“Quick and Easy Hacks to Clean Kitchen Chimney”
Kitchen Chimneys handle of smoke, grease and dust on regularly basis.
If not cleaned once in a while, the filters get clogged with these impurities and eventually affect the efficiency of the chimney.
You don’t need professional help for cleaning a kitchen chimney. The process is actually pretty simple.
In this article, we have mentioned several methods with clear instructions to help you complete the kitchen chimney cleaning task quickly without any hassles.
How to Clean Chimney at Home?
The below-mentioned methods use natural ingredients that are commonly available in every household. Choose any method that is feasible for you and try it. But remember to follow the instructions carefully.
1. Dishwash Liquid
A dishwashing liquid is a common ingredient in every home that is readily available. Let us see how we can use this liquid effectively to get rid of the dirt and grease stuck to the chimney.
The advantage of using a dishwashing liquid is that it has surfactants, which act as a catalyst to unblock and eliminate the oil, dirt and grease deposited on the chimney filters.
Method 1: Regular Cleaning
This is all you need:
- Dishwashing Liquid
- Sponge
- Bucket
- Non-abrasive Scrubber
Instructions:
- Remove the filters from your chimney.
- Use a sponge to apply the dishwashing liquid to the filters.
- Take a bucket and fill it with water.
- Place these filters inside the bucket. See to it that the filters get immersed into the water completely.
- Allow it to stay for about one-two hours.
- Remove the filters from the bucket and scrub them using a non-abrasive scrubber.
- After scrubbing, wash them with normal water and allow them to dry completely.
- Replace the filters in the kitchen chimney.
Method 2: Deep Cleaning
If you feel that the grease deposits on the filters are tough to remove, try cleaning them using this method.
This is all you need:
- Dish Soap
- Steel Drum
- Stove
- Non-abrasive Scrubber
- Dry Cloth
Instructions:
- Remove the filters from your chimney.
- Take a steel drum and place the filters in it. Add water to the drum till the filters get completely immersed.
- Pour 4-5 tablespoons of dish soap into the drum.
- Now, set the drum on a burner and allow it to boil for 30 minutes.
- Turn off the stove and remove the filters from the drum.
- Scrub the filters using a non-abrasive scrubber until you get rid of all the dirt and grime left on the filter.
- After scrubbing, wash them with normal plain water.
- Use a dry cloth to wipe them.
- Dry them completely and then replace them in the kitchen chimney.
2. Baking Soda
When it comes to cleaning, nothing can play a better role than baking soda. It is yet another effective ingredient that most of us have in our kitchen. Using baking soda can be an awesome hack for cleaning your chimney because of its mild abrasive properties.
It will help remove the dirt, grime and grease efficiently without damaging the surface. Let us learn how to clean the outer surface of the chimney, the filters, and meshes.
Below is the step-by-step process for cleaning the surface.
This is all you need:
- Baking Soda
- Moist Cloth
Instructions:
- Take two tablespoons of baking soda and mix it with a small quantity of water to form a paste.
- Apply this paste over the chimney surface and let it sit there for five minutes.
- Now, take a moist cloth and wipe it off to eliminate the grease.
If you want to clean the filters and meshes, follow the below method.
This is all you need:
- Tub
- Baking Soda
- Vinegar
- Salt
- Scrubber
Instructions:
- Fill a big tub with hot boiling water.
- Now, add salt and baking soda (2-3 tablespoons, each) and vinegar (two cups) to the tub.
- Mix all of them together and soak the filters in the solution.
- Allow them to sit for one-two hours.
- Now, take out the filters from the tub and scrub them using a scrubber until you get rid of all the dirt and grime left on the filter.
- After that, wash them in plain water.
- Let them dry completely and then replace them in the kitchen chimney.
3. Vinegar
White vinegar does a fantastic cleaning job and can be a great option. This will be of great help for getting rid of grime and greasy stains collected on the chimney exteriors such as the hood and the panels. Why don’t you try this?
This is all you need:
- Tub
- Vinegar
- Salt
- Non-abrasive Scrubber
- Wet Cloth
Instructions:
- Fill a small tub with hot water.
- Now, add vinegar (1-2 cups) to the tub.
- Mix it well and soak the filters in the solution.
- Allow them to sit for about one-two hours.
- Now, remove the filters from the tub and scrub them using a non-abrasive scrubber to get rid of all the dirt and grime left on the filter.
- After that, wash them in plain water and wipe with a wet cloth.
- Dry them completely and then replace them in the kitchen chimney.
4. Paint Thinners
You can also use a paint thinner to remove the grease or oil stains on the chimney. It is a powerful cleaning agent that helps you get rid of stubborn stains effortlessly. It is an easy option for cleaning, unlike the other cleaning methods. Don’t have a paint thinner at home? Worry not! I am sure you will have a nail polish remover at home. You can use that as well.
Let us look into the step-by-step cleaning process:
This is all you need:
- Cotton or Microfiber Cloth
- Paint Thinner
- Knife or Blade
- Non-abrasive Scrubber
- Wet Cloth
Instructions:
- Take a dab of paint thinner on cotton or a microfiber cloth.
- Using this, gently scrub every corner of the chimney filter to get rid of all the dirt, grease, and oil.
- After that, wash the filters with plain water.
