A clean cooker hood is essential for a fresh, efficient kitchen. Over time, grease and odours build up, affecting performance and appearance. Regular maintenance not only ensures hygiene but also preserves the sleek, modern aesthetic of your space. Here’s how to clean your cooker hood, step by step.
What is The Best Way to Clean a Cooker Hood?
To clean a cooker hood, first determine which type you own. Some cooker hoods are ducted, venting air outside, while others are recirculating models that filter and return air into the kitchen.
Most cooker hoods have a metal mesh, a baffle or a charcoal filter. Understanding the difference matters. How to clean a metal mesh cooker hood filter differs from handling charcoal ones, which need replacing rather than washing.
Consult your manufacturer’s manual to ensure you clean your appliance correctly and preserve its performance.
How Often Should You Clean Your Cooker Hood Filter?
How often you clean your cooker hood filter depends on your cooking habits. Here’s a simple guide:
- Wipe the exterior weekly
- Clean your cooker hood filter every 4-6 weeks
- Replace charcoal filters every 3-6 months
- Deep-clean the whole unit seasonally
Regularly cleaning your cooker hood filter keeps your kitchen fresh and prolongs your hood’s lifespan.
How to Clean a Ceiling Cooker Hood?
Before cleaning your ceiling cooker hood, ensure it is unplugged and completely disconnected from the power source. Then:
- Clean the grease filters – If your ceiling cooker hood uses a metal mesh filter, soak it in warm, soapy water, with 1/4 cup of baking soda, for 30 minutes. The enzymes in the baking soda will break down the grease particles, and the water will help the soap to penetrate the disintegrating grease. Next, use a soft-bristle brush to scrub the remaining contaminants, then rinse with cold water and leave to fully air dry before reinstalling the filter.
- Clean the charcoal filter – Only recirculating ceiling cooker hoods tend to include charcoal filters, as there is nowhere for the odorous air to escape, and the charcoal counteracts bad smells. These filters are not washable and must be entirely replaced every 3-6 months, depending on how often you cook.
- Clean the interior – While the filters are air-drying, carefully wipe the interior of your ceiling cooker hood with a damp microfibre cloth and soapy water, being conscious of the electrical components. Then, dry the interior thoroughly with a clean, dry cloth. The interior will not be seen once the filters are reinstalled, so it doesn’t matter if you use a microfibre cloth for this step!
- Clean the exterior – Use a soft microfibre cloth to gently wipe the surface with warm water and a mild dish soap solution. For stubborn grease, create a paste of three parts baking soda and one part water, and carefully scrub with a soft-bristle brush. This should break down the particles and allow them to be wiped away with a cloth. Wipe any soap residue with a clean, damp cloth and use a clean, dry microfibre cloth to remove leftover streaks.
How to Clean a Stainless Steel Cooker Hood Properly
If you’re wondering how to clean a stainless steel cooker hood without damaging the finish, always wipe with the grain using a soft cloth and mild detergent.
For gloss or glass surfaces, use a pH-neutral glass cleaner and buff immediately to avoid streaks. Avoid abrasive pads or bleach, as they harm delicate finishes.
A clean exterior enhances your kitchen’s refined look and reflects the care you put into your space.
How to Clean Grease From a Cooker Hood Filter
Knowing how to clean grease from a cooker hood filter is essential:
- Remove the filter – most slides or clicks out easily.
- Soak it in hot water with washing-up liquid and bicarbonate of soda for 15-30 minutes to loosen grease.
- After soaking, gently scrub with a soft brush, rinse thoroughly and let it dry fully before refitting. This is the best way to clean a metal mesh cooker hood filter by hand, preserving its lifespan.
Dishwasher cleaning may be possible, but frequent cycles can dull the finish.
Charcoal filters are not washable and need replacing every 3-6 months as they trap odours but become less effective with use.
How to Clean a Metal Mesh Cooker Hood Filter
This method overlaps with grease removal:
- Soak the metal mesh filter in a hot soapy solution with bicarbonate of soda
- Scrub gently and rinse well to remove trapped grease and grime
This approach is central to how to clean a metal mesh cooker hood filter effectively without damaging its material.
How to Clean The Interior of Your Cooker Hood
- Remove the filters before cleaning the interior
- Apply a degreasing spray to a soft cloth (never directly into the hood)
- Wipe down internal surfaces where grease typically builds up
- If you can access the fan blades, gently clean them with a damp cloth
- Dry all interior components thoroughly with a clean, dry cloth
- Avoid excess moisture and take care not to disturb electrical parts
A clean interior ensures better airflow, quieter performance and longer appliance life.
How to Remove Odours and Stubborn Grease From Your Cooker Hood Filter
For stubborn odours or grease, revisit how to clean grease from a cooker hood filter using natural solutions. A paste of bicarbonate of soda and water lifts grime gently.
White vinegar also cuts grease and neutralises smells – apply lightly and rinse well. Use a specialist kitchen degreaser for tougher areas, but always test first.
Regularly tackling these issues keeps your kitchen fresh and your cooker hood performing optimally.
Tips to Prevent Grease Build-Up and Keep Your Cooker Hood Clean
Once you understand how to clean your cooker hood properly, maintaining it becomes straightforward.
- Always run the hood before and after cooking to clear vapours
- Keep lids on pots to reduce splatter and grease dispersal
- Wipe the exterior weekly to prevent build-up
- Avoid cluttering the hood area, which can obstruct airflow
Small habits keep your hood effective and your kitchen looking effortlessly sophisticated.
When Should You Call Professionals to Clean Your Cooker Hood Filter?
There are, of course, scenarios when regular DIY cleaning will not be enough. These could be when:
- Thick grease covers your cooker hood filter
- Odours seem to be persisting beyond the cleaning you’ve undertaken
- Filters haven’t been cleaned in over 6-12 months
Accessing internal components will be especially difficult with complex or built-in models. Professionals have the tools and experience to safely deep clean or replace parts of these models.
Expert servicing can significantly extend the lifespan of your cooker hood and maintain its sleek appearance.
Cooker Hood Maintenance: A Small Effort for a Lasting Impact
After selecting the perfect cooker hood to suit your kitchen and cooker, it makes sense to maintain its performance and appearance with regular care. Knowing how to clean your cooker hood preserves its sleek finish, supports hygiene and saves on unnecessary callouts.
A monthly wipe-down and seasonal deep clean can effortlessly become part of your kitchen routine.
Deep Cleaning Didn’t Work?
If your cooker hood still underperforms after a thorough clean, it may simply be past its best. Most cooker hoods have a lifespan of around 10-15 years, depending on usage and maintenance.
If yours is noisy, inefficient, or still looks tired despite your efforts, it could be time for an upgrade. Explore Modern Living’s curated collection of stylish, high-performance cooker hoods – designed to suit contemporary and classic kitchens effortlessly