A cooker hood can look clean from the outside while its filters quietly collect months of cooking grease. That build-up can make the hood noisier, less effective at clearing steam and odours, and harder to maintain later. Knowing how to clean extractor hood filters properly is a simple way to keep a busy family kitchen fresher and help your appliance perform as intended.
The good news is that most routine cleaning needs only warm water, washing-up liquid and a little time. The right method depends on whether your hood has reusable metal grease filters, disposable fabric filters or charcoal filters for recirculating air.
Before you clean an extractor hood
Switch the hood off at the mains before removing filters or cleaning around the fan area. If you have just finished cooking, wait until the hob, hood and surrounding surfaces are completely cool.
Check the appliance manual if you still have it, particularly before putting any filters in a dishwasher. Many metal mesh filters are dishwasher-safe, but some can discolour in the machine. This does not always affect performance, though it can change the finish. The manual will also confirm the correct replacement filter type if your hood uses charcoal filters.
You will usually need a washing-up bowl or sink, hot water, washing-up liquid, a soft sponge or nylon brush, microfibre cloths and an old toothbrush for corners. For heavier grease, bicarbonate of soda can help. Avoid steel wool, harsh scouring pads and strongly abrasive cleaners, as these may scratch stainless steel, glass or painted surfaces.
How to clean extractor hood grease filters
Most extractor hoods use aluminium or stainless-steel mesh grease filters. These are designed to trap airborne grease before it reaches the motor and ducting. They should be cleaned regularly rather than replaced, unless they are damaged.
Remove the filters carefully
Open the hood canopy or underside panel, then locate the small catches on each filter. Support the filter with one hand while releasing the catch with the other. Metal filters can be slippery with grease, so place them straight into the sink or on an old towel rather than on your worktop.
If there is more than one filter, remove them one at a time. Taking a quick photo before removal can be useful if the fitting is unfamiliar.
Soak away everyday grease
Fill your sink or a large washing-up bowl with very hot water and add a generous amount of washing-up liquid. Place the filters in the water and leave them to soak for 15 to 30 minutes. The heat loosens grease while the detergent breaks it down.
After soaking, use a soft brush to clean along the mesh and around the frame. An old toothbrush is useful for the narrow edges where grease tends to settle. Rinse thoroughly under warm running water until no soap or residue remains.
For filters cleaned often, this is usually enough. A regular quick wash is easier and kinder to the filter than waiting until the mesh is sticky and dark.
Deal with stubborn build-up
If grease remains after soaking, make a loose paste with bicarbonate of soda and a small amount of water. Apply it to the affected areas, leave it for around 10 minutes, then brush gently and rinse. You can also add a few tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda to the soaking water.
Do not force sharp tools through the mesh to scrape away grease. It is easy to bend the fine metal layers, and a damaged filter may not sit securely back in the hood.
Can extractor hood filters go in the dishwasher?
Many manufacturers allow metal grease filters to be washed in a dishwasher, ideally on a normal or intensive cycle. Place them upright where water can pass through the mesh and avoid packing other items tightly around them.
There is a trade-off. Dishwasher cleaning is convenient, especially after a week of heavy cooking, but aluminium filters may develop a dull or grey appearance over time. Hand washing is often the safer choice when you want to preserve the original finish. Never put charcoal, paper or fabric filters in the dishwasher.
Once washed, leave metal filters to dry fully before refitting them. Water trapped in the mesh can drip onto the hob or, more importantly, should not be placed near electrical parts inside the hood.
Cleaning the hood exterior and underside
While the filters are drying, clean the visible parts of the appliance. Use a soft microfibre cloth dampened with warm water and a little washing-up liquid. Wipe in the direction of the grain on stainless-steel hoods, then dry with a clean cloth to reduce streaks.
For glass panels and touch controls, use a lightly damp cloth rather than spraying cleaner directly onto the hood. Excess liquid can run into buttons, seams and electrical components. A dry microfibre cloth will bring back a clearer finish without leaving lint behind.
Pay attention to the underside of the hood, especially around the filter frame and light covers. Grease can collect here even when the filters are doing their job. Wipe gently, keeping moisture away from wiring, vents and the motor housing. If grease is heavy, use a cloth with diluted washing-up liquid, then wipe again with a clean damp cloth and dry thoroughly.
Clean inside the extractor hood without damaging it
With the filters removed, you may see a small amount of grease on the inner surfaces. This is normal, but it should not be allowed to build up. Wipe accessible areas using a barely damp cloth and mild detergent. Work slowly around edges and corners, without pushing the cloth into the fan or electrical fittings.
Do not pour water or degreaser into the hood. Avoid spraying cleaner directly inside, too. A cooker hood is not a sealed box, and liquid can reach parts that should remain dry.
If you notice thick grease around the motor, dripping from the hood, a burning smell, unusual vibration or reduced extraction even with clean filters, stop using the appliance until it has been checked. Cleaning is useful maintenance, but it cannot fix a worn motor, blocked ducting or electrical fault.
What to do with charcoal filters
Charcoal filters are used in recirculating extractor hoods, where cleaned air is returned to the kitchen rather than vented outside. Unlike metal grease filters, standard charcoal filters usually cannot be washed. They absorb odours and gradually lose effectiveness.
As a general guide, replace standard charcoal filters every three to six months, depending on how often you cook and what you cook. Frying, strong spices and frequent cooking will shorten their useful life. Some newer long-life or regenerative charcoal filters can be cleaned or refreshed, but only follow the manufacturer’s instructions for that specific model.
If your kitchen still smells of cooking after the hood has been running, a spent charcoal filter may be the reason. Replacing it can make a noticeable difference, even when the outside of the appliance looks spotless.
How often should you clean an extractor hood?
For most homes, wipe the exterior and underside once a week or whenever splashes are visible. Clean metal grease filters every month if you cook regularly. A household that fries often or cooks every day may need to clean them every two weeks.
Charcoal filters follow a different schedule because they are replaced rather than routinely washed. Set a reminder when you fit a new one, as it is easy to forget a filter that is hidden from view.
A useful sign that cleaning is overdue is condensation lingering in the kitchen, grease on nearby cupboards, louder-than-usual operation or cooking odours that remain long after the hob is off. These symptoms can also point to poor ventilation or blocked ducting, so cleaning the filters is the sensible first check.
Small habits that keep the job easy
Run your extractor hood for a few minutes before cooking and leave it on for around five to ten minutes afterwards. This gives it time to clear steam and lingering odours. Use the appropriate fan speed too: a higher setting is better for frying or boiling, while a lower speed may be enough for lighter cooking.
Cleaning a hood little and often takes far less effort than tackling a layer of hardened grease. Keep a microfibre cloth nearby, wash the metal filters on a regular schedule and replace charcoal filters when their odour control fades. Your kitchen will feel cleaner, and your extractor hood will be ready to work when dinner gets busy.
