The range hood cleans the air from grease, smoke, and steam as you cook by using its fan. This grease and debris can build up and gradually decrease the fan’s efficiency. If you don’t pay attention to your grease filter, it could damage your overall kitchen environment, and eventually, it will harm your health. So it is always a wise decision to keep your range hood fan net and clean.
So let’s get started!
How to Clean Range hood fan with proper guidelines:
A range hood fan is one of the important parts of a range hood. Range hood fan has a huge impact on the ventilation system. Cleaning your range hood fan should be done regularly. The cause of greases or odors can make your range hood slow. You should clean every part of the range hood frequently.
We are going to share with you the cleaning process in 3 steps.
IMPORTANT NOTE: You should unplug the exhaust fan before you start the cleaning process. During this cleaning, you will need to reach all electrical components of the fan. The fan can turn off to cut the power from all parts of the appliance if there is faulty wiring.
First Step: Remove the grease filter
1. Find grease filter: You will see the grease filters have a rectangular shape. These are made from steel mesh. You will find the grease filter under the microwave exhaust fan. (Modern microwave systems include a small charcoal filter that removes odors. It is essential to replace this filter depending on how often you use it.)
2. Remove the filter: You must remove the grease filter. You can also remove any tabs and levers that keep the filter in position. Most of the filters will be easy to get out, but some filters might stick due to heavy grease buildup. You can loosen stubborn filters by sliding a butter knife around their edges.
3. Place the filter in a saucepan: Place the grease filter in a saucepan or container. This is where you have to soak and clean the filter. The pan must be deep enough so that the filter is fully submerged in the cleaning solution. A typical sheet pan works well for most grease filters.
Second Step: Cleaning process of the Grease Filter
1. Adding dish soap and baking soda:
Slowly mix dish soap with baking soda in a large saucepan of water. Baking soda, dish detergent, and other baking products help grease dissolve in water. It is best that you add the baking soda gradually and allow the water to cool. This will keep it from becoming too hot. Combining the two elements creates a non-toxic cleaning solution. And that rapidly and effectively dissolves stubborn grease.
2. Bring water to boil:
Bring the water back up to boil. Hot water will dissolve grease. Which will allow the cleaning solution to fully penetrate your filter. As soon as the water boils, remove it from the heat. If you stir too often, bubbles will form from dish soap and can splash onto your stove.
3. Make the cleaning solution:
You should reserve 1 cup of the final cleaning solution. This method can be used for grease removal from your exhaust hood or fan blades. An additional solution can also be used to clean your stove-top or oven.
4. Pour hot cleaning solutions over the filter:
Use a hot cleaning solution to clean the grease filter. Slowly pour the solution to avoid a backsplash. Continue adding the solution to ensure that the grease filter is fully submerged. Any extra solution should keep warm in case of, particularly severe grease. The filter should be soaked in the same solution that was heated. The metal filter could cause nonstick coatings to become damaged. Most grease filters are not covered by pots large enough to cover them entirely. This means you might need to clean the filter half at once.
6. Let the filter soak:
Allow the filter to sit for between 15-30 minutes. The grease will gradually dissolve as the filter soaks. The filter should allow soaking for longer if it is dirtier. It may be necessary to let your filter soak for up an hour if it has not been cleaned in years.
7. Remove the greases:
Take out all grease by scrubbing the filter. You can use a soft-bristled brush or a sponge to remove the remaining grease. The grease should easily come off. To avoid damaging your filter, don’t scrub it too vigorously. You can re-soak the filter with a clean solution if some grease remains.
8. Wash the filter with hot water:
Use hot water to rinse the filter as much grease and other residues as you can. Grease and residue will stick to the filter faster if they are still dirty. A clean filter will reduce future buildup.
9. Dry the filter:
Your filter should be completely dried. When you reinstall your filter, you don’t want moisture. It is better to dry your filter with air than with a cloth. After one hour to two hours of air drying, the filter should dry completely.
Note: Your grease filters need to clean regularly. Cooking can make it more important to clean your grease filters frequently. Regular cleaning will help your exhaust fan run more efficiently. And decrease the dangers of grease store up.
Third Step: Cleaning process and re-assembling the range hood fan
1. Don’t wet any electrical components
Do not let the exhaust fan’s electrical components get wet. Do not spray cleaner into the fan’s inner parts. Always use a sponge or a cloth. Moisture on the inner parts can cause electrical malfunctions. And decrease the life expectancy of your exhaust unit.
