How to Clean a Greasy Range Hood – 13 Ways

How to Clean a Greasy Range Hood Filter: How to Clean Grease Off Range Hood Filters? A kitchen hood above the stove regularly cleans the air of a house or apartment from fumes, odors, and other undesirable phenomena that occur when cooking in the kitchen.

How to Clean a Greasy Range Hood

At the same time, over time, various deposits accumulate on the hood, mainly fat. Such deposits spoil the device’s appearance and reduce its efficiency. We will figure out how to wash the extract from fat at home and what is required for this.

However, hoods can be flow and circulation types. Flow devices remove exhaust air outside and are considered the most efficient. Circulation devices pass through carbon filters and send air back into the room.

What are the Causes of a Greasy Range Hood

It is best to clean the hood periodically. In any case – wash out the external parts of the device, change the filters, and clean the filter screens. The cause of pollution is the deposits on the filters.

Moreover, the operating equipment draws all the particles from internal and external surfaces. Dust will settle on idle equipment even if you do not use the stove, hood, or oven.

The frequency of cleaning relies on concurrent conditions. Range hood manufacturers usually recommend doing this monthly, but some users find the strength to clean the hood from grease and other deposits after each cooking. If you neglect cleaning, a layer of grease, soot, and other dirt will soon cover the equipment. 

In this case, the filters will become clogged. The equipment will cease to execute its operations. You should note that it is not as easy to wash old deposits as relatively fresh ones – even with folk remedies (with a bite, for example), even with special cleaning products for dishes.

How to Get Started?

Before cleaning the hood in the kitchen from grease and other dirt, you should read the operating instructions for the equipment, especially regarding recommendations for cleaning it. Then, as a rule, you will have to perform several actions, namely:

After finishing all the above actions, you can start cleaning the grease filter and other device elements.

How to Clean Grease Off Range Hood Filters?

The grease filter or just the grate can be steel or aluminum. This element is the most contaminated part of the exhaust technology while being contaminated the fastest. 

Therefore, the kitchen hood filter needs to be cleaned regularly, and you can clean the rest of the elements of this equipment less frequently. Let’s figure out how to wash and clean the hood filter from grease at home.

1. Dishwasher

When deciding how to clean a greasy range hood filter in the kitchen, one of the apparent actions is to use the dishwasher, if you have one. The dishwasher’s advantage is that removing traces of contamination from the filter occurs quickly and automatically. 

On the other hand, it will not be possible to dissolve and remove old and excessively dried fat with a dishwasher. Range hood manufacturers recommend setting the maximum time for the washing procedure and the temperature to 60 ° C.

2. Dishwashing liquids

You can use regular dishwashing detergent if you don’t have a dishwasher. For cleaning the filter from the hood, range hood manufacturers recommend the following:

The main disadvantage of this method is the same as that of a dishwasher – with an old layer of fat, you cannot fully manage this tool, and the deposits should be no more than a month old.

3. Special Cleaners for Cooker Hoods and Ovens

Several special detergents are designed to clean even filthy filters. They are available in gels, liquids, creams, etc. Before washing the grease filter with such a product, it is crucial to read the guideline for their use. 

And, in the future, use the product only according to the instructions. The fact is that many products of this type are potent, and deviation from the instructions can lead to rather sad consequences. Nevertheless, with their help, you can quickly, efficiently, and effectively clean the grate of the hood from fat.

4. Drain Pipe Cleaner for Blockages

To clean the grate of the hood from grease, you can use various products designed for cleaning drain pipes. These products are obtainable in the form of gels or granules. It is more convenient to use gel-like products, and it is also safer than dissolving granules. 

Before washing the hood using such a tool, you must read the instructions for its use and safety measures when working with it. If you neglect safety measures, you can earn an unpleasant chemical burn.

For working with strong household chemicals, range hood manufacturers recommend using rubber gloves and industrial respirators. It will protect against unwanted skin and respiratory contact with chemical fumes.

5. Bath Soaps

To clean grease off range hood filters from fat, you can use a common folk method such as a soapy bath prepared from laundry soap. You can use a standard bar of laundry soap labeled 72%. Rub the bar on a grater, pour hot water, and stir until the chips dissolve entirely. You should place the filter in this solution for about half an hour. 

After that, remove it, and wipe off the remaining greasy layers with a brush or sponge. Then it remains only to rinse the element to be cleaned.

6. Soda Solution

A solution of soda also has an effect similar to a soapy bath. The solution is prepared in about half a glass of soda to 10 liters of water. It is advisable not to use food but soda ash because it provides the best effect. You must boil the soda solution with the filter for 30-40 minutes. Then as in previous cases, you should brush and wash the filter with clean water.

7. Ammonia

Working with a solution of ammonia has its characteristics. The cleaning procedure can occur in a well-ventilated area, leaving the window open. In advance, it is also necessary to take care of a protective gauze bandage for the face or a respirator. 

The mixture is prepared in the ratio of 100 ml of ammonia per 3 liters of water. The filter from the hood in the kitchen is wetted with this solution. 

Afterward, place it in an airtight container or a well-closed bag. This element is aged for at least three hours in the package, after which it is removed, brushed, and washed with clean water.

8. Vinegar

Cleaning the filter from the hood with vinegar solution is very simple. For the procedure, a ready-made 9% solution is used, which is sold in any supermarket.

