When designing a beautiful handcrafted range hood, the blower is often the hidden hero. It dictates how efficiently your kitchen stays clean, fresh, and free from grease and smoke—especially in busy kitchens or homes that love to cook. But the question many homeowners ask is:

What CFM blower power do I actually need for my kitchen?

At Amoretti Brothers, we handcraft luxury copper and brass range hoods designed to perform as beautifully as they look. Choosing the right blower ensures your hood works at its best. Below is a simple guide to help you select the ideal CFM for your cooking style, kitchen layout, and range size.

What Is CFM—and Why Does It Matter?

CFM stands for Cubic Feet per Minute, which measures how much air the blower can move.
Higher CFM = more ventilation power.
Lower CFM = quieter, softer airflow.

A properly sized CFM blower:

• Removes smoke, steam, and cooking odors
• Prevents grease buildup on cabinets
• Improves indoor air quality
• Helps your kitchen stay cooler while cooking
• Ensures your handcrafted range hood performs at its best

General Rule of Thumb: 100 CFM per 10,000 BTU

If you know your cooktop’s BTU output, you can calculate the blower size easily:

CFM needed = Total BTU ÷ 100

Example:
A 60,000 BTU gas range → 600 CFM recommended

For electric cooktops, you often need less power because they generate fewer fumes.

Recommended CFM by Cooking Style

Light Cookers

(occasional cooking, mostly boiling or reheating)
➡️ 300–450 CFM
Good for small apartments or minimal cooking habits.

Moderate Home Chefs

(regular cooking, occasional frying or grilling)
➡️ 450–600 CFM
Fits most standard kitchens and 30–36” ranges.

Serious or Daily Cookers

(frying, searing, grilling, heavy use)
➡️ 600–900 CFM
Ideal for large families and active kitchens.

Professional-Style or High-BTU Ranges

(Wolf, Viking, Thermador, etc.)
➡️ 900–1200+ CFM
Designed for ranges with 80,000+ BTU and high heat output.

Recommended CFM by Hood Size

Range Hood WidthIdeal CFM30"300–600 CFM36"600–900 CFM42"900–1200 CFM48"+1200+ CFM

If your hood is wall-mounted and used for heavy cooking, choose the higher end of the range.

Your Kitchen Layout Matters Too

✔ Wall-Mounted Hoods

Usually require less CFM because walls help capture rising smoke.

✔ Island Hoods

Smoke spreads more easily sideways, so:
➡️ Add +150–250 CFM to your calculation.

✔ Long or Complex Duct Lines

Sharp bends, long ducts, or small diameters reduce efficiency.
A higher CFM compensates for airflow loss.

When You Should Choose a Higher CFM

You will benefit from a stronger blower if:

• You cook with cast iron, woks, or deep frying
• You have a griddle, teppanyaki, or grill insert
• You use spicy or aromatic ingredients (Mexican, Asian, Italian cuisine)
• Your kitchen has poor natural ventilation
• You have an open-concept layout

Choosing the Right Blower for Amoretti Brothers Range Hoods

All our hoods—copper, brass, or stainless steel—are designed to work with high-performance internal or remote blowers.

Internal Blowers

• Easier to install
• More compact
• Slightly louder
• Great for 300–900 or even a pro 1200 CFM setups

External / Remote Blowers

• Installed on the roof or wall
• Much quieter inside the kitchen
• Ideal for 600–1000+ CFM systems
• Perfect for professional-style cooktops

If your cooking style is heavy or your home uses a large gas range, we often recommend a 900–1200 CFM remote blower for best results.

Final Recommendation

If you’re unsure, these guidelines simplify the decision:

• Small kitchens / light cooking → 350–450 CFM
• Standard 36" hood → 600–900 CFM
• Large or professional ranges → 900–1500 CFM
• Island installations → add +150–250 CFM

The right CFM ensures that your handcrafted Amoretti Brothers hood not only looks beautiful—it performs flawlessly for years.

Need Help Choosing the Perfect Blower?

We assist clients every day in selecting the ideal blower power for their custom range hood. Whether you're building a new home or remodeling your kitchen, our team can guide you toward the best setup.

Contact us at Amoretti Brothers and we’ll help you choose the perfect combination of design, craftsmanship, and performance for your kitchen.

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