How to Clean a Cooker Hood Filter
People often forget the cooker hood is even there. It sits above the hob, gets switched on, then switched off again, and that is usually the end of it. The problem is that it does not stop collecting grease just because no one is looking at it.
If your kitchen smells linger longer than they used to, or the extractor sounds a bit tired, the filter is normally the reason. Learning how to clean a cooker hood filter is not difficult, but it does need doing from time to time. Basic kitchen hood cleaning makes more difference than most people expect.
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Why Cleaning a Cooker Hood Filter Is Important
Grease travels further than people think. When food is cooking, grease goes into the air and the cooker hood pulls it in. The filter catches it, which is exactly what it is supposed to do.
Over time, that grease builds up. If cooker hood filter cleaning is ignored, airflow becomes weaker and the fan has to work harder. This can make the hood noisier and less effective. Cooker hood maintenance is not just about cleanliness, it is about keeping the appliance working properly.
How Often Should You Clean a Cooker Hood Filter?
This depends very much on how the kitchen is used. There is a big difference between occasional cooking and daily cooking.
In most homes, a metal cooker hood filter needs kitchen extractor filter cleaning roughly every month. Some people leave it longer, but grease does not disappear on its own. Charcoal cooker hood filters follow a different pattern, as they are not designed to be cleaned at all.
Types of Cooker Hood Filters
There are usually two types of filters involved in cooker hoods, and this often causes confusion.
A metal cooker hood filter is there to catch grease. These are usually aluminium or stainless steel and are made to be cleaned and reused. They can last for years if looked after properly.
A charcoal cooker hood filter is used to absorb smells, mainly in recirculating hoods. These filters cannot be washed. Once they stop working, cooker hood filter replacement is necessary.
Some hoods use both filters at the same time, which people often only realise when they remove the metal one.
How to Clean a Metal Cooker Hood Filter
To clean a cooker hood filter made of metal, the hood should be switched off and allowed to cool. The filter can then be removed, usually by releasing a small catch.
Hot water and washing-up liquid are usually enough. Letting the filter soak makes a big difference. Grease softens, which means less scrubbing later.
After soaking, a soft brush or sponge can be used to clean the mesh. Rinse it well and leave it to dry completely. Refitting a damp filter is not a good idea. Regular cleaning keeps the metal cooker hood filter working as intended.
How to Clean a Charcoal Cooker Hood Filter
Charcoal cooker hood filter cleaning is not really cleaning at all. These filters are not designed to be washed or reused.
When a charcoal filter becomes saturated, smells stop being absorbed properly. At that point, cooker hood filter replacement is the only option. Most manufacturers recommend replacing them every few months, depending on use.
Signs Your Cooker Hood Filter Needs Replacing
A cooker hood does not usually fail suddenly. It gives small signs.
If smells stay in the kitchen longer than before, or airflow feels weaker, the filter may be clogged. A louder fan can also be a sign. When kitchen extractor filter cleaning no longer improves things, replacing the filter is often the sensible step.
Can You Put a Cooker Hood Filter in the Dishwasher?
A dishwasher cooker hood filter clean can work for many metal filters. Not all filters are suitable, but many are.
A hot cycle is normally recommended. Over time, the filter may change colour slightly, which is common and does not affect how it works. Charcoal cooker hood filters should never go in the dishwasher.
When to Replace or Professionally Clean a Cooker Hood Filter
Sometimes grease builds up over a long period and home cleaning is not enough. In these cases, professional kitchen hood cleaning can help restore performance.
There are also times when replacing the filter makes more sense than repeated cleaning. Regular cooker hood maintenance keeps the kitchen fresher and reduces strain on the extractor
