A cooker hood quietly collects grease, steam and cooking residue every time you use the hob. Leave that build-up for too long and the hood can start to look tired, smell unpleasant and move less air through the filters. The good news is that routine cleaning is straightforward and usually takes less effort than tackling months of baked-on grease.
Cooker hood cleaning: the quick checklist
- Switch the hood off and allow it to cool before cleaning.
- Wipe the exterior with a soft cloth and a mild cleaner suitable for the finish.
- Remove and clean reusable metal grease filters regularly.
- Do not assume carbon filters are washable. Replace them unless the manufacturer specifically says otherwise.
- Avoid abrasive pads, strong solvents and spraying cleaner directly into controls, lights or the motor area.
- Clean more often if you fry, sear or cook with oil frequently.
Why cooker hood cleaning matters
The visible surface of a cooker hood is only part of the job. Most of the airborne grease drawn away from the hob is caught by the metal grease filters before the air reaches the fan. Over time, those filters become coated with residue.
A heavily loaded filter can restrict airflow, hold cooking smells and drip grease if it is neglected for long enough. Regular cleaning helps the hood stay hygienic and allows air to pass through the filter more freely.
How to clean a cooker hood step by step
Switch the hood off
Turn the cooker hood off before you start. If you are removing filters or cleaning around lamps and controls, isolate the appliance from the electrical supply where practical and make sure any lights have cooled.
Remove the grease filters
Most metal filters release using a small latch or handle. Support the filter with one hand as you release it so it does not drop onto the hob. If the hood has more than one filter, remove them one at a time.
Clean the metal filters
Soak the filters in hot water with a grease-cutting washing-up liquid, then clean them gently with a soft brush. Many stainless steel or aluminium mesh filters can also be cleaned in a dishwasher, but you should check the instructions for your particular model first.
Dishwasher cleaning can sometimes cause aluminium filters to darken or lose some of their original brightness. This is usually cosmetic rather than a sign that the filter has stopped working.
Wash the exterior
Use a soft microfibre cloth and a mild cleaner suitable for the hood’s surface. Apply cleaner to the cloth rather than spraying heavily around touch controls, switches, lighting or ventilation openings.
Clean underneath the hood
With the filters removed, wipe the accessible surfaces around the filter opening. Grease often collects along edges and corners that are hidden when the filters are fitted.
Do not reach into the motor or dismantle internal components unless the product instructions specifically require it.
Dry everything thoroughly
Allow filters to drain and dry completely before refitting them. Wipe the hood dry with a clean cloth to avoid streaks and water marks.
Refit the filters securely
Make sure each grease filter is properly located and latched into position before using the hood again.
How often should you clean cooker hood filters?
There is no single interval that suits every kitchen. A household that fries food several times a week will load the grease filters much faster than a kitchen where the hob is only used occasionally.
As a practical starting point, inspect the filters every few weeks and clean them whenever grease is clearly building up. For many regularly used kitchens, cleaning around once a month is a sensible routine. Heavy cooking may require more frequent cleaning.
| Cooking pattern | What to do |
|---|---|
| Light use | Inspect regularly and clean when residue becomes visible or sticky. |
| Daily cooking | A monthly grease-filter clean is a useful starting routine. |
| Frequent frying or high-heat cooking | Check more often, as grease can build up quickly. |
Can cooker hood filters go in the dishwasher?
Many reusable metal grease filters are dishwasher-safe, but not every filter is the same. Check the cooker hood instructions before putting yours in the dishwasher.
If dishwasher cleaning is permitted, position the filters so water can circulate through the mesh. A normal or lower-temperature programme is generally preferable to an aggressive intensive cycle unless the manufacturer states otherwise.
Cleaning stainless steel cooker hoods
Stainless steel looks best when it is cleaned gently and wiped in the direction of the grain. A soft microfibre cloth with warm water and a suitable stainless steel cleaner is usually enough for fingerprints and light grease.
Avoid steel wool, abrasive cream cleaners and rough scouring pads. They can permanently scratch the finish.
After cleaning, buff the surface dry with a clean cloth. This reduces streaks and water marks.
Cleaning black glass and white glass cooker hoods
Glass panels are generally easy to maintain but show fingerprints and grease quickly. Use a soft lint-free cloth with a mild glass cleaner or warm soapy water, then finish with a dry microfibre cloth.
