7 ways to clean your hood

During the operation of the cooker hood, fatty deposits gradually form on its surface, and the filters become clogged with a sticky substance. This not only spoils the appearance, but also reduces the performance of the device and may cause its failure. Our experts know how to remove grease from the hood without effort and the use of expensive industrial products.

General rules for cleaning the hood

In order for the kitchen air purifier to serve as long as possible and to effectively draw out combustion products from a working stove, as well as fumes and fat from cooked dishes, it must be regularly cleaned.

Our experts share their recommendations for the proper care of the hood:

1. The frequency with which the device should be cleaned of dirt depends on the operating time. On average, this should be done at least once every 3 months.

2. For intensive cooking in the kitchen, the grates and hood should be cleaned every 2-3 weeks. The more often you wash your device, the easier and faster it is to clean.

3. Assess the degree of contamination of the elements and select the optimal cleaning method. Aggressive products must be used to remove a thick layer of old fat.

4. Before cleaning the hood from accumulated grease, it is necessary to de-energize and disassemble it.

Filter cleaning methods

The cleaning method is determined by the type of filter installed. The following filter elements are commonly used in exhaust devices.

Mesh filter. Aluminum mesh with fine mesh, enclosed in a metal frame. The fat is retained by the smallest cells of several meshes placed inside the frame. Hoods with this type of filter must be cleaned completely mechanically using grease-dissolving detergents.

Metal nets (made of aluminum or stainless steel) with a filter material inside based on non-woven or synthetic winterizer. The maximum service life of such filters is 3-4 months. During cleaning, it is necessary to wash only the metal mesh, after removing the filter material from the inside. After cleaning it should be replaced with a new one. Attempts to wash a clogged disposable filter will not lead to a result – it is impossible to completely remove absorbed fat from the fibers of the fabric.

Carbon filters. They are cartridges with activated carbon granules. If contaminated, they cannot be rinsed with water or otherwise cleaned. The used carbon filter must be replaced. It must be changed every 3-6 months, when the traction force of the exhaust device drops noticeably. Carbon filters are the most convenient in terms of cleaning. The old cassette is completely replaced with a new one and nothing needs to be washed. Is that only the case of the device.

Do not postpone general cleaning of the hood. Cleansing its elements from old fat is a time consuming and complex process.

How to clean the fatty metal mesh

Having dealt with the type of filter of the exhaust device, we select the most suitable way to clean it. Lightly greasy aluminum nets can be easily tidied up using available alkaline-based products.

Dishwashing liquid

The nets should be moistened with hot water and the entire surface should be soaped with a sponge. For effectiveness, the product can be left on for 15-20 minutes. Rub the filters with a sponge again and wash off the foam by rinsing under running water.

Laundry soap

Lather a sponge with laundry soap and rub the surface of the nets with it on both sides. After half an hour, rinse off the foam and rinse with a shower.

Soda

Wet the nets with hot water and sprinkle a layer of baking soda on them evenly (first on one side, then on the other). Using a toothbrush, rub the baking soda over the entire surface of the filter. After 20 minutes, brush again and rinse with a powerful stream of hot water.

With regular cleaning of the grates, once every 7-10 days, treatment with soda, soap or dish detergent is enough to keep the filter in working order and clean.

Dishwasher cleaning

For dishwasher owners, it is even easier to remove grease from the hoods. In it, a dirty filter can be easily washed in the 'Intensive wash' mode at a temperature of 70C.

If you make it a rule to put mesh filters from the hood in the dishwasher every 2-3 weeks together with plates and mugs, then they will always be in excellent condition and will last a long time.

7 ways to remove thick grease from hood filters

If the hood is not washed regularly, then a thick layer of grease will accumulate on it, which cannot be washed either with detergents or in the dishwasher.

But do not despair – there are 7 ways to return the device to a decent look and previous performance. The methods are arranged as the efficiency increases.

Method number 1. Cleansing with lemon

The acid contained in lemon is good at breaking down fat. To clean the strainer with lemons, you need:

1. cut 1-2 lemons in half;

2. Grate one side with one half of the fruit, the other side with the other, squeezing the juice to the maximum;

3. leave the nets for 30 minutes for the acid to work;

4. clean the cells with a brush with laundry soap or dishwashing detergent;

5. rinse with water.

Citric acid powder can be used instead of lemons. Dissolve a bag of powder 20 g in a liter of hot water and fill the filters for 2-3 hours, and preferably overnight.

Method number 2. Soaking in a solution of laundry soap

Laundry soap is a powerful alkaline agent that perfectly dissolves fat. To clean the hood elements:

1. rub a half piece of soap on a grater and dissolve it in 5 liters of hot water;

2. place the strainers in a wide baking sheet with soapy water (you can use a sink, basin, or a large saucepan);

3. leave to soak for 2-3 hours, constantly adding boiling water;

4. remove the grates from the solution and rub thoroughly on both sides with a brush or sponge;

5. rinse under running water.

To enhance the effect, you can place a baking sheet with filters soaked in soapy water in an oven heated to 1000C. After 40-60 minutes, the nets can be taken out and cleaned with a brush.

Method number 3. Cleansing with a universal stone

Universal stone is a unique detergent developed in Germany to remove stubborn dirt of various origins from all surfaces. It is a paste consisting of clay, coconut and green soap flakes, glycerin. The ingredients soften and dissolve fatty deposits without leaving a trace. All that is needed to remove grease and soot in filters is to apply the agent on dirty filters for 10-20 minutes, rub it a little with a sponge and rinse under running water.

