How To Clean Range Hood Baffle Filters

Brandon has been working with range hoods and rang on and off for the past half dozen years and writes about them to assist people make wise decisions.

Learn how to clean a metal mesh cooker hood filter. These article provides 5 solid DIY methods for getting the job done. — Larn how to clean a metal mesh cooker hood filter. These article provides 5 solid DIY methods for getting the job done.

five Reasons to Clean Your Range Hood Filters

Even though it may non seem like the best way to spend your time, y'all're going to want to make certain that your range hood filters are maintained well. Top manufacturers such every bit Broan recommend that you clean the filters at least once a month.

That's definitely a lot of cleaning if yous're like every regular homeowner. Most people have never cleaned their filters in years, some even a decade. But, being a self-proclaimed expert on range hoods, I must 2d what the guys at Broan are telling you lot. Consequent cleaning of your filters is necessary for the post-obit reasons:

Improved power efficiency
Longer life of the blower
Constructive grease and fume removal
Easier cleaning
Rubber

Regular Cleaning Makes Things Simple

After & before cleaning using just soapy water and ammonia. — After & before cleaning using just soapy h2o and ammonia.

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Tin All Filters Be Cleaned?

There are basically three kinds of filters on well-nigh range hoods:

Fabric grease filters
Metallic grease filters
Charcoal filters

Grease filters, as the name suggests, have the sole purpose of filtering out oil fumes and grease. They are nowadays in all range hoods with the exception of a few models in the by.

Fabric grease filters piece of work by absorbing the fumes and grease (much like a sponge) and cannot be cleaned but need to be replaced.

Metallic grease filters can and must exist cleaned often. They are usually aluminum or in some cases stainless steel. They would be either mesh filters or bamboozle filters and are usually visible at the base of your range hood.

Charcoal filters are only going to be present in ductless models every bit their chief purpose is the elimination of aroma and smoke. This is merely a necessary stride if you lot're recirculating the air back into your kitchen. These filters must not and cannot be cleaned. Instead, they demand to be replaced every iii to four months, depending on how frequently and what kind of dishes you prepare.

How to Clean a Range Hood Filter in 7 Simple Steps

It may seem similar a long process, only depending on how dirty your range hood filters are and the method you lot choose to follow, the full time could be anywhere up to an hr, whereas the actual cleaning fourth dimension would be beneath 15 minutes.

Detach the metallic grease filter(s)
Identify the filter in a big pan/sink
Prepare the cleaning solution
Immerse the filters in the solution
Brush to remove the grease easily
Let them air dry out
Insert them back into the range hood

Detaching the Filter to Be Cleaned

This is going to vary based on your model. All the same, in all models, the filters are very piece of cake to detach. But before yous start fidgeting and trying to effigy out how to divide it from the rest of your hood, brand sure that you switch off the appliance.

Spend a moment to take a look at the overall setup of the range hood. Are your metal filters conspicuously visible or are they mostly subconscious? The offset stride is to brand sure that you accept a articulate view of the filters. Remove any protective plastic or metallic casing that surrounds the base of your hood using a screwdriver. In 95% of the cases, there isn't going to be whatever protective casing.

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Preparing the Cleaning Solution and Cleaning the Filters

We're now going to exist roofing steps iii through footstep five of the cleaning procedure. There will be no clear distinction between the steps as each of the v methods stands on its own and may skip certain steps.

Annotation: I will exist proceeding with the near effective cleaning method to the to the lowest degree constructive. This is done to save reading time and you would merely go along to another method if y'all're out of stock on sure supplies and/or prefer another method due to simplicity.

Method one: Using Dishwasher Detergent

Rather than using dish lather or a grease remover, you're going to be using dishwasher detergent to get the chore done.

Moisture the filter with a blast hose or under the tap (preferably with hot h2o as this gets rid of some grease).
Identify the wet filter in a pan or a sink (which is going to remain gratis for the next hr).
Generously apply and spread dishwasher detergent all effectually the filter, including the metal rim if you desire it to exist completely clean. Leave no surface untouched.
Let the filter sit for ane hr.
Place it in a sink nether hot water and wash off the detergent along with the grease.
Apply more detergent and scrub using a brush to remove any modest traces of grease in the corners.
For extremely greasy filters you may have to repeat the process and permit information technology sit for another hour.

Kitchen Frazzle Fan Filter Cleaning

Method two: Using a Degreaser

There'south a lot of scrubbing involved in this method when compared to the first. It may not be as effective, only the filters practice get clean notwithstanding.

