The kitchen exhaust fan is one of the dirtiest places in the kitchen; yet it is often ignored and avoided. The exhaust fan, also known as the hood, is the area where steam and grease is absorbed in a kitchen. While cooking, people turn on the exhaust fan in order to rid the kitchen of smoke or odors associated with cooking. People turn on the exhaust fans when they burn food in order to rid the kitchen of the burnt food smell. Exhaust fans are very useful, but can be difficult to clean. This is especially true if an individual does not clean the exhaust as frequently as he or she should. This results in a formation of caked on grease, soot and other materials that can be hard to remove. There are a few tips that can make cleaning your exhaust fan a little more tolerable.
In order to get you exhaust system thoroughly clean you have to make sure that electricity running into the fan is turned off. Water and electricity do not mix and will lead to electric shock. Upon stopping the electricity you should begin dismantling your fan. This will very per individual. Most exhaust systems have a filter inside that should be removed along with the fan blades. There is a very good chance that the filters and the blades will very greasy. You should soak both the mesh and the blades in a grease cutting detergent with very hot water. Some people use ammonia to clean their exhaust system because it is so effective in breaking through the grease. If you use ammonia make sure you have proper ventilation. After cleaning the blades you should clean both the inside and the outside of the hood thoroughly. You may want to a fresh detergent or ammonia solution when cleaning the hood. Scrub the hood hard with a sponge to remove any debris and wash as many times as needed in order to get a clean, grease-free surface. Once the surface is thoroughly clean use a dry cloth or paper towels to remove all the moisture from the hood, the filters and the fans. Reassemble the fan as before to have a thoroughly clean exhaust fan.
If you try the above method and you are still unable to remove grease and debris that has formed on the hood, you can use a power steamer. You can use a small power steam cleaner to remove the excess dirt, grime and grease from the exhaust without having to use as much elbow grease. You may still want to wipe the inside and outside of the hood with a soap and water solution to ensure cleanliness. The other option is hiring a professional to steam clean the exhaust for you. Either way, cleaning the exhaust fan will improve the air circulation in your kitchen. You may even notice the fan is a bit louder and faster. This is because the dirt has been removed from the fan and allows for better air circulation. It is recommended that you clean your hood once every couple of months. Less grime and grease will form over time making the cleaning process a bit easier each time.
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