How to clean your kitchen hood from fat at home: 20 best remedies

Finishing the outside of the case

After cleaning the internal filter of the hood, the front part of the housing of the household appliance is also treated. Housewives know that the perception and feeling of cleanliness and tidiness in the kitchen largely depends on the external cleanliness of the kitchen equipment. The main problem is that when dust and fat particles settle, a "cement" layer is formed, which is extremely difficult to get rid of.

The use of metal brushes and scrapers on the hood is strictly prohibited. They scratch glossy elements, surfaces, wash off the protective coating. Experts have formed several effective tips, adhering to which you can cope with the task.

So, how to clean the hood in the kitchen from fat with improvised means?

A small amount of detergent is applied to the surface of a damp sponge. Then the surface is thoroughly rubbed and is in this state for at least 40 minutes. At the final stage, the composition is washed off along with dirt with a wet cloth.
The cleaning process is greatly simplified if the burner is not idling, since the dry heat adheres very firmly to the surface of the appliance.
Protect the buttons and controls before cleaning the hood mesh and the outside of the housing. Cleaning should not under any circumstances result in the failure of the device.

The finally dried unit is connected to the mains in order to eliminate a short circuit.

How to use pipe cleaner?

In some cases, screens, screens and filters are treated with pipe cleaners. These reagents are very aggressive and should be used as a last resort. During the operation of the hood, this can be done no more than 1-2 times. Depending on the type of product, manipulation can be carried out according to the following schemes:

The liquid product is prepared strictly according to the instructions. It is strictly forbidden to try to change the proportions, trying to increase the effectiveness of the composition. We put all the parts to be processed in a large basin and fill it with the prepared product. We are only waiting for a few minutes. A reaction indicating the beginning of the process of dissolving grease and dirt should appear immediately. After the procedure, we rinse the elements under running water several times and dry thoroughly.
The granular component is used differently. We put the items that are planned to be cleaned on a metal tray. Sprinkle them with a substance and pour hot water over them. The chemical reaction should go immediately. We wait a few minutes and rinse the hood parts. In this case, you can no longer use hot, but warm water.

When all the manipulations are over, you need to dry the elements in a natural way. Only after that you can start assembling the structure, following the diagram. After completing the installation of the device, it is recommended to turn it on in order to check its serviceability.

Cleaning procedure

When cleaning, you need to get to all parts that can get contaminated with grease. To do this, the device should be disassembled, the instructions for the device will help in this, it will tell you which elements can be disassembled and which not. In advanced cases, fat can even get to the engine, so the hood motor sometimes has to be cleaned too.

Cleaning algorithm:

Disconnect from the mains.
Remove grease traps.
If the design allows, then remove the air duct.
Clean external and internal surfaces.
Clean fan blades.
To clean the lattice - it is the most difficult element, as in it the fatty plaque is fixed "most reliably", penetrating into small cells.
Dry all elements and reassemble the hood parts.

Time to wash the hood

Maintaining cleanliness in the kitchen is a process, the frequency of which each housewife chooses herself. Someone washes everything "from and to" every day, while someone is limited to the daily washing of dishes, and the general cleaning is carried out once a quarter.

Indeed, not all things in the kitchen require daily cleaning, and the range hood is one of them. However, you need to understand when it is time to wash the hood and with what regularity you should do it, so that you do not waste a lot of time and energy later on cleaning old dirt:

if you cook often enough using the hood, then the filter should be cleaned at least once every two weeks;
if the intensity of cooking is not very high, then cleaning once a month is sufficient.

If traces of dirt are visible on the outside of the exhaust surface, the filter is covered with grease ahead of time, and odors are poorly eroded from the kitchen, then it's time to start cleaning without waiting for the allotted time.

Not all kitchen items require daily cleaning.

But in any case, do not forget to do general cleaning of the hood at least once a quarter, washing all its component parts.

How to clean the hood from stubborn dirt?

It is not always possible to cope with pollution by the above methods, if they accumulate over the years. Unfortunately, even some chemicals cannot fix the problem. In this case, the following method will help:

Purchase a pipe cleaner from any blockage at any hardware store. In addition, you will need to prepare a container to fit the filter and grate.
Next, you need to carefully study the instructions for using this tool and prepare it for use.
Now you need to put on tight gloves on your hands, and then pour the product into the container and place the parts there.
Such a tool begins to break down greasy spots already in the first minutes. To get rid of them for sure, you should hold the parts in the solution a little longer - up to several hours. Upon completion of the procedure, you will need to rinse the filter again under clean water.

