing air at 430CFM.

It can fit walls that are 4.5″ to 9.5″ thick, but you will need an expert for installation as the installation is not that easy. However, the unit is decorative as it is styled contemporarily. The white exterior goes well with most kitchen and bathroom decorations.

Furthermore, it has a foam-insulated door which has been made to give the best performance.

Pros

It has a chain-operated startup design and a foam-insulated door, and it keeps all bad odors out.

Cons

The installation is tricky.

Our Verdict

We think this kitchen exhaust fan is the best for your home if you want something that is efficient but also has an aesthetic appeal.

Broan-NuTone 8210 8 Vertical Discharge Exhaust Fan: Best Overall

Broan-NuTone 8210 8 Vertical Discharge Exhaust Fan

 

This might be the company’s best exhaust fan for the kitchen as it is a ceiling fan, making it suitable for many kitchens.

Being a versatile fan, this unit can keep out unbearable odors in a 100 square feet room. After you are done cooking or while you are in the process, turn the fan on, and your house will remain smelling fresh and clean.

Secondly, the fan is very efficient at working at 210CFM. It works quietly without making a noise. The fan blade has been made with high-quality material to prevent distortion and ensure longevity.

In addition to that, the fan is very easy to install. It is a 7-inch fan that can be installed into the ceiling as it ventilates through the roof. The motor is easy to assemble, thanks to the twist-lock feature of the fan.

If you do not like the fan’s look, you can give it a look of your own choice. The polymeric grilles on the fan are paintable, so you can make it look the way you want. This way, you can have an exhaust fan that blends in with the existing kitchen décor.

The company does not compromise in terms of safety. This fan is UL-listed so you can use it in your home without worry.

Pros

This fan is efficient in working, is quiet, keeps bad odors out, and can be painted to match the kitchen décor.

Cons

Customers did not have issues with the fan but were unsatisfied with the instructions.

Our Verdict

Since this is a ceiling fan, everyone might not choose this. However, it is ideal for kitchens where you can install a ceiling fan in the corner.

HOLMES Dual 8″ Blade Twin Window Fan: Budget Buy

HOLMES Dual 8" Blade Twin Window Fan

 

This kitchen exhaust fan has been a favorite among customers because of its excellent price point and ease of use.

It has been designed in such a way that it can fit in slider windows. Other than that, you can also install this fan in double-hung windows.

The screen is adjustable, and the fan has a bonus extender panel to fit perfectly into larger windows.

This is a manually-controlled fan, so you can set the thermostat and keep it at the level you feel is best for your kitchen.

Also, there are 3-speed settings so that you can choose according to the humidity and odors inside your kitchen. The reason why this fan is so popular is that it gives you much control over the airflow.

There is electrically reversible airflow, which means you can reverse the fans to make them intake air or use as exhaust. The 3-year warranty makes this fan a safe choice.

Pros

This fan is manually-controlled, has 3-speed settings, and can adjust in different windows.

Cons

Even though the fan works well, you should not expect it to last long as it is not made to last for years.

Our Verdict

We feel that this fan is suitable for people who live in shared spaces or are currently in a dorm room where there is a need to keep the kitchen area ventilated. The price makes this fan an affordable choice, but it is not the best for homes where you need something reliable that will be long-lasting.

Broan 509 Through-Wall Fan

Broan 509 Through-Wall Fan

 

We already mentioned how Broan has been making exhaust fans for a while. One of the company’s best kitchen exhaust fans wall-mounted is this sleek white unit made of plastic.

It helps keep the kitchen ventilated, so there is no humidity during or after you cook. Moreover, it keeps out the odors that linger in the air after cooking different meals.

If someone smokes in the house, this exhaust fan will also remove the tobacco smoke from the air so that you can breathe in the fresh air. It works on 180CFM and is pretty powerful for standard kitchens and bathrooms.

This bathroom exhaust fan from Broan can cover an area of up to 170 square feet, so it is ideal for most kitchens. Additionally, it is easy to install, so there is no hassle involved.

You can either install it or replace your existing fan with this one by following the instructions in the manual. Just like other Broan fans, this one also has paintable polymeric grilles.

Thus, if your kitchen décor does not go with white, you can paint the outside of this fan. This way, it would not look out of place in your kitchen.

Also, the fan has a built-in damper. This keeps the fan energy-efficient by minimizing backdrafts. The fan blade is built to last so you can be worry-free for a few years.

Pros

This kitchen exhaust fan keeps tobacco smoke and cooking odors out, have paintable grilles, is energy-efficient, and is built to last.

Cons

The fan can get noisy at times.

Our Verdict

This fan is a good choice for any kitchen. You can also add a grease filter to increase the fan’s functionality. Since it is white, it would go with most decors. However, if it is not suitable for your kitchen, you can go ahead and paint it.

Panasonic FV-30VQ3 WhisperCeiling Ventilation Fan

Panasonic FV-30VQ3 WhisperCeiling Ventilation Fan

 

Whenever you see a Panasonic product, you can be certain that it is of good quality. The same is true for this fan too.

As the name indicates, the fan is made to be quiet in its working. Even though it is advertised as a light commercial fan, you can also use it in your kitchens. It pushes 290CFM of air through the room and keeps your kitchen fresh.

The company guarantees that this fan will last for a long time. Since the fan uses less energy for moving air, the motor is less likely to get overheated.

As a result, there is little or no chance of motor failure. This saves the repair costs and ensures that the fan will last for a long time. To prove this, Panasonic offers a 3-year warranty on this fan.

Moreover, this kitchen exhaust fan is easy to install. It has been made for 6-inch ducts. You can fit this fan anywhere as it has a hanger-bar system, which can be expanded up to 24 inches.

Since it works so efficiently, this fan would eliminate humidity from the air, remove mold or mildew, and keep the aerosolized chemicals out of your home. As a result, you could breathe clean and safe air.

Also, this unit from Panasonic is Energy-Star compliant. It complies with certain codes, such as the WA Ventilation Codes.

Pros

This kitchen exhaust fan works quietly, can be installed anywhere in the kitchen, has a powerful motor that is not prone to damage, and is code-compliant.

Cons

There aren’t any complaints about the fan except that it is expensive compared to other fans.

Our Verdict

If you have some extra bucks to spend and want a kitchen exhaust fan that you can keep in your kitchen for the next few years, then we suggest you buy this one. The company says it is suitable for light commercial applications, so you can expect it to do wonders for your kitchen.

You can learn more about this Panasonic fan here: 

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Conclusion

If you do not have an exhaust fan in your kitchen, you will be cooking in a haze of bad odors, humidity, and smoke. You certainly do not want that, do you?

Therefore, having the best kitchen exhaust fan for your home. We have mentioned some fans, along with their pros and cons. As you can see from the list, Broan remains a popular company for kitchen exhaust fans.

However, the Panasonic fan would be your pick if you want something suitable for bigger or long-lasting kitchens. We have done our best to include something for everyone.

Hopefully, you will have found the best fan for your kitchen. Let us know what your choice was and if you have any previous experience with these exhaust fans.