Choosing the Best Exhaust Fan for a Food Truck (Upblast, NFPA 96 & Sizing)

Choosing the Best Exhaust Fan for a Food Truck

A food truck has the same ventilation rules as a brick-and-mortar restaurant — just less room to meet them. If you cook with grease, oil, or an open flame, you need a grease-rated upblast exhaust fan on your hood to stay NFPA 96 compliant and keep your tiny kitchen livable. Here is how to choose one.

Why upblast, and why grease-rated

Upblast exhaust fans discharge smoke and grease-laden air straight up and away from the truck, which keeps the exhaust off your serving window and your customers. A grease-rated, direct-drive centrifugal fan is built to move that greasy air without clogging or failing — and direct drive means no belts to maintain on a vehicle that is constantly moving and vibrating.

How much CFM does a food truck need?

Most food trucks run a short hood (4–8 ft) over a compact line, so exhaust requirements are modest compared with a full restaurant. A 2050 CFM (1/2 HP) upblast fan covers the majority of food trucks and concession trailers. Heavier frying or a longer hood may call for a 2500 CFM (3/4 HP) fan. Match the fan to your hood's rated exhaust CFM rather than guessing.

Power and space

Trucks typically run single-phase 115V power, so choose a fan that matches — all of ours run 115V, 1-phase, 60 Hz. Weight and a low profile matter too: a lightweight aluminum body is easier on your roof and your generator.

Make-up air and compliance

Even on wheels, you need make-up air to replace what you exhaust, and your setup still has to satisfy NFPA 96 and your local health and fire inspector. Pair your fan with a Type 1 hood and a make-up air unit for a balanced, compliant system.

The bottom line

For most food trucks, a 2050 CFM grease-rated upblast fan is the sweet spot — compliant, compact, and affordable. See pricing and specs on our upblast exhaust fans page, or send us your hood size for a free recommendation.