How to clean grease from a kitchen hood: the most effective means and methods

With use, the surface of the hood gradually becomes dull, the air intake grille becomes covered with a sticky coating, and the performance of the device decreases. You will have to fight for a presentable appearance of household equipment.

First, you should choose the most suitable method and decide how to clean the kitchen hood from grease, taking into account the degree of contamination, the effectiveness of different methods and the safety of detergents. Let's look at the variety of means and methods for cleaning the hood.

The need and frequency of cleaning the hood

Modern housewives try to make life as comfortable as possible, using all kinds of devices and innovations to make everyday tasks easier. A range hood has become one of the indispensable attributes and assistant in the kitchen.

However, with improper care, the effectiveness of the device decreases - exhaust filters become clogged and do not perform their functions. The throughput of a dirty grille decreases, and the device itself does a worse job of removing odors and moisture and may fail.

An exhaust hood performs a number of important tasks: it removes excess steam and eliminates odors, makes the air cleaner and normalizes the temperature.

The frequency of cleaning the hood from fat accumulation depends on the intensity of use of the device.

Recommended timing:

• professional catering kitchen – weekly;
• daily preparation at home - once a month or quarter, depending on the volume of vapors released.

The cleaning technology is determined by the type of filter installed and the degree of contamination.

You should constantly take care of your kitchen hood by cleaning it without dismantling it and removing the filter:

Hood devices use:

1. Carbon filters. They perform a fine cleaning of the air circulating indoors - the cartridge absorbs odors and grease. The carbon filter cannot be cleaned; it must be changed once every quarter or year, when the hood's draft force drops.
2. Metal mesh. Grease grates are responsible for rough cleaning. The mesh base is aluminum or stainless steel, supplemented with synthetic components (sintepon, non-woven fabric).

Do not delay with general cleaning of the hood. Removing old grease is a labor-intensive and complex process.

Reduced productivity, increased noise during operation and changes in the color of the trap screens are the main signs of contamination of cleaning equipment

How to prepare equipment for washing?

Before washing the hood of accumulated grease, you should turn off the power and disassemble the air cleaning device. You must first study the technical documentation and find out the list of dismountable sections. It is necessary to prepare boxes for removable parts, and clear the working area of ​​the stove from kitchen utensils.

Standard algorithm for dismantling and dismantling actions:

1. Unclip the latches, remove the cover from the grooves or unscrew the mounting bolts.
2. Remove the grease filter.In recirculation models, remove the carbon cartridge - it is located behind the metal grill.
3. Dismantle the pipe running from the exhaust hood to the vent.
4. Remove the internal air filter, if provided in the design.

After disassembling the hood, you need to assess the extent of contamination and choose the optimal cleaning method. To remove old fat growths, you will have to resort to aggressive methods.

With proper timely care, the next cleaning is reduced to washing with dishwashing detergent. If you don’t have a specialized product at hand, traditional methods will do.

Removing dirt from the hood using traditional methods

By following the air purifier maintenance schedule, routine cleaning will not require much time and effort. For work, you can use improvised means: ammonia, vinegar, lemon, etc.

The traditional method of removing grease from a kitchen hood filter includes a number of standard steps, these are:

Getting rid of hard fat deposits and soot is a more difficult task. Contaminated elements are subjected to thermal and mechanical treatment.

Methods for cleaning minor stains

The most affordable, popular and fairly effective means for caring for air intake grilles are:

• acetic acid;
• laundry soap;
• lemon acid;
• ammonia;
• mustard.

Before starting work, you should prepare a brush with hard polymer bristles, a coarse sponge and a soft cloth. It is advisable to carry out all manipulations with rubber gloves. Let's look at each technology in detail.

Method number 1 - vinegar

To achieve quick results, use undiluted food grade acetic acid (70%). Regular table vinegar (9%) will not cope with fatty deposits.

Concentrated vinegar has a pungent odor, so cleaning should be done with the windows open - it is important to ensure ventilation and fresh air.

