Ceiling Fan in Kitchen: Yes or No?

Should you put a ceiling fan in the kitchen? There are many benefits to installing a ceiling fan in the kitchen, significantly more than negatives. So why should you consider installing a ceiling fan in the kitchen?

Ceiling fans provide a lot of benefits for your kitchen. For instance, it can improve the ventilation in the room. Better air circulation inside the kitchen can help eliminate cooking smells. It also keeps flies and other bugs at bay. The improved air circulation will also assist in cooling and heating the kitchen. This leads to savings in air conditioning costs.

Read on to learn more about why installing a ceiling fan in the kitchen is a good idea.

Should You Install a Ceiling Fan in Kitchen?

If you have the space for it, you should seriously consider installing a kitchen ceiling fan. Yes, there are a couple of issues that you will no doubt encounter. Still, you might change your mind when considering its many benefits.

Speaking of the benefits of a ceiling fan in the kitchen, here are some of them:

1. Removes Most Cooking Odors

If you do not have a range hood, installing a ceiling fan is the next best thing. Ceiling fans circulate the air inside the kitchen and push it out of the windows. This means there is a constant supply of fresh air inside your kitchen. The smells coming from your stove will not waft to the rest of the house.

2. Cost-efficient

A ceiling fan will reduce the cost of using the air conditioner in the summer. A ceiling fan can help the cold air from the A/C circulate more efficiently in the kitchen.

This means you can set the thermostat lower and still get the same comfortable temperature in your kitchen.

This also works during the winter months. The ceiling fan will help circulate warm air better. Also, you can set the speed at which the fans turn, adding another layer of control.

3. Gives an Additional Light Fixture

If there is ever a room in the house that needs more lighting, it is the kitchen. You can never have enough light in the kitchen. It is essential when you are preparing your ingredients. You need to see your ingredients clearly to judge whether you prepared them correctly or not.

Many ceiling fans also come with receptacles for one or several light bulbs. If you think the single lightbulb in your kitchen is inadequate, get a new ceiling fan with light fixtures. You are effectively killing two birds with one stone if you do.

4. Keeps Flies and Other Flying Bugs Away

Flies and mosquitoes prefer to live in an area where the air is stagnant. Of course, you would want to prevent these nasty bugs from landing all over the food you are cooking. In this case, a ceiling fan for the kitchen will be your best friend.

A ceiling fan constantly moves the air in the kitchen. This deters flies and other flying critters because they cannot fly quite as well; aside from feeling comfortable while cooking, you will not constantly be swatting at pesky insects.

5. Can Lower the Kitchen’s Temperature

Yes, an air conditioner might cool a room faster, but it also uses significantly more electricity. A ceiling fan only consumes roughly 3% to 5% of a regular air conditioning unit’s electricity.

It can also lower the temperature in the kitchen by up to four degrees. It might not seem like much, but you would feel it if you had been cooking for an entire day.

What Are the Disadvantages of Ceiling Fans?

As mentioned earlier, ceiling fans are far from being the perfect air circulation solution. They also come with a couple of issues. Just so you are not caught by surprise, here are some problems you may encounter with ceiling fans:

1. Limited Reach

One disadvantage of ceiling fans is they have limited reach. You will only feel the gust from ceiling fans directly underneath it. The farther you stand from the fan, the less air current you will feel.

If you have a large kitchen, you need a larger ceiling fan to circulate the air inside the room effectively. This is also true if the ceiling is relatively high. On the other hand, you can install multiple ceiling fans to increase air circulation.

2. Tricky Installation

Depending on your ceiling fan, the installation may take a few minutes or an entire afternoon. First, you need to check if there is an electric connection in the ceiling where you will install the fan.

For some ceiling fans, plugging them into the light receptacle would be enough. You need to install an adapter into the socket for the plug. If this is the case, you must figure out how to hang the fan on the ceiling.

What if your ceiling fan is the kind that needs to be hard-wired to the electrical circuit of the house? Then it would be better to have a professional electrician install the fan.

