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Understanding Kitchen Air Quality Challenges
Kitchens face unique ventilation challenges with cooking fumes, cutting odors, microwave radiation byproducts, and grease-laden air. Indian cooking methods involving tadka, deep frying, and high-heat techniques generate 3-4 times more airborne contaminants than Western cooking styles.
The Dwell Dual Ventilation Strategy
Dwell Air's kitchen ventilation philosophy separates two distinct contamination sources requiring different solutions:
- Chimney Zone: Direct cooking fumes, grease, and heat from stovetop
- General Zone: Ambient odors from cutting, prep work, microwave use, and overflow smoke
This dual approach ensures complete air quality management rather than relying solely on chimney systems that miss 40-60% of kitchen contaminants.
Calculating Kitchen Ventilation Requirements
For Residential Kitchens (Up to 150 sq ft)
General Exhaust Calculation:
- Base: 15 ACH minimum for general area
- Kitchen 10ft × 12ft × 9ft = 1,080 cubic feet
- CFM = (1,080 × 15) ÷ 60 = 270 CFM general exhaust
- Add 100 CFM for microwave zone
- Total General Exhaust: 370 CFM
Chimney Booster Requirement:
- Existing chimney: 200-400 CMH (typically weakened after 2-3 years)
- Required: 800-1,200 CMH for Indian cooking
- Booster needed: 600-800 CMH additional
Dwell Air's Kitchen Solutions
1. General Kitchen Exhaust System
Primary Solution: DCIF 200 or DCEF 200
- Positioned away from chimney to capture:
- Onion/garlic cutting fumes that trigger tears
- Microwave odors from reheating
- Spice grinding particulates
- General heat accumulation
- Overflow smoke when chimney is inadequate
- Installation Specifications:
- Mount on opposite wall from cooking range
- Height: 8-9 feet (above head level)
- Ducted to exterior with 8-inch pipe
- Include adjustable diffuser for airflow control
- Budget Alternative: MIX 150/200
- For kitchens under 100 sq ft
- Handles duct runs up to 30 feet
- Lower cost with similar performance
Dwell Air's Kitchen Solutions
2. Chimney Enhancement Solutions
Most decorative chimneys lose 50-70% efficiency within 3 years due to motor weakening and grease accumulation. Rather than replacing expensive chimney units, Dwell's booster solutions restore and exceed original performance.
Inline Booster: DCIF 200/250 Economical Pro Series DCIF 200/250 Pro
- Installs within existing chimney duct
- Boosts airflow from 400 CMH to 1,200 CMH
- Handles temperatures up to 120°C continuously
- Grease-resistant construction
- 8-inch model with 6-inch reducer included
External Booster: DCEF 150/200
- Mounts outside building
- Eliminates kitchen noise completely
- Motor remains grease-free
- 15-year operational life
- Weatherproof IP55 construction
Budget Chimney Booster: DCIF 150 (6-inch) DCIF 150 Pro
- For smaller kitchens under 80 sq ft
- Adequate for 2-3 burner stoves
- 600-800 CMH boost capacity
- 40% cost saving versus 8-inch models
Dwell Air's Kitchen Solutions
3. Kitchen Store Room Integration
Kitchen stores require ventilation to prevent:
- Moisture migration from wet kitchen
- Onion/potato sprouting from poor air circulation
- Grain pest proliferation
- Oil rancidity acceleration
Solution: Connect to main kitchen general exhaust
- Branch duct from DCIF 200
- 4-inch connection sufficient
- Maintains 6 ACH in store room
- Single fan serves both spaces efficiently
Dwell Air's Kitchen Solutions
Fresh Air Management in Kitchens
While kitchens have opening windows, relying on natural ventilation is inadequate because:
- Windows remain closed during cooking to prevent smoke spreading
- Exhaust systems create negative pressure pulling in dust
- Combustion requires oxygen replacement
Dwell's Fresh Air Solutions:
- Dedicated 6-inch fresh air duct
- Optional DAIF 150 for forced ventilation
- Maintains neutral pressure preventing odor migration