Method number 4. Boiling in a soda solution

Working process:

1. Pour water into a large saucepan or wide metal bowl and add baking soda (at the rate of 2 packs per 5 liters of water);

2. put the solution on the stove to heat;

3. remove the filter grids and place them in the solution (it is desirable that the water completely covers them, otherwise the grids must be turned over periodically);

4. boil the filters over low heat for 10-15 minutes;

5. carefully remove the grates from the water using special tongs;

6. rub the mesh cells with a hard plastic brush;

7. rinse with running water and dry.

You can replace boiling in a saucepan on the stove by soaking in hot water in a sink or wide baking sheet. The hotter the water, the more efficient the cleaning will be. We recommend adding boiling water from a kettle to the water every 5 minutes.

Method number 5. Cleansing paste

For stubborn grease, you can make a homemade cleansing paste. For this you need to mix:

1. 20 g of grated laundry soap;

2. 1 tbsp table salt;

3. 1 tbsp vinegar;

4. 1 tbsp hot water.

Using a sponge or a brush, rub the paste into the soiled nets, wait 15-20 minutes and rinse with clean water.

Method number 6. Cleansing with ammonia

Ammonia (10% ammonia) helps to remove fresh and old fat deposits on the hood and its filters.

Procedure:

1. heat 3 liters of water in a saucepan to a temperature of 70-800C;

2. add 1 glass of ammonia;

3. place the mesh filters of the hood in a baking sheet and fill them with a solution;

4. leave for 3-4 hours;

5. brush the softened fat with a brush;

6. rinse thoroughly with water and dry (preferably outdoors).

This cleaning method is hazardous to human health, since ammonia fumes are very corrosive and can cause burns to mucous membranes and dizziness. When working with ammonia, the windows should be open in the room, and the access of children and animals to it should be limited. A mask and gloves are required.

Method number 7. Treatment with acetic acid

To quickly remove accumulated grease from the hood, you can treat it with 70% acetic acid. Ordinary table vinegar 9% will not cope with this task.

Mode of application:

1. moisten a sponge or napkin with acetic acid;

2. blot the filters on both sides (as an option, you can fill the grates in the baking sheet with acid);

3. leave for 5-10 minutes (processing time more than 15 minutes can damage the filters);

4. clean the softened fatty deposits with a hard sponge or brush;

5. rinse with plenty of water;

6. dry in the fresh air.

Attention! This method is very aggressive and hazardous to health. Acetic acid can cause burns to the skin and respiratory tract, therefore, the processing of the elements of the exhaust device should be done only with heavy rubber gloves, a mask and with open windows.

Method No. 8. Soaking in a pipe cleaner

This method should be used only in the most difficult cases, when none of the above means helps or the hood has not been washed for several years.

To clean the filters, you will need 1 cup of liquid pipe cleaner (eg Mole) or 2 sachets of powder.

Mode of application:

1. put a wire rack in a wide baking sheet;

2. pour boiling water so that the water completely covers it;

3. evenly pour the anti-blockage agent into the water;

4. wait 10 minutes;

5. rinse the filters well under running water.

The sewer pipe cleaner should not be used more often than once a year and the filters should not be kept in solution for more than 15 minutes. It contains caustic sodium, which can corrode aluminum meshes up to the formation of holes in them.

Method number 9. Treatment with cleaning products for the kitchen

In stores, you can buy a special cleaner for cleaning stubborn dirt from stoves, microwaves and ovens. They use caustic alkali as an active component, which easily breaks down fat molecules from any surfaces.

To clean the hood filters with a product, you need to put them on a sponge and rub the filters with it. You can use gels and sprays – grease removers:

1. 'Milam';

2. 'Shumanit';

3. Comet (Fights fat);

4. Sanita Anti-fat;

5. Synergetic for grease and carbon deposits;

6. Oven Cleaner by Amway.

Products with caustic soda as an active component break down a thick layer of fat on the meshes in 5-15 minutes. In severe cases, it is necessary to repeat the application of the gel 2-3 times.

Cleaning must be carried out with rubber gloves and a mask, protect your eyes. Work only when the window (or window) is open.

How to clean the hood from fat

Over time, the hood body becomes covered with grease, dust and soot. It also needs to be washed periodically.

Manufacturers of kitchen hoods prohibit cleaning them with alcohol-based products and solvents – they can tarnish the stainless steel or lacquered surface of the cabinet, stain or smudge.

Do not use aggressive cleaning agents (from sewer blockages, grease solvents, acids). It is also not recommended to use hard sponges and brushes, abrasive substances.

You can clean the metal housing of the hood using the following products:

1. laundry soap;

2. dishwashing liquid;

3. soda solution.

Before cleaning, we recommend removing the thick layer of fat mechanically – remove it with an object with a thin and sharp edge (unnecessary plastic card, coin, blunt side of a knife).

The surface of the case should be washed with a soft sponge and one of the agents. In some places, you can use a toothbrush.

When cleaning the hood with foam and water, it is important to prevent moisture from entering the housing.

Expert opinion

There are many ways to clean your kitchen hood. The most suitable one should be chosen based on the degree of contamination of its elements. Removing fat from the hood will not be a problem if you make it a rule to wash its elements and body every 2 weeks. You will have to tinker with old traces of fat – not every cleanser can remove them. But our recommendations will allow you to quickly get rid of fatty deposits and increase the device's performance.

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