The grate of the hood is filled with this solution and kept in it for about half an hour. Then they pass over it with a brush, removing the remnants of pollution, and washed with clean water.

9. Lemon Juice

You can clean your cooker hood with lemon juice. To do this, carefully rub the filter element to be cleaned with half a cut lemon. One-half is usually not enough for the entire surface. You have to use the other. Next, leave the treated part for about 40 minutes, brush the treated area and wash it off with water.

10. Mustard Powder

Good results are obtained by cleaning the filter element with mustard powder. You should not use the mustard powder directly. For the cleaning process, a mixture of three tablespoons of powder, two tablespoons of dish detergent, 50 ml of a solution of vinegar (9%), and 50 ml of water is prepared. 

The prepared mixture is used on the dirty surface. Afterward, the filter is placed in a bag or wrapped with cling film. In this form, the element to be cleaned is kept for at least an hour. Then it is brushed and washed with water.

11. Carbonated Drinks

Oddly enough, carbonated drinks, such as Coca-Cola, Sprite, and Pepsi-Cola, also help eliminate fatty deposits. The fact is that phosphoric acid is present in their composition. Its content in drinks is small. This substance does not have any harmful impact on human health. Nevertheless, this acid is quite enough to clean the filter grate from not too old deposits. 

Using the drink as a cleaning agent is enough to fill the filter element and leave it in this form for about forty minutes. Next, you must brush the area and wash it off with water. An alternative option is to boil the element in the drink for about 15-20 minutes.

12. Bleaching

As you know, “Whiteness” is a household bleaching agent widely used in laundry and cleaning. You can also use it to clean the filter mesh if the fat layers are still fresh. 

For doing this, this element must be moistened with water and applied to its “Whiteness.” Then, after about 15 minutes, you need to remove the bleach with a brush and rinse the filter element with water.

Hygiene products such as shampoo and liquid soap can also be used as a detergent in the processes of cleaning elements of exhaust systems.

13. Steam Generator

This cleaning method is possible if there is a steam generator in the kitchen. This device can deliver a jet of steam, the temperature of which reaches 150˚С.

Such a jet of steam can soften and remove even old fat. The remaining layers should be removed with a sponge and detergent, after which you should wash the cleaned filter with clean water.

How to Clean the Hood Inside?

The exhaust system consists of more than just a grease filter. You must clean the body of the system, especially from the inside, where a lot of dirt also settles. You can wash this part of the hoodless frequently than the grease filter, but the best option is still simultaneously cleaning all system elements.

For the cleaning process, you can use the same tools and methods as for cleaning the grease filter. It can be both special cleaning household chemicals and suitable improvised means. Ultimately, everything is determined by the convenience of their use in a particular situation, subject to all necessary safety rules.

How to Clean the Air Duct?

This problem may occur for owners of flow-type kitchen hoods. Evidence that the air duct is somewhat neglected and needs to be cleaned from the inside is a noticeable decrease in its draft. It shows a general decline in the efficiency of the exhaust system. 

If the air duct is made of plastic, then, as a rule, it can be easily disassembled into parts. It is enough to treat these parts with ordinary detergent and rinse with water.

In many cases, a corrugated pipe is used as an air duct. Compared to plastic, it gets dirty much faster, both outside and inside, and you must wash it more often. Such a pipe should also be dismantled and washed conveniently from those listed above, except it is advisable not to use strong chemicals – the pipe may darken.

How to Clean the Hood Housing

The outer side of the hood housing is easily accessible for processing, and the dirt on it is immediately noticeable, so this part of the exhaust system, as a rule, is most often cleaned. 

Usually, a standard dishwashing detergent is used for this procedure. You can also use other detergents, but it is undesirable to use products with abrasive properties – this may cause scratches on the case. 

If the dirt on the body has not been removed for a long time and has hardened, you can use a specialized detergent for washing ovens and stoves.

How to Clean Range Buttons

Let’s figure out how to clean the buttons of the exhaust system control unit. These buttons get dirty easily and quickly because, during regular cooking, we often press them with grease-stained fingers. You can use special wipes to clean monitors and buttons. 

In addition, such elements are well-cleaned with a solution of ammonia. The cleaning process should be conducted with the hood disconnected from the mains.

Cleaning Frequency

The optimal frequency of cleaning the filter and other parts of the kitchen exhaust system depends on the specific conditions. If cooking takes place daily, washing the filter once a month is recommended. After the first visible traces of dirt appear, washing the case’s exterior is best. 

After a visual inspection, the inner part is better to do this while washing the filter grid. The air duct is disassembled and washed with a noticeable drop in thrust. From the outside, it is best to wash it as it needs. 

Generally, it is best to determine the optimal frequency of processing the kitchen hood during the equipment’s operation. If such an optimum is determined, it is better to strictly adhere to it because running, heavily polluted systems are challenging to clean, and the hood can fail.

However, elements made of stainless steel tolerate the cleaning process best. They handle the effects of even pretty aggressive substances well. Aluminum elements may darken in case of long-term contact with such substances.

Conclusion

As you can see, exhaust systems need periodic cleaning, and it’s better not to delay it because ignoring the process can lead to a decrease in the efficiency of the equipment and even to its failure. 

There are many ways to clean this equipment and a wide range of cleaning products, both special and general applications. Therefore, when deciding how to clean the hood from fat, the user can easily choose the most suitable method for his condition.