Find a cooking pot that is big enough to hold the grease filter.
Fill up it up with water and so that the filter can be completely submerged (do not place the filter in the pot, yet).
Heat the water, but not enough to eddy. Spray a lot of degreaser into this h2o. Around 20 sprays if there's a lot of grease that needs to be removed.
Place the filter and make sure that information technology is submerged. Exercise non permit your bare hands touch this mixture as it is slightly acidic.
Leave the filter in the solution for 30 minutes upwardly to an hour.
Remove the filter using tongs and place information technology in the sink and scrub hard on both sides.

Method 3: Vinegar and Baking Soda Solution

As an alternative to method 2, you could likewise use a combination of vinegar and blistering soda to go the job washed.

Notice a pot large enough for the filter and sufficiently make full it up with water.
Bring the h2o to a boil.
One time boiling add 3 tablespoons of vinegar and 2 teaspoons of baking soda to the solution, 1 afterwards another. Add the baking soda in slowly and not all in i go.
Place the filter and allow it stay for 30 minutes to an hour.
Remove the filter using tongs and place it in the sink and scrub hard on both sides.

Comparison: Method ii vs. Method iii

Method 4: Hot Soapy Water + Ammonia

If you've been following your cleaning schedule and cleaning every other calendar month, this simple method using simply soapy water and ammonia (not always necessary) is all you're going to need.

Block the kitchen sink and add together water + dish soap. Y'all may also want to add some ammonia to brand the job easier.
Mix the solution and then identify the filter in.
Use a brush and scrub on the filter.

Cleaning a Range Hood Filter the Broan NuTone Mode

Method 5: Placing in the Dishwasher

Most modern-twenty-four hours range hoods come with dishwasher-friendly aluminum or stainless steel grease filters. You're going to need to look at the product specifications to find out if the filters are dishwasher friendly, alternatively, you lot could expect up reviews of the product or contact customer support.

If your filters are dishwasher friendly, you should, by all ways, make certain that you make clean it every other calendar month. Because, if you do this consistently, you're not going to have to worry near scrubbing and using special solutions to clean them.

However, if you lot've failed to regularly clean them, your filters may accept accumulated a lot of grease and dirt. In this instance, merely placing them in the dishwasher is not going to do much. You will instead have to follow one of the first three methods explained in a higher place.

Air Drying and Reattachment

Since the filters are metallic, I would not recommend using a blow dryer as this could in unfortunate cases lead to electrical shocks. Therefore, the all-time thing that y'all could practice is permit them to dry out in time. Before y'all prepare them dorsum in place, make sure that they are completely dry every bit you lot don't want the wiring of the range hood getting wet past any run a risk.

Muddy Range Hoods Tin can Exist Unsafe

A dirty range hood doesn't simply damage the range hood and increment your electricity bill, information technology's also a health and fire gamble.

Health Hazards

A dingy range hood is greasy, slimy and warm. This is an environment where some pathogens (bacteria and the like) thrive. Also, the small food particles that are carried forth with the fumes and settle on the filters help feed the growing bacteria.

Fire Hazards

The oil and grease deposits on your range hood, just above your cooktop are a fire chance waiting to happen. It'due south not common that fires are acquired this mode, but there accept been a few cases where uncontrolled flames on the stove have risen and ignited residues on the range hood filter.

Cleaning the Surface area Effectually the Filter

There are leap to be oil and grease deposits on sure parts of the range hood which are immediately to a higher place the cooktop and as well around the grease filters. These areas tin can easily exist cleaned using a mild degreaser.

All yous need to do is utilize a napkin, spray some degreaser and wipe away. Make sure that you read the instructions before y'all spray, as some of them are concentrated and you need to mix with water earlier use.

This commodity is accurate and true to the all-time of the author's noesis. Content is for advisory or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional person advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.

Questions & Answers

Question: Tin can I make clean range hood filters in the dishwasher?

Answer: If the manufacturer says yous tin, then you could. If yous don't have those details use your own judgment. Are there minor parts that could exist damaged? If yes, do not put it in the dishwasher.

Brandon Lobo (writer) on September 03, 2018:

Hey Marian, cleaning the fan. Hmm, information technology really depends on your range hood model. I would nearly likely utilise a damp cloth, soaked in some cleaning solution to wipe the blades. I would besides advise against getting any electrical components wet. After cleaning the fan, as a precaution, I would suggest that y'all do not turn on the range hood for at least a few hours, allowing any moisture on the electrical connections to dry upwardly. Do come up back and permit me know how it goes and what you decide to do. I would love to add together to this article, and I'm certain it would assistance many readers in the future.

Marian Laureta on September 03, 2018:

Hi Brandon: thanks for your crawly write upward. Cleaning the filters are no problem. The question I have is: do you recommend cleaning the actual fan? I accept had difficulty finding info on this.

Brandon Lobo (author) on July 30, 2018:

Hello Carl, thanks for sharing. Glad that you managed to make clean those filters.

