The extractor hood seems to be one of the trickiest places to clean as the build-up of grease and grease makes it a very sticky affair. But if your hood is crying out for a deep clean, there's no reason to delay. In this step-by-step guide, you'll learn how to efficiently clean a sticky range hood and keep it free of grease.
Why is it so important to keep the extractor hood clean?
It's easy to put off or forgo caring for your hood. A clogged and dirty extractor hood is much worse, but not the worst problem. It can even pose a fire hazard.
If even the slightest flame occurs while cooking - for example, if you fry something, leave the pot on the stove, or accidentally burn your food - it could be enough to set the stove on fire. The fire spreads quickly through the grease-smeared fan and through the fan duct. If you're really unlucky, the flames can spread to other parts of the house. If you live in an apartment, the neighbors won't be very happy.
Additionally, the grease from the fan may melt and drip into your pots and pans while you cook, which is not very hygienic. If the drops get on the hot stovetops, they can catch fire. It doesn't take many seconds for these hot drops to turn into flames.
So a clean and well-functioning fan not only keeps your entire house free of kitchen odors, it is also a safety factor. Next, we'll go through step by step how you should clean a filter and a sticky range hood.
How to clean the sticky extractor hood – Follow these instructions
Cleaning a sticky range hood can be a difficult and quite tedious task. However, like all other tidying and cleaning activities, this is very necessary. You will know that the extractor hood needs to be cleaned because it no longer absorbs food as well. The filter may also be sticky and fatty deposits of yellow or brown color may form. Cleaning these filters is not that difficult.
This guide will show you how to clean them in the sink using boiling water, baking soda and a good dish soap. Some extractor hood filters can even be washed in the dishwasher. However, we recommend that you don't put them in the dishwasher if they are very greasy - you don't want too much grease getting into the machine, do you?
Remove the grease from the filter with hot water, dish soap & baking soda
What you need:
- Very hot or boiling water
- Degreasing dishwashing liquids
- Baking soda
- Non-abrasive scrub brush
- Paper towels or tea towel
Instructions:
- Remove the filters from the hood: Most filters should slide or pop out easily from the bottom of the hood.
- Fill a sink or bucket with boiling water: The hotter the water, the more effective it is. Depending on how hot the water from your faucet is, this may be enough. Otherwise, boiled water should do the job.
- Pour in baking soda and dish soap: Add a good squirt of grease-dissolving dish soap and 1/4 cup baking soda to the hot water. Swirl the water with a brush (not your hand, because the water is too hot!) until it is nice and soapy.
- Place the greasy filters in the water: Immerse your greasy exhaust filters in the water. Make sure they are completely covered.
- Let them soak: Allow the filters to soak for 10 minutes.
- Scrub the filters: After soaking, take a non-abrasive brush and scrub the filters. If necessary, add more dish soap to your brush as you scrub.
- Rinse and dry: Rinse the filters thoroughly in hot water and dry with a paper towel or clean cloth.
Repeat the process if necessary and put the filters back into the hood!
Clean metal filter – Soak in water & vinegar overnight
Clean the extractor hood metal filter: Soak it in very hot, soapy water with a cup of vinegar to loosen the grease and let it soak for as long as possible, preferably overnight.
Rub it gently with a toothbrush: After long soaking, gently rub the filter and other parts with a toothbrush to remove greasy residue.
How to care for the surface of an extractor hood
Wipe the outside of the range hood with soapy water or detergent: However, first make sure the oven is turned off and wait for all surfaces to cool before you start cleaning.
Dry with a clean cloth: Wipe your range hood with a clean cloth after each cleaning to avoid water stains and other contamination. This way it stays nice and shiny!
Tips on how to keep a sticky extractor hood clean and free of grease
It's good to know that the main cause of a sticky hood is frying. When you cook less fried foods, you not only reduce the amount of cleaning required in your kitchen, but you also eat healthier. This can be a very handy tip if you are always wondering how to clean your sticky range hood.
Once a month, remove the filter and give it a quick wash in the sink. Once you have thoroughly cleaned the components, they should only require a short cleaning if you do this regularly, meaning that deep cleaning is rarely required.
Choosing an extractor hood for the kitchen – what criteria do you have to pay attention to?You can find out here!
