How to Clean Your Cooker Hood Filters? Appliance Repair, London

How do Cooker Hood Filters Work and Why Clean Them?

Cooker hood filters play a big role in keeping your kitchen fresh by trapping grease, smoke, and odours. They work by drawing air through the filter, where grease and particles are captured before the air is either recirculated or vented outside.

When they get clogged with grease, they can’t do their job properly. This means grease and other contaminants start building up on your walls, surfaces, and inside the vents.

Not only is that unpleasant, but it also encourages bacterial growth and leads to fire risks.

Dirty filters also make your cooker hood work harder. That means more noise, higher energy bills, and wearing out faster. Keeping your filters clean isn’t just about hygiene. It helps your kitchen stay safe, fresh, and healthy while making sure your cooker hood runs smoothly for years to come.

If the issue is beyond DIY fixes, call a professional cooker hood repair service to get it handled properly.

Types of Cooker Hood Filters

Understanding your filter type is key to keeping your cooker hood in top shape. Different filters need different care, so let’s break it down.

Metallic Grease Filters

Baffle filters are popular in modern cooker hoods.

They work by forcing air to change direction, trapping grease along the way. Brands like Belling and Bosch love these for their high grease separation. Then there are mesh filters, made from fine layers of metal.

They’re great for catching smaller grease droplets but tend to clog up quickly, so you’ll need to clean them often. Cassette filters combine the best of both worlds, with removable cartridges that make cleaning a breeze. You’ll often find these in AEG filter cooker hoods- effective and easy to maintain!

Charcoal Filters

Charcoal (or carbon) filters are a must-have for recirculating cooker hoods.

They’re packed with activated carbon that soaks up cooking smells and smoke, leaving your kitchen air fresh. You’ll see these in systems like AEG cooker hood charcoal filters or Candy cooker hood filters. Unlike metallic filters, though, you can’t clean charcoal filters- they need to be replaced regularly. Once the carbon gets saturated, it stops working. And if you try washing them, you’ll just ruin the carbon structure.

Fabric Grease Filters

These are less common these days but still pop up in some setups, like Baumatic cooker hood filters. Made of synthetic materials, fabric grease filters trap grease particles but are designed for single use. Instead of cleaning them, you simply replace them when needed.

By knowing your filter type, you’ll keep your cooker hood running smoothly and your kitchen smelling fresh!

Breathe fresher air at home, discover why in our blog: ‘Is Ventilating Your Kitchen Necessary?’.

How Often Should Cooker Hood Filters Be Cleaned?

This depends on how much you cook and the type of filter you have. For most households, metallic grease filters should be cleaned once a month. But if you’re big on frying or grilling, you might need to clean them every couple of weeks.

Here are some signs it’s time to clean your filters:

• You can see grease building up on them
• The extractor isn’t working as well as it used to
• Cooking smells linger long after you’re done
• The motor is noisier than usual
• You notice grease dripping from the filter area

If your filters are dishwasher-safe, cleaning is a breeze. Just pop them in the dishwasher. If not, you’ll need to clean them by hand to avoid damage. Always check your manufacturer’s instructions to be sure. Some Caple extractor filters, for example, are dishwasher-safe, but others aren’t.

Charcoal filters are a bit different. They don’t need cleaning but should be replaced every three to six months, depending on how much you cook. Heavy use might mean swapping them out more often to keep odours under control.

What is the Best Way to Clean Cooker Hood Filters? Step-by-Step Guide

Before you dive into cleaning your cooker hood, let’s talk safety. First things first, turn off the appliance and unplug it. If you’ve recently used the hood, give it some time to cool down as those parts can stay hot for a while.

Step 1 - Taking Out the Filter

Removing the filter may vary depending on your model, but most modern cooker hoods have easy systems like push buttons, slide-outs, or twist locks. Handle the filter carefully. Years of grease buildup can make it heavier than you expect. Keep a container ready to catch any mess so you won’t be scrubbing your floor afterwards. When in doubt, check the manufacturer’s guide- it’s there for a reason.

Step 2 - Soaking and Pretreating

Got the filter out? Time to soak it! Fill a sink or large container with hot water and some degreasing liquid. Let the filter soak for 10 to 15 minutes to loosen up all that built-up grime. Got stubborn spots? Mix up some baking soda and vinegar into a paste and apply it to the greasy areas. It’ll work like magic to break down the gunk and make scrubbing much easier.

Step 3 - Scrubbing It Clean

When it’s time to scrub, grab a soft brush or sponge and gently clean the filter, paying extra attention to those tricky crevices where grease loves to hide. Be gentle as pressing too hard can damage the filter. For baffle filters, clean both sides and check that the drainage channels aren’t clogged. If you’ve got a mesh filter, take your time to avoid bending it. And if you’re thinking about using a commercial degreaser, make sure it’s safe for the material first.