Heavy dirt can only be dealt with by pipe cleaning fluid.

It should be remembered that this is a risky method of cleaning the hood, which is used only as a last resort, because the enamel can be damaged due to exposure to aggressive alkali. Therefore, it is recommended to carry out such a procedure no more than two times during the entire time of using the equipment.

Cleaning dirt with a steam generator and a dishwasher

An excellent and quick way to remove grease from the surface is to use a steam generator. Using this device, even with strong grease contamination, you do not have to "boil" the parts in the pan, and the whole procedure will take several minutes.

Steam generators are indispensable for tackling stubborn dirt

Of the negative aspects of this method, the high cost of the device should be noted. Nevertheless, it is recommended to purchase it if you like to arrange general cleaning, because they can wash not only the hood, but also the floor, windows, plumbing and other household items. In addition, the use of a steam generator allows not only to remove contaminants, but also pathogens.

Individual parts of the hood can be quickly washed in the dishwasher by placing them in the compartment for large dishes. It is recommended to carry out this procedure three times a month.

After steam treatment, all that remains is to wipe the surface with a rag.

How often should the hood be cleaned in the kitchen?

The frequency of cleaning the cooker hood depends on the frequency of cooking. With regular cooking, you will have to wash and clean the structure above the stove every three months. If you cook infrequently, then the frequency of cleansing can be reduced to 1 every six months or even a year.

Provided that you regularly cleanse the grease, the cleaning process will not take long.If you know some tricks or use special detergents, then even old grease will be easy to remove.

Ready-to-use products for cleaning the hood from grease

Now let's figure out how to clean the hood in the kitchen. The easiest way to do this is using ready-made tools:

Soda is in every home. Prepare a soda solution - take a glass of soda for 2 liters of water. Pour the solution into a container of a suitable size to accommodate the hood parts. After the solution boils, soak the contaminated elements in it for half an hour. After that, the fat will easily come off.
You can rub the grease on the body with lemon juice or citric acid solution. After 20 minutes, the surface is rinsed with water. If necessary, parts can be soaked in a citric acid solution (for 1 liter of water, 4 tablespoons).
Laundry soap removes many impurities. It is enough to grate a small bar of soap and dissolve the shavings in hot water. The parts of the hood are kept in the resulting solution for 20 minutes. Then they are well rubbed with a sponge or brush.
Acetic essence dissolves grease and adhering dust. It is enough to moisten a cloth with essence and wipe the surface. After a quarter of an hour, the parts are rinsed with water. A vinegar solution can be prepared to soak the filters. To do this, mix the essence with water in a ratio of 1 to 2. The filter is soaked for 20 minutes, and then washed.
You can use your usual kitchen dish detergent to clean the hood. It dissolves fat well. The surface can be washed with a sponge soaked in the detergent, or the parts can be soaked in a solution with the addition of dishwashing gel.
Stove and oven cleaners are also suitable for this purpose. Place the filter on a flat surface, such as a baking sheet, and then apply the cleaning agent to it with a sponge. After half an hour, the part is intensively rinsed with three stiff brushes and rinsed with warm water.
Gel-like pipe cleaner "Mole" is used if no other formulations and methods of cleaning help. The gel is applied to contaminated surfaces and left to act for 30 minutes. When the gel starts to work, the fatty deposits will foam. After that, the part does not even have to be rubbed with a brush, it is enough to rinse it well under running water.
The kitchen appliance can be cleaned with regular bleach. Apply the solution with a brush and leave to act for 10 minutes, then rinse well with water.

You can also use a steam generator to dissolve the fat. After that, fatty deposits can be easily washed off with any of the above products.

Traditional methods of cleaning fat

If you do not know how to clean the mesh from the hood in the kitchen, then you can prepare an effective means for dissolving fat at home. To prepare it, you will need citric acid, soda, ammonia, salt, vinegar, alcohol, and laundry soap.