2. Discard any visible grease
Remove any grease residue. If possible, clean the fan blades. If you clean fan blades, they will work more efficiently. And it will provide better ventilation, which in turn will prolong the life of your blower. It would be best if you did not leave grease behind on the walls or in the fan. The grease filter traps air-born grease. This can lead to dangerous grease buildup.
Use liquid dishwasher soap or a Kitchen Degreaser product to clean up store grease. Both products should be applied with gloves. The thicker, cleaner solution will stick to the buildup and slowly dissolve it. Let the solution sit for at least 15-30 minutes, then wipe off any grease with a soft sponge. Light grease can remove by using the reserved baking powder solution. And a non-abrasive sponge. If you don’t have any baking soda, you can mix some dish soap with warm water to make a good degreasing remedy.
3. Place the grease filter
Now, re-insert your clean grease filter. After cleaning and drying the exhaust fan’s exterior and interior. You can put the clean grease filter back in the same as you removed it. You can reattach any locking mechanisms and screws to fix the filter.
Finally, the exhaust fan can restore to its original power. Before turning on an electric appliance, always plug it into the wall. The microwave or exhaust fan should be plugged back in. To ensure everything is working properly, turn the fan on.
How to clean the range hood fan motor?
You can clean the motor or blower of your range hood by removing it from your range hood. Next, use a drill to loosen the fan blades on each end. Soak them in warm water with soap for a quick and easy clean.
Here are a few simple steps on how to clean range hood fan motor
- The blower should be removed from the range hood.
- The fan blade cover should be removed and the nut in its middle.
- You can now remove the fan blades.
- You must be able to identify which fan you took out from the right side and which one you took out from the left.
- Make sure to soak the fan blades with warm soapy hot water.
- Use a microfiber towel to dry the fan blades.
- Attach the fan blade covers to the base of the fan and then re-insert it.
- Insert a blower in your range hood.
Now, insert the blower once more. That’s all. Nice work!
How to remove a range hood filter?
A range hood filter can be difficult to remove, especially if you have just bought one. You need to take out your filter from the range hood after about three to six months. If you don’t, grease and dirt that has been accumulated from cooking can build up in the baffles. This can cause your range hood to stop working efficiently. The grease will stop the smoke and cooking emissions from leaving your kitchen. Below we explain how to remove a range hood filter.
Lift the range filter from the vent hood towards the back. Some range hoods are equipped with handles at the baffle filter. If your filter is equipped with handles, grab the handle and lift the filter into the vent hood. If the filter isn’t equipped with handles, you can still lift it using two hands.
Slide the range hood filter towards its rear. Once you’ve removed the mesh filter or baffle from the hood, slide it back. Be gentle. Do not scratch your range hood. Don’t try to grab the baffle filter with your hands. You don’t have much room inside the vent cover. You might not want to cut the edges of your filter.
To remove the filter, angle the front edge down and angle the front edge towards the back.
How to clean range hood filters in the dishwasher?
Some filters can be wash in the dishwasher. Here is our step-by-step guide on how you can wash your range hood filters in a dishwasher.
- Decide which filter type you use.
- Many filters can be put in the dishwasher using low heat or a shorter cycle with a non-phosphate soap.
- It is essential to ensure the dishwasher does NOT contain any other items.
- Filters can also simply wash in warm water with a non-phosphate detergent.
- Rinse the filter for approximately 1 to 2 hours with water.
- Lastly, let the filter air dry completely before you reinstall it.
Remind that if you don’t clean your grease filters regularly it may cause you to buy new ones because without cleaning the grease filter can’t function effectively.
How to clean stainless steel range hood?
Range hoods made of stainless steel are very durable. If it is maintained well, it can be stunning. This can be challenging too. But it is possible to keep your stainless-steel range hood looking good just by following the few simple steps below.
Discard Stuck Grease
Begin by putting the soft scouring paper on the other side of your sponge. You can then rub the scouring paper side with table salt until all traces of greasy residue are gone. This may be necessary for some areas. Next, clean all of the range hoods.
Clean the entire Surface
Mix 1/3 cup vinegar and 4 to 5 drops of dish solution in a spray can. Next, add water to the remaining bottle. Spray the range hood and wipe it clean with paper towels. You can repeat this process daily to prevent grease buildup. And keep your range hood looking clean and shiny.
Conclusion
We hope after you go through all the cleaning processes for your belove range hood now you have a better understanding of how to clean range hood fan, fan motor and remove the range hood filter to keep its function as new. Let us know which method do you use regularly to keep your range clean and shiny. Thank you for reading.