How Much Kitchen Ventilation Do You Need? CFM Calculator for Restaurant Hoods
Getting kitchen ventilation wrong can cost you thousands in energy bills, failed inspections, or worse—a grease fire. The key metric is CFM (cubic feet per minute), which measures how much air your hood exhausts. Most health codes require 100-200 CFM per linear foot of hood, but the exact number depends on your equipment type.
Quick CFM Calculation
For light-duty cooking (ovens, steamers): multiply hood length in feet by 100-150 CFM. For medium-duty (ranges, griddles): use 200-300 CFM per foot. For heavy-duty (charbroilers, wok stations): you'll need 300-400+ CFM per foot. A 10-foot hood over charbroilers needs at least 3,000 CFM.
CFM Requirements by Equipment
| Equipment Type | CFM per Linear Foot |
|---|---|
| Ovens, Steamers | 100-150 |
| Ranges, Griddles | 200-300 |
| Charbroilers, Woks | 300-400+ |
Always consult local codes and an HVAC professional before purchasing. Oversizing wastes energy and money, while undersizing creates safety hazards and compliance issues.
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