Extractor Hood Maintenance and Care

01

Cleaning the Grease Filter

Most hoods use either a mesh filter or a baffle filter made of metal, designed to trap airborne grease before it reaches the motor and ducting. These filters should be removed and cleaned regularly, with frequency depending on how often and how intensively the hob is used. A household that fries food often will need to clean filters more frequently than one that mainly boils or steams.

Metal filters can typically be washed by hand with hot water and a degreasing dish detergent, or in many cases placed in a dishwasher. Soaking a heavily soiled filter before washing makes it easier to remove built-up grease. The filter should be fully dry before being refitted, since trapped moisture can affect both the filter and the motor behind it.

02

Carbon Filters in Recirculating Hoods

Recirculating hoods rely on an additional carbon filter to absorb odours after air passes through the grease filter. Unlike metal grease filters, carbon filters cannot be washed and reused indefinitely. They gradually lose their odour-absorbing capacity and need to be replaced according to the manufacturer's recommended interval. A sign that a carbon filter needs replacing is cooking odours lingering in the kitchen noticeably longer than they used to, even though the grease filter is clean.

03

Cleaning the Hood Body and Controls

Grease residue also settles on the outer casing of the hood, particularly on the underside facing the hob. Wiping this down regularly with a suitable kitchen degreaser prevents a sticky film from building up, which is otherwise far harder to remove once it has hardened over time. Control panels, whether buttons, dials or touch controls, should be wiped with a slightly damp cloth rather than sprayed directly, to avoid moisture getting into the electronics.

04

Checking Ducting in Ducted Systems

In ducted installations, grease and dust can also accumulate inside the ducting itself over the years, particularly in horizontal sections where airflow is slower. A noticeable drop in extraction performance despite clean filters can sometimes be traced back to a partially blocked or disconnected duct run. This is less frequent maintenance than filter cleaning but worth checking periodically, especially if the hood has been in place for several years without inspection.

05

Motor Care and Unusual Noises

The motor inside an extractor hood is generally a sealed component not intended for home servicing. However, unusual noises such as grinding, rattling or a noticeably higher pitch than usual can indicate a problem developing, often linked to a worn bearing or an obstruction in the fan. A sudden increase in noise alongside reduced suction is usually worth having looked at rather than ignored, since continuing to run a struggling motor can shorten its lifespan further.

06

Troubleshooting Reduced Performance

• Weak extraction despite a clean filter: Check for blocked or kinked ducting, or in recirculating models, an overdue carbon filter.
• Persistent odours: Likely an overdue carbon filter in a recirculating system, or a grease filter that needs cleaning.
• Increased noise: Could indicate a loose panel, a filter not seated correctly, or developing motor wear.
• Hood not switching on: Check the power supply and any safety cut-off switches before assuming a fault with the unit itself.

07

A Simple Maintenance Routine

A practical routine is to clean the grease filter every few weeks depending on cooking frequency, wipe down the hood body whenever general kitchen cleaning is done, and check carbon filters or ducting on a longer, periodic basis. Keeping to a routine like this, rather than waiting for visible problems, is the most effective way to keep an extractor hood performing as intended over its working life.