3. Need Frequent Cleaning

Kitchen ceiling fan blades will need cleaning more frequently. The reason is their constant exposure to smoke, steam, oil, and residue from cooking. The cleaning is more frequent than ceiling fans in other parts of the house that only require occasional dusting.

In addition, dust and grease may get inside the motor enclosure. This may increase the wear and tear of the fan. This means you need to take down the ceiling fan at least once annually to give it a thorough cleaning.

4. Can Be Noisy

One of the problems that most people have with ceiling fans is that they can be noisy while working. This is especially true for incorrectly installed fans. For crooked fans or improperly balanced blades, they will create an annoying noise.

Ceiling fans can also be a bit scary. The improper installation of the fan means that it would wobble dangerously. The wobbling could be so bad that it may cause the fan to fall off and hit someone.

How to Choose the Right Ceiling Fan?

When shopping for a ceiling fan, you must consider several things. It would be exasperating to buy a ceiling fan that will not work as you expected.

To help you make the right choice, here are the most important things to consider:

1. Location

An important thing to consider when shopping for a ceiling fan is the location where you will install it. Make sure to put it where the spinning blades will not be hitting anything. It should also be far enough from light fittings and the kitchen cupboards.

Take a tape measure and check the space available for the ceiling fan. Take note of it when you are choosing a ceiling fan model.

2. Efficiency/Functionality

Consider how efficiently the ceiling fan can move air in the kitchen. Choose a ceiling fan that can circulate a large volume of air, which you can find on the packaging. Look for the ceiling fan with the highest CFM (cubic feet per minute) rate. This is the volume of air that the ceiling fan can move.

If you cannot find this information, check the appearance of the ceiling fan blades. Fans with long and angled blades can move more air than those with short fan blades.

3. Kitchen’s Size and the Height of the Ceiling

If you have a large kitchen, pick a ceiling fan to circulate the air throughout the space. If needed, get more than one ceiling fan to provide enough air circulation.

Also, consider the height of the ceiling. If your kitchen has a high ceiling, the air from the fan may not even reach you. In that case, use the extension pole, which usually comes with the kits. This will lower the blades enough that the air would reach the floor.

4. Control Types and Features

As mentioned earlier, consider the features of the ceiling fan you are thinking of buying. The ceiling fan you buy should be user-friendly. This means it should be easy to use and not overly complicated. It should also be controllable using just a simple pull string.

However, you should choose a fan that is the most convenient for you. There are those you can control via remote control. Others can be connected to your Wi-Fi network. This will allow you to control them even when you are out of the house.

Also, consider getting a ceiling fan that lets you control the direction of the blades’ rotation. This can essentially let you create a downdraft or updraft.

5. Ceiling Fan’s Design

Do you have a specific interior design theme that you are following in your kitchen? If you are, choose a ceiling fan that will not stick out like a sore thumb among your décor.

Aside from the aesthetics, choose from ceiling fans that only come with the fan. You can also go for one that has light fixtures. Also, there are “smart” ceiling fans that you can control via an app on your smartphone. Choose the right ceiling fan that will suit your preferences.

These are just some things to consider when shopping for a ceiling fan for your kitchen. This will ensure that you will get a ceiling fan that will provide you with the most value.

Again, is a ceiling fan in the kitchen a good idea? A kitchen ceiling fan can help lessen your kitchen’s carbon monoxide, odors, insects, and more. So, having one in the kitchen is a good idea.

Best Ceiling Fan for Kitchen

If you are looking for a couple of product recommendations, here are a couple of ceiling fan in kitchen ideas that you might want to check out:

1. HuixuTe Ceiling Fan with Lights Remote Control

Click here to see it on Amazon.

Aside from being easy to install, this HuixuTe ceiling fan is also quite strong. In addition, this is a 2-in-1 product. This is a kitchen ceiling fan with light, which means it is both a ceiling fan and a dimmable light. The best part is that you can control all the functions via a simple remote control.

2. DIDER 20″ Flush Mount Smart Ceiling Fan

Click here to see it on Amazon.

