How To Clean Range Hood – Pro-Backed Guide

Range hoods are what make your kitchen a safe place to stay and breathe in because they help remove all the smoke and heat inside. So, like all other kitchen essentials, range hoods require proper cleaning and maintenance.

Continue reading the article to find out how to clean a range hood yourself.

How To Clean Range Hood – A Step by Step Guide

How Often to Clean a Kitchen Range Hood?

You can clean a range hood once in a week for proper functioning and maintain its look. There is no need to remove the filter every time you clean the hood. You can examine the filter after a month and if you find it dirty then clean it.

The interval of cleaning always depends on two things: the type of facility and how often you cook.

• 24/7 open fast-food restaurants require cleaning after every month.
• Regular use in average restaurants, hotels, or hospital kitchens requires cleaning every three months.
• Pizza restaurants require cleaning every six months.

How to Clean a Range Hood? – Process

Essentials

• Anti-grease dish wash
• Vinegar
• Baking soda
• Gentle cleaning spray
• Paper towel or rag
• Scrubbing brush

Cleaning the outer surface of the hood

Hoods are made of different materials. Cleaning the exterior of a hood highly depends on the material that is used to build its surface. Some cleansers are more abrasive, thus can damage the surface. Warm soapy water is an excellent choice for plastic, vinyl, and stainless steel.

• Start with light cleaning, use a paper towel or a rag to wipe the upper layer of the oil, dirt, and stains off the surface.
• Prepare a frothing solution of dish soap and warm water.
• Fill a spray bottle with the solution, sprinkle some on the surface, and then wipe it with a clean towel.
• You can also soak one corner of the towel and wipe it on the surface.
• Sprinkle water-vinegar solution and wipe with a paper towel to clean away any leftover.
• Last, pour some drops of olive oil on the surface and clean with a neat paper towel for shiny finishing.

Cleaning Filters of the Hood

If your hood’s filter splatters, then it’s time to clean or change it. Cleaning the hood filters is a little trickier than cleaning the exterior.

• Remove the dirty filter first
• Get a deep tray that could resist the hot water or use a sink. Fill it with hot water. Then, add a tablespoon of degreasing dish soap and 1/4 cup of baking soda. Mix it nicely to make a soapy solution
• Drown the filter in the solution and let it be there for 15-20 minutes
• Take it out and use a scrubbing or bristle brush mildly to clean the filter thoroughly.
• Repeat the process if it’s not cleaned properly
• Rinse off the filter to thoroughly clean all soap residue and place it on the rack to air dry

Cleaning Underneath the Hood

Here’s a step by step instructions to clean underneath of the hood:

1. Boil the water in a large pot for 30-40 minutes. Don’t cover the pot because the steam will soak the curd and make it easy to loose from the surface
2. Let the stovetop cool before going any further
3. Use a degreaser spray on the surface and let it sit there on the surface for 15-20 minutes
4. Use a paper towel or a rag to wipe away the curd, grime, and other particles. If any residue left, rub the surface with a nylon bristle brush
5. Last, rinse the surface with a damp cloth or paper towel to wipe out all the leftovers

Range Hood Cleaning Tips

• Wipe the underneath of the hood with a paper towel or damp cloth after every cooking session
• Take out the metallic grease filter after a month, and clean it with warm soapy water
• Ductless hoods use a carbon filter for the odor, which needs to be changed after 3-6 months as per usage
• Carbon filters can’t be cleaned. If they are splattered, change them ASAP
• Clean the exhaust duct every six months from the dirt, grime, and other materials jammed inside the duct

Conclusion

That’s it! Keep in mind the above-mentioned details and tips when you clean your hoods by yourself. A fully functioning range hood could be the difference in your good and bad health. So, prioritize cleaning it.

FAQs

1. What is the best degreaser for a range hood?

Ans. Without a doubt, white vinegar is the best degreaser. Add white vinegar to warm water in a small container. Dip one corner of a rag and rub it on the greasy area until you clean it. Afterward, rinse it with water and air dry.

2. Can you clean a charcoal range hood filter?

Ans. Unfortunately, no, you can’t clean carbon or charcoal filters. They reduce odor and recirculate the air in the kitchen. If you try cleaning it with soapy water, you’ll disable its functioning. Once the pores are filled with the pollutants, then replace it.

3. Does vinegar dissolve grease?

Ans. Vinegar is a great ingredient to dissolve grease. Spray water and vinegar solution (vinegar should be one-fourth of the water) on the splattered area on the hood and let it be there for 10-15 minutes. Then easily wipe all the grease off the surface.