While most homeowners routinely clean their kitchen surfaces, many overlook the maintenance of their extractor fans. These appliances play a vital role in removing steam and smoke while cooking, but if left unchecked, they can become breeding grounds for bacteria, grease, and food particles.
The grease build-up on extractor fans can significantly hinder their efficiency, making your cooker hood less effective at ventilating the kitchen. Nick Small, the appliance expert at AO, highlights the importance of regular cleaning: “Your cooker hood catches all the smoke and steam from preparing your food, but did you know you could open it?”. Without proper upkeep, these filters – often located on the underside of the cooker hood – can quickly become a source of unwanted grime.
To keep your extractor fan working efficiently, experts like Nick suggest cleaning the filters at least every three months, as this prevents the buildup of grease and grime.
He said: “Ensure you are cleaning this around every three months as it could be full of grease and grime making it not only dirty but less effective.”
For a hassle-free clean, many filters are dishwasher safe, but for those that aren’t, soaking the filter in hot soapy water for 10 minutes is a simple solution.
Keith Ford, a cleaning expert from Crystal Oven Cleaning, agrees on the importance of using washing-up liquid for the task, explaining that it is designed to break down grease and other residues.
He recommends letting the filters sit in the soapy water for 15 minutes or longer if necessary. Once the filter is dry, you can easily place it back in the extractor hood, restoring its efficiency and ventilation.
In addition to regular cleaning, taking steps to prevent grease buildup in the future is key to avoid it becoming harder to remove.
A splatter guard can be a great investment, especially if you often fry food, as fried foods are one of the main culprits of greasy extractor fans.
For a quick solution, wiping down the grease filters with a paper towel or cloth after each use of the hob can also help maintain cleanliness and prevent long-term damage.