Over time, the air from your kitchen becomes laden with grease and other odors. The exhaust fan on your stove helps remove those contaminants from the air, but sometimes the filter that collects particles can become clogged or damaged. You should clean your exhaust fan on a semi-regular basis to keep it working efficiently.
Turn off power to safely remove entire exhaust fan set up
- Start by turning off the fan from the control switch located on the front panel.
- Unplug your fan (if it is plugged in).
- Turn off the breaker that controls your exhaust fan and lighting for safety. You may want to turn off the power to the entire kitchen just to be safe.
- Make sure all burners are turned off if you have a gas stove or cooktop and be careful when cleaning any electric burners or coils, as they are susceptible to damage if moisture gets into them while they are still hot and can shock you if they still have residual voltage even after being turned off.
Check the fan blades
- Check the fan blades
First, you’ll need to turn off the power. Once that’s done, check to see if the blades are turning freely. You can do this by running your hand along the edge of the blades and then flipping a switch near your vent hood or above your kitchen light to see if the blades start moving. If not, you’ll need to take a look inside your exhaust fan and clean it out using a brush (this is usually pretty easy to remove). If they still aren’t turning freely after this step, then call in a professional electrician because there may be an issue with wiring or motors that needs to be fixed before anything else gets cleaned up.
Clean fan blades and filter hood
- Clean the fan blades and filter hood by wiping down with a damp cloth or scrubbing with a degreaser (or use both!).
- Use a paintbrush to clean hard-to-reach areas, such as in between the blades.
- Fill your sink with hot water and degreaser to clean the filter. Scrub it well, then rinse it off with hot water when you’re done.
- Using the same method, fill your sink with hot water and detergent to wash any other parts of the exhaust fan that need cleaning. Make sure you rinse these parts off thoroughly so there’s no soap residue left behind!
Take the grease filter/Fan out
The filter is usually located in front of fan blades, held in place by a latch or screw mechanism. Look at the filter carefully to see if you can figure out how it comes off without needing any tools. If not, use a screwdriver or other tool to release it. If there isn’t any easy way to remove the filter without disassembling your exhaust fan, you might want to call in an experienced technician for help.
Rinse them thoroughly | How to Remove Grease from Exhaust Fan
As you’re cleaning your kitchen exhaust fan, always make sure to wash out any residue from dish detergent. A thorough rinse will ensure no soap scum is left behind on the surface of the fan or filter, and that the exhaust can function at top efficiency when it’s back in place.
– These Solutions remove grease from the surface of an exhaust fan
Some of the solution and agents which can do wonders are as follow.
1. Pidlite WD 40
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Pidilite WD-40, Multipurpose Car care Spray, 420ml Rust Remover, Lubricant, Stain Remover,... | ₹ 375 ₹ 350 | View Latest Price on Amazon |
In My opinion, WD 40 is the only multi-purpose lubricant you’ll ever need. It can be used on any surface including metal, iron, chrome, wood, aluminum, and more with ease either at the home, offices, on vehicles, or for any other commercial purpose.
2. Duzo Kitchen Power Cleaner Spray
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Duzo Kitchen Cleaner Spray, Grease & Oil Stain Remover Chimney Cleaner Degreaser Spray for all... | ₹ 300 ₹ 275 | View Latest Price on Amazon |
-Soak in detergent solution
If your exhaust fans are not too greasy, a good soak in hot soapy water should do the trick. For tough grease stains, use a detergent containing degreaser. With milder grease stains, any dishwashing liquid will do. Rinse the filters with clean water and leave them to dry.
However, if you have steel or aluminum filters that are stuck together with layers of gunk, you’ll need to loosen and remove the grease by soaking them in a strong detergent solution. Use an industrial-strength degreaser for this job or mix one-part ammonia with three parts hot water in your sink or tub. Make sure the room is well ventilated and wear gloves for protection when handling ammonia. Let the filters soak for an hour or two and then wash them thoroughly with soap and hot water before rinsing off all traces of degreaser and reattaching them to your exhaust fan.
-Wash with hot water
As the name suggests, a range hood is meant to pull smoke and grease out of the air. Over time, the grease builds up on your exhaust fan’s filter.
In order to properly clean your kitchen exhaust fan, you will need:
- Hot water or a hot water solution wash
- Sponge/cloth for scrubbing
Use hot water when washing your range hood in order to break up any grease build-up. This can be done with hot water from a faucet or by mixing in dish soap or another cleaning solution with the hot water. Use caution when handling hot liquids and make sure you test the temperature of the cleaning solution before using it. If possible, wear rubber gloves while washing to protect your hands from both heat and cleaner contact.
Gently scrub away any food residue on all sides of the filter using a sponge or cloth and warm soapy water.
-Scrub with dish soap and a scrubber of your choice (you can also use baking soda)
- Clean your filters in the sink or in a large tub. If they’re particularly dirty, you might want to do this outside so it doesn’t get too messy. Start by rinsing them off to remove any debris stuck on top. Use a scrubber of your choice to do this step (a sponge or old toothbrush works well).
- Make a solution of warm water and dish soap, then use that to clean the grime off of the filter. Depending on how dirty your filters are, this could take anywhere from a couple of minutes to an hour (or more if you really let them go.) For really stubborn caked-on grease, add some baking soda to the mix.
- After you’ve scrubbed all sides thoroughly with a brush or sponge, rinse the filters with hot water until it runs clear. Then set them aside and let them dry before putting them back inside the fan.
Dry your filters and Fan Blades completely before putting them back in
Drying your filters is important! Damp filters are an open invitation to mold, mildew, and a nasty odor in your kitchen. You can use a towel to dry them or you might want to put them in the sun for a little while (depending on the weather where you live).
Put your cleaned filters and Blades back in to Exhaust fan
Congratulations, you’re done! Now replace the cleaned filters back into your fan. Make sure they fit properly. If they don’t fit anymore, it’s probably time to replace them altogether.
Final Thought
Cleaning your kitchen exhaust fan will keep it running smoothly and efficiently. A kitchen exhaust fan is a powerful tool in the home chef’s arsenal. It whisks away grease and smoke, preventing them from settling on the interior surfaces of your kitchen. But if you’re using it several times a day to ventilate while you cook, that means a lot of greases are getting stuck to its filter.
Remove the filter at least twice a year and wash it with hot water and detergent to prevent its pores from becoming clogged with grease and food particles. If your hood also has metal fan blades that can be removed for cleaning, make sure to remove them and give them a good scrubbing at least once every six months as well.
Last update on 2024-10-30 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API