Work progress:

1. Soak a sponge in acid and wipe the mesh on both sides. The entire contaminated surface must be treated with vinegar. Alternatively, you can place a mesh filter in a baking tray with low sides and fill it with acid.
2. Leave the hood parts for 8-15 minutes - the time is selected taking into account the level of contamination.
3. Remove softened deposits with a coarse brush or thick felt.
4. Rinse the grill with running water and dry.

Removal of “fresh” grease stains is carried out with an acid solution diluted 50% with water.

Method No. 2 - laundry soap

To get rid of dirt and carbon deposits using a soap solution, use a metal or plastic scraper. The advantage of the method is absolute safety.

Necessary tools and equipment: a piece of Soviet-style laundry soap (72%), a grater, a large saucepan or basin, a scraper and a sponge

Sequencing:

1. Grate the soap - you should get 2-3 handfuls of “soap shavings”.
2. Heat water to 60 °C and dissolve soap in it.
3. Place the air intake grille in soap emulsion for 30-60 minutes.
4. After time, if the fat begins to easily “move away” from the mesh, clean the surface with a scraper.
5. Rinse the filter thoroughly and dry.

Method number 3 - citric acid

Use a cool lemon solution or pieces of lemon itself.

The surface of the grease traps is treated with squeezed lemon juice or rubbed with a piece of fruit. To break down the plaque, the acid is left for a quarter of an hour.

If you don’t have fresh lemon, you can prepare an acid emulsion yourself: dissolve powdered food “lemon” (3 tablespoons) in one liter of water.

Fill the filter mesh with the resulting mixture, and after 10 minutes clean it with a coarse brush. To remove old deposits, 2-3 cleaning procedures will be required.

Method number 4 - ammonia

The product is effective against “fresh” and old greasy stains. However, it requires careful use, since ammonia vapors are very caustic and dangerous.

Mandatory safety measures when working with ammonia: open windows, wear safety glasses, latex gloves and a respirator. Acrid fumes can burn mucous tissues and also cause dizziness.

Cleaning technology with ammonia:

1. Heat water to 50 °C.
2. Add ammonia to the container at the rate of 0.5 cups/3.5 liters of water.
3. Dip dirty parts into the cleaning solution. Interaction time is 4 hours.

The fat layer will gradually begin to soften and dissolve. All that remains is to “walk” over the grille with a sponge and rinse the filter with clean water.

Method No. 5 - mustard powder

Some housewives still use a kitchen assistant using the “grandmother’s” method today.

Mustard is environmentally friendly, but in high concentrations it can cause allergies. The powder is quite effective in warm water, but in cold water its properties weaken

Application technique:

1. Rinse the grill with hot water under the shower.
2. Prepare a cleaning mixture by mixing 3.5 tablespoons of mustard with 2 teaspoons of regular shampoo. Dilute the composition with hot water and vinegar (50/50) until a liquid slurry forms.
3. Treat the mesh from the hood with the mixture.
4. Soak a towel in hot water and wrap it around the grill. Leave for half an hour.

After a while, clean the mesh with a brush and rinse.

Digestion - the fight against old fat

Boiling the air intake grille is a labor-intensive process, but it is especially effective against the hardened fat layer.

To implement at home you will need:

• metal bucket or pan - the volume of the container is selected in accordance with the dimensions of the mesh filter;
• grater, brush and sponge;
• baking soda - 1 cup;
• a bar of brown laundry soap;
• salt – 1 tablespoon;
• water.

There are no strict proportions for preparing the cleaning composition. However, for effective digestion it is better to make a concentrated solution.

If a container of a suitable size is not at hand, then the boiling procedure is carried out twice - for each half of the filter

A step-by-step technology on how to clean the air intake grille of a hood from grease using the boiling method involves performing the following steps:

• Step 1.Fill the container with water and put on fire.
• Step 2. While the water is boiling, rub in ½ bar of soap.
• Step 3. Gradually, adding one spoon at a time, pour in soda (1 cup/5 l). You must act carefully, as the heated liquid in combination with soda can boil. Mix the composition well without removing from heat.
• Step 4. After dissolving the soda, add soap and salt.
• Step 5. Place dirty nets into boiling liquid and leave to “simmer” over low heat.

