Remove grease and grime from stove extractor fan with ‘winning’ cleaning solution
Cooking fans are often one of the most overlooked cleaning spots in the kitchen, but it is easy for them to build up grease and dirt over time resulting in an awful smell.
If you have an unpleasant smell in your kitchen and you cannot discover the source then it may be time to clean your extractor fan above the stove.
Lynsey Crombie, who is often seen on television as the UK’s Queen of Clean, has shared that fan filters are rarely cleaned which can make them a breeding ground for bacteria.
On Instagram, Lynsey said: “Do you have a bad smell in your kitchen and you can’t find where it is coming from? Floor scrubbed, surfaces shiny, bleach in the sink and the window open - but still a nasty stale stench.
“It could well be your cooker hood filters that often get covered in grease and grim and hold onto cooking smells...I mean when was the last time you cleaned them? Or have you even ever cleaned them! They are one of those items that are out of sight out of mind!”
Over time, grease, dust and other bacteria will become clogged inside the fan, which will hinder its ability to filter smoke, steam and odours from the kitchen.
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It can begin to go mouldy, making it a health risk but is also a significant fire hazard as the grease could ignite on high heat.
However, it is incredibly simple to clean a fan, as all you have to do is slide out the filters and soak them in warm and soapy water.
Lynsey said: “It’s so easy to take them out, pop them in a sink of boiling water with a good dollop of washing up liquid and a splash of white wine vinegar. A winning combination that will break down the grease and grime.”
White vinegar and dish soap are a very effective degreasing solution that can break down food particles. Leave it to soak and then gently scrub it and the grease should wipe away easily.
Lynsey said: “Leave to soak for a good hour. Alternatively, if they fit in your dishwasher then lucky you!”
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Use a damp cloth or sponge with soapy water to wipe down the exterior fan surfaces with a damp cloth, but make sure to dry it thoroughly before switching it on again.
Once all the parts are dry resemble it and turn it back on to ensure everything is securely in place. It is best to clean an extractor fan once a month to prevent heavy grease buildup.
In Lynsey’s comment section, people thanked her for the reminder to clean the fans and said it was easy to remove stubborn grease with her cleaning solution.
One user said: “A few months ago I didn’t even know this was a thing. Mine had been untouched for eight years and I had to repeat this process three times on top of placing it in the dishwasher. They are sparkling now and do them once a month.”
Another person wrote: “Oh my God I need to do this, fantastic tip thank you!”
Someone else commented: “I did mine today and I use the same method BUT I also put some bicarbonate in it.”
Baking soda is mildly abrasive which means it can naturally and effortlessly lift grease, so is fantastic to add to your degreasing mixture if you are struggling to get the fans completely clean.