Carl on July 29, 2018:

I cleaned my range hood filters concluding nighttime. They were very greasy. Kickoff, I tried a strong ammonia solution -- no good. Then I tried a stiff dish detergent solution -- no practiced. Finally, I tried a stiff dishwasher detergent and very hot h2o solution -- worked!

Brandon Lobo (writer) on Apr 02, 2018:

Very true.

Linda Bryen from Great britain on April 02, 2018:

Hi! Brandon, we do learn from each other hither on Hubpages. That is what I like about the website too. Too many things to learn and share. Thanks.

Brandon Lobo (author) on Apr 02, 2018:

Hi Linda, white malt vinegar on burnt stuff, I should try that out. I try and use force or hot h2o to assist. Thank you for the helpful tips.

Linda Bryen from United kingdom on Apr 02, 2018:

Hi! Brandon, what a well written and informative hub. Thank you. What I observe best for cleaning cooker hoods is the vinegar and baking soda combination and fairy liquid merely to finish it off. Or sometimes I use the white spirit they utilize for thinning paint. I spray the cooker filter and leave it for an hour or so then I make clean it with fairy liquid. I tried degreaser products simply they don't seem to work, also very expensive. Vinegar and blistering soda is the best cleaning agent for cooker filters I think, and not so expensive. I use white malt vinegar for burnt saucepans and baking trays. Just soak information technology with vinegar overnight and clean it the side by side day. The burnt stuff comes off easily.

Bigtexun on March 10, 2018:

So I took a lot of chemestry in school, and paid for that schooling with reseaurant piece of work, including cleaning range hoods.

Don't dilute your degreaser if it comes in a spray bottle, it is already dilute. spritsing spray degreaser into a large amount of water is counterproductive. On the other paw, concentrated degreaser needs dilution with hot water to work. Industrial imperial from Zep is similar to what the pros utilize.

If you use vinegar and baking soda, recall nigh what yous are doing. Vinegar is an acid, blistering soda is a base, they cancel each other out and produce co2 and table salt. co2 and salt are not useful. Basking soda is good to use dry or in paste form, for a variety of jobs. Vinegar is great for other jobs, expecially descaling. Mixing them together is deactivating both. And then to follow the instructions here, what yous are doing is cleaning the filters in a weak acis bath, that you make weaker as you add the baking soda. And in the process you are doing nothing for grease. Simply because grandma used it doesn't make it piece of work. Gradma cleaned things by scrubbing and scrubbing, the baking soda and vinegar did not actually assistance, just the hot h2o did, b ut grandma and dish soap did near of the bodily work. The foaming action has the illusion of scrubbing bubbles... bubbles tin can assist arouse, but they don't scrub and they don't actually assistance with /this/ task.

A stong alkali in boiling water will work for a quality stainless alloy, turning the grease into soap, but that is dangerous for the skin and tin can produce fumes... But when grandma was serious virtually degreasing something difficult to scrum, lye was her go-to degreaser... Turn that grease into soap and so it just dissolves in water. The alkali will destroy aluminum, so industrial blue degreaser is the best for aluminum. Grandma used lye for a lot of serious cleaning, but it is non condom, so stick to the degreaser and dish soap.

If your sink is big enough to soak the filters, a good automated dishwasher detergent is also skilful, this is what I use at habitation when I don't have industrial purple.Automated dishwashing pulverisation is great for soaking, and will assist loosen and lift the soiled grease out of hard to scrub areas.

baking soda and vinegar together are for leavening old fashioned from-scratch cakes... THAT is where vinegar and blistering soda chemistry really does more than than make a common salt.

Brandon Lobo (author) on March x, 2018:

Hi Colleen, perhaps try finding something that fits in to those knob holes perfectly so that you have some leverage to go them out? You're going to have to improvise with something at abode. Skilful luck.

Colleen on March 04, 2018:

Hello Brandon

I have a Faber hood with baffle filters. They are not installed properly so the knobs to remove baffles are not in that location. Is at that place a tool I can utilise to pull the baffle dorsum enough to remove it! There are holes for the knobs but no knobs! Please help if u can!

Brandon Lobo (author) on January 28, 2018:

Thank you for this annotate iSky, there was someone who was complaining that this is against loftier school chemical science, mixing an acrid and a base. It works, the mixture of vinegar and baking soda.

iSky on Jan 28, 2018:

My filter was horrible. I soaked it overnight starting time using dish soap. And then for an hour with dishwasher soap. It was very clean but had a couple spots. And so used the vinegar and baking soda method. Came out sparkling clean.

Neil from SHEFFIELD on Dec xiii, 2017:

In near cases I find the dishwasher works great for cleaning these extractor filters, merely make sure they are fully dry before re-plumbing equipment otherwise corrosion tin can appear.