A range hood is one of the most important appliances you can have in your kitchen. It removes odors, grease, and steam from the air during cooking, as well as other pollutants such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. Keeping your range hood in good working order helps to make cooking a pleasant experience.
As part of a daily kitchen routine, give your hood a quick wipe-down to remove any grease and dust. This will make it easier to do a more thorough cleaning later. It’s recommended that you clean the hood’s interior, exterior, and filters each month if you cook daily. Clean more frequently if you cook with a lot of oil and grease.
Here are some general instructions for cleaning range hoods. Always check first with your manufacturer’s manual for specific instructions and a list of safe products to use with your model.
Cleaning Stainless Steel Hoods
When cleaning stainless steel, here are some important tips:
- Don’t use bleach, or corrosive or abrasive cleaners
- Don’t use coarse sponges, steel wool, or wire brushes that can scratch the surface
- Don’t use combustible cleaning products, such as alcohol, ether, acetone, benzyl, etc.
- Always rub in the direction of the grain
Stainless Steel Exteriors
- Turn the range hood off and disconnect it from the power supply. Make sure the stovetop isn’t turned on.
- Place a drop cloth or towels on the stovetop to protect it from dirt and debris.
- Mix hot water, mild dish soap, and baking soda.
- Dip a soft cloth or sponge into the water mixture and wipe the hood in the direction of the grain.
- Rinse with clear water 2-3 times, using a soft sponge or cloth.
- Dry immediately with a soft cloth.
- For tough deposits or discolorations, use a nylon scrubber or soft bristle brush. Gently scrub with the soap and baking soda water mixture so as not to scratch the surface.
- Clean the chimney if your model has one.
Mesh and Baffle Filters
Use this procedure for cleaning filters for all range hoods:
- Mix baking soda and liquid dish soap in a bucket filled with boiling or very hot water. If you use a sink or laundry tub, you risk clogging your pipes with grease.
- Remove the filters from under the hood. Wear cloth gloves to protect your hands from sharp edges.
- Use a towel or nylon scrubber to wipe off any large bits of debris stuck in the filter.
- Place the filters in the bucket to soak.
- When most of the grease has dissolved, take the filters from the bucket, and use a soft-bristled nylon brush to scrub them. You may have to mix up a fresh bucket of hot water, baking soda and liquid dish soap to get the filters clean.
- When the grease is removed, thoroughly rinse the filters with hot water in the sink. Use a soft clean cloth to pat them dry. Allow them to air-dry before inserting them back into the range hood.
- Replace any filters that are rusted, or ones that you can’t get clean.
- Some models have a grease tray or cup — remove it when you remove the filters and soak it in a baking soda/liquid dish soap solution until the grease is dissolved. Wash it in hot, soapy water and use a soft cloth to dry it.
- You can wash some metal and aluminum filters in the dishwasher. Make sure they’re not too greasy first, or you’ll clog the dishwasher drain. Use a non-phosphate detergent to avoid discoloration.
- Carbon and paper filters can’t be washed. Replace carbon filters every 3-6 months (about 120 hours of cooking), and paper ones when they look discolored with a reddish tint. Some models automatically signal when the range hood and its filters need to be cleaned, or when the carbon filters should be replaced.
Stainless Steel Interiors
- While the filters are soaking and air drying, use your manufacturer’s recommended degreaser and spray it inside the hood.
- Wait the amount of time stated on the label, then rinse thoroughly with a wet sponge or cloth to remove the residue. Be careful not to spray any electrical components.
- For stubborn grease, mix and apply a baking soda and liquid dish soap paste. Gently scrub it into the grease with a soft nylon brush or scrubber.
- Leave it on for about half an hour, then rinse and dry with a soft cloth.
Copper Range Hoods
- Copper range hoods are cleaned the same way as above. Be sure to wipe in the direction of the patina pattern.
- When the hood is clean and dry, apply a small amount of copper polish to a flannel cloth, and cover the hood inside and out with a thin layer.
- When the polish is dry, rub with small, circular motions until there’s no residue left and the hood shines.
Glass Range Hoods
- Clean glass range hoods on the outside with a liquid dish soap, baking soda, and hot water solution, using a soft cloth or nonabrasive sponge.
- Use a degreaser if the glass underside is really greasy.
- Always wipe the glass surface dry after cleaning to avoid water marks.
- For a great shine, use a glass cleaner, and wipe with a soft cloth.
Painted Range Hoods
It’s recommended that painted range hoods should only be cleaned using a soft cloth, warm water, and a grease-cutting dish soap. Rinse well, and dry with a soft cloth.
Fan Blades and Blower Wheels
A heavy build-up of dirt and grease on fan blades or blower wheels will make the range hood less efficient and put extra stress on the motor.
- Clean the fan blades regularly with a warm, soapy water and baking soda solution, and a soft cloth.
- Use a degreaser if there’s a heavy build-up of dirt and grease.
- For blower wheels, remove and soak in warm, soapy water and baking soda. Use a degreaser if necessary.
- Check the owner’s manual to see if the blower wheels can also be cleaned in the dishwasher.
Call C&W Appliance Service at (855) 358-1496 for all your appliance repair and maintenance needs or submit our online service request form for prompt, reliable service.