We prepare the tool as follows:

we collect cold water in a five-liter saucepan;
three on a coarse grater half a bar of laundry soap and throw it into the water;
then pour in half a bottle of ammonia, hydrogen peroxide or silicate glue;
then add 1-2 tablespoons of citric acid, salt or soda ash;
at the end, you can add half a tablespoon of alcohol or vinegar.

After dissolving all the ingredients, put the filter or other parts that need to be washed into the pan. Wait 15-20 minutes for the fat to dissolve well, remove the grate and rinse it under running water. During washing, the surface can be rubbed with a brush or sponge.

Folk remedies against pollution

If you don't have a professional cleaning agent at hand, then you can use folk methods that have not lost their popularity for many years in a row. In this case, you will have to prepare the following:

laundry soap;
acetic acid;
lemon juice;
soda.

Each housewife will cope with the preparation of a folk remedy for cleaning fatty deposits

Using soap: step by step instructions

It is worth noting that in addition to one piece of laundry soap, various devices will be required in the process of work: washcloths, sponges, rags.

Step one: First you need to grind the soap (you can cut it into pieces), and then place it in a container with water at a temperature of at least 45 degrees. If desired, you can also add a little liquid soap and washing powder there. The amount of the above funds will depend on the complexity of the pollution.

You will need to take laundry soap at least 70%

Step two: a filter from the hood must be placed in a container with a solution and left for half an hour.

The capacity must correspond to the dimensions of the filter

Step three: while the filter is soaking, it is necessary to soak a sponge in this solution and wipe the body of the exhaust system with the hard side.

If dirt remains on the grill, they can be removed with a metal wool

Step four: after half an hour, you need to take out the filter and use the same sponge to remove the remaining fat.

Upon completion of cleaning, the filter should be dried, and only then installed

Using lemons: step by step instructions

The main advantage of this method is that after the procedure you will not feel the pungent smell of chemistry, but only a pleasant citrus aroma.

But, it is worth noting that the "lemon peel" is not suitable for people who have a pronounced allergy to citrus fruits

Step one: first you need to take two lemons, cut them into halves and squeeze the juice.

Thoroughly squeeze the lemon juice using a special device

Step two: now you should take a rag, soak it in lemon juice and wipe the filter abundantly. In this form, it is left for 20 minutes.

You will need to thoroughly saturate the grate with juice.

Step three: the remaining fat must be removed with a damp sponge, after which the grate should be left to dry.

It is necessary to wipe the dirt intensively to remove them from the surface

Using soda: step by step instructions

Baking soda is one of the most popular products used not only to clean kitchen equipment, but also utensils. In addition, it is an environmentally friendly and safe for the respiratory tract that can be used without fear.

Step one: you will need to prepare a large saucepan, then fill it with about two-thirds of the water and put it on fire.

Bring the water to a boil

Step two: add about one glass of baking soda to boiling water, after which it is necessary to reduce the heat to a minimum.

More baking soda can be added if desired, especially if there are many contaminants

Step three: now it is necessary to place a grate from the exhaust system and a filter in this pan. While the liquid is boiling, the fat will have time to dissolve.

Hood parts should be "cooked" over the fire for ten minutes

Step four: after a while, you need to get the parts and look at their appearance. If there are traces of fat, then in the molten form it will be easy to remove them under the pressure of warm water. If, nevertheless, non-removable dirt remains, then the grate should be “boiled” for a couple of minutes. Upon completion of cleaning, all these parts must be dried.

Residual fat is rapidly discharged under the running water

Step five: now you need to take an unnecessary toothbrush and use it to walk around all corners of the grill, where particles of fat could remain.

The result of cleaning the filter grid with baking soda

Using vinegar: step by step instructions

Before using acetic acid to clean household appliances, you need to open the vents in the room - this substance emits vapors with a pungent odor, which can make your head spin.

Step one: you should apply vinegar to the sponge, and then walk with its hard side along the grate.

Vinegar is active for 20 minutes

Step two: after a while, you need to take a stiff brush and remove the remaining grease.

It is recommended to use dishwashing detergent for better performance.

Cleaning individual parts of the hood

To clean the individual parts of the kitchen assistant, you need to know how to disassemble the hood in the kitchen in order to wash it. The cooker hood consists of a grease trap, an air duct, a motor and a fan. It is best to disassemble the device before thorough cleaning.

