How to Clean Your Extractor Hood

Cooker extractor hoods get easily greasy and it is strongly advisable to implement a regular cleaning regime which will prevent the grease from building up even if it is a simple wipe off with a cloth and a degreaser, thus maintaining the proper functioning of the kitchen hood at all times.

The grease filter itself needs to be cleaned monthly. Unplug the kitchen extractor. Remove the screen mesh using a screw driver or your index finger to slide it out watching out not to drop any dirt. Soak the screen mesh in a basin with hot water to melt away oil. Add half a cup of liquid kitchen detergent and let it soak for half an hour. Put on some rubber gloves and brush off the screen on both sides with a steel brush. Finally, rinse the screen with hot water. For heavy greasing you may need to apply a stove or oven cleaner to help you remove the remaining grime. Use a fume-free product or wear a protective mask and open the windows for proper ventilation. After spraying let it stay for an hour and afterwards remove the dirt with a steel brush or sponge. Rinse it with hot water and dry it with a towel. Metal and stainless-steel filters are also dishwasher friendly but the aluminium may be discoloured by the washing detergent. Disposable filters are easy to replace and save on cleaning effort.

Don’t forget to wash the fan blades by mixing ½ cup ammonia with 1 gallon of warm water. Wipe away excess grime and dust with a damp cloth. Wash both the interior and exterior of the main cooker hood body with a citrus degreaser and a cloth, for thick grease you may use baking soda and water. Allow the unit to dry completely. Place the screen back in the unit and plug in the kitchen extractor.