Kitchen Hood Filter: How To Clean Aluminum Kitchen Appliances, How To Clean A Universal Filter In The Dishwasher

2024 Author: Beatrice Philips | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-15 04:10

Air-purifying kitchen appliances are a must-have for any modern home. Small studio apartments involve frequent combining of kitchen facilities. Devices called "hood" allow you to exclude the ingress of odors from the kitchen into the living quarters. There are several main components of the hood, they all work together. But even the most trouble-free technique will require preventive maintenance after a while.

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If the universal kitchen filter can be simply washed in the dishwasher, then the charcoal filter for the kitchen hood will need to be replaced. It is worth considering in more detail the types of existing filters for kitchen hoods. There are a huge number of models from various manufacturers. It can be difficult to understand the differences between a mesh, round filter and a water filter. It is worth figuring out what are the advantages of the combined version of the products.

The main varieties can be divided into two large groups, such as:

• fat-trapping;
• coal.

The first options perfectly protect the hood and facilitate the task of cleaning the case. They are made from a synthetic base or paper. The last option is one-time and cannot be used twice. Experts do not recommend washing the disposable grease filter for economical management. Filters made from synthetic bases are easy to clean.

Grease filters are presented in the following varieties:

• from acrylic - these options are not considered durable;
• from non-woven or synthetic winterizer - these options are offered by many manufacturers; the last products are simply replaced as they become dirty;
• made of aluminum - these are durable options, since the devices can simply be washed with any suitable cleaning agent; such a filter is presented in the form of a metal frame, which is quite easy to remove from the device;
• made of stainless steel or galvanized are quite common solutions.

There can be several filters in the hood. Some models are supplied with special charcoal filters. Experts consider these options to be the best in comparison with other types of products.

Carbon filters have the following advantages:

• easy installation;
• small size;
• simple control;
• inexpensive components.

In the device itself, there are usually two types of carbon filters, the first of which provides coarse cleaning, and the second finer. Both filters require regular maintenance. Carbon filters look like a cassette element. The cassette includes several cartridges that contain the powdered coal mixture. Sometimes these are ordinary granules. Charcoal filters are good at removing odors from the air, thereby purifying it.

Charcoal and grease filters in some models are installed at the same time … In the device, you can immediately see the grease catchers, and behind them the squares. Thus, one device performs complex air purification. The standard hood models require filter replacement every 3-4 months. For some models, an annual service is sufficient. The filter renewal period is related to the level of indoor air pollution.

To change the filters correctly, you need to study the design of the exhaust unit in more detail.

Exhaust unit

The hood in the kitchen can be equipped with an air outlet, or it can work without it. If ventilation is provided in the kitchen device, then it will function according to the principle of removing polluted air outside the room. A special branch hose is connected to the ventilation, and the motor of the device blows air into it with a fan. Pure oxygen enters the room through ventilation. Sometimes such a mine combines several rooms.

If the global system is not required or for some reason it cannot be mounted, devices that do not need to be connected to ventilation will be saved. Such devices are called recirculation hoods. In fact, they return the same air back into the room, so it cannot be called pure oxygen. The air simply passes through the filtration elements. The devices are considered convenient as they do not require complex installation. They can be placed anywhere in the kitchen, no ventilation shaft is required. The filters inside the device can be simply inserted for replacement.

Materials (edit)

The disposable fabric grease element looks like a mat made of thin non-woven fabric or padding polyester. These filters are called flat filters and are usually found in inexpensive hoods. In more expensive models, there are reusable products that are made from metal. If there is an aluminum or metal filter in the hood, the life of such a product can be extended throughout the entire life of the device.

Reusable filters are similar in appearance to a conventional framed grill . Sometimes, many layers of foil are used as a filter element in such a product. Filtration elements can be perforated or mesh. The holes are not always symmetrical, they can be asymmetrical. The filter's job is to keep the grease particles on the surface while allowing air to flow freely through the perforated cassette. Typically, models of hoods of the middle price category are popular, most of them are equipped with several small cassettes. They are considered to be easy to clean as the items are easy to remove and put back.

Not all filter products are multi-layered. Some models of hoods include filters, the base of which is very thin. Anodized aluminum cleaning parts are usually found in expensive models. This base prevents oxidation. It can be difficult to understand the issue of choosing a filter, since many manufacturers offer a variety of models with similar characteristics and at different prices.

Which models are best placed over the stove?

Devices in most cases vary in design and size. It is difficult to get acquainted with all possible design options. It is important to understand that an option suitable for one interior is simply inappropriate for another. If the placement of the hood is correct, it will become a stylish element of the interior.

Depending on the placement option, the hood can be of several types

Wall . Such a device is perfect for placement over a kitchen stove that is installed against a wall. The hood can be mounted directly into the kitchen set. To implement this idea, you can choose built-in or telescopic models.

