The Kitchen Filter You Probably Never Think About

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There are plenty of kitchen cleaning jobs that become part of a routine. The bench gets wiped, the dishes are washed, and the oven gets cleaned when it needs it. But there is one part of the kitchen that can quietly collect months of grease and dust without getting much attention: the rangehood filter.

Look underneath your rangehood and you will usually find one or more metal filters. Their job is to catch grease and other particles produced while you cook before they make their way further into the exhaust system.

Over time, that filter can become surprisingly grimy. If you cook regularly, particularly by frying or using a lot of oil, the build-up can happen faster than you might expect. A filter covered in grease may also make the rangehood less effective at removing cooking smells and airborne particles.

Cleaning it does not necessarily require a special product. First, switch off the appliance and remove the filter according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Many metal filters can be soaked in warm water with dishwashing liquid before being gently scrubbed and rinsed.

Check the instructions for your particular rangehood before putting anything in the dishwasher. Some filters are dishwasher-safe, while others may need to be washed by hand.

While the filter is soaking, wipe down the accessible surfaces around the rangehood. Grease can collect on the underside, buttons, and surrounding cabinetry, particularly if the exhaust fan is not used consistently while cooking.

If your rangehood uses a disposable filter rather than a washable metal one, check what type it requires and how often it should be replaced. Avoid continuing to use one simply because it still looks intact.

This is also a good opportunity to check whether the rangehood is actually doing its job. Turn it on while cooking and see whether steam and cooking smells are being drawn towards it. If the appliance has become noticeably less effective, a dirty filter may be one possible explanation, although mechanical problems can have other causes.

How often you need to clean the filter depends on how much you cook and the manufacturer’s recommendations. It is worth putting the job on your household calendar rather than waiting until the grease becomes obvious.

It is an easy job to forget because the filter is mostly out of sight. But the next time you’re giving the kitchen a proper clean, look upwards. That little metal panel above the stove may need some attention too.