They do it in the following order:

To begin with, cover the stove and furniture under the hood with a foil so that during the disassembly and cleaning of the structure, dirt does not fall on other surfaces.
Then disconnect the device from the power supply.
Then press down on the plastic catch to remove the grease trap.
If the hood model allows, remove the duct.

Then each part can be cleaned individually.

Cleaning the filter

First, let's figure out how to clean the filter in the hood in the kitchen. The filter is a metal mesh on a sturdy frame. It is the multi-layer mesh that retains most of the fat. The filter device is made of galvanized steel, so it does not corrode. Thanks to this, the part can be washed and boiled.

The filter cleaning process looks like this:

Pour water into a large boil (slightly larger than the size of the grate).
Instead of water, you can use a homemade solution, the preparation process for which we described above.
The liquid in the saucepan should boil. Make sure all components are completely dissolved.
After that, put the filter in a saucepan and simmer it over low heat for an hour.

After boiling, rinse the filter under running water. For the best effect, you can additionally wash the filter device in the dishwasher or rub it with a soft brush.

Cleaning the hood body

Usually, the housing is not as dirty as the filter. As a rule, splashes of grease can accumulate on it during cooking. Wipe the surface with a dish detergent. After that, rinse with a damp sponge and wipe dry.

Old body fat can be dealt with as follows:

Unplug the electric or gas stove to be safe while working.
Treat the surface with any means intended for cleaning stoves and ovens, for example, Shumanit.
Instead, you can use your own solution. To do this, dissolve 90 grams of soda, 100 ml of silicate glue and 15 g of washing powder in one glass of water.
After applying any product, allow time for it to work.
After dissolving, the fat can be easily washed off with a damp sponge.
To prevent streaks on the case, wipe it dry with a towel.

Cleaning the fan and motor

The motor and fan should be cleaned once or twice a year. Instructions for retrieving these structural parts are provided in the instructions for each instrument. As a rule, you need to unscrew the mounting bolts to access the motor and fan. The motor is then disconnected from the fan.

We use a solution of laundry soap for washing. The soap shavings are dissolved in a little warm water. The impeller is soaked in this solution for an hour. After that, the contamination is additionally removed with a sponge or brush. The impeller is well washed and dried.

The motor can be gently wiped with a damp cloth outside and wiped well with a dry cloth. Reinstall the impeller and motor only after making sure that they are completely dry.

Drastic measures: steam cleaning and others

When it seems that there is nothing to remove the yellow fatty plaque from the hood, the most radical methods will come to the rescue:

Owners of a garment steamer can try using this appliance to combat grease and dirt on the outer surfaces of the hood (including the filter mesh) and accessible parts of the duct. A special nozzle with a narrow brush is used for these purposes. Clean water is poured into the container of the steaming device, and a soap solution is prepared in a separate container. Further, the actions are simple: the surfaces of the hood are treated with a brush of a working steamer, which periodically needs to be moistened in soapy water.
The preparation “Whiteness” perfectly removes the fat layer (even old) from the filter and the hood body, which must be applied with a household brush (hands must be in rubber gloves, and a medical mask or respirator must be on the face). Then the treated surfaces are left on for a short time, and then rinsed with plenty of running water.
For cleaning, preparations based on formic acid, which can be bought in specialized departments and household chemicals stores, can also be used as cardinal agents. Concentrated dishwashing gels are also suitable for this purpose.

A set of timely measures should help any housewife to keep the hood in the kitchen in exemplary cleanliness.

It is only important not to overdo it with cleaning and not to damage the surfaces of the pulling device.

Alternative methods

In situations where modern high-tech equipment is not available for a number of reasons, and the question of how to wash the fat remains relevant, you can always use effective methods that will require some effort and time, but will please you with the result.

In order to wash the fat from the hood, you can use a product available to everyone - baking soda. In a large saucepan, preferably water should be collected in the boil, and about 250 grams of soda should be added. It must be dissolved, after which the container with the resulting liquid must be put on fire. The grate, filter, if the dimensions allow, should be lowered into boiling water for half an hour. If the dimensions of the fat catcher do not allow it to be immersed in the water as a whole, the procedure must be repeated for each side, adding soda again.

