Category: Ventilation
If you are like a lot of people, when it comes to cleaning the filters of your kitchen range hood it always seems to be on the to-do list and never seems to make it to the done list.
All range hoods that exhaust air are going to have some type of filtration system. If the air is being exhausted outside, they will have a grease filter. These types of filters can be easily cleaned. While it will depend on how often the range hood is used, we suggest they are checked and cleaned at least once a month.
As grease and debris builds up on the filters it can limit the amount of air coming through the range hood and cause the hood to run louder and less efficiently. By maintaining your filters, you can ensure that your hood is running at its peak performance level.You should always refer to your owner’s manual for specific cleaning procedures and always turn the power off to the range hood before starting any maintenance. To clean the filters remove them from the range hood and use a mild detergent with hot water. In years past, grease filters could be washed in a dishwasher. A change in the chemicals used in most dishwasher detergents no longer allows filters to be put into the dishwasher. The reason is that most filters are made of aluminum and the new chemical configuration of the detergents can have a reaction with the aluminum causing spots. While it doesn’t affect the performance of the filters, it does not look the best. If your filters are made from materials such as stainless steel then they can typically go into the dishwasher.If you have a range hood that recirculates the air back into the room, they will typically have a combination odor and grease filter. The odor filter consists of some type of charcoal filtration. Unfortunately, these are not able to be washed and need to be replaced.
Your kitchen range hood is an important component of your home’s indoor air quality. Keeping it running efficiently and effectively is critical. To learn more about other helpful tips visit the Range Hood FAQ section of this site.