How to Clean and Degrease Range Hood Filters

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February 13, 2024 - Updated at March 27, 2024
Tiziano B.
Maintenance and cleaning
16888 views

The kitchen is the heart of your home, but while you cook, it's normal for fats and oils to accumulate in the air and on surfaces. Fortunately, your kitchen hood has the function of capturing these residues and preventing them from dispersing into the environment.

In particular, grease filters play an essential role in this process, but to best fulfill their function, it's important to keep them clean and degreased, not only for aesthetic reasons but also for functional and safety reasons.

Indeed, by regularly cleaning the hood's metallic filters, you increase the lifespan of the filter itself and prevent the risk of fire, which can occur when the heat produced during cooking encounters fatty residues deposited between the metal mesh of the grease filters.

In this article, we will provide you with a guide on how to clean and degrease them correctly so that you can enjoy a cleaner and safer kitchen.

Function of grease filters and where they are located:

As mentioned earlier, grease filters are essential for kitchen hoods because they capture fats and oils in the vapors during cooking. These types of filters are found in both extraction and recirculating hoods and are usually located in the lower part of your hood or under the cover panel.

Mainly, metallic grease filters are made of aluminum or stainless steel, and both do an excellent job of capturing fats but require some maintenance to continue working effectively.

How to tell when it's time to clean them?

In the battle against persistent and unpleasant odors in the kitchen, it's important to understand when it's time to clean your hood's grease filters to maintain their functionality.

You should know that almost all kitchen hoods also have an internal timer, which, when it expires, indicates, with the lighting of a warning light/LED, when it's time to clean them.

Some signs that might indicate it's time to clean the grease filters include:

Visible presence of stubborn grease and dirt;
Decreased airflow;
Persistent odors;
Reduced suction power;
Warning light/LED turning on indicating maintenance time.

If you notice any of these anomalies, take a look at the condition of your filters, and if you think it's time to clean them, follow the procedure below.

Procedure for cleaning and degreasing grease filters:

Cleaning and degreasing your kitchen hood's grease filters is a fairly simple task but should be done regularly to ensure your hood functions at its best. Proper washing of metallic grease filters can be done both by hand and in the dishwasher. The steps we recommend are the following:

Hand Washing in 5 steps:

Remove the filters: Most grease filters can be easily removed. Push the handle and pull down simultaneously. If you're unsure how to remove the filters, refer to the manufacturer's manual for specific instructions.
Degrease: Soak the filters for about 2 hours in a solution of hot water and dish detergent. This will soften the dirt, making it easier to remove. Do not use corrosive, acidic, or alkaline detergents.
Gently brush: After soaking, use a brush with soft bristles or a sponge (non-abrasive) to remove grease and dirt residues from the filters.
Rinse: Thoroughly rinse the filters with running water, ensuring to completely remove the detergent.
Drying and reassembly: Let the filters drip dry, wipe them with a cloth, and let them dry completely before putting them back into the hood to prevent mold formation.

Dishwasher Washing in 3 steps:

Remove the filters: The majority of grease filters can be easily removed. To do this, press the handle and pull down simultaneously. If you're unsure about the method, consult the manual provided by the manufacturer for specific instructions.
Dishwasher wash: Place the filters on the top rack of the dishwasher and use an intensive program to wash them. Be careful not to wash heavily greased metal filters together with dishes.
Drying and reassembly: After each wash, it's crucial to let the filters dry completely before repositioning them in the hood. Make sure to keep the handle facing outward so it's visible when the filters are reinstalled.

IMPORTANT:

In general, I recommend washing grease filters approximately every 2 months, depending on the frequency of appliance usage. This regular cleaning process will ensure that the filters maintain their performance at their best.

However, it's important to keep in mind that even with timely cleaning, filters tend to reach a point of wear that necessitates replacement. Therefore, it's essential not to overlook periodic filter checks and replace them when they start showing signs of deterioration.

This way, you can ensure that your kitchen hood continues to operate efficiently, keeping your kitchen cleaner and safer.

If you think it's time to replace them, you'll find any brand and model of filter at FiltroCappa.it.

How to clean the exterior of the hood from grease residues?

For the exterior, a quick cleaning at least once a week is sufficient, even just by wiping it with a sponge soaked in soap. After wiping with the sponge, remember to rinse and dry the hood with a clean cloth to remove stubborn dirt and buildup.

What NOT to do:

During the cleaning of grease filters, there are some things to avoid:

Don't use overly aggressive, corrosive, or abrasive detergents that could damage the filters or surrounding parts.
Avoid using boiling water to clean aluminum filters, as they could deform.
Do not reinstall the filters until they are completely dry to prevent mold formation.

Conclusions:

Grease filters in kitchen hoods are essential for keeping your kitchen clean and safe. Regular maintenance will ensure that your hood works at its best, minimizing odors and fats in the air.

By following the correct cleaning steps and avoiding common mistakes, you can enjoy a more hygienic and pleasant kitchen. Do not underestimate this important aspect of maintaining your kitchen hood to ensure a healthier and more enjoyable kitchen environment.

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