A range hood uses a fan to remove grease, smoke, and cooking odors from the air over a cooking surface. Over time, grease buildup can put extra stress on the fan motor, and a clogged filter will make your range hood less effective. If grease builds up too thick, it can also become a fire hazard. Regular hood cleaning should include a scrub-down of all exterior surfaces as well as a thorough cleaning or replacement of the grease filter. You can do most hood cleaning on your own, but in some cases it may be best to hire a professional cleaning company.
Before you begin hood cleaning, you should check your owner’s manual to determine what type of filter you have, and note any special cleaning instructions or cautions in the manual. As with any electrical appliance, the hood should be disconnected from its power source before cleaning. Exterior surfaces can be cleaned using mild detergent or your usual kitchen degreaser. Be sure not to spray any chemicals directly into the light or fan assembly, and make sure the light bulb is cool before cleaning it. If water or cleaning fluid touches a hot light bulb, it can cause the bulb to shatter.
The next step in hood cleaning is to find out whether your hood is a vented or nonvented model. A vented hood pulls the air through a pipe that is vented outdoors, while a nonvented unit simply circulates the air through a filter and back into the room. For this type of hood, a professional cleaning of the vent pipe may be necessary. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding how often a professional cleaning may be required.
Many range hoods use activated charcoal filters that will need to be checked regularly. Charcoal filters should not be cleaned, since cleaning makes the charcoal less effective at removing odors. They should be replaced during your regular hood cleaning routine. You can find replacement filters at your local appliance dealer.
To clean a metal mesh grease filter, first remove it from the hood and wipe away excess grease with a paper towel. If the grease buildup is light, the filter can be tossed into the dishwasher, either with regular dishwasher detergent or plain water. The heat from the dishwasher should remove most of the grease, but for heavy grease buildup the filter may need to be soaked in degreaser first. Kitchen degreasers with ammonia will usually do the trick, but automotive degreasers are also effective. Be sure the filter is completely dry before you reinstall it.
If you keep up with regular hood cleaning, the task should not be too hard to complete on your own. However, there are times when you should call a professional to do the job. For exterior vent and pipe cleaning, a professional cleaning company can save you a lot of time and hassle. You should also call a professional if your fan is making any strange noises or is not working properly. Check with your local appliance retailer for the names of companies who have experience in range hood cleaning.