Whether it be regular weekly cleaning or post-tenancy clean, MEIDE receives requests for kitchen hood cleaning very frequently.
Why? Well it is not surprising that as fervent foodies, Singapore dwellers often fry and prepare feasts at home. And, with confined spaces in tiny Singapore, maintaining a clean kitchen hood can be ever so important!
Who’d want to have greasy smells and sticky kitchen areas in their house and dining area? Well, because the kitchen hood precisely serves to remove fumes, odors, and grease when cooking, we should know how to keep it cleaned and working.
In this learning article we teach you how to clean the 3 major components of the kitchen hood: the filter(s), the fan (for some models), and the rest of the exterior and interior appliance.
Brief Introduction for the Unacquainted
For newbies to cleaning, there are a variety of kitchen hoods! There are several ways to classify them too. You can identify them by their mode of installation: under-cabinet, downdraft, over-the-island or counter, or wall-mounted. You can also categorize them as either “external venting” or “recirculating” (which is more common in Singapore HDBs and Condo/Apartments due to the small space).
The kitchen hood is usually located directly above or near the stovetop, and rectangular in shape. It acts like an air filtration system to filter grease and dirt and smoke when cooking. Some have built-in lights and varying fan speeds too.
When and How Often to Clean Kitchen Hood
Generally, once a month cleaning is sufficient for most Singaporean households. However, for frequent cooks, such as those who fry stuff almost daily, we recommend washing the filter at least, once every 3-5 days. For heavy frying, such as cooking for more than 6 persons or hosting a party, we recommend washing the filter immediately after the event.
Lastly, even if you do not fry or grill foods with the hood turned on, the hood will still accumulate dust and grease. So, be sure to clean it out at least once a month!
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Important Note Before Cleaning Kitchen Hood
Before any cleaning, prepare and take note of these tips and common hazards, from our professional kitchen cleaners:
- Read and have in hand your appliance(s) instruction manuals as different brands and models may have different recommended methods of cleaning.
- Always turn off the electricity supply before cleaning to prevent nasty or deadly accidents!
- Open the windows to keep the area well ventilated.
- Place a towel or paper over the countertop or stove if you have already cleaned them, as removing and cleaning the kitchen hood may inadvertently cause dirt to drop down.
- Wear your gloves because the kitchen cleaning may be very oily and dirty. Furthermore, there may always be sharp and/or rusty edges from the hood filter.
- Avoid using sharp or hard scrubs when cleaning the kitchen hood filter as it may cause damage.
Equipment Needed
Certainly, it helps a great deal to have the logistics prepared beforehand. Here is a list of items you need to have at hand:
Supplies to Clean Kitchen Hood
- Gloves
- White Distilled Vinegar
- Baking Soda Powder
- Degreaser or Dish-washing soaps (strong or heavy duty ones recommended)
- Paper Towels
Tools to Clean Kitchen Hood
- Container large enough to place your hood filter and components completely submerged inside
- Microfiber clothes
- Non abrasive soft brush or sponges
- (Optional) Wet-and-Dry Vacuum
Steps to Clean Kitchen Range Hood Filter
Based on our experiences, most Singapore HDB households have smaller hoods that are built under-cabinet as they are economical, save space, and easy to maintain.
These hoods have aluminum (or occasionally stainless steel) filters and come in 2 or 3 pieces. Here is how to clean them:
- Don your gloves, turn off the electricity supply, and prepare the area and logistics as explained above. Read the manual if you are new to this.
- Detach each filter carefully via their latch or button, or slide them out, to avoid dislodging too much residue. Place them in the container or in the sink.
- Ensure each filter is fully submerged in warm-to-hot water, then add a quarter cup of baking soda powder + 1 tablespoon of degreaser or dishwashing soap, in the solution.
- Stir until the powder and soap are dissolved fully and let the chemicals do the work automatically by leaving the hood filter(s) to soak for 10 to 30 minutes.
Special Tip: Do not leave the solution for too long too. Start the next step or re-rinse when the oil and grease have mostly been separated from the filter and are floating in the solution. When the hot water turns cold, there is a risk that the oil and grease may resettle onto the filter, especially if the container is too small or there is insufficient water or degreaser applied.
