How to Deep Clean Greasy Range Hood Filters

Fats and oils travel upward during cooking, coating the fine mesh of your range hood filter until it becomes a sticky, fire-hazardous screen. This is one of those kitchen chores that gets ignored until the suction power drops or, worse, the filter begins to drip onto your stove. Restoring a filter to a near-new state does not require expensive chemicals or hours of intense scouring. By using the right combination of alkaline agents and heat, you can liquefy the hardened grease, allowing it to float away from the metal mesh. Once you master this process, you will realize that a clean vent system is the easiest way to keep your kitchen air fresh and your home safe.

  1. Release and Lower Filters Safely. Locate the small release latch or spring clip on the edge of your filter panel. Gently pull the filter downward while supporting the weight of the frame to prevent it from dropping onto the range.
  2. Mix Your Degreasing Solution. Fill your largest pot with enough water to fully submerge the filters and bring it to a rolling boil. Carefully whisk in a half-cup of baking soda and a generous squirt of high-strength degreasing dish soap until fully dissolved.
  3. Let Heat Dissolve the Grease. Turn off the heat and carefully lower the greasy filters into the solution. Let them soak for 15 to 20 minutes, watching as the grease breaks away from the mesh and rises to the surface of the water.
  4. Brush Away Stubborn Buildup. After soaking, use a non-scratch scrub brush to gently work any remaining stubborn spots along the frame. If the grease is still stubborn, do not force it; simply let it soak for another ten minutes.
  5. Wash Away All Soap Residue. Pull the filters out of the pot and rinse them under hot, clear running water. Ensure all soapy residue is washed away, as any remaining soap film will trap new grease much faster.
  6. Air Dry Before Reinstalling. Shake off excess water and stand the filters upright in a dish rack or lean them against a wall on a towel to air dry. Do not reinstall the filters until every drop of water has evaporated.