60cm vs 90cm Kitchen Chimney - Which Size Fits Your Kitchen?

Choosing between a 60cm and 90cm kitchen chimney is mainly about how well the chimney width matches your cooking zone and installation space. A chimney that is too narrow for the hob may capture smoke and grease less effectively around the outer burners, while an unnecessarily wide model may take up more wall or cabinet space than needed. This guide explains what the two common chimney dimensions mean, how to measure your hob or gas stove, and how cooking style, burner count, suction and kitchen layout should influence your decision.

What Does 60cm or 90cm Chimney Size Mean?

A chimney labelled 60cm or 90cm refers to the approximate width of the chimney body or smoke-capture area. This width matters because the chimney sits above the hob and needs to collect rising smoke, steam and grease from the active cooking zone. The number is not a direct indication of motor strength or suction capacity. Two chimneys of different widths can have similar suction, while two models of the same width can have very different motor specifications. Think of width as the coverage dimension and suction as the airflow-performance specification.

60cm vs 90cm Kitchen Chimney: Quick Comparison

Match Chimney Width to Hob or Gas Stove Width

The simplest starting point is to compare the chimney width with the overall width of your hob or gas stove. The chimney should cover the active cooking area rather than only the centre burner. Check the full edge-to-edge width of the appliance and notice where the outer burners are positioned. If the hob is compact and all burners sit within a narrow footprint, 60cm may be adequate. A wider hob, widely spaced burners or a larger cooking surface can make a 90cm chimney more suitable because it offers a broader capture area.

When a 60cm Chimney Makes Sense

A 60cm chimney makes sense when the cooking zone is relatively compact, wall space is limited, and the outer burners remain comfortably within the chimney's capture width. It can also work well in smaller modular kitchens where cabinetry is planned around a 60cm appliance bay. For example, the Wonderchef Power Curve 60cm combines the 60cm format with 1200 m3/hr suction, auto-clean functionality, gesture and touch control and an oil collector.

When a 90cm Chimney Makes Sense

A 90cm chimney becomes more relevant when the hob is wider, the burners are spread across a broader surface, or you want more side-to-side capture above the cooking area. It can be especially useful where large cookware is frequently used on the outer burners. The Wonderchef Power Curve 90cm uses a 90cm body while listing 1200 m3/hr suction, auto-clean functionality, gesture and touch control, an oil collector and a baffle filter.

Does a Wider Chimney Mean Higher Suction?

A wider chimney does not automatically mean stronger suction. Width tells you how much horizontal area the chimney can cover, while suction capacity describes how much air the motor is designed to move. This is why a 60cm model can have a higher listed suction specification than some 90cm models. When comparing options, evaluate width and suction independently: choose width according to the hob and capture area, then compare motor and airflow specifications according to cooking intensity, kitchen ventilation and the product features you need.

Kitchen Size, Cooking Style and Burner Count

Kitchen size matters, but the cooking zone matters more. Burner count is only a useful clue; actual hob width and burner spacing are more reliable measurements. Cooking style also affects the decision. Frequent frying, tempering, grilling or cooking that produces more smoke and grease can make effective capture and adequate suction more important. If heavy cooking uses the outer burners regularly, make sure the selected chimney extends across that working area.

Cabinet, Wall and Installation Space Requirements

Before buying, check the wall, cabinet and ducting space around the intended chimney position. A 90cm model needs more horizontal clearance, so nearby wall cabinets, shelves or tall units must leave enough room for the body and installation. Also check where the duct outlet will run and whether the chimney can be centred over the hob. For a 60cm model, compact width can simplify placement, but it should not be chosen simply to fit a narrow gap if the hob underneath extends beyond the capture area.

Chimney Mounting Height and Clearance

Mounting height affects how effectively smoke reaches the chimney and how safely the appliance sits above the cooking surface. Do not assume the correct height from chimney width alone. The required clearance can vary by product design, hob type and installation instructions. Measure the vertical space available above the stove and follow the installation guidance supplied with the selected model. The chimney should also be centred over the cooking zone so that the capture area is not shifted noticeably to one side.

How to Measure Your Kitchen Before Buying

Use these checks before you order a chimney so that the size decision is based on the actual kitchen rather than only on the number of burners:

1. Measure the full width of the hob or gas stove from edge to edge.

2. Check where the outer burners sit, not just the overall burner count.

3. Measure the available wall or cabinet opening above the cooking zone.

4. Confirm that the chimney can be centred directly over the hob.

5. Check the planned duct route and the space needed for installation.

6. Review the selected model's installation instructions before finalising the purchase.

60cm or 90cm: Which Size Should You Choose?

Choose 60cm when your hob or gas stove is compact, its active burners sit within a roughly 60cm cooking zone, and the surrounding cabinetry is designed for that width. Choose 90cm when the hob is visibly wider, the outer burners extend across a broader surface, or additional capture width is useful for your cooking pattern. If both widths can physically fit, compare suction, filter type, auto-clean system, controls, noise-related features and installation requirements next. The right size is the one that covers the cooking zone properly without creating unnecessary installation compromises.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is a 60 cm chimney enough for a three-burner stove?

A 60cm chimney can be suitable for some three-burner stoves, but burner count alone is not enough to decide. Measure the full width of the stove and check the position of the outer burners. If the cooking area is wider than the chimney's capture width, a 90cm option may provide more complete coverage.

2. When should I choose a 90 cm chimney?

Consider a 90cm chimney when the hob or gas stove is wider, burners are spread farther apart, or large cookware is often used on the outer zones. You also need enough wall and cabinet space to install the wider body while keeping it centred over the cooking surface.

3. Should chimney size match hob size?

The chimney should ideally cover the active hob or stove area, so matching the widths closely is a practical starting point. Exact compatibility still depends on appliance design, burner placement and the manufacturer's installation instructions. Measure the actual hob rather than relying only on the number of burners.

4. Does a 90 cm chimney have better suction?

Not necessarily. A 90cm measurement describes chimney width, not motor strength. Suction capacity is a separate specification. For example, the available Wonderchef product list includes 60cm and 90cm models with different suction ratings, showing why width and airflow should be compared independently.

5. What is the standard kitchen chimney size?

The two common widths in the provided Wonderchef range are 60cm and 90cm. Which one is appropriate depends on the width of the hob or gas stove, burner spacing and the available installation area. Always measure the cooking zone and installation space before selecting a size.

Conclusion

The 60cm vs 90cm chimney decision becomes easier once you separate coverage from suction. First measure the hob or gas stove and choose a chimney wide enough to cover the active cooking area. Then compare suction, filter design, auto-clean features, controls and installation needs within that size. A compact cooking zone may be well served by 60cm, while a broader hob can benefit from 90cm coverage.

Related Wonderchef Kitchen Chimneys

If you are comparing Wonderchef chimney sizes, these models show how width and suction can vary independently:

• For a higher-suction 60cm option, the Wonderchef's Ultra Curve 60cm is listed with a filterless auto-clean design, oil collector, BLDC motor and 1700 m3/hr suction.

• For wider coverage, the Wonderchef's Ultra Sleek 90cm is listed with a 90cm filterless auto-clean format, oil collector, BLDC motor and 1800 m3/hr suction.

Editorial note: Chimney size and installation requirements can vary by model and kitchen layout. Always follow the measurement, clearance, ducting and safety instructions supplied with the specific chimney.