The DIDER 20-inch ceiling fan is not just suitable for the kitchen. You can also put this in any room in your house. Aside from working as a fan, it is also a dimmable LED light.

Like the previous product, you can control the appliance using a remote control. You can even control the brightness and tone of the light.

3. Ohniyou 42″ Retractable Ceiling Fans Indoor

Click here to see it on Amazon.

The Ohniyou 42″ retractable ceiling fan is a beautiful-looking and convenient appliance. Unlike traditional ceiling fans, this more modern design has unusual-shaped fan blades.

Also, it features a large LED light fixture, which is also dimmable. You can control this ceiling fan using a remote control (included in the kit). There is also an app that you can install on your phone for control.

What Are Other Ways to Increase Ventilation in the Kitchen?

Aside from ceiling fans, there are plenty of other ways to improve air circulation in your kitchen. Use the following methods in addition to your ceiling fan to cool and warm the kitchen when necessary:

1. Install an Exhaust Fan

Instead of circulating air inside the kitchen, an exhaust fan will pull out the air from inside the kitchen. This means the fan will pull out the hot and humid air, allowing cooler air into the kitchen.

You can easily mount a ceiling fan on your kitchen window. It also just plugs into any regular wall outlet.

2. Install Window and Door Screens

Are you not fond of opening your windows because you do not want flies and bugs in your kitchen? Then you should install window and door screens. This will let you open your windows and kitchen door, allowing more fresh air outside into your kitchen.

3. Use A Desk Fan

A simple desk fan will work if you do not want to install an exhaust fan in your kitchen. The nice thing about using a desk fan is that you can use it whenever you want to. It does not need to be installed at a permanent location.

You do not have to point the desk fan towards you. Position the fan so that it blows air out of the window. This will make it act like an exhaust fan while helping circulate the air inside the kitchen.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is a Ceiling Fan as Good as a Range Hood?

Yes, a ceiling fan can work like a range hood recirculating the air in the kitchen. A ceiling fan can also help dissipate your stove or oven smells. Ceiling fans are better than range hoods because they do not use as much space as a range hood.

Can You Fix a Wobbling Ceiling Fan?

Yes, you can. First, you need to turn off the fan. Remove the blades and tighten the screws at the base of the ceiling fan if they are loose. This should fix the wobble.

On the other hand, if the fan is still wobbling, you can add weights to the fan blades. Most ceiling fans come with weights that you can use to stabilize the ceiling fan.

You need to position the weights on one or more fan blades. This will take a bit of trial and error. You must also reposition the weights until the fan no longer wobbles and runs quietly.

Which Direction Should the Ceiling Fan Spin During Summer/Winter?

The ceiling fan should spin counterclockwise during the hot summer months. This will allow the fan to push air down and create a cool breeze. The fan should turn clockwise in the winter to pull the cold air upward. This is where you can expect it to warm up before circulating it again.

How High Should a Ceiling Fan Be Positioned?

For optimum performance, install your ceiling fan, so the blades are at least 2.4 meters above the floor. One way to lower the fan blades is to use extension poles.

Is a 4-Blade Ceiling Fan Better Than a 5-Blade Fan?

Most people think a 5-blade ceiling fan is better than a 4-blade fan due to its appearance. However, the truth is that 4-blade fans move slightly more air than 5-blade fans. Moreover, fewer blades make 4-blade fans lighter, so they will need less power to operate.

In Closing – Should You Install a Ceiling Fan in Kitchen?

Ceiling fans provide plenty of benefits to your kitchen. For one, they will improve the room’s ventilation. Improved air circulation in the kitchen will help keep the temperature inside more comfortable.

It can also help eliminate cooking smells and keep flies and flying bugs away. A ceiling fan can help lower heating and air conditioning costs.

Although some issues are attached to ceiling fans, the benefits vastly outweigh them. Also, installing the best ceiling fan for the kitchen is a bit tricky. Despite that, you will love the result if you can pull off the installation.