Life Hack: How to clean your cooker's extractor fan and how often it needs to be done

How to clean the cooker hood and filter quickly and easily

When is the last time you cleaned your cooker hood?

Picture this: you’re admiring your shiny hob, glistening after a good deep clean, when you notice something unsightly in its newly-acquired reflection. You look up and, to your horror, realise your extractor fan needs some of the same TLC you’ve been showing the stove.

If it’s your first time tackling the cooker hood or you’ve left it a while since the last deep clean, here are a few tips and tricks to make the cleaning process easier.

How should I clean the filter?

There are two popular methods to get your extractor fan’s filter clean as a whistle and the first can be done in the sink. For this method, fill your sink with hot or boiling water, adding some washing-up liquid. Remove the filter from the cooker hood — this should slide or pop out easily. Place the filter in the sink, immersing it in the hot water for at least 10 minutes. Use a soft-bristled brush to gently scrub the filter. You can add some washing-up liquid directly to the brush to target stubborn stains. Flip over the filter and scrub as above. Rinse the filter with hot water and leave it to dry naturally for the best result. Return it to your extractor fan once completely dry. 

To make life even easier, you can skip the above method and pop metal cooker hood filters into the dishwasher instead to avoid scrubbing, though this may shorten the lifespan of your filter. This is a useful option if your sink is small and cannot soak the filter in its entirety. Place the filter on the top rack of the dishwasher and run it on a gentle cycle, ensuring the filter is the only item in the dishwasher.

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Should I clean the rest of the cooker hood?

While the filter is soaking or being washed in the dishwasher, turn your attention to the rest of the unit. You can use a sponge with warm water and washing up liquid to lift any grease and dirt from the surface. Take care on different surfaces. For example, painted or glass surfaces will need a specialised cleaning product to avoid damaging the finish.

How often should I clean my extractor fan filter?

The good news is the filter inside your cooker hood is designed to handle a lot of grease — it was made to sit over the part of your kitchen most likely to see some oil and fat splashback, after all. In general, the filter should be removed and cleaned every two months, but if you fry a lot of food consider cleaning it more frequently.

Charcoal filters or carbon filters cannot be cleaned and should be replaced at least every four months.

How will I know when my filter needs to be replaced?

The filter in your cooker hood will not last forever — but they will likely last for many years. They will deteriorate over time, and cleaning them regularly in a dishwasher can accelerate this. If you see signs of deterioration or wear, replace your filter immediately.