A Detailed Guide to Clean Kitchen Exhaust Fan

The exhaust fans are a necessary component of every kitchen, whether it is residential, commercial, or any other. Though exhausts are important for forcing pollutants, dust, dirt, heat, smoke, and other non-essential particles out of the kitchen, they must necessitate maintenance.

It is because kitchen exhaust fan accumulate dust and grease in the filter over time, causing it to slow down and lose efficiency. Furthermore, clogged filters might result in more serious hazards if the cleaning is not satisfying.

Thus, it’s vital to conduct a comprehensive inspection of exhaust fans to avoid potential dangers. So, here are some helpful hints for cleaning and maintaining the overall functioning of your kitchen exhaust fan.

Overview of Kitchen Exhaust Fans

Kitchen exhaust fans often called range hoods, have the difficult task of eliminating moisture and contaminants from the kitchen air. These fans, which come with a canopy, are mounted immediately above the cooking surfaces or the stovetops.

Furthermore, the hood’s purpose is to collect damp and unclean air. On the other hand, the fan removes the air and pushes it outside the door. The kitchen with regular cooking benefits from such fans in plenty of ways. For example, it removes grease particles, cooking odors, steam, and excessive heat, making cooking simple and convenient. 

Cooking in a kitchen can be unpleasant if the temperature continues to rise. Kitchen fan ventilation helps to remove excess heat from the cooking area, keeping the space cooler. It also saves on air conditioning costs by keeping away heat from accumulating.

How to Clean and Maintain the Kitchen Exhaust Fans

Kitchen exhaust fans necessitate regular maintenance to effectively purify and vent the air. This is because its efficiency and longevity are dependent on it.

Commercial fan installations are more significant than household units, you’ll need to take a few extra precautions.

Disconnect the Exhaust Fan Unit

It is essential to unplug the kitchen appliances before servicing to minimize damage or complications from electrocution. In case kitchen fans are from a food establishment, different cleaning procedures and instruments may be essential.

Additionally, while cleaning, using a drop cloth or tarp around the area to catch drips is a good idea. Cooking should be delayed until the unit is under service.

Eliminate Grease Isolating Traps

Grease collection containers Most commercial kitchen exhaust fans have grease collection receptacles on the side. Such grime and dirt can be stored in air-tight metal containers and disposed of conveniently.

Wash the grease traps with hot water and a grease-cutting cleaner. It will dissolve the sticky residue, making removal much easier.

Remove the Exhaust Filters

Filters are used in a kitchen exhaust system to trap dirt, grease, and other contaminants. If not cleaned frequently, exhaust fan filters, like grease traps, soon acquire greasy residue and lose their performance.

Ensure removing the filters when washing the traps. They must be soaked in hot water and a cleaner solution to easily dissolve the grease. Use a nylon brush for scrubbing to remove any leftover residue.

Under the Hood: Fan and Hood Cleaning

The kitchen exhaust fan hood or cover, like the rest of the equipment, requires deep cleaning. You can create a cleaning solution for the hood while your filters and traps are soaking. Make sure the grease-cutting cleaner is mixed up with the hot water because water alone will not remove the stubborn grease.

It’s crucial to clean the inside and outside of the kitchen exhaust hood using a moist cloth. Also, addressing the hood corners and surfaces is vital. It will help to prevent grease and gunk accumulation which can lead to fire hazards.

Also read, How to Clean Stainless Steel Kitchen Appliances

Cleaning the Blades of Fan 

The kitchen exhaust system blades will also need careful cleaning. The blades may tend to be influenced by the unclean air pushed out of the cooking area. The filters perform an excellent job of collecting the majority of particles but fail to filter everything.  

Always remember not to spread the cleaning solution directly into the fan because this could lead to severe damage. During the upkeep method, you can immediately prevent soaking the electrical components. To avoid unintentional dampness, wipe with a cloth dipped in the cleaning solution rather than spraying.

After all of the components are dry and clean, it’s time to reassemble them. Before plugging the fan back in, reinsert the traps and filters. 

Replace Outlets and Ports

Cleaning the exhaust fans by concentrating on the filters and blades would be insufficient. You must pay close attention to components such as the fan motor, ports, and other equipment. It is because any of these components that are damaged might greatly limit the exhaust fan’s effectiveness.

Furthermore, detaching the extractor fan from the supply is an important safety precaution to take when cleaning such components. Because of the accumulation of grease and debris, the fan motors become jammed as well. As a result, not cleaning the exhaust fan properly will have a significant impact on its performance.

General Kitchen Exhaust Fan Maintenance Tips 

Aside from frequent kitchen exhaust fan cleaning, proper appliance maintenance is essential to get the most benefits. You should clean the filters every 3 months and undertake a thorough cleaning at least once a year to achieve this. If you discover the fan isn’t functioning properly, you should get professional assistance. Professional servicing can also assist in the smooth operation of the fan.

Summing Up

Finally, kitchen exhaust fans actively work to remove particles from the air. Cleaning your kitchen exhaust fans regularly is also vital to keep the kitchen clean, healthy, and comfy.

So, whether you need to clean your personal kitchen exhaust or your commercial ventilation system, these techniques will always come in handy. Make it a point to clean the range hood twice a year. Your kitchen will appear better, the exhaust or vents will function rightly, and the environment will be healthier as a result. Furthermore, no debris, dust, or grease collection in the vents will have an impact on the hood, preventing them from dropping back into the meals.