After heat treatment, most contaminants are separated. All that remains is to lightly clean the surface with a brush and wipe with a sponge.

Over time, the water in the pan will turn yellow-brown. You should not overexpose the gratings in this composition. If the contaminants partially remain, it is better to drain the water and repeat the process in an updated solution.

If the soda “dilution” does not help, you can resort to boiling with ammonia. The composition of the solution is 100 ml of ammonia / 5 liters of water. Mix the liquids, bring to a boil, immerse in a container on a wire rack and keep on low heat for 1 hour.

Finally, remove any remaining dirt with a brush, rinse the air intake with water and dry.

Use of chemicals

Using store-bought detergents greatly simplifies the task and speeds up cleaning. However, some drugs should be used with extreme caution - active reagents can harm human health and damage equipment.

Overview of household cleaning products

Store-bought dishwasher and stove cleaners work well to remove grease from the hood.

Among the variety of household chemicals, the following drugs have proven themselves well:

• Spray “1 minute”, Sanita (Russia);
• Spray "Anti-Fat", Cinderella (Russia);
• Gel “Synergetic” (Germany);
• Spray and gel “Anti-Fat + Radiance”, Cilit Bang (Poland);
• Gel and spray “Shumanit”, Baghi (Israel).

Spray Sanita

A fast-acting product with active ingredients “corrodes” fat accumulations, plaque and other types of dirt in a matter of minutes. Express spray is considered one of the leaders due to its versatility and affordable cost.

Sanita spray is not intended for cleaning varnished, enameled, aluminum and painted surfaces.

Area of ​​use: caring for kitchen equipment, furniture, blinds, plastic panels, tiles and dishes. The approximate cost of the bottle is 2.5 USD.

Cinderella "Anti-Fat"

An affordable, effective product that gently cleanses stubborn stains. Suitable for use on different types of surfaces after test use on a small area.

Before use, the sprayer valve must be turned to the “open” position and the surface should be sprayed. After 20-25 minutes, remove dirt with a brush.

Price for 500 ml – 2-2.4 USD Among the disadvantages, users note a very liquid consistency and rapid consumption.

The main active ingredient of the Anti-Fat spray is soda. The natural cleaner does not act as quickly as chemical reagents, but the substance is safe

Synergetic for slabs

The gel-like product is positioned as a safe, natural preparation for cleaning stoves, ovens, frying pans and baking trays. It contains no harsh chemicals and is 100% biodegradable.

Limitations of use: surfaces made of brass, copper and copper alloys, as well as aluminum. Despite the safety, you should use gloves when working - they will protect your hands from drying out. Average cost – 10 USD/1 liter.

Range of action: soot, carbon deposits, grease, oil stains, scale and rust.Excellent for cleaning air intake grilles

Household chemicals Cilit Bang

Gels and spray “Anti-Fat + Shine” are a Polish development for removing burnt and greasy stains in the kitchen. Grease removers are made on the basis of surfactants, due to which they have a “soft” effect on dirt. There are no abrasives in the composition.

The drug is easy to use, spreads well on the surface and is optimal for timely care. The cost of “Anti-Fat + Radiance” is 6 USD/750 ml.

In practice, Anti-Fat + Shine has shown its effectiveness in the fight against “fresh” drops of fat and soot stains. The product is almost powerless against limescale, hard deposits, and old rust.

"Shumanit" from Baga

Professional chemistry for easy removal of fat from surfaces involved in food preparation. “Shumanit” is a potent remedy, and therefore requires strict safety measures during use.

Distinctive features:

• no abrasive additives;
• antibacterial effect;
• fast action - the first effect is noticeable 5 minutes after applying the drug;
• effective cleansing of old fat accumulations;
• economical consumption.

The product is not suitable for cleaning aluminum or painted surfaces. Cost – 4.5 USD/500 ml.

