Just 10 Minutes and Grease-Free Extractor Fan: A Simple Kitchen Item, Not Vinegar or Baking Soda

It’s easy to overlook the fact that grease stains can build up on many surfaces in the kitchen. But it’s important to remember that extractor fans can also become hotbeds for bacteria, grease, and bits of food.

Importance of Cleaning Extractor Fans

These essential kitchen devices have filters that are fine mesh grates you can see on the underside of the cooker hood. They’re designed to suck up the smoke and steam from cooking.

However, if you don’t clean these essential cooker hood filters regularly, they can affect how well the extractor fan works.

Expert Tips for Maintaining Extractor Fans

Nick Small, the appliance expert at AO, has some tips for keeping extractor fans in top shape. He suggested, “Your cooker hood catches all the smoke and steam from preparing your food, but did you know you can open it?”

“Make sure you’re cleaning this every three months or so. It could be full of grease and grime, which would not only make it dirty but also less effective.”

“Most filters can be put in the dishwasher, so check the manufacturer’s manual to see if they’re dishwasher-safe.”

Cleaning Method for Non-Dishwasher Safe Filters

If not, let the filter soak in hot, soapy water for at least 10 minutes, then scrub with a brush. Keith Ford, a cleaning expert from Crystal Oven Cleaning, also suggests using washing-up liquid for this task. The product is designed to break down and remove grease as well as other residues that can build up in fans.

While the expert uses the same method as Nick, he suggests leaving the filters in the soapy water for 15 minutes or so, maybe even longer if needed.

Reinstalling the Filter

Once the filter is dry, put it back in the extractor hood, and you’ll have a cleaner, better-ventilated kitchen.