- Dry them completely and then replace them in the kitchen chimney.
5. Caustic Soda
Caustic Soda or Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) is another cleaning agent used for cleaning a kitchen chimney. It works perfectly for stubborn grease or oil stains easily and effectively.
Follow the below steps to get started with the cleaning process:
- Remove the filters carefully from your chimney.
- Place the filters in a tray and sprinkle caustic soda over them.
- Allow it to sit for about five minutes.
- Now, pour boiling water over the filters. Make sure they get fully immersed in water. (Caustic soda releases fumes, hence ensure that you maintain some distance from the tray.)
- Allow it to stay for 2 – 3 hours.
- Carefully remove the filters from the solution. (Do not forget to wear gloves)
- Scrub every corner of the chimney filter to get rid of all the dirt, grease, and oil.
- After that, wash the filters with plain water.
- Dry them completely and then replace them in the kitchen chimney.
Also, avoid touching them with bare hands and always wear gloves to prevent chemical burns. Wear proper safety protection when cleaning.
6. Hot Water
This is one of the easiest ways to clean a kitchen chimney filter. It is perfect for people who don’t have much time for cleaning process. The boiling hot water unblocks the grease and oil stains present on the filters.
- If you have a big steel container.
- Place the filters and add water until the filters are completely immersed.
- Let it boil for 30 minutes on slow flame.
- Turn off the stove and remove the filters carefully.
- Wash with normal plain water.
- Wipe them using a dry cloth.
- Dry them completely before placing them into the kitchen chimney.
Safety Tips for Cleaning the Kitchen Chimney:
Below are some safety measures to follow when cleaning the kitchen chimney at home.
- Always switch off the appliance before you start cleaning the chimney. This will not allow the chemicals to damage the chimney.
- Since the placement of a kitchen chimney is directly over the heating source or stove, make sure you cover it properly. In addition to that, remove any utensils that are present underneath the chimney.
- When cleaning the chimney using chemicals, remember not to touch your face. This can harm your health.
- Before you start doing any of the steps, as mentioned above, wear rubber gloves. This ensures your hands will be safe from the rough cleaning process.
How Often Should you Clean the Filters?
Well, this is a quite common question that many people have. The answer to this question is entirely dependent on the type of kitchen chimney, type of food you prepare and how often you do it. However, it is suggestible to clean chimneys at least once every 2-3 months.
In Indian kitchens, the cooking typically involves lots of spices and oils, which generate a lot of smoke. For such cooking, we recommend cleaning the meshes and the filters in the chimneys monthly once. Moreover, the frequency of cleaning is dependent on the type of filters it has.
Cassette Filters – Cassette or mesh filters contain multi-layered mesh made of aluminium. These filters consist of tiny pores, which easily trap grease or oil particles from smoke. This will block them, eventually. Hence, it is best advisable to clean them regularly once a week.
Baffle Filters – The baffle filters contain multiple curved panels made of stainless steel. These filters do not get clogged too often, and hence you can clean them once every 3-4 times. Moreover, they are dishwasher safe.
Charcoal Filters – These filters contain a slate with charcoal granules, which absorb the smoke, odour, and oil particles. They are not washable, and hence you need to replace them every three to four months.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Ans: A kitchen chimney is specially designed for removing the smoke, fumes, gases, or other pollutants from the kitchen when cooking. It consists of several components like meshes, filters, etc., that trap grease, steam, and oil particles.
Eventually, these will get clogged with the thick deposits of grime that will obstruct the gas flow outside through the chimney. Hence it is essential to clean them regularly to ensure the proper functioning and performance of the chimney.
Moreover, the areas deposited with grime and dirt pose a threat to microbial infestation. This can be harmful to the health of the occupants in the long run.
Ans: Modern chimneys, these days, come with an auto-clean feature that reduces the efforts for cleaning or maintaining them. All you have to do is just switch on the option, and the chimney does the automatic cleaning. During the cleaning process, all the grime, dirt, or other particles get deposited in a cup, which is removable. Remove the cup, clean it and replace it in the kitchen chimney.
Ans: Well, choosing an AMC is always advisable than to clean chimneys personally. This is primarily because the chimney may have clogged filters. The extensive or frequent cooking may result in dense deposits of grease and oil on the chimney. It is always advisable to opt for an AMC with the manufacturer, who will offer services for cleaning, repair, or maintenance periodically. You can also tie-up with a reputed company offering similar services.
Ans: You may require cleaning the chimney from inside yearly once at least. We recommend you to seek the professional’s help for the same, as you may have to dismantle the appliance, and this is no easy feat. So, call for an expert to get the task done. Moreover, this service is also not expensive.
Ans: Cleaning of chimney exteriors is equally important as cleaning the inside. You can do it by using a damp soft cloth. However, if you notice more dirt or grime on the surface, apply some cleaning detergent and then wipe it off with a clean cloth to remove the grease.
Note: Make sure you refer to the user manual and take the necessary care before trying the given methods.
Conclusion:
I hope this article answered all your questions on why, when, and how to clean the kitchen chimney. I am sure you came to know the easiest cleaning hacks with regular household items. Next time, when you take up the chimney cleaning task, do not forget to try them.
Let us know in the comments section below what you think of those cleaning tips. If you ever tried them, do let us know that as well. We would be very happy to hear from you.