- After that, if the filters are not fully cleaned yet you can use a gentle non-abrasive scrub brush to scrub the filter. Do not use a wire mesh sponge, no matter how tough stains are, as it may scratch the surface of the filter. If the stains are too tough to remove, add more soap.
- After scrubbing, rinse the filter in clean water one or more times, then dry with a paper towel or clean cloth.
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Steps to Clean Kitchen Hood Fan
Be careful as not all kitchen hood fans can be removed or cleaned. Make sure you check the instruction manual or with the manufacturer directly first. Modern range hoods may contain mechanical motors that should not be tampered with or contacted with moisture.
If you are sure that your kitchen hood has a washable / removable fan, follow these steps:
- Don your gloves, turn off the electricity supply, and prepare the area and logistics as explained above. Read the manual if you are new to this.
- Prepare a mixture of ½ vinegar and ½ water. You can also mix baking soda and water into a paste. Or, you can also a solution of a few drops of degreaser in hot water.
- Unscrew the fan and withdraw it. Use a damp microfibre cloth dipped into the vinegar and water mixture to clean the blades. Alternatively, you can spray the fan with degreaser and wipe off the stains. You can also mix baking soda and water into a paste and apply it on the fan if the stains are hard to remove. Leave it on for 10 minutes and then rinse off.
- Finally, rinse the fan in clean water and dry it with towels fully. You are now ready to reinstall it. (but read on first!)
Steps to Clean and Complete Kitchen Hood Cleaning
Currently, you would be done with the two major components of the kitchen hood. Before you start using them again, complete your kitchen hood cleaning but wiping down the rest of the appliance!
This means washing the exterior and interior surfaces of the hood:
- Don your gloves, turn off the electricity supply, and prepare the area and logistics as explained above. Read the manual if you are new to this.
- If you are going to use a specialized spray or soap, always test it on a small area first. Some liquids may be too strong and cause damage or discolorations to the range hood.
- Identify the surfaces and area to be wiped and dried for a more systemic cleaning process of the kitchen hood.
- Prepare your cleaning solution – this can be half white vinegar and half warm water. Or, it can be 1 tablespoon of degreaser in water.
- Use a microfiber cloth (not feather duster) to wipe off dry residue and scum off first.
- Next, dip your soft sponge/cloth in cleaning solution and wipe down the previously-identified areas.
- Rewipe the surfaces until they are smooth and clean, then do a final wipe with plain water.
- Dry all the areas full before reinstalling components.
- Let the area ventilate well before restarting electricity and usage of the kitchen hood.
Special Tip:
Do not spray water or chemicals into the range hood, as there are sensitive electrical components within the hood. Always use your microfibre cloth or paper towel (with gloves on!) to wipe instead. Or, you can use a wet-and-dry vacuum. Dry up any droplets at once if they get near the appliance.
Why Get Rid of Stickiness in Range Hoods?
Are you still sitting on it? Equipped with the steps above on how to clean range hood but still procrastinating? Well, let us give you 5 key reasons to start cleaning the range hood!
Firstly, your range hood is the perfect habitat for germs to thrive in, when warm and scummy. Food particles from all the frying and cooking are trapped within the range hood, which feeds these pathogens!
Secondly, if you are a fan of cooking with huge flames, there might be a small possibility that greasy kitchen hoods can cause fire hazard as the stuck grease can be ignited within the range hood.
Thirdly, remember that grime attracts grime. The more grime and grease is present at the range hood, the faster and higher amounts of oil will get stuck there at an increasing rate. Hence, it is important to clean the hood timely and regularly.
Fourthly, you can save money by doing regular proper cleaning of the range hood. A clean hood fan and filter reduces the electricity required for the range hood to function. It also provides a longer working life so the appliance does not wear out too fast.
Last but not least, a clean range hood is all part of a clean kitchen and gives you a better peace of mind and quality of life. Who likes running their fingers across the hood, stove or countertop and feeling a layer of lingering grease? Moreover, if you feel like cheating, why not just engage the professionals here at MEIDE Cleaning to do this cleaning for you?
Yup, we got you there! 🙂
Book your #1 home services today, or join our team!
meide.sg is here for you, always.