Often the silent assassin of our kitchens, the rangehood is responsible for getting rid of all the nasty steam, grease and smoke when you're whipping up a storm. Beyond this, it eliminates not-so-great odours from the area and extends the cleanliness of the area. But if you fail to keep it in tip-top shape, the lifespan can be significantly impacted.
The importance of regularly cleaning your rangehood
Over time, the filter within this appliance builds up with grease that's extracted by the rangehood itself. Because it's not let go outside or transported elsewhere, this then clogs up when left to do so. It goes without saying that forgetting (or avoiding) maintenance here will impact the appliances ability to perform, but on a more dangerous level, it can also become a fire hazard.
These days, plenty of modern rangehoods come equipped with an alert system that lets you know if the filter needs cleaning out. If it uses carbon filters to operate, it also typically tells you when these parts need replacing. For older models, this isn't the case, so it's critical you take initiative to clean it out yourself at least once a month. The more often you upkeep this part of the appliance, the more likely it is to last in the long-run. And that's an investment worth the effort.
How to clean it effectively
Note that the more you cook or the heavier the oils you use, the more your appliance may need cleaning than the once a month.
Besides the filter, you'll also need to attend to other areas. As grease and grot gathers in the main body, the entire area of the rangehood can get dirty over time. So, here are a few tips to getting started.
- Disconnect your rangehood from the power source to prevent any shocks or nasty surprises when you start using water.
- Give any greasy surfaces a good wipe with water and degreaser but DO NOT pour water directly onto the appliance. Instead, use a cloth soaked in these solutions and carefully wipe it down.
- To clean the filter, carefully read the manual your manufacturer supplied, as this will have specific details on what to do and what to avoid.
- Give the filter a careful rubdown with a degreaser. If you happen to have a good-sized dishwasher, you can even pop it in your next cycle. If all else fails, get the soap going in the sink and give it all a good scrub.
When it's time to bring in a professional
While all these DIY approaches are good to know, it's sometimes far beyond the point where cleaning isn't going to be an easy thing to pull off. We highly recommend you get in touch with our professionals to ensure your rangehood is cleaned out to the best of its ability, so that no future hiccups occur.