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Rangehoods work by extracting steam, odours and airborne grease through filters and expelling to the outdoors. If they do their job well, trapped grease will collect in the filters over time.
If left uncleaned, this grease build-up creates the perfect environment for mould and bacteria growth. It will also degrade the performance and longevity of your rangehood as the motor struggles to extract airflow through clogged filters. If you’re wondering why there’s a lingering stink in your kitchen even after cooking with the rangehood on – this is probably why.
Worse, the grease can melt in the heat of cooking and drip back onto your food cooking beneath. If this sounds as gross as you think it’d taste – you’re probably right. Of course, that’s still nowhere near as bad as starting an accidental grease fire in the flue when trapped grease ignite in the heat of cooking.
Got your attention yet? Good, because here are some simple tips to help you keep your rangehood in tip-top condition, and the air in your kitchen fresher and healthier for longer.
Operating your Rangehood
- Always start your rangehood before you start cooking to get the airflow going.
- When you’re done, leave it on for an extra minute or two to ensure the odours and other airborne pollutants get extracted thoroughly. If you have food cooling down on the stove, having a 15-minute auto shut-off function is especially handy.
Cleaning your Filters
- Clean your rangehood filters every 3-6 weeks or after 40 hours of use. For induction cooktops, please aim to clean them at least every 10 days, depending on usage.
- Cleaning by hand: Remove filters from your rangehood and soak in hot water and mild detergent for 10 minutes. Next, use a soft dish brush to clean. Lastly, rinse and dry with a cloth instead of leaving them to air dry.
- Cleaning by dishwasher: first, check that your filters are dishwasher-safe. If so, remove from rangehood and place in dishwasher on a short program at low-moderate temperature. (You may use a higher temperature setting on stainless steel baffles for a more thorough clean.)
Cleaning your Rangehood
- Degrease and clean the body of your rangehood where grease and grime can land.
- First, disconnect from the power supply to prevent shocks.
- Next, spray a stainless-steel degreaser (or diluted dishwashing liquid) onto a wet microfiber cloth and wipe the surface in the direction of the grain.
- Alternatively, use stainless steel cleaner wipes that leave a protective film to make future cleaning easier.
- Do not apply undue pressure such that it marks or scratches the surface.
- When in doubt, always spot clean first.
This guide is prepared by Schweigen – makers of Australia’s bestselling silent rangehoods and exhaust fans, available from 900+ leading retailers nation-wide. For more info, contact us at 1300 881 693 or sales@schweigen.com.au.
