Do you want to install a low profile exhaust fan on your food truck? If YES, here are factors to consider plus 5 best wall mounted exhaust fan in the market.
A Food Truck exhaust fan is very crucial in operating your mobile restaurant and some municipalities legally require them. Note that all fans do the same basic thing: move air from inside your building to outside. However, your food truck exhaust fan must move hot, dirty, greasy air through your hood system and vent it outside.
How Does an Exhaust Fan Work?
These fans work by sucking hot or humid air out of a small, localised area, allowing fresh air to enter from elsewhere (perhaps a doorway or vent) in order to replace it. The warm air that’s drawn out using an exhaust fan is then pulled through a ducting system and expelled outside.
Best Low Profile Exhaust Fan for Food Truck
Since exhaust fans are very necessary in your food truck, it is also imperative to choose one that is perfect for your needs. Always remember that you don’t have a lot of room in your truck, so it is pertinent to choose the best exhaust fan that will be ideal for your truck.
1. Z Line KB Wall Mount Range Hood
This models feature physical press buttons, a digital display, and LED lights. The power button can also be used to activate the 3 – minute delayed power – off function by simply pressing and holding the button until the display flashes three times.
In addition, the series offers models ranging from 30 inches to 48 inches wide, which makes it suitable for both trucks and commercial kitchens.
The models are all made of stainless steel, from the hood to the chimney extension. Have it in mind that the blower’s suction is adjustable, with speeds of 280, 400, 580, and 760 CFM. At the max setting of 760 CFM, the hood can handle up to 75,000 BTUs.
That should be able to take care of five burners with 15,000 BTU each. ZLINE recommends using speeds 1 and 2 for light frying or boiling, 3 for heavy frying or boiling, and 4 for grilling or intensive frying. All models in the KB series come with aluminium baffle filters that said to be dishwasher – safe but the general rule is don’t put aluminium wares in the dishwasher.
2. Broan – Nutone 512M Through – the – Wall Ventilation Fan
This model is available in both 3.5 Sones and 6.5 Sones; this exhaust fan is versatile and can even be used in various places and even in homes. The 3.5 Sone fan operates on 70 CFM and the 6.5 operates on 180 CFM. This fan can be adjusted to your truck and is made with a specially designed polymeric fan blade.
Just like most Broan products, this version also has paintable polymeric grilles (so you can match it to the inner décor of your truck) and a built – in damper. The Nutone 512M can be accessorized with a wall switch and / or a variable speed wall control for easier use.
3. STL75 – LED Wall – Mounted Range Hood
This 30 – inch wall – mounted kitchen range hood from Kitchen Bath Collection comes with high – end features at a very affordable price. It offers sleek curved edges, an adjustable two – piece chimney, and no visible weld seams on any of the chimney’s three faces.
The exhaust system is also equipped with three different speed settings and a touch screen control panel that is super easy to use. It boasts of two high lumen LED lights, each with high – end bulbs to give you adequate illumination while you work in your truck.
Note that it also includes all the accessories you need for installation, as well as a flexible aluminium duct that can be easily attached to the roof or wall of your truck. You also get an aluminium microcell grease filter that is dishwasher friendly and a UL – certified motor.
Also note that this particular model comes with charcoal carbon filters in case you want to install it as a ductless hood. This means you don’t have to buy any additional equipment. Made from rust – resistant 304 stainless steel, this is the best exhaust fan that is built to give great performance and last a very long time.
4. Broan 509 Through – Wall Fan
This fan is made out of plastic and comes in several sizes, allowing you to personalize the product for your individual needs. Its primary purpose is to ventilate and remove any odours in your truck– especially cooking odours and tobacco smells.
The bigger version of this exhaust fan has a Sone rating of 7.5 (which means it is powerful enough to ventilate bathrooms and regular rooms) and is powered on 180 CFM.
This version is very simple and convenient to install and has paintable polymeric grilles to ensure that the fan can stick and fit into the décor that already exists in your truck. It is especially unique as it comes with a built – in damper that helps to reduce back drafts – which is beneficial for energy efficiency.
This motor in the Broan 509 exhaust fan is lubricated, thermally protected, and offers an easy – to – use and fast ‘twist and lock’ installation.
5. iLiving Wall Mounted Exhaust Fan
iLiving exhaust fan boast of a number of advanced features with a simplistic construction that’s easy to use. The 10 inches exhaust fan is ideal for Truck use, and comes with variable speed shutter that is automatic and easy to operate.
The UL listed exhaust fan is speed controllable and comes with a permanently lubricated motor. Note that this prevents overheating and problems due to friction and overuse, and keeps it running at a smooth and consistent speed while offering the best performance for years to come.
The wire guards of the exhaust fan are corrosion resistant and OSHA compliant. This version is also resistant to wear and tear and is quite sturdy and durable. The speed controller offers variable speed functionality but is sold separately and doesn’t come with the product.
The high quality shutter fan offers superior airflow transfer with single speed as well a variable speed mode. It keeps the room cool and fresh and prevents the build – up of mould and allergens that can cost a fortune to fix.
Factors to Consider Before Deciding on a Type of Exhaust Fan to Buy
Since these fans are only really effective in smaller spaces, one that is capable of moving approximately 2 cubic metres per second usually provides sufficient ventilation. For larger trucks, a larger ventilation system may be more appropriate.
Also note that the effectiveness of exhaust fans is really dependent on the size of your truck and the airflow rate necessary for that area. How much air an exhaust fan can shift over a given amount of time is most commonly measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM), but is also referred to in terms of cubic metres per minute (m3/min).
Remember that the amount of air a fan can shift depends on both its size and speed. A small fan most likely will shift the same amount of air as a large fan, but would normally have to be oscillating faster to do so – depending on how the fan’s constructed, this may also make it noisier.
According to experts, the easiest way to know what size and speed of fan you require is to figure out the volume of your food truck, then multiply it by the number of air changes you’ll need to keep it clear. If in doubt, ask a retailer or qualified installer.
Best Place to Install an Exhaust Fan in a Food Truck
Also note that for an exhaust fan to perform at maximum efficiency, it needs to have access to balanced airflow. This simply entails that the volume of air being exhausted by the fan must be matched by that flowing into the truck. The best source of this in – flowing air is fresh air either from a window, vent or grille in a door or exterior wall.
It is also necessary to position the exhaust fan opposite the source of in – flowing air to encourage a cross – breeze that is very important to clear vapour and odour. Note that if you have no air entering your truck through a window or vent in your door, the exhaust fan will be unable to extract any air.
Remember not to position an exhaust fan too close to a door / window as this will offer air circulation at the door / window but have little or no effect on the rest of the room.
Conclusion
Getting an exhaust fan for your truck might not be a top priority to you, but it actually has a big role in keeping you well and healthy. Note that the ‘stale air’ and sharp smells in the truck are not just unpleasant to inhale, but might also have negative effect on your health, especially since the space is quite small.
You can get health problems such as asthma, constant headaches and light – headedness, or it can even trigger an allergic reaction in some people.