Stop guessing. Size your chimney like an engineer.
Bigger suction isn't always better — the right chimney matches your kitchen's size and how you cook. Tadka, deep-frying and dry-roasting masala need more pull than boiling dal. Enter your numbers below and get your answer.
Chimney calculator
The formula behind it
A chimney should replace all the air in your kitchen 10 to 15 times every hour. Lighter cooking sits at the low end; Indian cooking with lots of frying and tadka sits at the high end.
Then add headroom: a chimney's rated suction is measured in ideal lab conditions. Ducts, bends and grease on the filters all reduce real-world pull, so we suggest buying roughly 20% above your calculated figure — more if your duct is long.
Quick reference table
| Kitchen size | Volume | Regular cooking | Heavy cooking |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 × 6 ft, 10 ft ceiling | ~13.6 m³ | ~200 m³/hr | ~250 m³/hr |
| 10 × 8 ft, 10 ft ceiling | ~22.7 m³ | ~330 m³/hr | ~410 m³/hr |
| 12 × 10 ft, 10 ft ceiling | ~34 m³ | ~490 m³/hr | ~610 m³/hr |
| Open kitchen, 15 × 12 ft | ~51 m³ | ~740 m³/hr | ~920 m³/hr |
Figures are minimums with 20% headroom included, rounded. Most chimneys sold in India are rated 1,000 m³/hr or more, which comfortably covers typical apartment kitchens — so for most homes, filter type, size and noise matter more than chasing the highest suction number.
Size: match the hob, not the kitchen
60 cm chimney
Fits standard 2–4 burner hobs up to about 60 cm wide — the right choice for most Indian apartment kitchens.
75 cm chimney
For wider 4-burner hobs. A chimney slightly wider than the hob catches smoke from the outer burners better.
90 cm chimney
For 5-burner hobs, island setups or very heavy cooking. Needs a wider wall space.
Filter types for Indian cooking
| Filter | How it works | For Indian kitchens |
|---|---|---|
| Filterless | Oil collects in a removable cup; usually paired with auto-clean | Best Lowest maintenance with heavy oil |
| Baffle | Curved steel panels make oily air change direction so grease drops out | Great Wash every 2–3 weeks |
| Mesh / cassette | Layers of aluminium mesh trap grease | Okay Clogs fast with tadka and frying |
Installation checklist
Mount at 65–75 cm
Measure from the hob to the bottom of the chimney. Too high loses suction; too low is a fire and head-bump risk.
Choose ducted if you can
A ducted chimney sends smoke outside. Ductless models filter and recirculate air — easier to fit, but less effective for Indian cooking.
Keep the duct short
Use a smooth duct with as few bends as possible. Every bend reduces real suction.
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Frequently asked questions
What suction power is good for an Indian kitchen?
Multiply your kitchen volume in cubic metres by 10–15, then add about 20% headroom. For most Indian apartment kitchens, a chimney rated around 1,000–1,400 m³/hr is more than enough.
Should I choose a 60 cm or 90 cm chimney?
Match it to your hob. A standard 60 cm hob needs a 60 cm chimney; wider 4-burner hobs suit 75 cm; 5-burner hobs suit 90 cm.
Is a filterless chimney better than a baffle filter?
Both work well for Indian cooking. Filterless models with auto-clean need the least maintenance. Baffle filters are reliable and cheaper but need washing every few weeks.
How high should a kitchen chimney be installed?
Usually 65–75 cm above the hob, measured to the bottom of the chimney. Always follow the manufacturer's installation guide.
