Cooker Hood Cleaning: How to Degrease Filters the Right Way
5 October 20266 min read
Cooker hood cleaning comes down to three steps: switch off the power, soak the filters in very hot water with dishwashing liquid and baking soda, then wipe the hood body with a degreaser on a warm cloth. In a Singapore kitchen where the wok comes out most nights, the filters need this every two to four weeks. Leave it longer and the grease hardens into a sticky layer that slows the fan, makes the hood noisier and can drip back onto the hob.
Below is the full method, with differences for the two common filter types.
Safety first
- Turn off the hood at the wall switch or isolator. Some hoods have a light and fan that can start if a button is knocked while you are reaching in.
- Let it cool if you have just cooked. The lamp and the metal near the motor can be hot.
- Never spray liquid directly into the motor housing or onto the control panel. Spray the cloth instead.
- Use a stable step stool, not a chair, especially for chimney hoods mounted high.
Know your filter type
Most hoods in Singapore homes use one of these. Check your manual if unsure.
| Filter type | What it looks like | How to clean | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium mesh | Layers of fine metal mesh in a frame | Soak in hot soapy water, brush gently | Can dent and discolour; harsh caustic cleaners can darken aluminium |
| Stainless steel baffle | Angled metal slats, heavier | Soak and scrub, often dishwasher-safe | Most durable; handles heavy wok cooking well |
| Charcoal or carbon | Black pad or cartridge, used in recirculating hoods | Do not wash unless the manual says it is washable | Replace on the schedule the manufacturer gives |
| Oil cup or tray | Small removable cup under some hoods | Empty, soak, wipe | Easy to forget; overflowing cups drip onto the hob |
Recirculating hoods (common where there is no exterior duct) usually have both a metal grease filter and a carbon filter. Clean the metal one; replace the carbon one.
How to clean metal hood filters, step by step
- Remove the filters. Most have a spring latch or pull tab. Support the filter with your other hand so it does not drop onto the hob.
- Fill a basin or the sink with the hottest water you can safely use. Add a good squeeze of dishwashing liquid and a few tablespoons of baking soda. For a large baffle filter, a laundry basin or the bathtub works better.
- Soak for 15 to 30 minutes. Heavily caked filters may need a second soak with fresh hot water.
- Brush gently with a soft dish brush, following the direction of the mesh. Avoid steel wool on aluminium.
- Rinse under hot running water and hold the filter up to the light. You should see through the mesh evenly.
- Dry completely before refitting, ideally air dried in the service yard. Refitting a wet filter invites drips and dust.
Many stainless baffle filters, and some mesh filters, can go in a dishwasher. Check the manual, since aluminium can discolour in a dishwasher with strong detergent tablets.
Cleaning the hood body and chimney
With the filters soaking:
- Spray kitchen degreaser on a cloth and wipe the underside of the canopy, where grease is heaviest.
- Wipe the outer casing in the direction of the stainless steel grain to avoid streaks.
- Clean the top of the hood. On chimney models, the flat top and the chimney cover collect dust stuck in oil.
- Wipe the buttons or touch panel with a barely damp cloth.
- Empty and wash the oil cup if your model has one.
- Finish stainless steel with a dry microfibre or a drop of stainless steel polish.
How often to clean a cooker hood
| Cooking habit | Filter soak | Full hood wipe-down |
|---|---|---|
| Daily wok or deep frying | Every 2 to 3 weeks | Monthly |
| Cooking several times a week | Every 4 to 6 weeks | Every 2 months |
| Light cooking, mostly steaming or boiling | Every 2 to 3 months | Every 3 months |
A good habit: run the hood for a few minutes after you finish cooking to clear lingering oily steam, and give the canopy underside a quick wipe while it is still warm.
Signs your hood needs more than a clean
- Suction is weak even with clean filters. The duct or fan may be clogged. That needs a hood technician.
- Grinding or rattling noise. Possibly a motor or fan blade issue.
- Filters are warped, torn or permanently gummed. Replacement filters are usually inexpensive from the manufacturer.
- Oil dripping from the hood even after cleaning. Check the oil cup, the seals and the ducting.
We clean what is reachable and removable: the filters, casing and surrounding surfaces. Internal motors, ducting and electrical faults are for the appliance brand's service team.
Fitting hood cleaning into the bigger kitchen job
The hood is always the first job in a kitchen deep clean because grease and dirty water fall from it onto everything else. After that come the backsplash, hob and cabinets, as described in how to deep clean a Singapore kitchen. The hob has its own quirks, covered in gas stove and hob cleaning, and lingering cooking smells around the home are tackled in how smell affects a clean home.
If you would prefer someone else do the soaking and scrubbing, Cleaning Assistant's cleaners can take the filters, hood exterior and kitchen as part of a session. You supply your preferred degreaser and dishwashing liquid, so you know exactly what is used near your cooking area. For the whole-home picture, see our deep cleaning guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use oven cleaner on cooker hood filters?
Stainless steel baffle filters can usually handle it, but many oven cleaners are caustic and will darken or pit aluminium mesh. Hot water, dishwashing liquid and baking soda is safer and works well if you soak regularly.
Why is my cooker hood still sticky after cleaning?
Usually the grease was not softened enough, or a residue of degreaser was left behind. Wipe again with a cloth wrung out in very hot water, then dry with a clean microfibre.
How do I know if my hood is ducted or recirculating?
A ducted hood has a pipe leading through the wall or ceiling to the outside. A recirculating hood blows air back into the kitchen through a vent on the hood itself and uses a charcoal filter that needs replacing rather than washing.
Grease build-up getting ahead of you? Schedule a kitchen clean at a time that suits you, or WhatsApp +65 8166 0891 and we will help you plan it.