Discover Elica’s guide to properly clean kitchen hood filters, in order to guarantee efficiency and higher durability.
Proper operation of the hood extraction system is essential for livability in the kitchen. Healthy air in this room allows for kitchens to be experienced as a new ‘social place’, a modern living room concept, which combines both function and comfort.
In order for kitchen hoods to meet required air quality parameters, their filters must ensure maximum efficiency and functionality: in fact, factors like extraction power, filtering capacity, and noise level strictly depend on filter performance. A proper filter cleaning and degreasing routine can be the solution to have top performance hoods: these are the key aspects to consider when cleaning kitchen hood filters.
No use in starting a cleaning or degreasing routine without first asking yourself: What kind of hood do I have? There are two types available on the market:
Depending on the type of hood, the filters they are equipped with are divided into two broad categories:
Disposable filters as activated charcoal filters have single or multilayer structures that retain the odors present in the air captured by the hood. As we can logically guess, this type of filter cannot be washed or maintained, but must be replaced when its life cycle is over (filter capacity saturation).
Grease and odor filters represent an even longer-lasting and more sustainable solution , as they can have various lifecycles, if properly washed and degreased upon filter capacity saturation.
Grease filters are generally longer-lasting. This type of filter is made of metal mesh grids, in aluminum or stainless steel, that covers the extractor fan right where the air is captured over the hob. Over time, the grids begin to accumulate grease on the mesh that may partially obstruct the extraction area, thus lowering the quality and placing the extraction fan under stress.
The cleaning and degreasing of the metal grid may include:
The best way to degrease and regenerate filters is to use specific products developed for grease filter cleaning, as microfiber cloths especially created for this type of cleaning.
There are various types of odor filters available on the market as long life filters, Long life HP filters and ceramic filters.:
Proper filter cleaning is essential in guaranteeing high air filtering efficiency levels and proper hood operation. Before starting to clean and replace filters, it is best to check the instructions on the filter box to not risk damaging the appliance.