How to Degrease and Clean a Range Hood Filter

Regular grease filter cleaning protects your range hood from dust and debris

By Julie Hampton

Photo by iStockphoto.com

Recirculating range hoods have removable filters to clear grease and oil from the air. The aluminum filter grid protects the blower and other electrical parts from cooking grease. Regular cleaning protects the range hood's exhaust fan and electrical components from attracting dust and debris, which stick to grease. Keep the filter clean to prevent foul odors. Clean the filter every few months, depending on the amount of greasy food you cook.

• What You Need to Know
• Purchase chemical degreaser or tri-sodium phosphate from a hardware or painting supply store.

Step 1:

Remove the filter from the range hood. Some over-the-stove vents have more than one filter. Most filters simply slide out.

Step 2:

Prepare a bucket filled with enough liquid chemical degreaser to cover the filter. Remove the film of grease by soaking the filter in the bucket for about an hour. If you do not have chemical degreaser, you can use a solution of boiling hot water and tri-sodium phosphate instead. Or spray aerosol degreaser directly on the filter.

Step 3:

Clean the filter with a stiff wire brush to eliminate any additional grease.

Step 4:

Use any leftover cleaning liquid to clean grease off of the exterior of the range hood.

Step 5:

Once the range hood is cleaned, dry it completely and replace the grease filter.

• Tips & Warnings
• Filters with charcoal pellets are not reusable. Replace the filter annually.
• One alternative to soaking the filter is to fill a shallow baking pan with water and placing the filter in the water; bake the pan at 250 degrees to melt the grease away.
• If you choose to use your cleaning solution on the exterior of your hood for cleaning, test a small sample first to make sure that it doesn't discolor the surface.