Step 4 - Rinsing and Drying

Once it’s clean, rinse the filter under hot running water to wash away soap and residue. Shake off the extra water and let it air dry on a clean towel or drying rack for 2 to 4 hours. Resist the urge to speed things up with a hair dryer. Heat can warp metal or damage coatings, which you definitely don’t want.

Step 5 - Reattaching the Filter

Now it’s time to put everything back together. Reinstall the filter by following the removal steps in reverse, making sure it’s snug and secure in place. Give it a little tug to check that it’s stable and won’t shift when the hood is running. A properly installed filter means your cooker hood will work like a charm and stay in great condition for longer.

How to Clean Charcoal Filters?

Charcoal filters can’t be cleaned the usual way. The activated carbon inside gets permanently saturated with contaminants, so washing or heating won’t work to restore it.

How often should you replace them? It depends on how much you cook:

When popping in a new filter, make sure it’s installed the right way. Most have arrows to show the airflow direction. Follow those for the best performance. Check out our blog post, ‘The importance of proper cooker hood installation’, for useful insights.

As for disposing of old filters, check your local waste guidelines. Most can go in household trash, but some areas might have recycling programs for the materials.

Dealing with Stubborn Grease and Grime

If your filters are really dirty, you might need to step it up with a stronger cleaning method.

• Try mixing equal parts white vinegar and hot water, then add two tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda per litre.
• Soak the filters for about 30 minutes.
• Then give them a good scrub with a stiff brush.

For those extra stubborn spots, make a paste with bicarbonate of soda and water and apply it directly.

You can also use a kitchen degreaser and just remember to wear gloves and keep the area well-ventilated.

Another option is steam cleaning, which works wonders on tough grease by breaking down deposits and sanitising the surface. Just make sure your filter material can handle the steam before going for this method!

Cooker Hood Filters Replacement

Replacing your cooker hood filter is super easy!

• Start by turning off the cooker hood and unplugging it.
• Next, take out the old filter (it’ll either be a charcoal or grease filter, depending on your model). If the area looks dirty, give it a quick clean.
• Then, pop in the new filter and make sure it’s secure.
• Plug it back in, and you’re good to go!

DIY vs. Professional Cleaning

Can I Use WD-40 to Clean My Cooker Hood?

Using WD-40 to clean your cooker hood? Not a good idea, it’s actually dangerous! WD-40 is meant for mechanical lubrication and corrosion prevention, not cleaning your kitchen.

Here’s why you should avoid it:

• Fire hazard: WD-40 is highly flammable. If any residue stays on your cooker hood filters, it could ignite while you’re cooking, leading to a dangerous kitchen fire.
• Food contamination: Residue can mix with cooking vapors, which could pose health risks. Definitely not something you want near your food!
• Filter damage: The petroleum-based formula can damage the coating on your metal filters and interfere with how they separate grease properly.
• Doesn’t clean well: WD-40 isn’t designed to dissolve grease, and it might even attract more grime over time.

Keep Your Kitchen Safe and Efficient

Taking care of your cooker hood filters is an easy way to protect your London home and keep your family safe. Clean filters help prevent fire hazards, improve air quality, and even extend the life of your appliance by reducing wear and tear.

Different filters need different care, so it's important to know what type you have. Whether you’re dealing with AEG carbon filters, Belling cooker hood filters, or Bosch cooker hood carbon filters, regular maintenance keeps them running smoothly for years to come.

If DIY maintenance feels like too much hassle or you’re short on time, Serviceteam can help.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far should the cooker hood be from the cooker?

For electric stoves, aim for 65-75cm above, and for gas cookers, 75-80cm is ideal. Be sure to check your hood’s manual to meet UK safety standards and keep everything running smoothly.

How often should you change the cooker hood filter?

Replace your cooker hood filters every 3-6 months, especially if you’re cooking up a storm regularly. In busy London kitchens, it’s a good idea to check them often to avoid grease buildup and keep the airflow steady.

How often should I clean my range hood filter?

Try to give them a good clean every 1-2 months. With all that delicious cooking happening, grease and dirt can pile up quickly. Regular cleaning keeps your kitchen fresh and your hood working efficiently.

Can metal grease filters be washed?

Yes, they’re washable! Use warm water with a degreasing detergent, or pop them in the dishwasher if the manufacturer says it’s safe. Just double-check the instructions to avoid any oops moments.

How to clean the grease from the cooker hood filter?

Soak it in warm, soapy water with some degreaser for about 15 minutes. After that, give it a gentle scrub, rinse it thoroughly, and let it dry before putting it back in place.