Stove fans are an important yet often neglected part of kitchen maintenance. Regular cleaning is necessary to prevent grease buildup and bad odors. Stove fans play a vital role in removing steam, smoke, or lingering odors while cooking. If you're noticing increased condensation and persistent odors in your kitchen, it may be time for a deep cleaning of your stove fan.
Keith Ford of Crystal Oven Cleaning stresses the importance of cleaning your range hood regularly, saying that without proper maintenance, they can “get oily and dirty” over time. However, he asserts that with the right combination of cleaners and techniques, it's easy to refresh a dirty range hood filter.
Ford advises: “Combining the right cleaning solution and cleaning method can make your range hood filters sparkle again. Here's how.”
According to the Express, all you'll need are basic essentials you can find in your kitchen cupboard, such as dishwashing detergent specially formulated to remove grease and other stubborn residue that builds up on fan filters.
To clean the exhaust fan, you will need:
– Dishwashing detergent.
– Hot water.
– A sink or basin.
Instructions:
1. Carefully remove the grease filter from the hood – this is usually easy to remove but refer to the manufacturer's guide if necessary.
2. Make a pot of hot, soapy water with plenty of dish soap in a sink or basin and immerse the filter in the water.
3. Let the filter soak for at least 15 minutes, although longer may be required if the filter is very oily.
Once the time has elapsed, gently scrub the filter, adding some dish soap to remove any remaining oil or dirt from the filter. Don't use scrubbing sponges or hard objects on the filter, as this can damage it. Keith says, “Be gentle when brushing to avoid scratching the filter. Don't use rough scrubbing pads or pads to avoid scratching the surface of the filter.”
Wash the other side of the filter and once all grease is removed, rinse thoroughly with clean water. Pat the filter dry with paper towels and place on your kitchen counter to air dry. Do not apply heat to the filter to speed up drying and do not reinstall the filter until it is completely dry.
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Only put the filter back in the extractor hood when it is dry, which will keep your kitchen cleaner and better ventilated. To prevent grease from building up in your cooking fan in the future, consider purchasing a splatter guard. This will also be helpful if you fry food often, as deep frying is the most common cause of grease in extractor fans.
Keith said: “We recommend wiping the grease filter with a paper towel or clean cloth after every use of the stove, and make sure the fan and hood are completely cool before you begin cleaning.”
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