With these tips, you can clean the kitchen extractor fan like a pro!

If the fan gets clogged, it will work less effectively, but that is not the biggest problem. Kitchen fans that are very dirty are a fire hazard, because if a pot catches fire the next time you decide to fry something and forget the pot on the stove, the fan can catch fire and the fire can spread through the duct to other parts of the house.

It can also happen that grease from the kitchen fan melts and drips down onto your hot stove and catches fire when you turn your back.

If the fan does not do its job properly because it is too dirty, your home will also smell like bacon the next time it's time for Sunday breakfast, and that's not so fun! But how should you go about cleaning the fan? Usually, it's a matter of clicking off the filter and cleaning it. We will now look at how to handle two different types of filters.

Cleaning charcoal filters

Charcoal filter fans have two filters, a charcoal filter and a grease filter. The grease filter is usually located right over the hob, and the charcoal filter is placed separately above it.

The charcoal filter is used to purify the air before it comes out into the kitchen again because these fans use recirculation. Start by removing the charcoal filter by pressing the buttons and gently pulling it out of place. This is cleaned with a damp sponge without any cleaning agents. Then you can put the filter back in place.

This is how you clean filters in the kitchen fan!

Here you will find a PDF with pictures showing another type of charcoal filter fan!

Cleaning grease filters

Now it’s time to clean the grease filter. Every kitchen fan has a filter like this. Usually, you can use some kind of cleaning agent for these, because you need to dissolve all the cooking fat that has accumulated in it. Soak it in the sink with dish soap for about half an hour and then wash it off.

If you want to clean the grease filter thoroughly you can often snap off the plastic frame that the metal filter sits in. That way you can both reach the whole filter and wring the water out of it.

You can see examples of how to remove the plastic frame here.

More info about cleaning kitchen fans!

Most modern kitchen fans’ grease filters can also be run in the dishwasher, which is the most effective way to clean them. You can use the same program you usually do so you can wash the dinner dishes at the same time and not waste water. If you are unsure, check what the company that made your kitchen fan recommends, or ask your landlord if you rent your home.

Clean the rest of the fan

While you have removed the filters, take the opportunity to clean the outside and underside of the fan, for example with a damp cloth with a little dish soap on it. Don't forget the edges where the grease filter usually sits, because a lot of grease can collect there.

You don't need to put your hand inside the kitchen fan or anything like that to clean it; it's enough to wipe the outside of the fan and clean the filters. For safety, it's good to make sure the fan is turned off while you are cleaning it, and some even prefer to unplug it, even though the risk of receiving a shock is very small.

How often you should clean the kitchen fan

How often you need to clean the fan depends a bit on how much food you cook. But at least once every six months is usually a good guideline. If you fry a lot, once a month might be a safer choice. If you are unsure whether the filter needs cleaning, you can feel it. If it feels greasy or smells bad, it's time to clean it.

Hand on heart, how often do you clean your kitchen fan? Many feel that there is not enough time for extra cleaning – they are busy with everyday life and are happy if they manage to do the dishes.

If you recognise yourself, we completely understand because we have many customers in the same situation. Many who contact us for home cleaning want a clean and tidy home but find it difficult to keep up with everything that needs to be done. We are happy to help with all the cleaning projects that you have been putting off. Why not contact us and we’ll tell you more about us as a cleaning company in Stockholm and how we can help you!