How to Clean Kitchen Extractor Fan

Kitchen extractor fans provide a crucial service to kitchens of every size. They ensure the kitchen is as free from humidity as it possibly can be. This is especially important when you consider that food prepared in a kitchen must be clean, so if the room has mould or excessive dust, you are posing further risks to your health.

So with that in mind, does a kitchen extractor fan need cleaning? And if so, is it a regular process? Or should someone qualified be taking on this task?

In this blog, we will address the question ‘How to clean kitchen extractor fan?’

With new buildings being made to be as energy efficient as possible, and the UK aiming for 95% of its electricity usage to be low carbon by 2030, it is imperative to understand how we can make the most of our ventilation. This is where applications such as extractor fans and heat recovery ventilation units come in.

To prevent mould, fresh air should constantly be introduced into your dwelling daily, as it helps to regulate temperature and reduce condensation. Introducing fresh air can be as simple as having a ventilation routine, or installing extractors or MVHR units. Almost all of this is facilitated by ducting.

What is a kitchen extractor fan?

An extractor fan is a ventilation device that is used to remove humidity, smells and stale air from the room it is placed in. This is done to maintain a comfortable environment, as well as mitigate condensation that is caused by humidity, which if it is left unattended, can become mould.

Kitchens benefit greatly as a result of a kitchen extraction fan, this is because…

Kitchens generate nearly as much steam as bathrooms, as a result, if there is no ventilation, this humidity will become condensation on surfaces. If this is left, it can eventually become mould.

As much as we love food, sometimes, the smells can be quite powerful, some of which can become attached to our clothing. A kitchen extractor fan mitigates this.

Cooker hoods have a similar function to a kitchen extractor fan. However, a cooker hood is placed directly over the cooker.

Your cooker will likely generate the most heat, smoke, smells and steam, so having a larger and more powerful extractor fan directly over this area will significantly reduce the effects that would happen if no cooker hood was used.

What is the best way to extract air in the kitchen?

Of course, this is relative to the amount of cooking going on in the kitchen. But we would suggest using your kitchen extractor fan, in conjunction with your cooker hood and an open window and backdoor if possible, in instances of an extensive cook.

As we’ve established, both extractor fans will extract the indoor air. An open window/door will also do this, but to a lesser degree, this is due to the window also allowing fresh, colder air to enter the kitchen simultaneously.

Should I close the kitchen door when cooking?

This is optional, but be aware that if there is steam, smoke, or strong smells coming from the kitchen, and no extractor fan is on, or no window is open, the heat, smells or smoke will travel around the home.

How to clean kitchen extractor fan

When it comes to cleaning a kitchen extractor fan, some people may be confused as it’s only used to extract air. But over time, dust, and other pollutants will collect within the extractor fan, or on the surface of it.

There are two stages to cleaning a kitchen extractor fan, the outside and inside. If you have no experience in this process, we would strongly recommend seeking the services of an expert to conduct this maintenance for you.

The stages of cleaning a kitchen extractor fan are as follows…

Turn the extractor fan off.

Remove the cover of the kitchen extractor fan.

Clean the cover of the extractor fan, making sure to at least use soapy water, whilst getting in between the holes of the cover. After this, allow the cover to dry.

Begin to address the covered area of the fan, not the inside just yet. Essentially, this is the space outside the ducting that had been covered by the fan cover.

After this is cleaned, using a handheld vacuum, or a vacuum with a long hose, extract any surface-level dust from the fan blades and surrounding ducting. Surrounding ducting may be weak depending on the material used, so be careful.

Reattach the fan cover once dry.

Does cleaning my extractor fan nullify my warranty?

Please be aware, that there is a possibility that self-maintenance may void the warranty of an extractor fan if anything breaks. Please do your due diligence beforehand and ensure that any maintenance is not going to cause any warranty issues for you.

A simple way to confirm this is by contacting the warranty department of the brand of extractor fan you have. By doing this you will have a clear understanding of what you can or can’t do, in addition to being given helpful tips, or even scheduling maintenance for you if that is part of their warranty or as an additional service.

Furthermore, if there is an excessive amount of dust and dirt within the fan, it would be preferable to hire an expert to conduct the maintenance, simply due to the health issues that could arise if the bacteria infects you. If you have a compromised immune system or physical issues in conducting maintenance, then you should hire an expert.

What happens if I don’t clean my extractor fan?

If you don’t clean your extractor fan, then over time, you will find a collection of dust and other contaminants forming in and around the extractor fan. If this is left unchecked over months or years depending on your usage, this can reduce the effectiveness of the extractor fan.

Reduced effectiveness of the extractor fan can result in humidity developing in certain areas, and the length of time taken to extract can increase. If dust and other contaminants are allowed to collect in the extractor fan, then the fan itself may start emitting noises, at it can not freely move as it should.

Does using my extractor fan get rid of all the dust?

Extractor fans will get rid of a significant amount of airborne dust and contaminants. If you use your extractor fan regularly, the amount of dust that collects will be minimal, though it has the potential to collect over time, which is why regular maintenance is important.

On the other hand, if you don’t use your extractor fan, not only will you find more airborne dust settling on surfaces, but it will also collect within the ducting and fans of the extractor. This is why you should use your extractor fan whenever necessary.

The best place to find kitchen extractor fans

At I-Sells, all things ventilation and ducting related is our speciality, we are here to answer the questions we know are common for those new to HVAC and what it encompasses.

We at I-Sells endeavour to ensure our customers have all the information they require before investing in our mould solutions. Be sure to visit our blog page to learn about the vast array of factors and issues surrounding ventilation, mould, condensation, and much more.

We hope to have answered the question ‘How to clean kitchen extractor fan?’

We understand you may have more questions, do not hesitate to contact us for more information about whatever you need our help with. If you’d like to email us, click here. For other contact options, see below:

Call us on 020 8463 9696

Visit us at our showroom:

*OPENING TIMES*

Monday – Friday: 8:00 am to 5:30 pm

Saturday: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Sunday: Closed

15 St John’s Parade

Sidcup, Kent

DA14 6ES

United Kingdom