Do not soak the edges of control panels or spray liquid directly into touch controls. Spray onto the cloth first and wipe the surface.
What about painted black finishes?
Matt and painted finishes can be less forgiving than glass. Avoid abrasive cleaners, solvents and strong degreasers unless they are specifically approved for the surface. A damp soft cloth with mild detergent is the safer starting point.
If you are unsure, test a cleaner on a small inconspicuous area before using it across the whole hood.
How do you clean a ceiling cooker hood?
The basic process is the same: clean the grease filters, wipe the visible surfaces and keep controls and electrical areas dry. The main difference is access.
Use a stable step ladder or platform rather than stretching over the hob. Some ceiling hoods have hinged panels that open to expose the grease filters. Support the panel as instructed and never force hinges or catches.
For a flush-fit model such as a ceiling cooker hood, regular filter cleaning is particularly worthwhile because the appliance is often positioned higher above the cooking area and may be less noticeable during everyday kitchen cleaning.
How do you clean a wall-mounted cooker hood?
Wall hoods are usually the easiest type to access. Remove the grease filters from underneath, clean the canopy and chimney surfaces, and pay attention to the lower edge closest to the hob where grease tends to collect.
If you have a glass canopy or angled glass hood, clean both the upper and lower surfaces of the glass. Explore the current ViandPro wall cooker hood range if you want to compare different styles.
Do carbon filters need cleaning?
Most standard carbon filters do not. They contain material that absorbs cooking odours and becomes less effective as it saturates. Once that happens, the filter is replaced rather than washed.
The replacement interval varies according to the filter, how often the hood is used and the type of cooking. Follow the instructions supplied with the hood or recirculation kit.
If you are unsure why your hood has a carbon filter, our guide to ducted and recirculating cooker hoods explains the difference.
Signs your cooker hood needs cleaning
- The grease filters look dark or feel sticky.
- Cooking smells linger longer than usual.
- Grease is collecting around the underside of the hood.
- The fan seems to move less air than it used to.
- The hood has developed a greasy or stale smell.
- You cannot remember the last time the filters were cleaned.
Cleaning will not solve every airflow or noise issue. If clean filters make little difference, check the installation and ducting as well. Our guide on reducing cooker hood noise covers several common installation-related causes.
What should you not use to clean a cooker hood?
The safest cleaner depends on the finish, but some things are best avoided unless the manufacturer specifically approves them:
- Steel wool and metal scouring pads.
- Abrasive powders and aggressive cream cleaners.
- Strong solvents.
- Highly concentrated degreasers on painted or coated surfaces.
- Excess water around controls, lights or electrical components.
- Steam cleaners directed into the appliance.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I clean my cooker hood?
Wipe the exterior as part of normal kitchen cleaning and inspect the grease filters every few weeks. In a regularly used kitchen, cleaning reusable grease filters roughly once a month is a useful starting point, with more frequent cleaning for heavy frying or high-heat cooking.
Can I wash metal cooker hood filters?
Most reusable metal grease filters can be washed. Hot water with washing-up liquid is a simple method, and many can also go in a dishwasher. Check the instructions for your model first.
Why has my aluminium filter gone dark in the dishwasher?
Dishwasher detergent and heat can change the appearance of aluminium. Darkening or dulling can be cosmetic and does not necessarily mean the grease filter is damaged.
Can I clean a carbon cooker hood filter?
Most standard carbon filters are not washable and should be replaced when saturated. Only wash a carbon filter if the manufacturer identifies it as a washable or regenerable type.
Can dirty filters make a cooker hood noisy?
They can contribute. A heavily loaded grease filter restricts airflow, which can change the sound of the hood. Noise can also be caused by duct size, bends, installation and fan speed.
Can I spray degreaser directly into the cooker hood?
No. Avoid spraying liquid into controls, lights, ventilation openings or the motor area. Apply an appropriate cleaner to a cloth and wipe accessible surfaces instead.
Keep your cooker hood working at its best
Regular filter cleaning is one of the simplest ways to look after an extractor. If you are replacing an old hood or planning a new kitchen, explore ViandPro wall, ceiling, island and downdraft cooker hoods.