Chances are you’re cleaning up whatever mess is right in front after you prep, cook, and eat in your kitchen. Still, there are a few common places where grease can hide and accumulate, and you might be missing those. You’re probably forgetting to clean your vent hood — and it shows.
Also known as a range hood, these structures come in all shapes and sizes and hang just above the stove. For homeowners who don’t know, these hoods are designed to suck up all the excess steam, smoke, and grease that flies up when you’re cooking (which also makes the stovetop the best place in your kitchen to use the air fryer). The vent prevents all the airborne mess from floating around your home, filtering it outside or cleaning and recirculating it. That dirty air and grease would otherwise leave lasting grime and smells. (So, if you have an old home that doesn’t have this gadget, here’s how to ventilate your kitchen without breaking the bank.)
A dirty vent hood has a much harder time sucking up airborne grease and sends it back out into your kitchen. Grease is also a fire hazard, so forgetting to clean this part of your oven has safety, health, and aesthetic drawbacks. Luckily, the fix is as simple as wiping down this surface with a degreaser and a microfiber cloth. Once you’ve cleaned the exterior, don’t forget about the filters.
Cleaning the inside of your vent hood
Cleaning the exterior of your vent hood keeps it looking sharp, but refreshing the inside is even more important. This is where the filters are held that keep your air clean, and if they are dirty, your air will be too.
Before you start to sweat at the thought of taking apart kitchen appliances, don’t worry. Cleaning your vent hood’s filter is super simple. These filters should pop out easily with just a little pressure. From there, simply soak them in some hot, soapy water for at least 10 minutes to gently remove all the grease and grime. To make them shine like new, scrub them with a toothbrush, then dry and place them back in the hood. You don’t want to use harsh cleaning chemicals that will stick to the air filters. Remember that you’re cleaning something that purifies the air you’re inhaling.
If you cook daily, repeat this process once a month to keep your vent hood working at optimal efficiency. If cooking isn’t in your nature, do this whenever you deep clean your kitchen instead. Once it looks sparkly and new, try a few of these oven-cleaning hacks like steam cleaning and using flexible brushes or pipe cleaners on tough-to-reach areas to get the rest of your oven in top shape.