This procedure will ensure the complete dissolution of fats and dust, after which it will be necessary to rinse it and wipe it with a sponge. Vinegar will help to deal with dirt on removable panels, which must be applied and left for 15 - 20 minutes. The acid will corrode the grease layer and dirt during the above time, after which it should be rinsed and removed with a sponge, the remaining dirt from the grate. When working with vinegar, you should remember about safety, therefore, all manipulations must be carried out in a mask or respirator and wearing gloves. This is a good way for those who have experience with aggressive substances.

The hood grille can be cleaned using ordinary laundry soap. To do this, the soap is grated and dissolved in water, after which a fat trap is lowered into it. You can also apply the soap directly to the wire rack and dip it into a baking sheet of water. This baking sheet is placed in a switched on oven for up to half an hour, where, thanks to the high temperature and melting soap, even old fat deposits are removed, no matter how old they are.

Ammonia also shows outstanding performance, however, as with vinegar, it must be handled with extreme care. The method of using it is quite simple and consists in mixing half a glass of alcohol with three and a half liters of water, where the hood grate should be lowered for 4 hours

During this time, grease and dirt will be completely corroded, after which it will remain to wash the grate with water. The surface treated in this way will be washed off very easily.

Lemon pulp is a good method for cleaning the hood

Types of devices

If you are just planning to purchase a modern and reliable hood for your kitchen, then it is worth learning in more detail what hoods are and how they differ from each other.

To begin with, they differ in their construction, design, and functionality. The most common option is dome hoods. Many are already accustomed to this design, and modern manufacturers are more and more surprising consumers with the original design of these hoods.

Typically, dome-type appliances are equipped with two types of filters: an aluminum grease filter and a carbon filter. The first type of filter performs the function of the so-called grease trap, that is, it retains particles of fat, soot and periodically needs to be thoroughly cleaned.

Another common type of this kitchen appliance is hanging hoods. They attract many with their compact size and ease of installation. It is easy to install such a device under a kitchen cabinet, which is very practical, as it can save space. As a rule, these hoods are equipped with charcoal filters.

Island - an excellent option for a kitchen where there is an "island" on which all appliances are installed: stove, oven, etc. This type of hood cannot be mounted on a wall or under a cabinet, they are hung directly from the ceiling so that the directly above the stove itself.

There are also recessed options that are equipped with a pull-out panel

In addition, it is important to know that the hoods can operate in two modes. The first is the retraction mode

That is, during the operation of the device, all polluted air from the kitchen is removed through the ventilation, thereby cleaning the room. The second is "recirculation". During operation of this mode, the hood draws in polluted air in the kitchen, cleans it using the installed filters, in particular, charcoal ones, and then delivers it back to the kitchen.

As soon as you become the happy owner of this appliance, the kitchen will always be clean and comfortable. There will be no more burning smell and grease stains on kitchen furniture.

Features of caring for devices with carbon cassettes

The standard filter for any hood is a reusable perforated plate or mesh made of aluminum or stainless steel. But there are models of catchers equipped with disposable carbon cassettes. Such devices are not connected to the ventilation system, but operate on the principle of air flow recirculation.

Filters in such hoods are installed immediately behind the traps. The carbon cassettes themselves are assembled in plastic cases. Their content is coal (in powder or granules). Of course, they cannot be washed or boiled - in a worn out cassette, they simply change the insert to a new one.

The deadline for the operation of coal cleaners is 3 months. Then they stop functioning. However, if the hood is used intensively, the inserts should be changed more often.

Important: You can extend the life of the charcoal filter by leaving the hood to run for a few more minutes after cooking. The air will dry the activated carbon in the cassette, and it will be able to filter further

What mistakes should be avoided

Before connecting the hood after washing, make sure that it is completely dry. Also, when caring for the hood, do not do the following:

Clean the disposable grease catcher. Even if you succeed, the air purification efficiency will be greatly reduced.
Boil the plastic filter: this will deform it.
Use abrasive substances and metal utensils to clean the outer panels: they will be scratched.
Rub the plastic mesh with metal brushes and sponges.
Frequently use products containing alkali to remove grease from aluminum filters: they destroy metal.
Get started without disconnecting the device from the power supply.

