The cooking process causes contamination of not only the stove but also the kitchen hood. Over time, the filter grate becomes so heavily clogged that its functionality becomes almost minimal. If you close the hood without cleaning it, in the end, cleaning a heavily soiled grate from a sticky, greasy layer becomes very difficult. Therefore, today in the article, we will look at some simple but effective ways to clean the hood of a kitchen. Each method is good in its form and requires compliance with simple rules. So let’s get started.
What Is A Hood, And How Often Should It Be Cleaned?
The main purpose of a kitchen hood is to remove strong odors, smoke, burning, and various undesirable impurities in the air, which are emitted during the cooking process. This device feature is especially important for open-plan apartments, where the kitchen is connected to the living room or any other room. Constant use of the hood leads to the fact that its filter element becomes dirty. In addition, it is almost impossible to exclude oil from settling on the filter grate, and depending on the degree of contamination, the device’s efficiency also varies. Moreover, unpleasant odors spread throughout the apartment.
The frequency of cleaning the hood directly depends on the intensity of use of the stove. For example, if 1-2 people live in the house and food is rarely prepared, you can wash the hood once every couple of months. However, if a large family lives, then in this case, it is recommended to clean the hood at least once a month yourself or by ordering a kitchen hood cleaning service from a professional company. Such a procedure, of course, takes time, but in the end, your kitchen assistant will work efficiently. Judux is a reputable and reliable hygiene solutions company that offers a wide range of cleaning and sanitization services.
Cleaning Methods
Currently, there are various methods for removing fat, grease, and other deposits from the kitchen hood. Depending on the degree of pollution, each technique is good but requires compliance with simple rules. Remember that before cleaning the filter grill, disconnect the device from the power supply (unplug it from the socket) and carefully remove the filter. So, the deposits from the filter can be removed using household chemicals, a steam generator, or a dishwasher.
Cleaning With Vinegar
Vinegar breaks down old fat well. Before washing the hood from grease with vinegar, open the window and close the doors, as it has a pungent smell. Wipe the grate with a sponge dipped in 9% vinegar, wrap it with a cloth soaked in vinegar, and place it in a plastic bag for 15 minutes; clean the softened fat with a brush and rinse in water.
In insufficient cleaning, the operation can be repeated with acetic acid 70%, diluted in half with water.
Cleaning With Lemon Or Citric Acid
The method is similar to the previous one since the same scheme for splitting fat with acid works here. All you have to do is peel a couple of lemons, rub the grate directly with the lemon and leave for 20 minutes; clean it with a brush and rinse it with water. In addition, this is a great way to clean the hood in the kitchen from grease without harsh odors.
Suppose the result could be better since it was impossible to wash the grate from the hood from fat. For several hours, you can soak the filter in a citric acid solution (3 tablespoons, not 1 liter of water).
Household Chemicals Agents
Using homemade remedies is convenient since all the necessary ingredients are almost always available. However, they are only sometimes 100% up to the task. Therefore, it is also recommended to use special household chemicals. There is a large variety of such detergents: powder, foam, gel, or spray. They perfectly remove the sticky layer of fat in 10-15 minutes. You can buy such products in specialized stores. Often they are used not only for cleaning the hood but also for the oven, microwave, and stove.
Cleaning with chemical agents is quite simple and, most importantly, effective. Another effective way is to clean the grate of the kitchen hood in the dishwasher. All you need to do is load the greasy grate into the dishwasher. Then select the longest washing program and start the device. The only thing is that the aluminum filter cannot be washed in the dishwasher.
Conclusion
A cooker hood is a useful device that captures a large amount of grease and various odors while cooking on the stove. The filter grate gradually becomes covered with a sticky layer of fat, which must be cleaned periodically. For this, various cleaning methods, which were discussed in the article, are suitable. Remember, the grease deposits will harden if you constantly delay cleaning your kitchen hood’s grate. As a result, it becomes extremely difficult to clean it, and your device may fail if the filter is unclean. If your kitchen hood has not been cleaned for a long time, acquiring professional service from an experienced hygiene cleaning company is recommended.