When my neighbor was remodeling his kitchen, he asked my opinion of installing a ceiling fan. One of his friends was totally against the idea because that guy’s fan rusted within a few months. So, should you install a ceiling fan in a kitchen?
You can put any ceiling fan in your kitchen as long as the fan is wet rated or damp rated to withstand moisture. Even though the kitchen is an indoor space, the air in it is always filled with moisture. This moisture causes a standard fan to rust. However, a damp rated fan will be fine.
What ceiling fan should you install in the kitchen?
There are three types of ceiling fans based on their UL ratings. They are;
- Dry rated fans
- Damp rated fans
- Wet rated fans
Dry-rated fans are the normal indoor fans we use in bedrooms, living rooms, and the other indoor areas of the house. They shouldn’t be installed in places like kitchens and laundry rooms because their blades and other parts will start to rust when exposed to moist air.
Damp rated fans are those constructed to withstand dampness. Their motors are sealed to prevent the entry of moist air. Their blades and other components are moisture-proof. Such fans are ideal for damp places like kitchens, porches, and garages. But these fans will be damaged if exposed directly to water.
Wet-rated fans are one step ahead of the above two types. These fans are constructed to withstand water damage. They are waterproof and can be used in open outdoor areas. These types of fans can withstand rain and snow.
Damp rated or wet rated type ceiling fans are the ones you should install in a kitchen. They are resistant to the moisture content in the air and therefore they will not rust or malfunction.
Is putting ceiling fans in the kitchen a good idea?
There are certain benefits to having a ceiling fan in your kitchen. There are also some downsides to this. Let’s see what the pros and cons of a kitchen ceiling fan;
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The ceiling fan increases air circulation inside the kitchen | Grease build-up makes the fan harder to clean |
| Cools down kitchen | It makes the food cold |
| Reduces heating and cooling bills | Affects gas ranges and cooktops |
Pros
Increases air circulation
Undoubtedly, using a ceiling fan increases the air circulation in the kitchen. Its airflow helps to vent out cooking smells and smoke quickly.
Cools down the kitchen
This is the main reason why people put ceiling fans in their kitchens. My kitchen is on the west side of the house, and it is boiling there. My ceiling fan makes it bearable to stand there during the hottest times of the day.
Reduces heating and cooling bills
A ceiling fan can reduce your energy bills by 40% if used properly. The little breeze the fan brings in helps to avoid turning on the air conditioning. The fan is not that effective in winter; however, it still helps to keep the heating bills lower than otherwise.
Cons of putting a ceiling fan in the kitchen
Grease build up on the fan makes it hard to clean:
While a ceiling fan is great at circulating the air inside a kitchen, it also circulates the grease and oil particles present. These particles stick to the blades of the fan and make them dirty. This also causes the dust in the kitchen to stick to the fan blades.
In short, it is a nightmare cleaning a kitchen ceiling fan. It may take hours to scrub the grime off its blades. This is one main reason some people are against installing fans in a kitchen.
But cleaning the blades is much easier if you dismantle them. But the ease of doing so depends on the fan model. If the blades on your fan are easily removable, wash them with dish soap and water.
It makes food cold:
If the ceiling fan blows directly onto the prepared food, the food will become cold fast. To avoid this, try to put the prepared food away from the fan. Also, running the fan at a slower speed will definitely help.
Blows the flame around:
If you are using a gas range or cooktop, the wind from the fan can blow its flame around. This is not safe. However, you can avoid this by running the fan at low speeds. You can also try reversing the fan’s direction. Most ceiling fans have a reverse switch on them. Reversing the fan creates an updraft instead of blowing the air down. This helps avoid the fan blowing the flames out or making the food cold while maintaining sufficient airflow.
Ceiling fan Recommendation for kitchens
Here are two ceiling fans I recommend putting in kitchens;
Hunter Sea Wind
Hunter sea wind is a nice-looking, black finish ceiling fan suitable for any kitchen. It is stylish and comes with 5 blades.
This fan is flush-mounted, so it won’t take up much room near the ceiling. Since kitchens aren’t very high, this fan will leave enough space from the floor.
This is a damp-rated fan; it can withstand the greasy moist air in the kitchen. Also, it has a blade span of 48 inches, which is the apt fan size for most kitchens.
Honeywell Belmar
This is another great looking fan for your kitchen. This is slightly bigger than the previous one, with a blade span of 52 inches. It also has a light kit which is enough to light up your kitchen.
This fan is not flush mounted so this is not an ideal choice for low kitchens.
Which is the right location to install a ceiling fan in the kitchen?
Usually, ceiling fans are installed at the center of the ceiling. However, this may not work for every kitchen. My advice is to mount the fan where you need the most breeze. But do not mount it near the cooking range and the exhaust hood as it can interfere with the flame and exhaust.
One should also make sure that the fan is installed at least one and a half feet away from the walls and that there is at least 12 inches gap between the fan blades and the ceiling.
