Often taking a look under your range hood can be a scary business. It’s easy to remember to clean the surfaces we can see – counters, stove tops, even fridge and cupboard doors. But the range hood is one of those out-of-the-way surfaces its easy to just forget about. If you can’t remember the last time you checked yours, today is the day to look!
What is a range hood?
A range hood is suspended over the stove, fitted with an extractor fan and light to absorb the steam, smoke and fumes from frying, steaming and cooking. It’s useful for reducing odours during cooking and a fixture in most modern kitchens.
How does it work?
The system either vents fumes outside or circulates the air back into the kitchen. It is fitted with removable filters that fit underneath the hood. These are usually made of aluminium. Over time, the filters get clogged with grease that gets sucked up along with fumes, steam and smoke. The longer you leave it, the more clogged the filters become.
Why should I clean it regularly?
The simplest reason for keeping your range hood filters clean is that they don’t work as well when they’re clogged, and good maintenance will extend the life of your range hood. A build up of grease can also cause an unpleasant smell. A greasy range hood can be a fire hazard as cooking oil is flammable.
How do I clean it?
Its a wise idea to wipe down the underside of your range hood as part of your evening cleaning routine (just like the counters and stove top.) This will remove a lot of excess grease and make your monthly clean a lot easier. Once a month, give the filters a thorough clean. Remove the filters from the hood and soak them in warm water and a grease-cutting detergent like washing up liquid. Wash them with a sponge until all the grease is gone. If things are really bad, use a barbecue degreaser. Make sure the filters are dry, and pop them back into the range hood.
If your filters haven’t been cleaned in years, it’s probably a good idea to replace them, and then start a regular cleaning routine. If you’ve checked the filters but your range hood still isn’t working properly, it may need a simple repair job.
If you need any help in unclogging or repairing your range hood, give Nationwide Appliance Repairs a call today. Happy cooking!