Ceiling . If the stove is installed in the center of the room, then it is better to choose a ceiling hood. Such devices are made in a designer design, therefore they very often play the role of the main element that decorates the room.

Corner . Angular placement of plates is less common, so the market offers few corner models of hoods. Due to the small variety of the assortment, there is practically no demand for such products. Models are mostly made to order and are one-time execution.

User reviews will help in choosing the right options. People's opinions differ, so when buying, you should understand how convenient this or that device will be in operation. The design of the models can be domed or flat. Dome models are quite large, nevertheless they are attractive in appearance. Often, such hoods are designed in the form of a fireplace. Flat structures are considered the simplest options, their installation is not difficult. Typically, these models are installed parallel to the slab.

You can find T-shaped devices on sale . It is assumed that the models are mounted on a wide box. The installed structure is considered to be similar to an inverted T. There is another rare version of island hoods, which outwardly resemble a pipe or an ordinary box. Such devices are preferred by lovers of style a la minimalism or other modern ways of decorating rooms.

Having decided on the design of the hood, it is important not to forget about the parameters of the products. In order to choose the right dimensions, it is important to focus on the size of the stove or the hob itself. The width of the latter is usually standard - from 45 to 90 cm. Hood manufacturers usually offer products with dimensions from 50 to 120 cm. The overall dimensions of the plate and the hood should be correlated. A hood with a smaller size will not provide high-quality air purification. A large hood width is allowed, the fumes from the stove will be well absorbed by the device.

When installing, it is important to consider the height of the mount . Regulatory standards assume the installation of the device at a distance of 0.75 m above the hob. Placement in accordance with the standards will ensure the required degree of cleaning, as well as the safe use of the device. If the hood is placed lower, grease accumulated on its walls can catch fire, which will lead to a fire hazard.

How to clean?

The question of the possibility of cleaning the filter from the hood is hotly discussed by users. Someone claims that it is impossible to wash products with your own hands, while others suggest washing the filters in a dishwasher. The housewives know that the grease trap gets dirty quickly. If the filters are not cleaned for more than two months, then the accumulated grease is really difficult to remove. Layer by layer, the grease gradually hardens and can only be removed with a coarse brush. Sometimes it is easier to remove filters with replaceable cartridges and replace them.

Some housewives try to use a dishwasher as a means of removing grease from filters, and if everything is not cleaned from the product the first time, then cleaning is started again. However, not all filters withstand this procedure. If the kitchen hood is budgetary, then the filters built into it will most likely be without special coverage.

You cannot clean such products in a dishwasher. After the first aggressive cleaning, the filters will turn black and collapse.

If the filter is made of aluminum but looks shiny, then it includes a special coating . You can find out about the availability of coverage in the passport for the product. This filter can be washed in a dishwasher. Generally, aluminum items are not dishwasher safe. If aluminum is exposed to an alkaline environment for a long time, then the metal will not only turn black, but also collapse. Even if this did not happen the first time, with subsequent washes the products will still turn black.

In general, there are quite a few options for cleaning the hood. In this case, the material of manufacture of products should be taken into account. For example, a stainless steel filter can be easily cleaned of grease with ordinary soda. But you need to use not a dry powder, but a soda solution. In it, you need to moisten a rag and walk on a dirty surface. Laundry soap is another inexpensive product that can help you deal with dirty filters. It contains a large amount of alkaline substances that can dissolve even the most ingrained fat.

If neither soda nor laundry soap was found in the house, ordinary store cleaning products will help in resolving the issue. To get rid of the problem accurately, you should choose potent formulations. It is good to clean the hood in the kitchen with professional products that we usually use to clean the stoves. It is clear that such funds will not be cheap. However, despite the fact that the funds will have to be spent, cleaning the filter elements will be definitely reliable.

The composition of quality products, for example, may contain charcoal . These cleaners will work well with various types of contaminants. Fat deposits dissolve alkaline agents well. The hood itself can be treated with such substances. If you can get rid of the dirt, then it will work much more efficiently. It is most convenient to get rid of dirt from the filters by placing the products in a suitable container. The water in the container must be fairly hot and the cleaning agent must be dissolved in it.

Filters must be placed in the container so that the products are completely hidden in the water. The filters can be left in the cleaning agent for several hours. At the end of the time, the product can be cleaned without undue effort. The cleaning procedure must be carried out efficiently. At the end of the work, it is advisable to completely remove the cleaning agent from the filter. If it remains on the surface, it may adversely affect the performance of the entire product.

If you make it a habit to wipe down the working surface of the hood after each cooking, this will greatly simplify the task of performing general cleaning. After cleaning, be sure to wipe the filters dry. Otherwise, odors may arise during operation of the hood. Manufacturers are trying to make modern products from durable and unpretentious materials.

With proper and timely maintenance of the filters, the hood can serve for more than a dozen years. Usually, it is enough to just wipe the product with a napkin and then dry it.