How To Have Your Cooker Hood Sparkling Clean

Getting your cooker hood, as well as the extractor fan, sparkling clean can be a tricky affair. This is because of the buildup grease and fat which makes it very sticky and messy. You cannot procrastinate cleaning them up when the cooker hood is demanding a thorough wash. Rest assured, this step-by-step guide will provide you with all the information you need to learn about cleaning your oven extractor hood effectively, including how to spotlessly clean a cooker hood filter with all the removable components.

How to spotlessly deep clean your cooker hood

If you have not washed your cooker hood for some time, the build-up of tough grease and fat can be very stubborn to remove completely. But if you equip yourself with the right attitude and tools to clean your extractor hood efficiently, your cooker will have that gleaming look in no time.

To begin with, make sure that the power supply to the appliance is switched off and let it cool. Then, remove the filter and any other loose or removable part from the cooker hood. Get hold of the instructional manual for that specific appliance and check the correct procedure of removing the bits. Alternatively, check it up online if you do not have access to the original manual for instructions.

Cleaning your cooker hood filters

When washing a flat extractor, be on the lookout for a paper filter which you can remove and have it replaced with a new one which is cut to size from the supermarket. The carbon filters should be supplanted as opposed to cleaning. However, the extractor fans from the chimney-style oven have metal mesh filters that are not disposable and at times need a good wash.

How to wash and polish your cooker hood metal filter

After removing the metal filter from the cooker extractor hood, let it soak in hot soapy water. Add a cup of vinegar and leave it to sleep overnight, the vinegar will help in breaking down the grease.

After the long soak, it is now time to give the filter and the other components, a clean, careful rub to get rid of the greasy residue. You can use some washing powder and add it to the soaking solution or some bicarbonate of soda paste to work some magic on the oily residue from the extractor and the other loose parts.

Be cautious to take the recommended safety measures, and to first, test any unfamiliar procedure on an inconspicuous spot. In the process of cleaning your cooker hood metal filter, it could discolour a little, especially if you are using a detergent or dishwasher solution. Your cooker hood metal filter will still function, but it will not be obvious the moment the hood is reassembled.

How to wash the surfaces around the cooker hood

When cleaning the kitchen, there are specially designed cleaning products to clean particular surfaces. An example is stainless steel which is perfect for cleaning the cooker hood. There is a wide range of products for cleaning the kitchen and different surfaces. You should just go through the guidelines on the label diligently. Also, before you begin, test the product in a small area first.   Be careful to avoid the product getting in contact with your skin, and remember to put on relevant hand protective gear.

Most of the modern cooker hoods are manufactured from stainless steel and at times glass. Always remember to use the correct product designed for those surfaces for maximum results. Also, you can use a soft, clean sponge or cloth to wipe these surfaces. A rough wire sponge or a brittle brush may leave marks or scratches. It is important to note that, when you are using something more abrasive, remember to test it on a discrete surface first.

Keeping your cooker hood grease-free and spotlessly clean

The secret behind keeping your cooker extractor neat is to wash it regularly. Wipe the entire exterior with warm soapy water or the correct cleaning product. Before you do that, ensure the oven is switched off, and it is cool before you can start cleaning. Dry it with an immaculate piece of clothing to get rid of any watermarks. You could take out the filter at least once a month and quickly wash it in the sink. If you regularly do this, then they will only need a brief wash when you are thoroughly cleaning it.  Indeed, this then means that the deep cleaning is rarely necessary.

Finally, it is important to note that the major cause of a sticky cooker hood is frying. Cutting down the amount of food you fry in the cooker will help cut down on the cleaning requirement, but you will also be feeding on a healthier diet. If you follow these handy tips, you will end up with a sparkling clean cooker hood.

Thinking of buying a new cooker hood? Then this handy cooker hood buying guide will probably be the perfect place to start.

Author: Repair Aid®

Date published:

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