Regular cleaning will help keep the cooker hood clean and functional.Give this toiler a little time and energy, and then the air in your kitchen will always be fresh.

How to clean the charcoal filter

Unlike a grease filter, a charcoal filter is disposable; it is not cleaned, but replaced with a new one. The activated carbon inside the filter, developing its capabilities, ceases to function properly. The period for replacing the charcoal filter is indicated by the manufacturer, as a rule, it lasts for several months, but with intensive cooking with the hood turned on, a new filter may be needed earlier.

To replace the carbon filter, take it out of the special slot and insert a new cartridge. On sale you can find both branded filters from the manufacturer, and universal counterparts that are cheaper.

There is a little trick to extend the life of the charcoal filter. The hood does not need to be switched off immediately after the end of cooking; it is better to leave it switched on for 10 minutes. During this time, the charcoal will dry out, evaporating the liquid that it absorbed during cooking. If the accumulated moisture is not removed, the charcoal cakes and loses functionality more quickly.

Preparing the hood for washing

Before proceeding directly to cleaning, it is disconnected from the electrical network and disassembled, since it is inconvenient to perform this procedure over a gas stove. First, you should read the instructions for using the device, where the manufacturer indicates which detergent is suitable for this model. First of all, you need to consider what material was used to make the body and parts. An incorrectly selected product can cause damage to them.

What you need to do to prepare the device before washing:

unclip the front panel latches and pull it out of the grooves on the hood. If it is fastened with bolts, they must be unscrewed and folded together. Wash the panel with detergents;
remove the cooker hood filter for soaking in water with the addition of detergent;
remove the pipe connecting the device with the vent. Having removed the cobweb and fat from it, prepare for subsequent work;
clean the casing of the unit from dirt both on the outside and inside.

On some models, the air filter must also be removed. Information about this should be found in the instructions supplied with the hood.

Each part must be free of grease and dirt and ready for reassembly.

Recommendations

Of course, every family has its own rules and features for cleaning the house. Cleaning can be done daily, or maybe once a week. As for the cooker hood, it does not require daily cleaning, even though it is used every day. But you shouldn't start this moment, so as not to complicate your task.

It is also known that modern models use replaceable filters, which are enough to change every three months, which will save a lot of time and energy. But the owners of more outdated models should arm themselves with a detergent and clean at least once a month.

In addition to the internal parts of the hood, do not forget about the outer hood. After all, it is also contaminated not only with fat, but also covered with dust. If you start this process, then it will be very difficult to wash the outer part of the device. To avoid such a situation, the surface of the hood should be treated with some kind of grease remover. Individual greasy spots can be removed with a metal scraper.

Armed with all of the above recommendations, you can safely proceed to the general cleaning of the kitchen hood, choosing the method that is most suitable for you.

How often should the hood be washed

Over time, the surface and control panel of the device become sticky from the deposited grease, the shiny parts of the body become cloudy. A thick layer of plaque can turn the cooker hood into a piece of furniture, making it ineffective. To prevent this from happening, you need to clean it from time to time outside and inside.The regularity of this event depends on how often you prepare food and load your assistant. With intensive use, monthly cleaning will be required, with moderate use, once every two to three months will be enough. Once every 1.5-2 years, it is recommended to completely disassemble the device, clean and lubricate the motor.

Having decided on the goal, we stock up on funds and the necessary equipment.

The hood cleans the kitchen air from vapors, but it also needs to be cleaned.

The technology of processing hood grates in two ways: a comparative analysis

This experiment is conducted by the editors to show readers a real effective means for cleaning surfaces from large accumulations of grease.

Illustration	Description of action
	We take out the grates from the hood and process with different means.
	Apply generously to both nets and leave for 15-30 minutes.
	For the left grate, they used regular children's dish gel, and applied lemon juice on the right one.
	After the expiration of the time, we begin to mechanically clean the hoods. We use a metal brush or scraper.
	We rinse both parts under running water so that no coked dirt particles remain.

As a result, we see that the children's dishwashing detergent "Eared nanny" copes more effectively with this kind of pollution. According to experts, any composition with a degreasing formula will cope with such tasks many times faster than folk methods.