“Shumanite” is toxic and has a specific pungent odor. Work must be carried out wearing a gauze bandage or a respirator. A prerequisite is sufficient ventilation

Technology for using store-bought fat solvents

Most of the products offered have similar tactics for cleaning the hood from grease; a possible difference is the time of “soaking” in the chemical preparation.

Standard plan of action:

1. Place the air intake grille on an oven tray or place it in a large container.
2. Carefully treat the parts with the selected preparation.
3. Leave the fat solvent - the permissible exposure time is written on the packaging or in the instructions for the product.
4. In case of strong accumulations of dirt, the filters should be washed with warm water - this procedure will wash away the separated fatty layers.

To remove any remaining deposits, the grille must be re-treated with a cleaning agent.

After cleaning, the hood parts must be washed thoroughly. There should be no chemical components left on the surface - substances can impede the operation of the hood or get into the food on the stove

Heavy artillery: the risks of a radical method

When all gentle methods have been tried and are unsuccessful, some resort to “aggressive” treatment. An arsenal for cleaning drain pipes like: “Mole», «Tiret», «Steril», «Trubomoy" and so on.

Before deciding to take a radical step, it is worth assessing the possible risks and taking into account all the nuances of performing the work:

• failure to follow the instructions for preparing the solution and the holding time of the reagent can result in deformation of metal parts;
• the maximum permissible number of radical cleanings is 1-2 times during the entire period of operation;
• The method is advisable to use in the most “neglected” situations, when hard deposits have clogged all the cells of the air intake grille.

They begin work after studying the instructions and following safety standards.

You need to prepare an iron baking sheet or tray in advance. The manipulation scheme depends on the form of the product: liquid concentrate, granules or powder

Possible course of work:

1. Liquid product. Place the parts to be treated in a container and fill with a solution prepared according to the manufacturer’s instructions - the reaction will begin instantly. After a couple of minutes, remove the grate and rinse with water several times.
2. Granular component. Place contaminated items on a tray, sprinkle with cleaning powder, and pour hot water over them. After breaking down the fat, wash the air distributor thoroughly.

Carefully pour the used caustic solution into the toilet.

Machine cleaning: steam generator and dishwasher

The simplest and safest method is steam cleaning. The method is effective, but its implementation requires the use of a steam generator or steam vacuum cleaner. Thanks to the device, it will be possible to remove fat deposits without chemicals.

The steam temperature is about 150°. The household unit not only cleans, but also disinfects the surface. After treatment, the fat can be easily removed with a sponge dipped in liquid soap.

The only drawback of the method is the high cost of the steam generator.

Holders dishwasher can entrust the “dirty work” to an automated kitchen assistant. The performer is required to remove the mesh, put it in the compartment for large dishes, add detergent and select the washing mode.

The machine method is an excellent prevention of the appearance of hard fatty deposits. Cleaning frequency: twice a month.

Caring for the outer casing

While the grille and internal filter are drying, there is time to pay attention to the outside of the hood. The difficulty of cleaning the body is that food fat mixes with settling dust and turns into a hard coating.

It is unacceptable to remove dirt with an iron scraper or using abrasive substances - they can negate the glossy shine of the hood or leave scratches

Cleaning procedure:

1. Apply detergent to a sponge and rub the surface.
2. After half an hour, wipe off the product with a soft damp cloth.
3. Remove remaining fat spots with a rubber scraper.

In order to prevent the formation of a hard crust on the body, it is necessary to reduce idle operation of the gas burner to a minimum. Dry heat helps fix grease deposits on the surface.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Restoring the throughput and appearance of the air intake grille using soda ash:

Cleaning the hood grille using a pipe cleaner:

The variety of methods and cleaning agents allows you to choose the best option for the situation. In order not to resort to radical methods, routine maintenance should be carried out without waiting for hardened layers of fat to form.

Do you have your own experience in cleaning kitchen hood filters from grease deposits? Perhaps you want to share your own methods for solving this problem or ask questions about the topic of the article? Please leave comments in the block below.