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How To Clean A Range Hood filter

How To Clean A Range Hood Filter

How To Clean A Range Hood Filter


Range hoods are a great way to improve the air quality of your kitchen during and after cooking. 

They are metal canopies that hang right above a stove and contain either a fan or blower motor to help eliminate contaminated air that often builds up in the area during cooking.

They can eliminate odors and fumes such as grease and smoke that are often produced during cooking - however, all of this pollution has to go somewhere.

Range hoods also feature filters around the exhaust fans, which often collect grease during each use. This is the main job of the filter, after all, but over time, this grease can build up and block the filter.

When the filter becomes blocked, the range hood will lose its effectiveness and you will notice that your kitchen becomes more smoky and smelly during cooking.

So, it’s important to clean these range hood filters as often as possible - but just how do you do it?

Here, we are going to take a look at range hood filters and how you can clean them. Then, you can enjoy cooking in your kitchen with less smoke and grease spoiling your fun.

What You Will Need

Cleaning range hood filters is actually a super easy process that requires very little equipment. All you need is some boiling water, baking soda, and dish soap. 

You can use any kind of dish soap but the best ones to use are the strong, degreasing dish soaps like Ajax, Joy Ultra, and Dawn Ultra.

Grease is what builds up on range hood filters and clogs them up, so a dish soap that is great at combating against grease will make the whole process a lot quicker and easier.

Also, some hood filters can be used in a dishwasher but we would not recommend this method because you can never be sure if your range hood filters are dishwasher safe and you could end up causing damage.

Cleaning your range hood filters manually is so simple that it’s better not to run the risk and just clean them yourself. 

You will also need a non abrasive scrub brush which can easily be found in lots of stores. It’s best to keep one separate for your filters or just make sure you disinfect it after you are done cleaning your range hood filters. 

Getting Started

Getting Started

Before you remove the filters, it’s best to plug up your sink and fill it with hot water. The hotter the water, the more germs and bacteria you will kill so make sure that the water in your sink (or bowl) is very hot but not hot enough to burn your hands. 

We recommend that you boil some water, fill the sink/bowl and then leave the water to cool until you can touch the water without flinching in pain. The water should at least be steaming. 

While the water is cooling after boiling, you can then remove your filters from the range hood. Most range hood filters are rectangular tablets that feature a metal meshing.

When blocked, you should be able to see lots of brown and black grease clinging to the filter, blocking it.

Most filters should just pop out from the underside of the hood, so just look under the range hood to see them. They do not require any equipment like screwdrivers to remove.

Some filters come with a loop to push the filters up, and then they should just be able to slide out. 

Remove the filters from the range hood and stack them next to your sink of water.

When the water is cool enough for you to put your hands in, you can add a good amount of dish soap and ¼ cup of baking soda. Mix it all together with either your hand or the brush until the water is soapy.

Cleaning Your Filters

Cleaning Your Filters

Now, it’s time to start cleaning your greasy range hood filters.

The first step is to let the filters soak in the water. Submerge them completely in the soap water, hold them down with the brush if you have to, and wait for around 10 minutes. Make sure they are completely covered with water and allow them to soak.

As the 10 minutes pass, the water should turn a gross brown color as the grease begins to wear away from the filters.

This is the dish soap and baking soda making good work on the grease - but they will still need a hand to completely cleanse your range hood filters.

Take your non abrasive scrub brush and begin to scrub the filters in the water. This will help remove the tougher spots of grease blocking your filters.

Remember to clean both sides and scrub until your filters are sparkling and grease free. If you need to, add more dish soap to your brush for a little extra muscle against those hard to remove grease spots.

Once done, empty your sink and run the filters under a running faucet. You should use hot water still as it will help kill any remaining bacteria, leaving your filters sparkling clean.

If you find any spots of grease, grab the scrub brush and some dish soap and tackle it.

Once your filters are clean of grease and soap, you can either leave them to dry or dry them with a paper towel or clean cloth. Make sure the cloth is clean as this is a breeding ground for germs and bacteria.

Then, when your  filters are dry, you can just pop them back into place!

How Often Should I Clean My Range Hood Filters?

Grease builds up over time and can block your range hood filters, reducing their efficiency.

However, how quickly this grease builds all depends on how often you cook and the kind of foods you cook regularly. Red, greasy meats will obviously produce more grease than vegetables. Plus, using lots of oil will quickly build up grease too.

It is recommended that you clean your range hood filters at least once a month, but keep an eye on your range hood filters by sticking your head underneath it and looking up.

You can also check them if you notice that your smoke is gathering in your kitchen while cooking and that odors are not disappearing as quickly as they used to. If your filters are black and greasy to touch - it’s time for a clean!

Conclusion

That’s all there is to it!

Cleaning your range hood filters may seem like a tedious task but in reality, it’s very simple and requires very little equipment.

It can be easily done while giving your kitchen a deep clean and does not have to be done very often - just check them after cooking greasy foods like red meat to see if the filters have done their job and caught all the grease polluting your air.

It’s super easy - so grab your dish soap and a brush, and get scrubbing!

 

 

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